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

Contact Information

  • Chair: M. R. Riazi
  • Phone: 361-593-2338
  • Email: m.r.riazi@tamuk.edu
  • Building Name: Engineering Complex
  • Room Number: 303

Chemical Engineering Program Educational Objectives

The Chemical Engineering Program seeks to prepare graduates who, after the first few years of their professional career, have:

  1. Established themselves either as practicing chemical engineers, or by gaining additional formal education through enrollment in either an engineering or business graduate school program.
  2. Adapted to ever-changing demands by updating their core knowledge and abilities through on-the-job training and continuing education courses.
  3. Functioned successfully in their professional responsibilities, which include safety, health, environmental, and ethical aspects.
  4. Established themselves as critical, flexible thinkers will demonstrated potential as further technology experts or technology managers in their professional and in society.

Natural Gas Engineering Program Educational Objectives

The Natural Gas Engineering Program seeks to prepare graduates who, after the first few years of their professional career, have:

  1. Established themselves either as practicing natural gas engineers, or have gained additional formal education through enrollment in either an engineering or business graduate school program.
  2. Adapted to ever-changing, demands by updating their core knowledge and abilities through on-the-job training and continuing education courses.
  3. Functioned successfully in their professional responsibilities, which include safety, health, environmental,  and ethical aspects.
  4. Established themselves as critical, flexible thinkers with demonstrated potential as future technology experts or technology managers in their profession and in society.
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Chemical Engineering (CHEN)

CHEN 2371  Conservation Principles I  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Applications of the conservation laws of mass to the solution of chemical engineering problems. Prerequisites: CHEM 1312 or PHYS 2325/PHYS 2125.

CHEN 2372  Conservation Principles II  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Applications of the conservation laws of energy to the solution of chemical engineering problems. Prerequisite: CHEN 2371.

CHEN 3305  Introduction to Chemical Engineering for Non-Chemical Engineering Majors  3 SCH  (3-0)  

A comprehensive introduction to the basic principles and technologies used by chemical engineers in industry today. Includes an introduction to basic quantitative principles in the fundamental chemical engineering topics of mass and energy balances, fluid and heat transport, and thermodynamics. Credit for this course is not allowed if the student has declared chemical engineering as their major. This course is required for non-majors pursuing the Chemical Process Industries certificate. Pre-requisites: CHEM 1312. MATH 2414, and PHYS 2326.

CHEN 3310  Heat Transport Phenomena  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Fundamentals of energy transport and system applications involving this operation including computer applications to heat exchanger design. Prerequisites: CHEM 3323, CHEN 3392 or NGEN 3392, CHEN 3347 or MEEN 3347.

CHEN 3315  Chem Process Design Economics  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Basic principles and techniques of economic analysis and cost engineering with applications to problems in chemical process and equipment design. Prerequisites: CHEN 2372 and credit for or registration in CHEN 3310.

CHEN 3321  Process Simulation  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Basic numerical methods used in chemical process simulation. An introduction to the use of commercial process simulators, with hands-on applications. Prerequisite: MATH 3320, credit or registration in CHEN 3310.

CHEN 3347  Chem Eng Thermodynamics I  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Theory and applications of the first and second laws of thermodynamics to mechanical and chemical interactions for both reversible and irreversible processes. Pressure-Volume-Temperature relations and equations of state. Prerequisite: MATH 2414. Corequisites: PHYS 2326/PHYS 2126.

CHEN 3371  Chemical Thermodynamics II  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Fundamental thermodynamic relations for property and phase equilibria calculations. Procedures for deciding when and to what extent chemical reactions and phase changes may be expected to occur according to the basic principles of physical chemistry and the laws of thermodynamics. Prerequisites: CHEM 3325/CHEM 3125, CHEM 3331, and CHEN 3347.

CHEN 3392  Fluid Transport Phenomena  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Fundamentals of momentum transport, including fluid statics, flow of incompressible and compressible fluids, pumps, turbines, and compressors, with computer applications. Prerequisites: MATH 3320 and credit or registration in MEEN 2302 or MEEN 2355.

CHEN 4120  Seminar in CHEN  1 SCH  (1-0)  

Seminar on contemporary issues in Chemical Engineering. Prerequisite: junior standing.

CHEN 4130  Service Learning in CHEN  1 SCH  (1-0)  

Service learning experience in a project that engages a community agency and raises awareness of chemical engineering professional issues. Prerequisite: junior standing.

CHEN 4278   Unit Operations Lab I  2 SCH  (0-6)  

Selected laboratory experiments on fluid flow and heat transfer. Prerequisite: CHEN 3310.

Fee: $5.00

CHEN 4279  Unit Operations Lab II  2 SCH  (0-6)  

Selected laboratory experiments on heat and mass transfer. Prerequisites: CHEN 4278 and CHEN 4389.

Fee: $5.00

CHEN 4311  Biochemical Engineering  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Principles involved in the processing of biological materials using biological agents such as cells, enzymes or antibodies. Prerequisites: CHEM 3325/CHEM 3125 and CHEN 4373.

