Chemical Engineering
Basic Concepts

1. Mass and Energy Balances :
   - Mass balance: This involves applying the principle of conservation of mass, where the total mass of reactants entering a system equals the total mass of products and by-products leaving the system.
   - Energy balance: This pertains to the conservation of energy, considering all forms of energy transfers (e.g., heat, work) in a chemical process, ensuring that the energy input equals the energy output.
2. Stoichiometry:
   - Stoichiometry quantitatively describes the relationships between reactants and products in chemical reactions based on their respective molar ratios. It allows for the precise determination of reactant quantities and product yields.
3. Thermodynamics:
   - Thermodynamics involves the application of laws and equations (e.g., the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, the Gibbs free energy equation) to understand and predict energy transformations, phase changes, and chemical equilibrium in chemical systems.
4. Fluid Mechanics:
   - Fluid mechanics deals with the behavior of fluids (liquids and gases) under various conditions. It encompasses the study of fluid flow, viscosity, pressure gradients, and flow rates in pipelines and equipment.
5. Heat Transfer:
   - Heat transfer examines the mechanisms by which heat energy is exchanged between systems or objects. This includes conduction (transfer through solids), convection (transfer through fluids), and radiation (transfer through electromagnetic waves).
6. Mass Transfer:
   - Mass transfer focuses on the movement of chemical species (e.g., molecules or ions) from one phase to another, often seen in processes like distillation, absorption, or liquid-liquid extraction.
7. Chemical Kinetics :
   - Chemical kinetics involves the study of reaction rates, reaction mechanisms, and the factors influencing reaction rates. It quantifies how reactants transform into products over time.
8. Unit Operations:
   - Unit operations are distinct steps or processes in chemical engineering, including mixing, separation, reaction, and heat exchange. These operations are often combined to achieve specific process goals.
9. Process Control:
   - Process control refers to the implementation of control systems using feedback and automation techniques to maintain and optimize process parameters, ensuring desired outcomes in chemical processes.
10. Chemical Equipment and Design:
    - This entails the selection, sizing, and layout of equipment such as reactors, pumps, and distillation columns to achieve efficient and safe chemical processes.
11. Safety and Hazard Analysis:
    - Safety and hazard analysis involves identifying potential risks, conducting risk assessments, and implementing safety measures to prevent accidents and protect personnel, equipment, and the environment.
12. Environmental Engineering:
    - Environmental engineering addresses the impact of chemical processes on the environment, focusing on pollution control, waste treatment, and sustainable practices to minimize ecological harm.
13. Materials Science:
    - Materials science investigates the properties, behavior, and suitability of materials used in chemical processes, considering factors like corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and thermal stability.
14. Transport Phenomena:
    - Transport phenomena studies the transfer of momentum, heat, and mass in chemical systems. It encompasses the analysis of diffusion, convection, and boundary layer phenomena.
15. Chemical Engineering Economics:
    - This involves performing cost estimation, profitability analysis, and economic evaluations to assess the feasibility and financial viability of chemical processes and projects.

16. Process Optimization:
    - Process optimization employs mathematical models and computational tools to maximize efficiency, minimize costs, and improve the performance of chemical processes. It aims to find the most efficient operating conditions and design parameters.