
Chemical engineering merges chemistry, physics, biology, and math to design processes that transform raw materials into valuable products—anything from plastics to pharmaceuticals.
Undertaking hands-on projects not only deepens your theoretical understanding but also equips you with skills sought by industry, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and data analysis.
In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to plan, execute, and present chemical engineering projects that stand out. Let’s dive in!
Must Read: 200 Simple AP Chemistry Project Ideas For Students
What Is a Chemical Engineering Project?
A chemical engineering project is a structured investigation or design exercise where you:
- Define a problem or goal
- Research relevant science and engineering principles
- Develop a plan, model, or prototype
- Conduct experiments or simulations
- Analyze data and draw conclusions
- Document and present your findings
Projects can be academic (coursework, capstone), personal passion projects, or professional assignments (internships, industry). They bridge the gap between theory and practice, letting you apply classroom knowledge in real-world contexts.
Why Do Chemical Engineering Projects Matter?
- Deepen Understanding
Hands-on work solidifies concepts like mass transfer, thermodynamics, and reaction kinetics far more than lectures alone. - Skill Development
You’ll gain technical skills (e.g., process simulation, lab techniques) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork). - Portfolio Building
A strong project portfolio impresses recruiters and grad-school committees—proof that you can tackle real challenges. - Innovation & Creativity
Projects let you explore novel ideas—whether it’s a greener solvent or an efficient reactor design. - Networking & Collaboration
Working with peers, advisors, or industry partners expands your professional circle.
Benefits of Doing Chemical Engineering Projects
Benefit | Why It Matters |
---|---|
Practical Experience | Companies value graduates who’ve “been in the lab.” |
Problem-Solving Skills | Real-world challenges rarely match textbook exercises. |
Enhanced Resume & Portfolio | Demonstrates initiative and technical competence. |
Confidence & Independence | Completing a project end-to-end builds self-reliance. |
Publication & Presentation | Possibility to publish papers or present at conferences. |
Interdisciplinary Exposure | Chemical engineering overlaps with biotech, energy, and materials. |
Leadership & Teamwork | Large projects often involve group work—practice leading. |
How to Choose the Best Project
Choosing the right project is crucial. Consider these factors:
- Interest & Passion
• Select a topic that excites you—whether it’s renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, or food processing.
• Genuine curiosity fuels motivation. - Feasibility
• Assess time, budget, and resource constraints.
• Check lab availability, equipment, and software licenses (e.g., MATLAB, Aspen HYSYS). - Scope & Scale
• Avoid being too ambitious for your timeframe.
• Define clear, achievable objectives. - Relevance
• Align with current industry trends (e.g., carbon capture, bioplastics).
• Consider market needs or academic gaps. - Skill Development
• Choose projects that help you learn new tools or methods.
• Balance between building on strengths and challenging yourself. - Guidance & Mentorship
• Ensure you have access to an advisor or expert.
• Regular feedback accelerates progress.
Top 299+ Chemical Engineering Project Ideas 2025-26
Reaction Engineering (1–30)
- Kinetics of Esterification Reaction
This project studies how temperature and catalyst amount affect the rate of making an ester by measuring product yield over time using a batch reactor. - Modeling a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR)
You will build and simulate a CSTR to see how flow rate and reaction kinetics change conversion, using MATLAB or Python. - Optimizing Plug Flow Reactor (PFR) Performance
This project compares plug flow and stirred reactors by measuring reactant conversion at different reactor lengths and flow speeds. - Catalytic Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide
You’ll test different catalysts (like manganese dioxide) to speed up H₂O₂ breakdown and measure oxygen evolution rate. - Thermal Cracking of Hydrocarbons
Study how heating heavy oil in a tubular reactor breaks it into lighter products, analyzing gas chromatography outputs. - Gas–Solid Reaction in a Packed Bed
Investigate how pellet size and gas flow affect conversion in a packed bed reactor with calcium carbonate and CO₂. - Biofuel Production via Transesterification
Produce biodiesel from vegetable oil using a base catalyst, then measure methyl ester yield and purity. - Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes
Use titanium dioxide and UV light to break down water pollutants, measuring color removal over time. - Hydrogen Production by Water–Gas Shift
Examine how temperature and gas ratio affect H₂ yield from CO and H₂O in a fixed-bed reactor. - Oxidation of Sulfur Dioxide to Sulfur Trioxide
Simulate contact process kinetics and measure SO₃ formation under different catalyst and temperature conditions. - Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis
Compare reaction times and yields using microwave heating versus conventional heating for a simple organic reaction. - Transient Behavior of CSTR Start-Up
Monitor concentration changes when a CSTR is fed with reactant step-change, and compare to theoretical curves. - Enzyme-Catalyzed Reaction in a Packed Bed
Immobilize lipase on beads and study how flow rate affects fatty acid conversion in a packed column. - Hydrolysis of Sucrose Using Acid Catalyst
Measure rate of sucrose breakdown into glucose and fructose at various acid concentrations and temperatures. - Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene
Test Pd-Ag catalysts for turning acetylene into ethylene selectively, measuring by gas chromatography. - Modeling Reactor Heat Transfer
Build a model of heat removal in an exothermic reactor and validate with simple lab data. - Catalytic Cracking Using Zeolite
Study how zeolite type and temperature affect conversion of vacuum gas oil into gasoline fractions. - Polymerization Kinetics in Batch Reactor
Measure monomer conversion and molecular weight growth over time for a free-radical polymerization. - Gas-Liquid Reaction in Bubble Column
Investigate mass transfer coefficient by absorbing CO₂ into water in a bubble column reactor. - Nitric Acid Production via Ostwald Process
Simulate ammonia oxidation kinetics and measure NO and NO₂ yields under varying conditions. - Oxidation of Alcohols with KMnO₄
Measure how temperature and concentration affect rate of converting ethanol to acetic acid. - Reaction Engineering with Supercritical CO₂
Study solubility and reaction rate of an organic reaction in supercritical CO₂ medium. - High-Pressure Hydrogenation in Batch Reactor
Test how pressure influences hydrogenation rate of an unsaturated compound using a Parr reactor. - Catalyst Deactivation in Fixed-Bed Reactor
Monitor how sulfur poisoning reduces catalyst activity over time when converting syngas to methanol. - Heterogeneous Catalysis in a Monolithic Reactor
Compare mass transfer and reaction rates in monolith vs. pellet catalysts for oxidation reactions. - Modeling CO Oxidation on Platinum Surface
Use Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetics to fit data from CO + O₂ reaction on Pt catalyst. - Reaction Engineering of Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis
Study how temperature and H₂/CO ratio affect hydrocarbon chain length distribution. - Continuous Polymerization in Tubular Reactor
Simulate residence time distribution and product molecular weight in a flow polymerization setup. - Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation
Use formic acid as hydrogen donor over Ru catalyst to hydrogenate nitrobenzene, measuring selectivity. - Modeling Exothermic Reaction Runaway
Build a thermal safety model for an exothermic reaction and determine safe operating limits.
