CHE6113 Advanced separation processes
Faculty of Engineering
CHE6113 Advanced separation processes is a level 6, 0-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 0
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 3 other tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before CHE6113
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After CHE6113
No unit lists CHE6113 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
You must be enrolled in the Engineering PHD program or with permission from the Faculty of Engineering. The unit assumes that you have the necessary foundational knowledge.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
This subject aims to extend your knowledge of basic fluid separation processes to more complex systems commonly encountered in the chemical processing industry. After completing this advanced subject, you are expected to understand the principles of complex fluid separation processes including advanced mass transfer and diffusion theories, equilibrium-based and rate-based methods/models for multi-component absorption, stripping, distillation and extraction, temperature-/pressure-swing adsorption, advanced ion exchange adsorption and chromatographic separation. You will also develop advanced knowledge for design and operation of industrial separation units, the skill of using simulation tools applicable for multicomponent separation, and skill to analyse the energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the design solutions.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Weekly quizQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle10%
- AssignmentsWrittenThreshold hurdle30%
- Mid-semester testQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle20%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle40%
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
Analyse the thermodynamics, advanced mass transfer and diffusion theories underpinning the multi-component separation processes.
- 2
Combine the simulation tools and analysis methods for process flow-sheeting, column dimension calculation, and determination of energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of design solutions for complex separation processes.
- 3
Apply conceptual procedures for the design of multi-component, extractive and/or azeotropic distillation column, temperature-/pressure-swing adsorption column, advanced chromatographic column, and ion-exchange adsorption column.
- 4
Generate experimental skills in operating and analysing the performance of separation unit operations.
- 5
Appreciate through group-based assignments, an understanding of the design process involving ethical conduct, teamwork spirits, leadership and the need for attention to detail.
Workload and teaching
- Practical activities24 hours
- Applied sessions11 hours
- Laboratories4 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Assessments2 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
3 hours lectures, 2 hours of practical classes and 7 hours of private study per week, plus one 4-hour lab during the semester.
The unit consists of lectures, practice classes, and one project-based assignment. Learning in the unit is mainly through lecture materials, book chapters and research papers which will can be found from the public domain. The assignments will be designed based on real problems requiring students to conduct a mini-literature review to find the most possible method, which will be subsequently simulated or trialled in laboratory. The practical classes will be run online in discussion mode.
Learning resources
Required resources
Textbook
Zoom
You are required to have your own device for Moodle quiz and access the online materials and resources for this unit.
Aspen Plus access
Prescribed textbook and research papers
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Lian Zhang
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Lian Zhang
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CHE6113?
CHE6113 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is CHE6113 offered?
In 2026, CHE6113 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does CHE6113 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.