February 2019

PhD Comprehensive exam syllabus

1. Engineering Mathematics
Linear Algebra: Matrix algebra, Systems of linear equations, Eigen values and eigenvectors.

Calculus: Functions of single variable, Limit, continuity and differentiability, Taylor series, Mean value
theorems, Evaluation of definite and improper integrals, Partial derivatives, Total derivative, Maxima
and minima, Gradient, Divergence and Curl, Vector identities, Directional derivatives, Line, Surface
and Volume integrals, Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems.

Differential equations: First order equations (linear and nonlinear), Higher order linear differential
equations with constant coefficients, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Initial and boundary value
problems, Laplace transforms, Solutions of one dimensional heat and wave equations and Laplace
equation.

Complex variables: Complex number, polar form of complex number, triangle inequality.

Probability and Statistics: Definitions of probability and sampling theorems, Conditional probability,
Mean, median, mode and standard deviation, Random variables, Poisson, Normal and Binomial
distributions, Linear regression analysis.

Numerical Methods: Numerical solutions of linear and non-linear algebraic equations. Integration by
trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule. Single and multi-step methods for numerical solution of differential
equations.

2. Transport Phenomena
Introduction to the field of transport phenomena including molecular mechanisms of momentum
transport (viscous flow); energy transport (heat conduction); mass transport (diffusion); Vector and
tensor; Constitutive relations for heat, mass and momentum transfer; Conservation equations of heat
and mass transfer; Scaling and Approximation techniques; Reynolds’ transport theorem; Derivation of
equations of motion; Lubrication approximation; Creeping flow; Laminar flow at high Reynolds
number, Boundary layer separation, flow past bluff bodies; Forced convection heat and mass transfer
in unconfined laminar flow; Transport in buoyancy driven flow.

3. Chemical Reaction Engineering

Chemical kinetics, phenomenology, stoichiometric matrix and independent reactions; Bounds for real
reactor performance by ideal reactors; Mass balances for batch, well mixed, and plug flow reactors for
elementary reactions and comparison of reactor volumes for ideal reactors; Multiple reactions:

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equilibrium step and pseudo steady state approximation, yield and selectivity, response of ideal reactors;
Theories of reaction rates; Energy balance for non-isothermal reactors, multiple steady states;
experimental determination of kinetics parameters; RTD; Non-catalytic fluid-solid reactions; Kinetics
of heterogeneous catalytic reactions; Diffusion effects in catalysis; Modeling of a non-isothermal
packed bed reactor with axial dispersion coefficient and effectiveness factor.

4. Thermodynamics
Introductory Concepts of Thermodynamic Systems and variables, Work, Heat, Internal Energy, State
variables; First Law: Closed and Open Systems, Steady and Transient Flow Processes; Second law and
Entropy; Entropy balance and availability, Isentropic processes, Ideal and non-ideal gases (pure
component), Partial derivatives of thermodynamic properties, Maxwell Relations , Equations of State,
Departure functions and pure component properties estimation using cubic EOS, Principle of
corresponding states and generalized compressibility correlations/charts; Ideal and non-ideal mixtures;
Partial molar quantities; Fugacity coefficient; generalized Gibbs-Duhem equation; Modelling of non-
ideal gas and liquid mixtures using EOS and mixing rules; Property estimation of mixtures using EOS;
Criteria for Thermodynamic Equilibrium; Phase Equilibrium Criteria, Pure Component Phase
Equilibria, Vapour-Liquid Equilibria (VLE) for ideal mixtures; Raoult's Law; Henry's law; Isothermal
and adiabatic flash computation for ideal mixtures; Non-ideal Mixtures; Excess Properties; Activity
coefficients; Modelling non-ideal liquid mixtures using activity coefficient models; VLE for non-ideal
mixtures using activity coefficient models and EOS; Isothermal and adiabatic flash computations for
non-ideal mixtures; Liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE), Fluid-solid equilibrium; Homogenous Chemical
Reaction Equilibrium: Single reaction; Multiple reactions; Combined phase and chemical equilibrium

5. Process dynamics and control

Mathematical modelling: Development of mathematical models, modelling consideration for control
purposes.

Dynamic behaviour of chemical processes: Computer simulation and the linearization of nonlinear
systems. Brief of Laplace transforms. Transfer functions and the input output models. Dynamics and
analysis of first, second and higher order systems.

Controller modes (P, PI, and PID). Control valves. Analysis of closed loop systems including stability.
Frequency response. Controller tuning.

Feedback Control Schemes: Concept of feedback control, Dynamics and analysis of feedback-
controlled processes. Stability analysis. Controller design. Frequency response analysis and its
applications.

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Advanced Control Schemes: Feedback control of systems with dead time or inverse response. Control
systems with multiple loops. Feedforward and ratio control.

6. Chemical Engineering Science for Industrial Applications

Fluid Mechanics - Fluid statics, Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, shell-balances including
differential form of Bernoulli equation and energy balance, Macroscopic friction factors, dimensional
analysis and similitude, flow through pipeline systems, flow meters, pumps and compressors,
elementary boundary layer theory, flow past immersed bodies including packed and fluidized beds,
Turbulent flow: fluctuating velocity, universal velocity profile and pressure drop.

Particle Technology - Particle size and shape, particle size distribution, size reduction and classification
of solid particles; free and hindered settling; centrifuge and cyclones; thickening and classification,
filtration, agitation and mixing; conveying of solids.

Heat Transfer - Steady and unsteady heat conduction, convection and radiation, thermal boundary
layer and heat transfer coefficients, boiling, condensation and evaporation; heat exchangers and
evaporators.

Mass Transfer - Mass transfer coefficients, film, penetration and surface renewal theories; momentum,
heat and mass transfer analogies; stage-wise and continuous contacting and stage efficiencies; HTU &
NTU concepts; Principles of separation processes: distillation, absorption, leaching, liquid-liquid
extraction, drying, humidification, dehumidification and adsorption.

Optimization Principles – Linear Programming, Introductory Non-Linear Programming, Process

Synthesis