Separation Processes (31–60)
- Distillation Column Design for Ethanol–Water
Design and simulate a multi-stage distillation column to separate ethanol and water to 95% purity. - Liquid–Liquid Extraction of Caffeine
Test how solvent choice (e.g., dichloromethane vs. ethyl acetate) affects extraction efficiency from tea. - Membrane Separation of Saline Water
Study reverse osmosis membrane flux and salt rejection under different pressures and temperatures. - Adsorption of Dyes on Activated Carbon
Measure how contact time and adsorbent dose affect dye removal from wastewater. - Pressure Swing Adsorption for CO₂ Capture
Simulate a PSA cycle to capture CO₂ from flue gas, monitoring breakthrough curves. - Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Essential Oils
Use supercritical CO₂ to extract oils from plant material, measuring yield at different pressures. - Pervaporation for Alcohol–Water Separation
Test pervaporation membrane performance in separating water from isopropanol mixtures. - Cryogenic Air Separation
Design a simple chart-based process to separate O₂ and N₂ by fractional distillation at low temperatures. - Ultrafiltration of Protein Solutions
Study membrane fouling and flux decline when filtering bovine serum albumin solutions. - Ion Exchange for Water Softening
Measure hardness reduction using Na⁺-form resin, tracking exchange capacity over cycles. - Foam Fractionation for Protein Purification
Investigate how gas flow and surfactant affect protein recovery in a foam column. - Vacuum Drying of Pharmaceuticals
Measure drying rate of a heat-sensitive drug powder under different pressures and shelf temperatures. - Hydrocyclone Separation of Solid Particles
Test how feed pressure and cyclone geometry affect particle separation efficiency. - Gas Absorption of SO₂ in Alkaline Solution
Measure SO₂ removal from simulated flue gas using NaOH scrubber and track pH change. - Electrodialysis for Desalination
Build a lab-scale electrodialysis cell and measure salt removal at different voltages. - Rotary Evaporation of Solvent Mixtures
Study how bath temperature and vacuum level affect solvent removal rate. - Molecular Sieve Separation of Water–Ethanol
Test zeolite 3A performance to dehydrate ethanol, measuring water content by Karl Fischer titration. - Simulated Moving Bed Chromatography
Model separation of two compounds using SMB and validate with simple lab column runs. - Packed Tower Gas Absorber for Ammonia
Design and test a small packed column to remove NH₃ from air using acid solution. - Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor
Combine membrane separation and photocatalysis to degrade and remove organic pollutants. - Rotating Disk Contactor for Liquid–Liquid Extraction
Study mixing efficiency and mass transfer during solvent extraction in a rotating disk setup. - Gas–Liquid Two-Phase Flow in Packed Bed
Measure pressure drop and mass transfer when gas and liquid flow together through packing. - Falling Film Evaporator for Brine Concentration
Test film thickness and evaporation rate for concentrating salt solutions. - Bubble Point Measurement of Binary Mixtures
Determine bubble point curves of ethanol–water mixtures using a simple ebulliometer. - Superfine Filtration of Colloidal Suspensions
Study membrane cake build-up when filtering fine silica suspensions. - Melt Crystallization of Benzoic Acid
Investigate crystal size and purity as a function of cooling rate in a simple crystallizer. - Spiral Wound Module Performance
Compare flux and rejection in spiral RO vs. hollow fiber membranes for desalination. - Thermal Swing Solvent Extraction
Test how heating regenerates a solvent loaded with extracted solute in a two-phase system. - Foaming Behavior in Distillation
Study how different liquids create foam in a small distillation column and how antifoam helps. - Agitated Thin-Film Dryer
Measure drying rate and particle size change when drying wet granules in an ATFD.
Transport Phenomena (61–90)
- Laminar Flow Heat Transfer in a Pipe
Measure temperature profiles and calculate Nusselt number for water flow in a heated tube. - Turbulent Flow Pressure Drop
Study how Reynolds number affects pressure loss in a pipe with rough and smooth surfaces. - Natural Convection around a Vertical Plate
Measure heat transfer coefficient by heating a flat plate and recording air temperature. - Mass Diffusion of Salt in Water
Monitor concentration spread in a tank to calculate diffusion coefficient of NaCl. - Combined Convection–Diffusion in a Channel
Study how flow rate and diffusion interact by injecting a tracer dye in a water channel. - Transient Heat Conduction in a Slab
Heat one side of a metal slab and record temperature versus time to fit Fourier’s law. - Rotating Cylinder Flow Visualization
Use dye to see flow patterns between concentric rotating cylinders and compare to theory. - Packed Bed Void Fraction Measurement
Determine void fraction by measuring bed weight and volume of packing. - Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger Efficiency
Build a small exchanger and measure inlet/outlet temperatures to calculate overall heat transfer coefficient. - Falling Sphere Viscosity Measurement
Drop a ball in fluid and use terminal velocity to find viscosity via Stokes’ law. - Boundary Layer Thickness in Air Flow
Measure velocity profiles near a flat plate using a hot-wire anemometer. - Hydrodynamics of Fluidized Bed
Observe minimum fluidization velocity for sand in an air column and relate to Ergun equation. - Electroosmotic Flow in Microchannels
Measure fluid velocity when applying voltage across a microchannel surface. - Evaporation from a Liquid Surface
Track mass loss of water in an open pan to calculate mass transfer coefficient. - Mixed Convection over a Heated Cylinder
Record temperature and flow patterns around a heated cylinder in crossflow. - Diffusion through a Porous Membrane
Measure how solute concentration changes across a porous barrier over time. - Transient Flow in Pipelines
Simulate water hammer by rapidly closing a valve and record pressure surge. - Non-Newtonian Flow in a Capillary
Study how a polymer solution’s viscosity changes with shear rate in a narrow tube. - Heat Pipe Thermal Performance
Build a simple heat pipe and measure effective thermal conductivity. - Mass Transfer in a Spray Tower
Spray water into air and measure moisture content to find mass transfer coefficient. - Thermocouple Calibration and Response Time
Heat a thermocouple in a step-change environment and record its time constant. - Conduction in Composite Walls
Measure heat flux through layered materials and compare to theoretical resistance network. - Taylor–Couette Instability Study
Observe flow patterns between rotating cylinders at different speeds and compare to stability maps. - Evaporative Cooling Efficiency
Measure temperature drop of water in a wetted pad as air flows through. - Lumped vs. Distributed Capacitance
Heat small and large blocks and compare lumped-parameter model to detailed conduction solution. - Bubble Growth Dynamics in Boiling
Visualize and measure bubble size vs. time on a heated surface in boiling water. - Transient Solute Transport in Packed Bed
Pulse a tracer through packing and record breakthrough curve to find dispersion coefficient. - Natural and Forced Convection Combined
Heat a vertical tube in a crossflow and separate natural from forced convection contributions. - Viscous Heating in High-Shear Mixer
Measure temperature rise due to viscous dissipation in a rotor–stator mixer. - Radiative Heat Transfer in Furnace Walls
Build a small furnace and use thermocouples to separate convection from radiation losses.
