Course detail

Process Systems Engineering

FSI-DPIAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course introduces students to the systemic approach to the design and operation of large industrial units (processes) such as refineries, energy resources, distilleries, sugar, cement and chemical and food processing plants. The course clarifies interdisciplinary nature of process engineering, which connects individual narrow technical specializations.The course is designed so that the necessary technical information that students obtain in the lecture, are also immediately practically applied in the subsequent exercise.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Zdeněk Jegla, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Process Engineering (ÚPI)

Entry knowledge

The course connects, links, and puts into practical context the knowledges acquired in most subjects of the previous bachelor's study, especially knowledge of Physics, Fundamentals of Design, Thermomechanics, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Course-unit credit requirements:
Active participation in seminars and a successful completion of a verification test of knowledge of the subject matter during the semester.

Exam:
Students are evaluated in two phases:
- Written tests. Upon receiving grade E or better from the test, a student proceeds to an oral exam.
- Oral exam: Students demonstrate their knowledge by proving to understand the subject, not by mere memorization (explanation of principles using presentations from lectures).


The course consists of lectures presented with a suitable means of presentation (ppt) and seminars. Students receive the coursework in electronic form.
Attendance at lectures is recommended. Attendance at seminars is compulsory and checked.

Aims

The aim is to explain the interdisciplinary nature of process engineering, which connects individual narrow specializations. On the example of a gradual solution of a specific industrial process, the student is gradually introduced to the solution concept generally valid for solving the problem of industrial plant at various levels - from conceptual design, comprehensive evaluation in terms of energy, environment and economy to solving unit operations by appropriate apparatuses or equipment from which the process comprises and structural details of individual equipment. Lessons learned and the way of thinking are applicable in many other specializations.


The course shows how in a wide range of industrial enterprises use and how they are connected knowledge of many subjects of general mechanical engineering studies. Students are familiar with how these specializations complement each other and what solution tools are used at different stages of the design and operation of industrial processes. Students will gain experience and an overview of practical engineering approaches, methods, measures and activities that the process engineer applies in the design and implementation of industrial production processes.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Green D.W., Southard M.Z.: Perry's Chemical Engineer's Handbook, 9th Ed., McGraw-Hill, 2018 (EN)
Medek J.: Hydraulické pochody, 3. vydání, VUT - Vysoké učení technické, Brno, 2000 (CS)
Patrick D.R., Fardo S.W.: Industrial Process Control Systems, The Fairmont Press, Inc., 2009 (EN)
Kleiber M., Process Engineering, Second Edition, Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin, 2020. (EN)
Klemeš J. J., Varbanov P. S., Wan Alvi S. R., Manan Z.A., Process Integration and Intensification: Saving Energy, Water and Resources, Second Edition, Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin, 2018. (EN)
Seider W. D., Lewin D. R., Seader J. D., Widago S., Gani R., Ng K. M., Product and Process Design Principles: Synthesis, Analysis and Evaluation, Fourth Edition, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, 2017. (EN)
Versteeg H., Malalasekera W.: An Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics: The Finite Volume Method, 2nd Ed., Pearson, 2007 (EN)

Recommended reading

Green D.W., Southard M.Z.: Perry's Chemical Engineer's Handbook, 9th Ed., McGraw-Hill, 2018 (EN)
Medek, J.: Hydraulické pochody, 3. vydání, VUT - Vysoké učení technické, Brno, 2000. (CS)
Medek J.: Mechanické pochody, PC-DIR Real s.r.o., Brno, 1998 (CS)
Kleiber M., Process Engineering, Second Edition, Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin, 2020. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B-ZSI-P Bachelor's

    specialization STI , 3 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Zdeněk Jegla, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Introduction to the problematics or what is process engineering?
  2. The principle of unit operations and the basic steps of design and realization of the process
  3. Key process equipment and principles of their design
  4. System design principle of process heat transfer and selection of partial equipment
  5. Basics of dimensional design of partial equipment of process heat transfer system
  6. Basic arrangement and selection of equipment serving as process external energy sources
  7. Basics of dimensional design of pipes and insulation
  8. Layout design of the process and load-bearing steel structures
  9. Basics of shape and strength dimensioning of pipes
  10. Basics of selection and design of transport machines for process fluids
  11. Basics of measurement, regulation, and process control
  12. Start-up, operation and shutdown the process and troubleshooting
  13. News and current trends in process engineering

Exercise

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Zdeněk Jegla, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Assignment and introduction of the process that will be solved in the seminars
  2. Influence of input data on the design of the solved process
  3. Design of key equipment of the solved process
  4. Design of process heat transfer system for the solved process
  5. Dimensional design of heat transfer equipment for the solved process
  6. Selection of equipment serving as external energy sources for the solved process
  7. Design of diameters of selected pipes in the solved process
  8. Verification test of knowledge. Layout design of the solved process.
  9. Shape and strength dimensioning of the selected pipeline in the solved process
  10. Selection and design of injection pump for the solved process
  11. Design of regulation of selected equipment of the solved process
  12. Determining the behaviour of the selected equipment in the solved process during start-up
  13. Summary discussion of seminars results, credit hour, and information about the exam