Wayne H. King Department of Chemical Engineering and Natural Gas Engineering

Contact Information

  • Chair: Ali Pilehvari
  • Phone: 361-593-2002
  • Email: ali.pilehvari@tamuk.edu
  • Building Name: Engineering Complex
  • Room Number: 303D

The objectives of the graduate studies in the Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering programs are as follows.

  1. To prepare students for successful careers and major contributions to the petroleum and chemical process industries by instilling in them fundamental concepts as well as practical knowledge of modern engineering to overcome current as well as future challenges of the industries.
  2. To prepare students for doctoral study in petroleum/chemical or related disciplines.
  3. To instill in students a sense of responsibility to their profession and to society in general.

The Wayne H. King Department of Chemical Engineering and Natural Gas Engineering offers programs in developing interdisciplinary specialties, as well as in the more traditional areas of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering.

Several modern engineering buildings contain laboratories, including unit operations, process control, gas measurement and drilling facilities. Excellent computer facilities also are available.

Degrees Offered

  • The Ph.D. degree is available in Sustainable Energy Systems Engineering.
  • The Master of Science degree is available in Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering

Department Faculty

Alexander, Matthew L Associate Professor, Wayne H. King Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering; B.S., Trinity University; M.S., Georgia Institute of Technology; Ph.D., Purdue University.

Amaya, Joseph Assistant Professor of Practice, Wayne H. King Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering; B.S., Texas A&M University-Kingsville; M.S., Texas A&M University-Kingsville; Ph.D., Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Cabezas, Jose Professor of Practice, Wayne H. King Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering; B.S., Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (Ecuador); M.S., Texas A&M University-Kingsville; Ph.D., Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Duarte, Horacio Associate Professor, Wayne H. King Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering; B.S., Instituto Tecnologico Regional de Durango (Mexico); M.Eng., Instituto Tecnologico y de Estuidos Superiores de Monterrey (Mexico); Ph.D., Texas A&M University.

Fan, Zhaoqi Associate Professor, Wayne H. King Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering; B.Sc., China University of Petroluem (China); Ph.D., China University of Petroluem (China); Ph.D., University of Regina (Canada).

Mills, Sr., Patrick Professor, Wayne H. King Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering; B.S., Tri-State University; M.S., Washington University in St. Louis; D.Sc., Washington University in St. Louis.

Pilehvari, Ali Professor, Wayne H. King Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering; Interim Chair; B.S., Tehran Polytechnique (Iran); M.E., University of Tulsa; Ph.D., University of Tulsa.

Xiao, Chongwei Associate Professor, Wayne H. King Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering; B.A., Hubei University (China); M.E., Beijing Institute of Technology (China); Ph.D., University of Wyoming.

Subjects in this Department

Chemical Engineering (CHEN)

CHEN 5303  Advance Topics in Chem Eng  1-3 SCH  (1-3)  

One or more advanced topics. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 semester hours when topic changes.

CHEN 5305  Graduate Research Project  3 SCH  (3)  

Designed for project option students and requires completion of research project. Prerequisite: departmental approval. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 semester hours.

CHEN 5306  Thesis  3 SCH  (3)  

Designed for thesis option students. The course requires completion of thesis research. Prerequisite: departmental approval. May be repeated for maximum of 6 semester hours.

CHEN 5308  Transport Processes  3 SCH  (3-0)  

An advanced and unified treatment of fluid mechanics and heat transfer, stressing the fundamental equations of momentum and energy transport and their applications in chemical engineering.

CHEN 5309  Separation Process  3 SCH  (3-0)  

A basic understanding of the concepts underlying the solution, behavior and computation of separation processes is stressed. Both staged and continuous separation methods are considered. (Credit may not be obtained in both CHEN 5309 and NGEN 5309.)

CHEN 5331  Simulatn and Analy of Chem Eng  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Analytical and numerical techniques for the simulation and analysis of processes and equipment employed in the chemical and petroleum industries.