Process Control & Instrumentation (91–120)
- PID Control of Liquid Level
Implement a PID loop on a tank to keep liquid level constant despite disturbances. - Temperature Control in a Jacketed Reactor
Tune a control valve and PID to hold reactor temperature steady under varying heat input. - Flow Control with Smart Valves
Use a flow transmitter and control valve to maintain constant flow rate, logging performance. - pH Control in Neutralization Process
Add acid/base via PID to keep pH at setpoint during addition of reactive streams. - Online Viscosity Measurement
Use a rotational viscometer in a line and display real-time viscosity for quality control. - Level Measurement with Ultrasonic Sensor
Calibrate an ultrasonic level sensor on a tank and compare to float measurements. - Conductivity Monitoring in Water Treatment
Track conductivity as ions are removed, and use feedback to adjust dosing of resin. - Gas Chromatography Process Monitoring
Automate sampling and GC analysis to control a continuous reaction’s feed ratio. - DCS Simulation for Simple Process
Build a distributed control simulation of mixing, heating, and level control in software. - Soft Sensor Development for Concentration
Use temperature and density data to infer solute concentration via regression model. - Cascade Control for Distillation Column
Implement inner flow control loop and outer level loop to stabilize bottom product level. - Model Predictive Control of Heat Exchanger
Use a dynamic model to predict outlet temperature and adjust flow rates proactively. - Alarm Management in Control Systems
Analyze alarm logs and redesign alarm setpoints to reduce nuisance alerts. - Wireless Sensor Network in Plant
Deploy wireless transmitters for temperature and pressure and evaluate data reliability. - Smart Actuator Performance Testing
Compare response time and hysteresis between pneumatic and electric control valves. - PID Tuning Methods Comparison
Test Ziegler–Nichols, Cohen–Coon, and trial-and-error for level control and compare overshoot. - Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) Design
Design a simple SIS to shut down a reactor if temperature exceeds safe limit. - Control of pH Swing Adsorption
Adjust pH to load and unload adsorbent in a cyclic process and monitor breakthrough. - Dynamic Modeling of a Heat Exchanger
Develop and validate a transfer function model for a shell-and-tube exchanger. - Neural Network Control for Nonlinear Process
Train a basic neural controller to regulate temperature in a highly nonlinear reactor. - Fault Detection in Control Loops
Introduce faults (e.g., sensor drift) in a level control loop and detect them using residuals. - Human–Machine Interface (HMI) Design
Create a clear HMI screen for a mixing process, focusing on usability and alarms. - Control of Crystallization Process
Use temperature and supersaturation control to maintain crystal size distribution. - Multivariable Control of Distillation
Coordinate reflux and boil-up controls using decoupling techniques. - Dynamic Simulation of Batch Process
Model batch heating, reaction, and cooling steps in a control simulator. - Advanced Process Control with Fuzzy Logic
Design a fuzzy logic controller for a temperature-control loop and compare to PID. - Flowmeter Calibration and Linearity
Calibrate orifice plate, turbine, and Coriolis meters and plot calibration curves. - Control Valve Characterization
Test valve flow coefficient (Cv) vs. stem position and derive valve equation. - Alarm Prioritization Study
Classify alarms by risk and frequency, then propose priority scheme for operators. - Digital Twin for Simple Process Unit
Build a real-time model twin of a reactor using sensor data and validate predictions.
Environmental & Sustainable Engineering (121–160)
- Photocatalytic Water Purification
Use TiO₂ under sunlight to break down organic pollutants, measuring COD removal. - Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment
Build a small aerobic bioreactor and monitor BOD removal with varying retention times. - Adsorption of Heavy Metals on Biochar
Test rice husk biochar for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ removal from water, measuring adsorption isotherms. - Algal Biofuel Production in Open Ponds
Grow microalgae on wastewater and extract lipids, measuring growth rate and oil yield. - Constructed Wetland Design
Simulate a small wetland cell to remove nutrients from agricultural runoff and track TN and TP. - Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste
Measure biogas yield and methane content from kitchen waste in a lab digester. - Electrocoagulation for Turbidity Removal
Use iron electrodes to remove suspended solids, measuring turbidity decline over time. - Solar Still for Purifying Brackish Water
Build a simple solar still and measure fresh water output under different insolation. - Constructing a Small-Scale Biogas Plant
Design and test an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for biogas production. - Carbon Capture with Amine Solutions
Study CO₂ absorption in MEA scrubber and measure energy needed for regeneration. - Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles
Use plant extracts to produce silver nanoparticles and test antibacterial activity. - Life-Cycle Analysis of a Process
Compare environmental impacts of two routes to produce a common chemical, using LCA software. - Run-of-River Microhydro Power Plant Design
Estimate power output and environmental impact for a small river site. - Electrochemical Removal of Nitrates
Use a lab cell to reduce nitrates to nitrogen gas and measure efficiency vs. current. - Membrane Bioreactor for Sewage Treatment
Combine activated sludge and membrane filtration, monitoring flux and effluent quality. - Photovoltaic-Thermal Hybrid Collector
Build a small PVT panel and measure electrical and thermal efficiencies concurrently. - Green Solvent Screening for Organic Reactions
Compare toxicity and performance of traditional vs. bio-based solvents in a simple synthesis. - Urban Air Quality Monitoring Network
Deploy low-cost sensors for PM₂.₅ and NO₂, logging data and mapping pollution hotspots. - Zero-Liquid Discharge System Design
Integrate evaporation, crystallization, and recycling to eliminate wastewater from a process. - Biodegradation of Plastics by Enzymes
Test enzyme blends on PET samples and measure weight loss over time. - Solar-Powered Desalination Using CPC
Build a compound parabolic collector still and measure freshwater output under sun. - Green Ammonia Synthesis via Electrolysis
Produce H₂ by water electrolysis and combine with air in a small Haber reactor, measuring NH₃ yield. - Life Cycle Water Footprint Analysis
Calculate water usage of bottled water vs. tap, including production and transport stages. - Biofilter for Volatile Organic Compounds
Pack a column with compost and pass VOC-laden air, measuring removal efficiency. - Sustainable Cement Alternatives
Test fly ash and slag blends for strength, comparing to ordinary Portland cement. - Algal Removal of Heavy Metals
Grow algae in metal-contaminated water and measure metal uptake per biomass. - Rainwater Harvesting System Design
Size roof catchment and storage for household use, analyzing water savings. - Electrochemical Oxidation of Organic Pollutants
Use BDD electrodes to degrade phenolic compounds, measuring TOC decline. - Greenhouse Gas Emission Audit
Perform an audit for a small plant to quantify CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O outputs and propose reduction steps. - Solar Thermal Energy Storage
Test phase-change materials for storing heat from a solar collector and monitor melting/freezing cycles. - Microbial Fuel Cell for Wastewater
Build a single-chamber MFC and measure voltage and power density from real wastewater. - Biochar-Amended Constructed Wetland
Add biochar to wetland soil and compare nutrient removal to a standard wetland. - Photovoltaic-Powered Electrocoagulation
Drive an electrocoagulation cell with PV panels to remove turbidity, measuring energy use. - Solar Drying of Agricultural Products
Build a solar dryer for fruits, tracking drying rate and final moisture content. - Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor
Combine anaerobic digestion and membrane separation, monitoring biogas yield and permeate quality. - Wet Scrubber Design for SO₂
Test different packing materials for removing SO₂ from gas stream, measuring removal percent. - Conducting Polymers for Environmental Sensing
Fabricate a PEDOT sensor for detecting heavy metals, calibrating sensitivity and selectivity. - Solar-Driven Photoelectrocatalysis
Use a dye-sensitized electrode under sunlight to remove dyes from water, tracking degradation. - Green Production of Hydrogen Peroxide
Explore electrochemical routes to make H₂O₂ directly from O₂ in a flow cell, measuring concentration. - Carbon Nanotube Adsorbents for VOCs
Test CNT powder for benzene removal from air, measuring breakthrough time and capacity.