CHEN 4316  Chemical Process Design I  3 SCH  (3-0)  

The application of chemical engineering principles to a sequence of design problems utilizing computer software, such as SIMSCI. Prerequisites: CHEN 3315, CHEN 3371 and CHEN 3310.

CHEN 4317  Chem Process Design II (WI)  3 SCH  (3-0)  

The application of chemical engineering principles, including economic criteria to a comprehensive design problem. Computer software is utilized as a design aid. Prerequisites: COMS 2374 or ENGL 2374, CHEN 4316, CHEN 4373, CHEN 4389 and credit for or registration in CHEN 4392.

CHEN 4335  Special Problems  1-3 SCH  (1-3)  

Individual solution of selected problems in chemical engineering conducted under direct supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for up to six hours. Prerequisite: senior standing.

CHEN 4341  Chemical Process Safety  3 SCH  (3-0)  

A comprehensive overview of safety topics in the design, construction, startup, operation, and shutdown of chemical plants and refineries. Pre-requisite: CHEN 3310.

CHEN 4342  Chemical Process Sustainability  3 SCH  (3-0)  

A study of sustainability topics applied to the chemical process industry, focusing on energy conservation, process and utility water conservation, hazardous chemical replacement or minimization, and process substitution at chemical process plants and refineries. Pre-requisites: CHEM 3310.

CHEN 4343  Environmental Treatment of Chemical Processes  3 SCH  (3-0)  

A study of the different processes used to treat air, water, and solid waste streams associated with the chemical process industry and refineries. Pre-requisites: CHEN 3310 and CHEN 4389.

CHEN 4351  Biofuels/Biochemical Production Processes  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Basic principles and theory for the engineering design of large-scale biochemical processes for biofuel, food, and pharmaceutical production and waste treatment. Prerequisites: Either CHEN 2372 or CHEN 3305 and CHEN 4311.

CHEN 4352  Bioseparations  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Basic principles and theory for the engineering design of large-scale equipment used in the purification of biological products. Prerequisite: CHEN 3371.

CHEN 4353  Bioprocesses for Waste Treatment  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Basic principles and theory for the engineering design and operation of biological processes used for waste treatment (including air, water, and solid waste media) in the refinery, petrochemical, and related industries. Prerequisites: CHEM 4311 and CHEN 4389.

CHEN 4354  Biochemical Reaction Engineering  3 SCH  (3-0)  

This course provides the necessary knowledge on the fundamentals of reaction kinetics, reaction engineering and reactor process economic analysis as applied to biochemical, biomolecular, and biocatalytic processes. Prerequisites: Either BIOL 2421 or CHEM 4345 and CHEN 4311.

CHEN 4355  Frontiers in Biochemical Processes  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Select topics in biochemical processes, focusing on advances that have allowed for improved production and recovery of biochemicals over the last couple of decades. Focus will also be on those processes that offer greater sustainability as compared to fossil-fuel based chemicals. Prerequisites: Either BIOL 2421 or CHEM 4345 and CHEN 4311.

CHEN 4373  Chemical Reactor Engineering  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Chemical reaction rates and design of chemical reactors. Applications of computers to chemical kinetics and the design of chemical reactors. Prerequisites: CHEM 3332, CHEN 3310, CHEN 3321 and CHEN 3371.

CHEN 4386  Air Pollution Control  3 SCH  (3-0)  

A fundamental approach to air pollution testing, control and design of control systems. Introduction to dispersion modeling via computer. Prerequisite: CHEN 3392 and senior standing.

CHEN 4389  Mass Transport Phenomena  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Fundamentals of mass transport, including gas/liquid absorption/desorption, extraction, membrane separation, binary and multicomponent distillation. Prerequisites: CHEM 3331, CHEN 3321, CHEN 3371 and credit or registration in CHEN 3310.

CHEN 4392  Process Dynamics and Control  3 SCH  (2-3)  

Basic operating theory of control systems and their application to industrial chemical processes. Applications of computers to process control. Prerequisites: CHEN 4373 and CHEN 4389.

Fee: $5.00

CHEN 4399  Internship in CHEN  1-3 SCH  (1-3)  

Internships in industry, government, or consulting companies in career-based practical activities to broaden the skills obtained through curricular education. Prerequisite: junior standing.

CHEN 4492  Process Dynamics and Control  4 SCH  (0-3-0-3)  

Basic operating theory of control systems and their application to industrial chemical processes. Applications of computers to process control.  Prerequisites: CHEN 4373 and CHEN 4389.

Natural Gas Engineering (NGEN)

NGEN 3122  Reservoir Engineering Lab  1 SCH  (0-3)  

Experimental study of various petroleum reservoirs properties including, porosity, permeability, pore pressure, rock compressibility, rock resistivity, and capillary pressure. Prerequisite: Junior standing in engineering. Credit for or current registration in NGEN 3322.

