FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

2018/2019 RAIN SEMESTER EXAMINATION
CHE 202: INTRODUCTION TO CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
INSTRUCTION: ANSWER ANY FIVE QUESTIONS; TIME ALLOWED: 3 HOURS
1a) Write short notes on the following topics: (i) historical development of Chemical
Engineering in Nigeria (ii) Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (4marks).
b) Chemical Engineers are in better position than any other branch of engineering to solve the
problem of unemployment in Nigeria. Explain from your point of view (3marks).
c) With regards to Nigeria as a country, explain with seven points the areas Chemical Engineers
are impacting positively to national development (7marks).
2a) (i) Outline four uses of flow-sheets in chemical process industry (2marks). (ii) Highlight any
six items a typical PFD should show (3marks). (iii) sketch the chemical engineering symbols for
heat exchanger, packed column, gas compressor and fired heater (2marks).
b) Explain briefly the terms (i) Unit operations, and (ii) Unit processes (3marks).
c) Briefly highlight the contrast between the following (i) adsorption and absorption (ii)
evaporation and drying (iii) sulphonation and sulphation (iv) halogenation and hydrogenation
(4marks).
3a) Explain briefly the following (i) Consistent of units (ii) Dimensionally homogeneous
equation (4marks).
b) The following formula for the pressure drop through a valve was found to be in a design
manual
⁄

Where hL is the head loss in feet of fluid flowing through the valve, K is a dimensionless
resistance coefficient for the valve, q is the flow rate through the valve, in ft3/s and d is the
diameter of the valve in inches.
(i) Can the equation be used without changing anything if SI units are used for the variables?
Explain (5marks).
(ii) What are the dimensions of 522 in this equation? What are the units (5marks).
4a) List the distinct steps followed in solving problems in dimensional analysis using the method
of Pi theorem (5marks).
b) An ethylene storage tank in your plant explodes. The distance that the blast wave travels from
the blast site (R) depends upon the energy released in the blast (E), the density of the air (ρ) and
time (t). Use dimensional analysis to determine the dimensionless group(s) that can be used to
describe the relationship between the variables (9marks).

5. A limestone analyses; CaCO3 – 93%, MgCO3 – 5.5% and insoluble – 1.5%

a) How many kilograms of calcium oxide can be made from 6 tons of this limestone? (5marks).
b) How many kilograms of carbon dioxide can be recovered per kilogram of limestone? (5marks)
c) How many kilograms of limestone are needed to make one ton of lime? (4marks). NB: Lime
consists of calcium oxide, magnesium oxide and insoluble. Molecular weight of Mg = 24.

6. In the reaction below, 40% ammonia is burned with 60% oxygen to produce nitrogen oxide.
4NH3 + 5O2 → 4NO +6H2O
Determine; (a) the limiting reactant and the excess reactant (5marks). (b) the percentage by
which the excess reactant is in excess (5marks). (c) the molar flow rates of all the product gas
constituents for a 40% conversion of the limiting reactant (4marks). (Unit of chosen basis must
be in moles).