Biochemical & Food Process Engineering (161–200)
- Fermentation Optimization for Ethanol
Use yeast strains to ferment sugarcane juice, varying pH and temperature to maximize yield. - Enzymatic Synthesis of Invert Sugar
Use immobilized invertase to convert sucrose to glucose/fructose, measuring conversion over time. - Spray Drying of Probiotic Cultures
Test inlet/outlet temperatures for best cell survival and powder yield. - Microencapsulation of Flavors
Encapsulate vanilla in whey protein, studying capsule size and release rate in water. - High-Pressure Processing of Fruit Juice
Measure microbial inactivation and nutrient retention under different pressures. - Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Antioxidants
Use sonication to extract polyphenols from fruit peels, comparing yield to conventional methods. - Continuous Cultivation of Algae for Omega-3
Grow microalgae in a photobioreactor, optimizing light and nutrient feed for fatty acid production. - Osmotic Dehydration of Fruits
Soak mango slices in sugar solution, then measure water removal and solid gain kinetics. - Membrane Filtration for Milk Clarification
Use micro- and ultrafiltration to remove fat and proteins, monitoring flux decline. - Bioplastic Production from Starch
Produce PLA from corn starch via fermentation and polymerization, testing tensile strength. - Biosensor for Glucose Detection
Fabricate an enzyme electrode with glucose oxidase and measure response time and sensitivity. - Continuous Beer Fermentation
Model and run a chemostat for beer fermentation, monitoring alcohol concentration and biomass. - Enzyme Immobilization on Magnetic Nanoparticles
Attach lipase to particles, test activity and reusability in oil hydrolysis. - High-Shear Emulsification of Dressings
Use rotor–stator mixer to make stable oil-in-water emulsions, measuring droplet size. - Supercritical CO₂ Extraction of Caffeine
Extract caffeine from coffee beans, comparing yield to Soxhlet extraction. - Biopolymer Films from Chitosan
Cast chitosan films with glycerol plasticizer, testing mechanical and barrier properties. - Continuous Cheese Production Modeling
Simulate coagulation, curd cutting, and drainage in a continuous cheesemaking line. - Lactic Acid Fermentation Kinetics
Study Lactobacillus growth and lactic acid production from lactose at different pH. - Vacuum Frying of Potato Chips
Compare oil uptake and crispiness at reduced pressure versus atmospheric frying. - Ultrasonic Sterilization of Liquid Foods
Use high-power ultrasound to inactivate microbes in milk, measuring microbial count and nutrients. - Encapsulation of Probiotics by Freeze Drying
Freeze-dry probiotic cultures with protectants and test viability after storage. - Enzymatic Clarification of Fruit Juices
Use pectinase to reduce viscosity, measuring turbidity and juice yield. - Continuous Spray Chilling of Chocolate
Model and test cooling of chocolate droplets in a spray chamber to form shells. - Antimicrobial Packaging Films
Incorporate silver nanoparticles into biopolymer film and test against E. coli and S. aureus. - Microbial Fuel Cell with Wastewater Feed
Build an MFC using grape juice waste and measure power density and COD removal. - Fermentation of Soy Milk to Yogurt
Compare classic and probiotic cultures for texture and acidity development. - Cold Plasma Treatment of Grains
Treat wheat with plasma to reduce microbial load and measure germination rate post-treatment. - 3D-Printed Food Structures
Use paste extrusion to print sugar structures and study rheology needed for stability. - Edible Coatings for Fruit Preservation
Apply chitosan-based coating to strawberries and track shelf life and weight loss. - Photobioreactor Design for Spirulina
Model light distribution and mixing in a tubular PBR for high algae productivity. - Continuous Microfiltration of Juice
Run continuous MF and monitor fouling rates and juice clarity over time. - Ultrafiltration of Whey Proteins
Separate whey proteins from lactose using UF, measuring protein rejection and flux. - Supercritical Fluid Microencapsulation
Encapsulate fish oil in polymer using SCF, then test particle size and oxidation stability. - High-Pressure Homogenization of Emulsions
Study droplet size reduction of oil emulsions at different pressures and passes. - Biosurfactant Production by Bacteria
Grow Pseudomonas on waste oil and measure rhamnolipid yield and surface tension reduction. - Probiotic Drying by Fluidized Bed
Dry probiotic beads in a fluidized bed, comparing viability to freeze drying. - Continuous Extraction of Plant Oils
Use counter-current extraction in a lab column, measuring oil concentration profiles. - Light-Driven Enzymatic Reactions
Couple a photoreactor with enzyme catalysts to drive reactions using visible light. - Scale-Down Model of Food Pasteurization
Build a small-scale HTST unit, measuring microbial kill and nutrient retention. - Biorefinery Simulation in Aspen Plus
Model a full biorefinery converting biomass to fuels and chemicals, optimizing energy use.
