EGB365 Fluid and Particle Systems

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit builds technical competence in the design and modelling of multiphase systems commonly encountered in chemical engineering. You will learn the fundamentals of fluid & particle mechanics, including the mechanics of particle settling, fluidisation regimes, fluid-fluid interactions, and flow through porous media. You also will learn about idealised reactor models, including continuously stirred tank reactors and plug flow reactor models, as well as various non-ideal reactor models. You will then apply this theory to develop mathematical models of a range of non-isothermal unit operations involving reactive multiphase heat and mass transfer, including fluidized beds, filtration systems, catalytic packed bed reactors, packed bed adsorption, chemical absorption, and distillation columns. You will also use numerical techniques to solve and analyse reactor models in python. The unit builds on introductory mass and energy balance concepts learned in EGB263 Process Systems.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Design processing operations that involve multiphase chemically reactive systems at a developed level.
2. Solve analytical problems in chemical reactor engineering and fluid and particle mechanics at a developed level.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of equipment used in the process industries for conducting chemical reactions involving fluid-fluid and fluid-particle systems at a developed level.
4. Demonstrate understanding of fluid-particle interaction mechanisms for multiscale behaviours at a developed level.

Content

Learning Approaches

In this unit you can expect to experience the following timetabled activities:

• Formal lectures will assist you with framing and solving fluid and particle mechanics and reaction engineering problems. You will have the opportunity to ask questions during these lectures.
• Tutorial classes that will give you the opportunity to work collaboratively with your peers to solve problems. These will be facilitated by tutors and will provide an opportunity to test your understanding and gain feedback on your work.
• To complement timetabled activities, you can expect to be provided with learning resources including videos and readings on a unit Canvas site that you can access flexibly to complete your learning in this unit. Success in this unit will require you to manage your time to ensure you have focused time each week (beyond timetabled activities).

At the beginning of the unit, you will be made aware of the ways in which you can ask questions or seek clarification from the Unit Coordinator and Tutors.

You are expected to:

• Engage with timetabled activities on campus and ask questions.
• Manage your time to engage with online resources outside of timetabled activities. These will be available on the unit Canvas site. You will receive regular email announcements regarding release of these resources.
• Engage with your peers in a learning community to practice problem solving and then work independently to complete your assessment tasks.
• Prepare for timetabled classes and activities and follow up on any work not completed.
• Complete assessment tasks by working consistently across the semester and meeting the due dates that are published via the unit Canvas site.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will gain feedback in this unit by participating in weekly workshops with peers and academics. Marked assessment will include feedback given by the markers against the criteria.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment comprises both formative and summative elements. Formative assessment and feedback will take the form of  verbal feedback in tutorials. Summative tasks includes problem solving tasks and a theory exam.

Feedback will be provided on written assignments according to criteria and standards (rubrics).

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem solving tasks

Problem solving using mathematical calculations to characterise and design fluid and particle mechanics and the modelling of multiphase chemically reactive systems.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

Assessment: Exam

Questions will be posed for you to demonstrate knowledge, problem solving and analysis of fluid and particle mechanics and the modelling of multiphase chemically reactive systems.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Levenspiel, O 1998, Chemical Reaction Engineering, 3rd Edition, Wiley

Risk Assessment Statement

You will be informed of any requirements pertaining to a safe workplace. In lectures and tutorial, the information will include location of fire exits and meeting points in case of fire. If you do not follow legitimate instructions or endanger the safety of others or do not act in accordance with the requirements of the Workplace Health and Safety Act, you will be required to leave the session.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer

1: Knowledge and Skill Base

1. 
   Relates to: Problem solving tasks, Exam
2. 
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3. 
   Relates to: Problem solving tasks, Exam
4. 
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5. 
   Relates to: Problem solving tasks, Exam

2: Engineering Application Ability

1. 
   Relates to: Problem solving tasks
2. 
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3. 
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Course Learning Outcomes

EN01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

1. Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Problem solving tasks, Exam
2. Engage with and apply regulatory requirements relating to safety, risk management, and sustainability in professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: ULO2
3. Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Problem solving tasks, Exam
4. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: ULO3