PEC EPE Chemical study plan

Construct a one-page reference sheet of pure-component and mixture properties (density, heat capacity, enthalpy of vaporization, critical constants) and use it to solve at least 15 closed- and open-system material balances with recycle, bypass, and purge.

Derive and apply the general energy balance to nonreactive and reactive steady-state processes, including adiabatic flame temperature and heat-of-reaction calculations.

Compute enthalpy and entropy changes across sensible-heating, phase-change, and mixing paths using heat-capacity correlations and latent-heat data.

Set up and solve simultaneous material and energy balances for a two-unit flowsheet (reactor plus flash drum) without a simulator.

Apply equations of state (ideal gas, cubic, and corresponding-states correlations) to predict phase behavior and departure functions, and compare results against tabulated data.

Use activity-coefficient models and Raoult's law to build T-xy and P-xy diagrams and identify azeotropes.

Solve 12 fluid-statics and pipe-flow problems involving manometers, friction factors from the Moody chart, minor losses, and pump head and NPSH.

Convert between Reynolds, Prandtl, Nusselt, and friction-factor formulations and state when each correlation is valid.

Size a shell-and-tube heat exchanger using LMTD and effectiveness-NTU methods, including fouling factors and correction for multipass configuration.

Calculate convective heat-transfer coefficients for internal and external flow and combine them with conduction and radiation resistances into an overall U.

Perform a McCabe-Thiele stage-by-stage design for a binary distillation column, locating pinch points and computing minimum reflux and minimum stages.

Estimate mass-transfer coefficients and apply them to a packed-column absorption or stripping design using HTU-NTU.

Solve 10 separation-process problems spanning absorption, stripping, liquid-liquid extraction, drying, and membrane or adsorption units.

Diagnose common failure modes in distillation and absorption (flooding, weeping, entrainment, channeling) and quantify operating limits.

Practice selecting a separation sequence for a multicomponent mixture and defend the choice using relative volatility, energy, and capital considerations.

Derive rate laws from batch-reactor data using differential and integral methods, and determine reaction order and activation energy.

Size CSTR, PFR, and batch reactors for single and multiple reactions, including selectivity and yield optimization for parallel and series networks.

Apply catalyst deactivation, mass-transfer-limited kinetics, and residence-time distribution concepts to diagnose reactor performance.

Build a discounted cash-flow model computing NPV, IRR, payback period, and sensitivity to raw-material and utility costs.

Estimate capital cost using capacity-factored and equipment-module methods and escalate with a cost index.

Facilitate a HAZOP on a simplified process node, generating guide-word deviations, causes, consequences, and safeguards.

Perform a LOPA for three high-consequence scenarios, assign target SIL, and verify against an independent protection layer count.

Size a relief valve or rupture disk for fire, blocked-outlet, and runaway-reaction scenarios using API-style methods.

Estimate consequence distance for a toxic or flammable release using a simple dispersion model and compare with a flammability or exposure limit.

Identify applicable environmental permitting and waste-minimization requirements for a new unit and map them to design decisions.

Read a P&ID and explain the function of each instrument loop, including transmitters, controllers, final elements, and interlock logic.

Tune a PID controller conceptually for flow, level, pressure, and temperature loops and predict the response to setpoint and disturbance changes.

Select materials of construction for five corrosive services using isocorrosion data and electrochemical principles, and specify a corrosion allowance.

Apply ASME-style design equations to compute minimum wall thickness for a pressure vessel and a piping spool under internal pressure and temperature.

Take a full-length timed mock exam under exam conditions and record per-domain accuracy.

Re-work every missed mock question to root cause and rebuild the three weakest topic summaries into one-page recall sheets.

Rehearse unit-conversion, correlation-selection, and order-of-magnitude estimation habits under time pressure.

Consolidate a final formula and reference sheet limited to the material actually needed on exam day.