Computational & Modeling (201–220)
- Dynamic Simulation of Distillation Startup
Objective: Predict vapor–liquid profiles during column startup. Methodology: Build a dynamic model in Aspen HYSYS and run time-based simulations. Expected Outcome: Time to reach steady state and control settings. Equipment: Computer with process simulation software. - CFD Analysis of Mixing in a Stirred Tank
Objective: Visualize flow patterns and mixing time. Methodology: Create a 3D tank model in ANSYS Fluent and simulate at different impeller speeds. Expected Outcome: Velocity contours and mixing efficiency. Equipment: CFD software and workstation. - Process Optimization using Genetic Algorithms
Objective: Optimize reaction yield and energy use. Methodology: Define decision variables in MATLAB, run GA optimization with process model. Expected Outcome: Optimal operating conditions and yield improvement. Equipment: MATLAB with Optimization Toolbox. - Heat Exchanger Network Synthesis
Objective: Minimize utility consumption in a plant. Methodology: Use pinch analysis and MILP solver in Excel or Python. Expected Outcome: Heat integration network and energy savings. Equipment: Spreadsheet software, Python. - Risk Analysis with Monte Carlo Simulation
Objective: Quantify uncertainty in process outputs. Methodology: Model key variables in Python and run Monte Carlo trials. Expected Outcome: Probability distributions for product purity and cost. Equipment: Python with NumPy. - Virtual Plant Design in Digital Twin
Objective: Mirror a lab reactor in real time. Methodology: Link sensor data to a simulation model in MATLAB/Simulink. Expected Outcome: Real-time prediction of temperatures and concentrations. Equipment: Data acquisition hardware, MATLAB. - Machine Learning for Yield Prediction
Objective: Predict product yield from raw data. Methodology: Train regression models (e.g., random forest) on historical batch data. Expected Outcome: A model with >90% prediction accuracy. Equipment: Python with scikit-learn. - Neural Network Modeling of CSTR
Objective: Capture nonlinear reactor dynamics. Methodology: Collect input–output data and train an ANN in TensorFlow. Expected Outcome: Neural model predicting concentration vs. time. Equipment: Python, TensorFlow. - Optimization of Membrane Process Parameters
Objective: Maximize flux and rejection. Methodology: Use response surface methodology in Design-Expert or Python. Expected Outcome: Optimal pressure and temperature settings. Equipment: Statistical software. - Economic Evaluation of Biorefinery
Objective: Assess profitability of biomass-to-fuel plant. Methodology: Build cash-flow model in Excel, run sensitivity analysis. Expected Outcome: Net present value and payback period. Equipment: Spreadsheet software. - Simulation of Reactive Distillation
Objective: Combine reaction and separation in one column. Methodology: Model reactive stages in Aspen Plus with RStoic reactors. Expected Outcome: Conversion, purity, and energy use. Equipment: Aspen Plus. - Data-Driven Fault Detection
Objective: Detect process faults early. Methodology: Apply PCA on sensor data in Python to find anomalies. Expected Outcome: Alarm threshold settings and fault classification accuracy. Equipment: Python with data libraries. - Computational Screening of Ionic Liquids
Objective: Find best IL for CO₂ capture. Methodology: Use COSMO-RS in TURBOMOLE to predict solubility. Expected Outcome: Ranking of IL candidates by capacity. Equipment: Quantum chemistry software. - Multi-Objective Optimization of Reactor
Objective: Balance yield and selectivity. Methodology: Use NSGA-II algorithm in MATLAB to optimize temperature and catalyst load. Expected Outcome: Pareto front of optimal solutions. Equipment: MATLAB. - Dynamic Modeling of Batch Crystallization
Objective: Predict crystal size distribution over time. Methodology: Develop population balance model in MATLAB/Simulink. Expected Outcome: Time-based crystal size predictions. Equipment: MATLAB. - Process Control Loop Tuning via Virtual Commissioning
Objective: Tune PID without plant trials. Methodology: Simulate control loops in a digital twin and apply tuning rules. Expected Outcome: PID parameters ready for implementation. Equipment: Simulink. - Sensitivity Analysis of Gas–Liquid Reactor
Objective: Identify key parameters affecting conversion. Methodology: Vary parameters in simulation and plot sensitivity indices in Python. Expected Outcome: Ranking of impactful variables. Equipment: Python. - Machine Vision for Foam Detection
Objective: Automatically detect foam in reactors. Methodology: Train image classifier using OpenCV and Keras on camera images. Expected Outcome: Real-time foam alarms. Equipment: Camera, Python. - Simulation of CO₂ Transport in Pipelines
Objective: Predict pressure drop and phase behavior. Methodology: Use pipeline module in OLGA or custom code. Expected Outcome: Safe operating window and pressure profiles. Equipment: Pipeline simulation software. - Digital Optimization of Batch Plant Scheduling
Objective: Minimize idle time and changeover cost. Methodology: Formulate MILP in Python (PuLP) and solve for scheduling. Expected Outcome: Optimized batch schedule and cost savings. Equipment: Python with optimization libraries.
Polymers & Materials (221–240)
- Synthesis of Conductive Polymer Composites
Objective: Make plastics that conduct electricity. Methodology: Mix polyaniline with epoxy resin and cure, then test conductivity. Expected Outcome: Composite with specified resistivity. Equipment: Oven, multimeter. - Mechanical Testing of 3D-Printed Polymers
Objective: Measure strength of printed parts. Methodology: Print test bars in PLA, perform tensile tests on UTM. Expected Outcome: Stress–strain curves and tensile strength. Equipment: 3D printer, UTM. - Thermal Analysis of Polymer Blends
Objective: Understand melting and glass transitions. Methodology: Run DSC scans on mixed polymers at different ratios. Expected Outcome: Tg and Tm values vs. blend composition. Equipment: DSC instrument. - Chemical Resistance of Coatings
Objective: Test protective paint against acids. Methodology: Apply coating, expose to acid bath, measure weight loss. Expected Outcome: Coating life and degradation rate. Equipment: Balance, acid solutions. - Nanoclay Reinforced Polymer Films
Objective: Improve barrier properties. Methodology: Disperse nanoclay in PE resin, cast films, test gas permeability. Expected Outcome: Permeability reduction percentage. Equipment: Film casting unit, permeability tester. - Biodegradation of Polymer Samples
Objective: Measure how fast plastics break down. Methodology: Bury samples in compost, periodically measure weight loss. Expected Outcome: Degradation curve over weeks. Equipment: Scale, compost bin. - Rheology of Polymer Melts
Objective: Study flow behavior under shear. Methodology: Use capillary rheometer on molten polymer at various shear rates. Expected Outcome: Viscosity vs. shear rate plot. Equipment: Rheometer. - Electrospinning of Nanofibers
Objective: Create ultra-thin fibers. Methodology: Prepare polymer solution, electrospin at set voltage, collect fibers, view under SEM. Expected Outcome: Fiber diameter distribution. Equipment: Electrospinning setup. - Thermal Conductivity of Composite Panels
Objective: Measure heat transfer in sandwich panels. Methodology: Use guarded hot plate on layered materials. Expected Outcome: Overall thermal conductivity. Equipment: Hot plate apparatus. - Self-Healing Polymer Testing
Objective: Evaluate healing ability. Methodology: Scratch polymer sample, heat to activate microcapsules, measure restored strength. Expected Outcome: Percentage of strength recovery. Equipment: Oven, UTM. - Synthesis of UV-Curable Resins
Objective: Make fast-curing coatings. Methodology: Mix acrylate monomers with photoinitiator, expose to UV, test hardness. Expected Outcome: Curing time and film hardness. Equipment: UV lamp, hardness tester. - Fire Retardant Polymer Composites
Objective: Lower flammability of plastics. Methodology: Add flame retardant additives, perform UL-94 tests. Expected Outcome: Flammability rating improvement. Equipment: Flammability tester. - Dielectric Properties of Polymer Films
Objective: Measure insulation ability. Methodology: Apply AC voltage across film, measure capacitance and loss tangent. Expected Outcome: Dielectric constant vs. frequency. Equipment: LCR meter. - Hydrogel Synthesis for Drug Delivery
Objective: Create water-swollen networks. Methodology: Crosslink polyvinyl alcohol, load dye as drug model, measure release kinetics. Expected Outcome: Release profile vs. time. Equipment: UV–Vis spectrophotometer. - Magnetic Polymer Beads for Separation
Objective: Make beads that can be magnetically separated. Methodology: Embed iron oxide in polymer matrix, test separation in magnetic field. Expected Outcome: Separation efficiency. Equipment: Magnet, balance. - Surface Modification of Polypropylene
Objective: Improve adhesion properties. Methodology: Treat PP sheets with corona discharge, measure contact angle. Expected Outcome: Wettability change data. Equipment: Contact angle goniometer. - Barrier Films from Biopolymers
Objective: Make eco-friendly packaging. Methodology: Cast films from chitosan–glycerol mix, test oxygen permeability. Expected Outcome: Barrier performance vs. plastic. Equipment: Permeation tester. - Nanocomposite Mechanical Behavior under Impact
Objective: Test impact resistance. Methodology: Embed graphene in epoxy, perform Izod impact tests. Expected Outcome: Energy absorbed at break. Equipment: Impact tester. - Polymer Electrolytes for Batteries
Objective: Create solid-state ion conductors. Methodology: Blend PEO with Li-salt, measure ionic conductivity via EIS. Expected Outcome: Conductivity vs. temperature. Equipment: Potentiostat. - 3D Printing of Functional Ceramics
Objective: Print ceramic parts with fine features. Methodology: Use slurry-based printer, sinter parts, test hardness. Expected Outcome: Dimensional accuracy and strength. Equipment: 3D printer, furnace.
