Analysis in Chemical Engineering

In order to explain dimensional analysis in chemical engineering, we present a typical problem of chemical engineering that requires an experimental approach. Consider the steady flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid through a long, smooth-walled, horizontal and circular pipe which is heated from the outside. 

In this system two important characteristics are of interest to an engineer designing the pipeline  

the pressure drop per unit length along the pipe as a result of friction, 

the heat transfer coeflicient that shows the kinetics of heat transfer from the pipe wall to the bulk fluid. 

The first step in planning an experiment to study this problem would take into consideration the choice of factors, or variables that affect the pressure drop (Ap/1) and the heat transfer coeflicient (a). As a first approach, we can consider the effects of temperature and pressure separately. In fact, the temperature variation has no direct effect on the pressure drop but has an effect on the fluid s physical properties. 

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Finlayson, B. A. Nonlinear Analysis in Chemical Engineering. McGraw-Hill, New York (1980). 

Finlayson, B. A., Nonlinear Analysis in Chemical Engineering. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1980. Fossard, A., IEEE Trans. Autom. Control AC-15, 261 262 (1970). 

Bailey, J.E. Mathematical modeling and analysis in chemical engineering past accomplishments and future opportunities, Biotechnol. Prog., 14, 8,1998. 

You may well be forced to do dimensional analysis in chemical engineering classes, or if you do research. For much of the rest of the time, you will probably find it easier to check the units, particularly if you are using the SI system. In the above example, you think ... 

Finlayson BA. Nonlinear analysis in chemical engineering. Seattle Ravenna Park Publishing, Inc. 2003. 

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