CHE5884 Process modelling and optimisation
Faculty of Engineering
CHE5884 Process modelling and optimisation is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton and Suzhou (SEU). It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton, Suzhou (SEU)
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before CHE5884
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After CHE5884
No unit lists CHE5884 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
You must be currently enrolled in a master’s course in engineering or related STEM and in a related discipline. The unit assumes that you have the necessary foundational knowledge.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
The unit will cover the purpose and methods of modelling chemical and biochemical processes. It includes the development of constitutive relations, model building, evaluation and sensitivity analysis. Numerical techniques will include the solution of systems of linear, non-linear and algebraic equations. Models are subjected to optimisation.
The basic principles of optimisation including the types of variables, linear and non-linear models, constraints and objective functions will be covered. Various optimisation algorithms for linear, non-linear problems and mixed integer problems are presented in the context of chemical process design. Multi-objective optimisation is used to explore trade-offs involved with sustainable process development.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Term 3 | Suzhou (SEU) | On campus |
Assessment
- Assignment 1WrittenThreshold hurdle15%
- Assignment 2WrittenThreshold hurdle15%
- Assignment 3WrittenThreshold hurdle20%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Generate models of chemical and biological processes respecting conservation laws, applying suitable constraints and constitutive relations and determine an appropriate solution algorithm.
- 2
Assess complex models of chemical processes with an understanding of the mathematical structure of the model and the convergence methods used to obtain the model solution.
- 3
Assess the appropriate optimisation strategy for linear, non-linear, unconstrained, constrained and mixed integer models from a fundamental understanding of functional and constraint convexity, or determine the appropriate evolutionary solution strategy when convexity is not assured.
- 4
Demonstrate both single objective and multi-objective optimisation of process models to improve the process objective(s), which assess the sustainability of chemical processes using the life cycle assessment methodology.
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories24 hours
- Workshops2 hours
- Practical activities24 hours
- Lectures8 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
Learning resources
Technology resources
We will be using MATLAB throughout the unit. You will be guided through its use during classes, but you are also expected to undertake your own individual learning as part of the unit’s required study hours.
Where it fits
CHE5884 is part of 1 area of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Nicoleta Maynard
- Associate Professor Bai-Qian Dai
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Qijun Zheng
- Professor Nicoleta Maynard
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CHE5884?
CHE5884 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is CHE5884 offered?
In 2026, CHE5884 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton and Suzhou (SEU).
How much work is CHE5884?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does CHE5884 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include CHE5884?
CHE5884 is part of Chemical engineering.