Process Safety & Economics (241–260)
- Hazard Identification with HAZOP
Objective: Find potential process hazards. Methodology: Conduct HAZOP study on a small plant, document guideword deviations. Expected Outcome: List of hazards and safeguards. Equipment: Piping & instrumentation diagrams. - Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA)
Objective: Quantify risk in high-pressure reactor. Methodology: Identify scenarios and assign probability reduction factors. Expected Outcome: Risk graphs and required protection layers. Equipment: Risk analysis software or spreadsheets. - Safety Relief Valve Sizing
Objective: Protect vessel from overpressure. Methodology: Calculate required orifice size using API formulas. Expected Outcome: Valve spec sheet. Equipment: Calculator, API standards. - Economic Analysis of Solvent Recovery
Objective: Determine payback for a recovery unit. Methodology: Compare capital and operating costs vs. solvent purchase cost in Excel. Expected Outcome: NPV and ROI numbers. Equipment: Spreadsheet software. - Dispersion of Toxic Gas Release
Objective: Model worst-case scenario for accidental leak. Methodology: Use Gaussian plume model in MATLAB. Expected Outcome: Concentration contours and hazard zones. Equipment: MATLAB. - Safety Audit of Lab Processes
Objective: Improve lab safety culture. Methodology: Use checklist to audit procedures, interview staff, and recommend changes. Expected Outcome: Audit report with action items. Equipment: Audit templates. - Fire and Explosion Risk Assessment
Objective: Evaluate flammable dust hazard. Methodology: Perform dust explosion testing and assess KSt value. Expected Outcome: Safe handling guidelines. Equipment: Dust explosion tester. - Economic Sizing of Storage Tanks
Objective: Minimize tank cost and footprint. Methodology: Optimize diameter and height in Excel cost model. Expected Outcome: Cost vs. capacity curve. Equipment: Spreadsheet. - Evaluation of Emergency Venting
Objective: Design vent system for compressor. Methodology: Calculate vent rate for relief scenarios per API 521. Expected Outcome: Vent stack and SDV specifications. Equipment: API standards. - Cost–Benefit Analysis of Energy Retrofit
Objective: Justify installing waste heat recovery. Methodology: Compare fuel savings to capital cost, compute payback. Expected Outcome: Energy and cost savings report. Equipment: Excel. - Blast Overpressure Modeling
Objective: Predict structural damage from vessel rupture. Methodology: Use TNT equivalence in MATLAB to find overpressure vs. distance. Expected Outcome: Safe distance guidelines. Equipment: MATLAB. - Quantitative Risk Assessment of Mixing Operation
Objective: Assess inhalation risk. Methodology: Compute exposure levels with PPE vs. without. Expected Outcome: Risk curves and PPE recommendations. Equipment: Exposure modeling spreadsheet. - Economic Optimization of Batch Scheduling
Objective: Reduce changeover losses. Methodology: Model scheduling cost in Python, optimize sequence. Expected Outcome: Schedule with minimal downtime. Equipment: Python with optimization libraries. - Safety Instrumented System SIL Verification
Objective: Ensure control system meets SIL requirements. Methodology: Evaluate PFDavg using reliability data. Expected Outcome: SIL level confirmation. Equipment: Reliability block diagram tool. - Cost Estimation for Pilot Plant
Objective: Budget for a small demonstration unit. Methodology: Scale down costs from literature using factorial method. Expected Outcome: CAPEX and OPEX estimates. Equipment: Cost correlation formulas. - Analysis of Utility Distribution Network
Objective: Prevent overloading of steam lines. Methodology: Map pressure drops and load profiles in software. Expected Outcome: Network modification plan. Equipment: Piping simulation tool. - Human Reliability Analysis
Objective: Quantify operator error probability. Methodology: Use THERP method on a control procedure. Expected Outcome: HEP values and training needs. Equipment: HRA guidelines. - Economic Impact of Catalyst Deactivation
Objective: Calculate loss due to downtime. Methodology: Model catalyst life vs. replacement cost and production loss in Excel. Expected Outcome: Optimal replacement interval. Equipment: Spreadsheet. - Modelling Flooding in Packed Towers
Objective: Prevent operational shutdowns. Methodology: Use empirical correlations to predict flooding velocity. Expected Outcome: Safe gas–liquid flow rates. Equipment: Calculator or spreadsheet. - Firewater Demand Calculation
Objective: Size firewater pumps for a plant. Methodology: Sum hydrant and sprinkler demands per NFPA guidelines. Expected Outcome: Pump capacity specifications. Equipment: NFPA standards.
Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials (261–280)
- Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Citrate Reduction
Objective: Produce uniform gold NPs. Methodology: Heat HAuCl₄ solution, add citrate, monitor SPR by UV–Vis. Expected Outcome: Particle size vs. peak wavelength. Equipment: UV–Vis spectrometer. - Characterization of Graphene Oxide
Objective: Analyze GO sheets. Methodology: Prepare GO via Hummers’ method, examine by XRD and TEM. Expected Outcome: Layer count and interlayer spacing. Equipment: XRD, TEM. - Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites
Objective: Improve mechanical strength. Methodology: Disperse CNTs in epoxy, cure, test tensile strength. Expected Outcome: Strength increase percentage. Equipment: UTM, sonicator. - Photonic Crystal Fabrication
Objective: Make materials with bandgaps for light. Methodology: Self-assemble colloidal silica spheres and sinter. Expected Outcome: Reflectance spectra showing stop band. Equipment: UV–Vis. - Self-Assembled Monolayers on Metal Surfaces
Objective: Modify surface chemistry. Methodology: Immerse gold in thiol solution, measure contact angle. Expected Outcome: Wettability change. Equipment: Goniometer. - Nanoporous Catalysts for CO Oxidation
Objective: Enhance catalytic activity. Methodology: Synthesize mesoporous silica with embedded Pt, test conversion in flow reactor. Expected Outcome: CO conversion vs. temperature. Equipment: Flow reactor, GC. - Magnetic Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery
Objective: Control release with magnets. Methodology: Load drug on Fe₃O₄ NPs, apply magnetic field, measure release by UV–Vis. Expected Outcome: Release profile modulation. Equipment: Magnet, spectrophotometer. - Quantum Dot Synthesis and Optical Study
Objective: Create luminescent QDs. Methodology: Hot-injection method for CdSe QDs, record PL spectra. Expected Outcome: Emission wavelength vs. size. Equipment: Fluorimeter. - Layered Double Hydroxide for Anion Exchange
Objective: Remove nitrates from water. Methodology: Synthesize LDH, batch adsorption tests, measure residual NO₃⁻ by ion chromatography. Expected Outcome: Adsorption isotherms. Equipment: IC instrument. - Piezoelectric Nanogenerator Fabrication
Objective: Harvest mechanical energy. Methodology: Electrospin PVDF nanofibers, apply cyclic stress, measure voltage. Expected Outcome: Voltage output vs. force. Equipment: Oscilloscope. - Nanoplasmonic Sensor for Mercury Detection
Objective: Detect trace Hg²⁺ in water. Methodology: Functionalize gold nanoshells, monitor LSPR shift by UV–Vis. Expected Outcome: Calibration curve for Hg²⁺. Equipment: UV–Vis spectrometer. - Synthesis of Zeolite Nanoparticles
Objective: Make small zeolite crystals. Methodology: Hydrothermal synthesis at controlled temperature, analyze by SEM. Expected Outcome: Particle morphology and size. Equipment: Autoclave, SEM. - Nanofluid Thermal Conductivity Measurement
Objective: Improve coolant performance. Methodology: Disperse Al₂O₃ NPs in water, measure conductivity with transient hot-wire. Expected Outcome: Conductivity vs. concentration. Equipment: Hot-wire apparatus. - Block Copolymer Micelle Formation
Objective: Study self-assembly. Methodology: Dissolve PS–PEO in solvent, observe micelles by DLS. Expected Outcome: Micelle size distribution. Equipment: DLS instrument. - Nanostructured TiO₂ for Photocatalysis
Objective: Degrade organic dye under UV. Methodology: Synthesize P25, run degradation tests with Rhodamine B, track by UV–Vis. Expected Outcome: Degradation rate constant. Equipment: UV–Vis. - Graphene Aerogel for Oil Spill Cleanup
Objective: Absorb oil selectively. Methodology: Freeze-dry GO hydrogel, test oil uptake capacity. Expected Outcome: g oil/g aerogel capacity. Equipment: Freeze dryer. - Nanoceria as Antioxidant in Cells
Objective: Protect cells from ROS. Methodology: Expose cultured cells to H₂O₂ with/without CeO₂ NPs, assay viability. Expected Outcome: Cell survival rate. Equipment: Cell culture lab, viability assay kit. - Superhydrophobic Coating Development
Objective: Create water-repellent surfaces. Methodology: Spray silica–fluoroalkyl silane mix on glass, measure contact angle. Expected Outcome: θ > 150°. Equipment: Goniometer. - Conductive Ink from Silver Nanowires
Objective: Print flexible circuits. Methodology: Disperse Ag NWs in solvent, print on PET, sinter at low temperature, test conductivity. Expected Outcome: Sheet resistance vs. sintering temp. Equipment: Printer, multimeter. - Nanostructured Electrode for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Objective: Improve capacity and cycle life. Methodology: Coat Si NPs on Cu foil, assemble coin cell, run charge–discharge cycles. Expected Outcome: Capacity retention over cycles. Equipment: Glovebox, battery tester.
Energy & Fuels (281–300)
- Methane Steam Reforming Kinetics
Objective: Measure H₂ production rate. Methodology: Pass CH₄+H₂O over Ni catalyst in tubular reactor, analyze outlet by GC. Expected Outcome: Reaction rate vs. temperature. Equipment: GC, tubular reactor. - Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Performance
Objective: Test power output. Methodology: Fabricate SOFC cell, supply H₂ and air, record V–I curve. Expected Outcome: Peak power density. Equipment: Fuel cell test station. - Bioethanol Production from Cellulose
Objective: Convert biomass to ethanol. Methodology: Pretreat lignocellulose, enzymatic hydrolysis, ferment sugar, distill product. Expected Outcome: Ethanol yield per kg biomass. Equipment: Distillation setup. - Oxy-Fuel Combustion for CO₂ Capture
Objective: Study flue gas composition. Methodology: Burn fuel with O₂ in small furnace, analyze CO₂ and O₂ levels. Expected Outcome: Flue gas concentration and heat release. Equipment: Gas analyzer. - Thermochemical Water Splitting
Objective: Produce H₂ using heat. Methodology: Cycle metal oxide in reactor under concentrated solar simulator, measure H₂ evolution. Expected Outcome: H₂ yield per cycle. Equipment: Solar simulator. - Pyrolysis of Plastic Waste
Objective: Convert plastics to fuel oil. Methodology: Heat mixed plastic in batch pyrolyzer under N₂, collect condensate, analyze by GC–MS. Expected Outcome: Oil yield and composition. Equipment: Pyrolyzer, GC–MS. - Fuel Cell–Battery Hybrid System Modeling
Objective: Optimize power management. Methodology: Build dynamic model in MATLAB/Simulink, simulate load profiles. Expected Outcome: State-of-charge and efficiency plots. Equipment: MATLAB. - Photovoltaic Module Performance Under Dust
Objective: Measure power loss from soiling. Methodology: Expose PV panels to dust for set periods, measure I–V curves. Expected Outcome: Efficiency drop vs. dust thickness. Equipment: I–V tracer. - Hydrogen Storage in Metal Hydrides
Objective: Test absorption capacity. Methodology: Expose LaNi₅ alloy to H₂ at pressure, measure uptake by pressure drop. Expected Outcome: H₂ storage wt%. Equipment: Sieverts apparatus. - Algal Bioreactor for Biodiesel
Objective: Grow microalgae for oil. Methodology: Run tubular PBR under controlled light, harvest biomass, extract lipids. Expected Outcome: Lipid productivity (mg/L·day). Equipment: Photobioreactor. - Microchannel Reactor for Fischer–Tropsch
