Concepts of Unit Processes
The entire chemical engineering can be classified into two
groups; unit operations or unit processes. The concept of unit
operations was introduced in 1915 by Arthur D. Little. The concept of
unit processes was introduced in 1923 by P. H. Groggin.
The formula for successful chemical industries production can
be expressed as
Commercial production = f (Chemical Changes + Physical Changes)
For solving this equation, Chemical Engineering applies
fundamental knowledge of unit processes and unit operations in a
coordinated pattern for successful commercialization of chemical
processes and products.
Unit Processes
• The unit process is a process in which chemical changes take
place to the material present in the reaction and result in the
chemical reaction is known as the Unit process. This basically
consists of a reaction between two or more chemical which
results in another chemical.
• The examples can be innumerable as there can be
innumerable compounds which can be formed by reaction of
two or more materials or by decomposition of the material
itself. Thus classification can be similarly endless.
• Oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, sulphonation, nitration,
halogenation, alkylation, hydrogenation, polymerization, etc.
Unit Operations
• A unit operation is defined as a process which does not
involve any chemical reaction. Unit operations only deal
with physical changes of the materials involved in the
process.
• The physical changes are carried out for variety of
purposes. Often unit operations have to be carried out
before unit processes to give proper shape to the
materials so that they will be able to react optimally.
• Generally unit operations steps are carried out
before subjecting the materials to chemical
reactions so that chemical reactions happen
smoothly.
• Also unit operations are often needed even after
the chemical reaction has happened, they are
needed for the purpose of separation of the
primary product from the secondary or tertiary
products.
Classification of Unit Operations
• Material handling, transportation / Fluid flow process
Pumping
Compression
fluidization
• Mechanical unit operations
Size reduction
Size enlargement
Mixing, agitation, blending, etc
• Heat transfer operations
conduction
convection
radiation
• Mass transfer Operations
Evaporation
Distillation
Absorption
Extraction
leaching, etc
S. No Unit Operations Unit Processes
1 The unit Operation is a The unit process is a process
process in which in which chemical changes
physical changes take take place.
place .
2 Unit operations are Unit processes are reversible
irreversible
3 It is primary activity It is secondary activity
4 Pumping, mixing, Oxidation, reduction,
agitation, grinding, hydrolysis, sulphonation,
distillation, absorption, nitration, halogenation, etc.,
crystallization,
evaporation, etc.,
Unit Processes
• Oxidation
The reaction in which oxygen is gained or hydrogen is
lost, is called oxidation reaction.
• Reduction
The reaction in which oxygen is lost or hydrogen is
gained, is called reduction reaction.
• Hydrolysis
It is defined as a chemical reaction where something reacts with
water and is changed into a new substance.
• Calcination
The process of heating a substance to a high temperature but
below the melting or fusing point, causing loss of moisture, reduction or
oxidation, and dissociation into simpler substances.
The term was originally applied to the method of driving off
carbon dioxide from limestone to obtain lime (calcium oxide). Calcination
is also used to extract metals from ores.
CaCO3 + Heat CaO + CO2
• Alkylation
Alkylation is a chemical process by which an alkyl group is attached
to an organic substrate molecule via addition or substitution.
• Combustion
The chemical process in which a substance reacts with oxygen
to give off heat is called combustion.
Hydrocarbon + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Heat Energy
• Pyrolysis
The decomposition of a compound by heat in the absence of air is
called Pyrolysis. When pyrolysis occurs in alkanes, the process is termed as
cracking.
Alkanes on heating under high temperature or in the presence of a
catalyst in absence of air broken down into lower alkanes, alkenes and
hydrogen.
C3H8 C2H4+CH4
• Hydrogenation
It is an addition reaction between the hydrogen and other
compounds in the presence of a catalyst. The purpose of hydrogenation is
to convert a liquid oil into a solid fat.
C2H4 + H2 C2H6
• Esterification
A chemical reaction in which two reactants (typically an
alcohol and an acid) form an ester as the reaction product. It is often
used in the process for making fragrances and flavorings
• Polymerization
Any process in which relatively small molecules, called
monomers, combine chemically to produce a very large chainlike or
network molecule, called a polymer.