Program Overview

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KE1080 Chemical Engineering Principles

The course KE1080 Chemical Engineering Principles is a 7.5 credit course that covers fundamental kinetic and reaction engineering concepts.

Information per Course Offering

The course is offered in the autumn semester, with the start date being August 24, 2026. The course location is KTH Campus, and the duration is from August 24, 2026, to October 23, 2026.

Course Details

• The pace of study is 50% and the form of study is normal daytime.
• The language of instruction is Swedish.
• The application code is 10160.
• There are no limited places for the course.
• The target group for the course is not specified.

Part of Programme

The course is part of the following programmes:

• Degree Programme in Energy and Environment, year 3, SUT
• Degree Programme in Energy and Environment, year 3, ITH
• Degree Programme in Energy and Environment, year 3, KEM, Mandatory
• Degree Programme in Energy and Environment, year 3, MES
• Degree Programme in Energy and Environment, year 3, MHI
• Degree Programme in Energy and Environment, year 3, RENE
• Degree Programme in Energy and Environment, year 3, SMCS
• Degree Programme in Energy and Environment, year 3, HSS
• Degree Programme in Energy and Environment, year 3, SUE

Contact

• Examiner: Efthymios Kantarelis
• Course coordinator: Not specified
• Teachers: Not specified

Course Syllabus

The course syllabus is available as a PDF document. The syllabus covers the course contents, intended learning outcomes, and literature.

Content and Learning Outcomes

Course Contents

The course covers the following topics:

• Fundamental kinetic and reaction engineering concepts
• Kinetics for electrode reactions
• Multiple reactions and systems with volume change
• Ideal reactor models and models for catalytic reactors
• Residence times and space velocities
• Heterogeneous catalysis, enzymatic reactions, and bioreactors
• Fundamentals in separation engineering directed towards heat and mass transfer between two phases
• Phase equilibria and the ideal stage principle
• Distillation, absorption, and extraction
• Evaporation and drying
• Orientation about crystallization and membrane separation processes
• Orientation about equipment for separation techniques and for production of chemicals
• Equipment for heat exchange
• Electrochemical power sources
• Choice and operation of ideal reactors

Intended Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, students will be able to:

• Analyze the energy and material consumption in a production plant based on chemico-technical, environmental, social, and economical criteria
• Reflect in a structured way over their professional role as engineers and their professional responsibility in relation to sustainable development
• Dimension simple components in a chemical process system
• Explain the concept of an ideal stage and utilize this at design of a separation system in continuous systems
• Suggest appropriate separation method in a two-component system from the physical properties of the subjects
• Explain how the driving force for mass transfer affects the design of a separation process with material transfer
• Suggest design and control of ideal reactors to minimize waste based on ideal reactor models and selectivity criteria
• Discuss the basic principles of process intensification and environmentally friendly production
• Explain the importance of volume change in a gas phase reaction in ideal reactors and calculate the actual retention time
• Analyze how kinetics, external material transfer, and pore diffusion affect the design and control of catalytic reactors
• Analyze electrochemical systems by means of application of basic electrochemical concepts
• Show the ability to present and discuss ideas and results in both oral and written form

Literature and Preparations

Specific Prerequisites

The specific prerequisites for the course are:

• Upper-secondary school from July 1, 2011, and adult education at upper-secondary level from July 1, 2012: Physics 2, Chemistry 1, and Mathematics 4, with a minimum grade of Pass in each subject
• Upper-secondary school before July 1, 2011, and adult education at upper-secondary level before July 1, 2012: mathematics E, physics B, and chemistry A, with a grade of Passed or 3 in each subject

Recommended Prerequisites

The recommended prerequisites for the course are:

• Courses given earlier in the program, in particular Fundamental Chemistry, Material- and Energy Balances, Numerical methods with programming, Chemical Reaction Dynamics for Energy and the Environment, as well as the courses in mathematics

Literature

The literature for the course includes:

1. Current edition of Richardson, J. F. and Harker, J. H., Coulson & Richardson's Chemical Engineering, Vol. 2, Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford
2. Current edition of Fogler, H. S., Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, N.J., USA
3. Behm, M., Lagergren, C. and Lindbergh, G., Electrochemistry for fuel cells and batteries, KTH Chemical engineering The above literature is supplemented by relevant compendiums and offprints

Examination and Completion

Grading Scale

The grading scale for the course is A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

The examination for the course consists of:

• TEN1 - Written exam, 4.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• LAB1 - Laboratory Course, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F Based on recommendation from KTH's coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years

Examiner

The examiner for the course is Efthymios Kantarelis

Ethical Approach

All members of a group are responsible for the group's work In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution

Further Information

Course Room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course

Offered By

The course is offered by CBH/Chemical Engineering

Main Field of Study

The main field of study for the course is Technology

Education Cycle

The education cycle for the course is First cycle

Supplementary Information

The course is co-studied with the major part of KE1175 Chemical Process Engineering