Objective: Improve CO conversion. Methodology: Fabricate microreactor with Co catalyst, run syngas, measure hydrocarbons by GC. Expected Outcome: Conversion and selectivity data. Equipment: Microreactor setup. - Thermal Energy Storage with Molten Salt
Objective: Store solar heat. Methodology: Heat salt mixture in lab tank, record temperature vs. time during charging/discharging. Expected Outcome: Storage efficiency. Equipment: Furnace, thermocouples. - Catalytic Pyrolysis of Biomass
Objective: Enhance bio-oil quality. Methodology: Mix biomass with zeolite, pyrolyze, analyze oil acidity and composition. Expected Outcome: Reduced oxygen content. Equipment: Pyrolyzer, GC–MS. - Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction
Objective: Convert CO₂ to value-added chemicals. Methodology: Use Cu electrode in electrochemical cell, measure products by GC. Expected Outcome: Faradaic efficiency for CO and hydrocarbons. Equipment: Potentiostat. - Compressed Air Energy Storage Modeling
Objective: Evaluate round-trip efficiency. Methodology: Simulate CAES cycle in Excel or MATLAB, include compressor and expander. Expected Outcome: Efficiency vs. pressure ratio. Equipment: Spreadsheet or MATLAB. - Solar Photovoltaic–Thermal Hybrid System
Objective: Generate heat and electricity. Methodology: Build small PVT panel, measure electrical and thermal output simultaneously. Expected Outcome: Combined efficiency. Equipment: PV modules, heat exchanger. - Catalyst Screening for Methanol Synthesis
Objective: Find best catalyst for CO₂ hydrogenation. Methodology: Test Cu/Zn, Ni, and Fe catalysts in microreactor, analyze methanol yield. Expected Outcome: Catalyst ranking by activity. Equipment: Microreactor, GC. - Dynamic Simulation of Compressed Hydrogen Delivery
Objective: Model pressure and temperature during filling. Methodology: Simulate compression in Aspen HYSYS with real-gas properties. Expected Outcome: Temperature rise and compression work. Equipment: HYSYS. - Biogas Upgrading via Pressure Swing Adsorption
Objective: Purify CH₄ from raw biogas. Methodology: Run lab PSA unit with zeolite, measure CH₄ purity and yield. Expected Outcome: Purity vs. cycle time. Equipment: PSA setup. - Wave-Powered Desalination Modeling
Objective: Use ocean waves to drive RO. Methodology: Couple hydraulic model of wave pump with RO module in MATLAB. Expected Outcome: Freshwater production rate vs. wave height. Equipment: MATLAB.
What You Need to Get Started
Before kicking off, assemble your toolkit:
- Literature & Data
• Access scholarly articles (ScienceDirect, IEEE, ACS).
• Government or industry reports for real-world data. - Software & Simulation Tools
• Process simulators: Aspen HYSYS, ChemCAD, PRO/II.
• Data analysis: MATLAB, Python (NumPy, Pandas), Excel. - Laboratory Equipment
• Reactors (batch, continuous), distillation columns, heat exchangers.
• Sensors: pH meters, thermocouples, flow meters. - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Lab coat, goggles, gloves, fume hood usage.
• Always prioritize safety! - Documentation Tools
• Electronic notebook (OneNote, Evernote) or traditional lab notebook.
• Reference manager (Zotero, Mendeley) for citations. - Team & Advisor
• Collaborators bring diverse skills (coding, experimental expertise).
• Regular meetings ensure alignment.
Tips for a Successful Project
- Plan Thoroughly
Draft a timeline with milestones (literature review, experiment setup, data collection, analysis, report writing). - Keep Detailed Records
Note every parameter, observation, and deviation—these details matter during analysis. - Pilot Studies
Run small-scale tests before full experiments to identify issues early. - Stay Organized
Structure folders for raw data, processed data, scripts, and reports. - Peer Review
Present progress to classmates or advisors to get feedback and fresh perspectives. - Iterate & Adapt
Experiments may not work initially—be ready to tweak parameters or methods. - Communicate Clearly
Use graphs, flowcharts, and schematics to convey complex ideas succinctly. - Backup Everything
Regularly save digital files to avoid data loss.
Must Read: 220+ New Chemistry Project Topics For BSC Students In 2025
Project Structure: Key Components
Every strong project report or presentation should include:
- Abstract
A concise summary of objectives, methods, results, and conclusions. - Introduction
Contextualize the problem and state objectives. - Literature Review
Overview of prior work; identify gaps your project fills. - Theory & Modeling
Equations, simulations, and assumptions. - Materials & Methods
Experimental setup, materials, and protocols. - Results
Data presented via tables, graphs, and images. - Discussion
Interpret results—compare with theory and literature. - Conclusions & Recommendations
Highlight key findings and suggest improvements or future work. - References
Cite all sources in a consistent format (APA, MLA, or paper’s style). - Appendices
Raw data, detailed calculations, code listings.
Examples of Chemical Engineering Projects
- Design of a Wastewater Treatment System
• Goal: Remove organic pollutants using biological reactors.
• Methods: Model kinetics, build lab-scale bioreactor, test removal efficiency. - Optimization of a Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactor (CSTR)
• Goal: Maximize yield of a target chemical (e.g., esters).
• Methods: Vary residence time, temperature; fit kinetic models. - Development of Bioplastic from Agricultural Waste
• Goal: Produce eco-friendly polymer via fermentation.
• Methods: Use banana peels as substrate; analyze mechanical properties. - Carbon Capture via Amine Absorption
• Goal: Assess solvent efficiency and energy requirements.
• Methods: Simulation in Aspen HYSYS; lab absorption column tests. - Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Using Nanoparticles
• Goal: Increase oil displacement efficiency.
• Methods: Synthesize silica nanoparticles; flood core samples; measure recovery.
Common FAQs
Q1: How long should a chemical engineering project take?
A: It varies—course projects might run 8–12 weeks, while capstones span a semester. Plan milestones and build in extra time for unexpected delays.
Q2: Can I do a simulation-only project?
A: Absolutely! Simulation projects (Aspen, COMSOL, MATLAB) are valuable, especially when lab access is limited.
Q3: How do I find a sponsor or advisor?
A: Approach faculty whose research aligns with your interests. Industry partnerships sometimes offer funded projects—check career services.
Q4: What safety considerations are most important?
A: Always conduct a risk assessment (e.g., HAZOP). Know emergency protocols, handle chemicals per MSDS guidelines, and never skip PPE.
Q5: How are projects graded or evaluated?
A: Criteria often include technical depth, clarity of presentation, quality of data analysis, and demonstration of teamwork and problem-solving.
Must Read: 149+ AP Biology Final Project Ideas For Students
Final Thoughts
Chemical engineering projects are your ticket to mastering complex processes, boosting your resume, and even pioneering new technologies.
By carefully choosing a topic you’re passionate about, planning thoroughly, leveraging the right tools, and applying the tips above, you’ll be well on your way to delivering an outstanding project that showcases your skills and creativity.
Best of luck—may your experiments run smoothly, your simulations converge, and your innovations thrive!