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

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.

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.

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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  Intro to ChE for Non-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  Chemical Process Design I  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, chemical, magnetic and electrical interactions for both reversible and irreversible processes. Prerequisite: MATH 2414. Corequisites: PHYS 2326/PHYS 2126.

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

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. Application of computers to advanced thermodynamic problems. 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 or compressible and incompressible 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  2 SCH  (0-6)  

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

Fee: $5.00

CHEN 4279  Unit Operations Lab  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 II  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 III (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: 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  Chem 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  Envr Treatment Chem 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 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 absorption, extraction, membrane separation, binary and multicomponent distillation, with computer design applications. 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 instruments and their application to industrial chemical process. 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 instruments and their application to industrial chemical process. 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 CHEN 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 CHEN 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  Natural Gas Drilling Engg  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Introduction to drilling equipment and methods, drilling fluids, casing 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, and ethics and environment. The economics will cover 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 Transmn Distrib  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 Measurement  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Theory and practice of measurement of hydrocarbon gas and liquid properties and flow. Prerequisite: NGEN 4375.

NGEN 4382  NG 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 flow process 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 design, operation and economics of systems for the utilization of hydrocarbon gases and liquids, the concentration of their components by absorption and fractionation procedures. Use of computer aided design and economic evaluation of facility designs. Prerequisite: NGEN 4389 and NGEN 4375.

NGEN 4387  Seismic Interp & Well-Logging  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Theory of well-logging techniques and applications. Interpretation of well logs. Electrical resistivity, radioactive and acoustic properties of rocks. 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 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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