NGEN 3193  Drilling Engineering Lab  1 SCH  (0-3)  

Standard laboratory testing of drilling fluids including density, marsh viscosity, rheology, retort kit separation, API filter press-static filtration, lubricity and electrical stability. Prerequisite: Junior standing in engineering. Credit for or current registration in NGEN 3393 required.

NGEN 3322  Fund of Reservoir Engineering  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Physical properties of petroleum reservoir rocks, lithology, porosity, fluid saturations, permeability and capillary characteristics as they relate to the production of oil and gas. Properties of hydrocarbon systems. Material balance methods. Flow of fluids in porous media. Prerequisites: CHEM 3323 and GEOL 4307. Credit or registration in NGEN 3392.

Fee: $5.00

NGEN 3373  Nat Gas Property Evaluation  3 SCH  (3-0)  

The course is designed to give an overview on the definition of resources/reserves, formation evaluation (production forecast and reserves estimate), and petroleum economics. The students acquire the background of basic economics in evaluating an oil and gas property. The requirement also includes the engineering calculations that are needed for estimating cost and profit associated with a project. Prerequisite: NGEN 3392.

NGEN 3392  Fluid Transport Phenomena  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Fundamentals of momentum transport including fluid statics, flow of compressible and incompressible fluids, pumps, turbines, and compressors, with computer applications. Prerequisites: MATH 3320; credit or registration in MEEN 2355.

NGEN 3393  Fundamentals of Drilling Engg  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Introduction to drilling equipment and methods, drilling fluids, casing and drill string design, bit selection, and cementing of wells. Application of computers to the drilling of wells. Contemporary methods of well completion. Prerequisites: CEEN 3311, NGEN 3322 and NGEN 3392.

NGEN 4178  Hydrocarbon Measurements Lab  1 SCH  (0-3)  

Experimental study of hydrocarbon gas and liquid properties and flow rates measurements under different conditions. Several of the experiments are gas flow studies through pipes made of different materials, various types of valves and fittings. Experiments also include Heat Exchanges, Distillation Column, and Gas–Liquid Absorption. Prerequisite: Credit or registration in NGEN 4378.

NGEN 4279  Unit Operations Laboratory  2 SCH  (0-6)  

Selected laboratory experiments in heat and mass transfer. Prerequisite: CHEN 4389. (Credit may not be obtained in both NGEN 4279 and CHEN 4279.)

Fee: $5.00

NGEN 4297  Capstone Design I  2 SCH  (2-0)  

Principles of design from conception to completion, and various constraints of designs including, economics, safety, ethics, and environment. The economics will cover cost estimation, time value of money and its application to oil and gas property evaluation. Prerequisites: CHEN 3321 and credit or registration in NGEN 4396.

NGEN 4375  Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Pipeline and compressor station design. Pipeline integrity and environmental issues associated with pipeline placement and design. Prerequisites: CHEN 3321 or NGEN 3392.

NGEN 4378  Hydrocarbon Flow Measurement  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Theory and practice of hydrocarbon properties, and flow measurement through orifice, turbine, ultrasonic, and Coriolis flow meters, and flow meter design. Prerequisite: NGEN 4375.

NGEN 4382  Natural Gas Cryogenics and Storage  3 SCH  (3-0)  

This course provides a comprehensive technical review of the compressed and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry. The course objectives are to describe - the cryogenic processes of natural gas, LNG specific properties, equipment and technical processes, hazards associated with operations, hazard prevention and mitigation measures, LNG storage, loading/offloading and transportation. Use of computer aided simulation and economic evaluation of LNG facilities design. Prerequisite: NGEN 4389.

NGEN 4383  Natural Gas Processes  3 SCH  (3-0)  

The study of principles of operation, design, simulation, and economics of processing natural gas and the associated liquids. Use of computer aided design and economic evaluation of facility designs. Prerequisite: NGEN 4389 and NGEN 4375.

NGEN 4387  Well-Logging  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Theory of well-logging techniques and applications, electrical resistivity, radioactive and acoustic properties of rocks. Interpretation of resistivity, spontaneous potential, gamma-ray, neutron, and sonic logs. Prerequisite: NGEN 3393 and GEOL 4307.

NGEN 4389  Separation Processes  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Fundamentals of separation processes in petroleum industry, including sedimentation, filtration, centrifugation, thermodynamic phase equilibrium flash calculations, gas absorption, and distillation with computer design applications. Pre-requisites: CHEN 3310 and CHEN 3321.

NGEN 4396  Natural Gas Production  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Theory, design and methods of gas production, well testing and production forecasting. Estimating the value of gas and oil properties. Environmental issues and professional responsibility. Prerequisites: NGEN 3393.

NGEN 4398  Capstone Design II (WI)  3 SCH  (3-0)  

In teams, students complete significant design projects that include two or more aspects of natural gas engineering. Prerequisite: NGEN 4297 and credit or registration in NGEN 4383, NGEN 4387, and NGEN 4378.

NGEN 4478  Hydrocarbon Measurement  4 SCH  (3-3)  

Theory and practice of measurement of hydrocarbon gas and liquid properties and flow. Prerequisites: NGEN/CHEN 3392 / NGEN 4375.

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