Wayne H. King Department of Chemical Engineering and Natural Gas Engineering
Chemical Engineering Program Educational Objectives
The Chemical Engineering Program seeks to prepare graduates who, after the first few years of their professional career, have:
- Established themselves either as practicing chemical engineers, or by gaining additional formal education through enrollment in either an engineering or business graduate school program.
- Adapted to ever-changing demands by updating their core knowledge and abilities through on-the-job training and continuing education courses.
- Functioned successfully in their professional responsibilities, which include safety, health, environmental, and ethical aspects.
- 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:
- 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.
- Adapted to ever-changing, demands by updating their core knowledge and abilities through on-the-job training and continuing education courses.
- Functioned successfully in their professional responsibilities, which include safety, health, environmental, and ethical aspects.
- 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 Visiting Assistant Professor, 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; Chair; B.S., Tehran Polytechnique (Iran); M.E., University of Tulsa; Ph.D., University of Tulsa.
Rahmani, Nazmul Professor of Practice, Wayne H. King Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering; B.Sc., Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Bangladesh); M.Sc., University of North Dakota; Ph.D., University of Alberta (Canada).
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.
Chemical Engineering (CHEN)
CHEN 2371 Conservation Principles I 3 SCH (3-0)
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)
CHEN 3315 Chemical Process Design I 3 SCH (3-0)
CHEN 3321 Process Simulation 3 SCH (3-0)
CHEN 3347 Chem Eng Thermodynamics I 3 SCH (3-0)
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)
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. Prerequisite: CHEN 4378 and CHEN 4389.
Fee: $5.00
CHEN 4311 Biochemical Engineering 3 SCH (3-0)
CHEN 4316 Chemical Process Design II 3 SCH (3-0)
CHEN 4317 Chem Process Design III (WI) 3 SCH (3-0)
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)
CHEN 4373 Chemical Reactor Engineering 3 SCH (3-0)
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)
CHEN 4392 Process Dynamics and Control 3 SCH (2-3)
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.
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/GEOL 4107. Credit or registration in CHEM 3123 and CHEN/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. Prerequisite: MATH 3320; credit or registration in MEEN 2355 or MEEN 2302. (Credit may not be obtained in both NGEN 3392 and CHEN 3392.)
NGEN 3393 Natural Gas Drilling Engg 3 SCH (3-0)
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. Pre-requisite: Senior Standing. Credit or current enrollment in NGEN 4378.
NGEN 4279 Unit Operations Laboratory 2 SCH (0-6)
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: NGEN 3321 and senior standing in Engineering. Credit for or enrollment in NGEN 4396.
NGEN 4375 Natural Gas Distribution 3 SCH (3-0)
NGEN 4378 Hydrocarbon Measurement 3 SCH (3-0)
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: CHEN 4389. (Credit may not be obtained in both NGEN 4383 and CHEN 4383.)
NGEN 4387 Seismic Interp & Well-Logging 3 SCH (3-0)
Theory and methods of modern seismic and well log interpretation. Prerequisite: NGEN 3493 or GEOL 3431.
NGEN 4389 Separation Processes 3 SCH (3-0)
NGEN 4396 Natural Gas Production 3 SCH (3-0)
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 student has 6 or fewer credit hours of of NGEN courses to complete in subsequent terms.