Bioprocess Assignment 1

In this 21st century, electrical design has become more and more
dependent on accurate knowledge of materials, their properties and applications.
The important factors such as insulation and finishes can mean the success or
failure of an otherwise perfect electrical development. Moreover, insulation,
finishes and other chemical products are needed in large quantities in
formulation as exact as those made in small laboratory lots to put them into
actual production. Chemical engineers are required in the production of power
transformer.
The most important element found in transformer is copper wire, which
must be insulated from itself and from adjacent structures. The second major
component is the cellulosic insulation, used to separate metal conducting parts.
The cylinder, which is wounded by the wire is composed of continuously wound
paper, bound together by suitable impregnants and adhesives. Modifications of
the paper and adhesives resulting in a stronger cylinder. The third component of
the transformer is the insulating varnish, which provides both insulation and
mechanical strength. It is also used for the treatment of component parts and
assembled units. The chemical engineer must recognize the distinct properties of
each to make sure it fits the particular application. The fourth component is the
dielectric liquid used for insulating and cooling. This dielectric liquid must be
filtered before use to remove impurities and must also be entirely free of air.
Chemical engineers involve in the processing of assembled finished
transformers. Firstly, they wound the insulated wire on the cylinder. Some
windings will have poor mechanical and electrical strength. The low dielectric
strength is due to a lot of water present in the cellulose insulation. The water can
be removed by heating it under vacuum. Chemical engineers had improved this
process by using the vacuum bake tank. The whole process results in the
removal of all absorbed moisture with the appropriate shrinkage of the cellulosic
parts. The mechanical strength is improved by immersing the whole assembly
into suitable insulating varnishes. When final drying is complete, the unit is free
of both moisture and air, and the dielectric fluid is run into the treating tank to
completely immersed the coils. This provides a temporary barrier to the
absorption of water and allows the unit to be handled before dropping into their
own enclosures. In short, the application of chemical engineer principles to many

of the problems of electrical manufacturing has helped to supplement the

specialized knowledge of the electrical engineer.
Over the past five years, many B.S. ChE graduates have been employed in
the microelectronics industries. To enable students to apply core ChE skills
towards microelectronics processing, experiences in microelectronics processing
are being synthesized into the undergraduate program on four levels.
The first level is the Lab-based Microelectronic Unit Operations. Hundreds
of steps are used in the manufacture of microelectronics devices. These unit
operations

(Plasma

etching,

chemical

vapor

deposition,

spin

coating,

electrochemical deposition and silicon oxidation) have been developed into

chemical engineering curriculum and contain complex systems that involve the
interaction of many physical and chemical processes. To reinforce fundamental
chemical engineering sciences, ABET criteria is addressed. Their goal is that
professional practices such as effective oral and written communications, project
planning and teamwork can be incorporated.
The second level is Options programs utilizing Thin Film Materials
Processing (ChE 444/544). ChE department has established Options to aid
students in selection of elective courses, thus broaden and strengthen the
undergraduate ChE curriculum. The focus of Thin Film Materials Processing is the
application of core chemical engineering sciences to the processes. This
approach creates a mindset in the process engineer to apply engineering skills in
problem solving.
The third level is the Multiple Engineering Co-op Program (MECOP)
Internship Program. Internship shows students how engineers solve problems.
MECOP gives the ChE student hands on experience to compliment their
classroom study. The two six-months internships must be with different
companies that are in different technical areas so that the we can exposed more
to contrasting environments. Student that returns from an internship tends to be
much more dedicated, confident and mature.
The last level of undergraduate program is the Undergraduate Research
Projects and the University Honors College (UHC). Students that undertake
research projects with faculty in conjunction with an honor college thesis, allow
them to pursue independent long-term initiatives and to follow an idea to its
logical conclusion. The UHC Senior Thesis is an incredibly rewarding learning tool

for students. Writing and defending the thesis provides the students with the
skills necessary to undertake similar projects in their Masters Program or career
field.