CHEN 5333  Chem and Catalytic Reaction En  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Analysis of various interactions between physical and chemical rate processes and their influences on the design and control of chemical reactors.

CHEN 5334  Biochemical Engineering  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Kinetics of microbial growth and enzyme-catalyzed reactions, mass transfer in bioprocess systems, design and analysis of biological reactors and the recovery of products from such operations.

CHEN 5336  Rheology  3 SCH  (3-0)  

The study of non-Newtonian fluid flow behavior. Designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of theoretical as well as practical aspects of the flow of non-Newtonian fluids. (Credit may not be obtained in both CHEN 5336 and NGEN 5336.)

CHEN 5360  Advanced Nat Gas Processes  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Study of the latest processes that are utilized in the natural gas industry. It includes analysis, design and optimization of various natural gas processes with considerations of economics, environmental and safety aspects. (Credit may not be obtained in both CHEN 5360 and NGEN 5360.)

CHEN 5361  Advd Proc Dynamics and Control  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Fundamentals of modern process control theory are covered and applied to control applications in the chemical and petroleum industries. (Credit may not be obtained in both CHEN 5361 and NGEN 5361.)

CHEN 5371  Adv Chem Eng Thermodynamics  3 SCH  (3-0)  

The general equations of multicomponent-multiphase systems, with application to phase equilibria and chemical reaction equilibria. Prerequisite: CHEN 3371.

CHEN 5401  Advance Probs in Chem Eng  1-4 SCH  (1-4)  

Individual or group research on advanced problems conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Maximum credit 8 semester hours.

Natural Gas Engineering (NGEN)

NGEN 5303  Advncd Topics in Nat Gas Engin  1-3 SCH  (1-3-0)  

One or more advanced topics. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 semester hours when topic changes.

NGEN 5305  Graduate Research Project  3 SCH  (3)  

Designed for project option students and requires completion of research project. Prerequisite: departmental approval. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 semester hours.

NGEN 5306  Thesis  3 SCH  (3)  

Designed for thesis option students. The course requires completion of thesis research. Prerequisite: departmental approval. May be repeated for maximum of 6 semester hours.

NGEN 5309  Separation Process  3 SCH  (3-0)  

A basic understanding of the concepts underlying the solution, behavior and computation of separation processes is stressed. Both staged and continuous separation methods are considered. (Credit may not be obtained in both NGEN 5309 and CHEN 5309.)

NGEN 5312  Pressure Transient Analysis  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Methods of analysis of pressure transient data obtained from well testing for the purpose of determining in situ reservoir characteristics and conditions.

NGEN 5325  Nat Gas Prod and Distribution  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Theory, design and methods of gas well testing and production. Distribution topics include pipeline and compressor design and flow measurement. Prerequisite: NGEN 4375.

NGEN 5327  Nat Gas Drilling Engineering  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Drilling equipment and methods, drilling fluids, completion of wells including casing and cementing design. Prerequisite: NGEN 3393.

NGEN 5336  Rheology  3 SCH  (3-0)  

The study of non-Newtonian fluid flow behavior. Designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of theoretical as well as practical aspects of the flow of non-Newtonian fluids. (Credit may not be obtained in both NGEN 5336 and CHEN 5336.)

NGEN 5360  Advanced Nat Gas Processes  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Study of the latest processes that are utilized in the natural gas industry. It includes analysis, design and optimization of various natural gas processes with considerations of economics, environmental and safety aspects. (Credit may not be obtained in both NGEN 5360 and CHEN 5360.)

NGEN 5363  Advanced Reservoir Engineering  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Phase relations of hydrocarbon systems, material balance methods, flow in reservoirs and displacement of gas. The application of computers to reservoir engineering.

NGEN 5387  Quantitative Well Log Analysis  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Theory of special well-logging techniques and applications.

NGEN 5401  Advanced Probs in Nat Gas Engi  1-4 SCH  (1-4)  

Individual or group research on advanced problems conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Maximum credit of 8 semester hours.