Top 299+ Chemical Engineering Project Ideas: Tips & Examples

John Dear

Chemical Engineering Project Ideas

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?

  1. Deepen Understanding
    Hands-on work solidifies concepts like mass transfer, thermodynamics, and reaction kinetics far more than lectures alone.
  2. Skill Development
    You’ll gain technical skills (e.g., process simulation, lab techniques) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork).
  3. Portfolio Building
    A strong project portfolio impresses recruiters and grad-school committees—proof that you can tackle real challenges.
  4. Innovation & Creativity
    Projects let you explore novel ideas—whether it’s a greener solvent or an efficient reactor design.
  5. Networking & Collaboration
    Working with peers, advisors, or industry partners expands your professional circle.

Benefits of Doing Chemical Engineering Projects

BenefitWhy It Matters
Practical ExperienceCompanies value graduates who’ve “been in the lab.”
Problem-Solving SkillsReal-world challenges rarely match textbook exercises.
Enhanced Resume & PortfolioDemonstrates initiative and technical competence.
Confidence & IndependenceCompleting a project end-to-end builds self-reliance.
Publication & PresentationPossibility to publish papers or present at conferences.
Interdisciplinary ExposureChemical engineering overlaps with biotech, energy, and materials.
Leadership & TeamworkLarge projects often involve group work—practice leading.

How to Choose the Best Project

Choosing the right project is crucial. Consider these factors:

  1. Interest & Passion
    • Select a topic that excites you—whether it’s renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, or food processing.
    • Genuine curiosity fuels motivation.
  2. Feasibility
    • Assess time, budget, and resource constraints.
    • Check lab availability, equipment, and software licenses (e.g., MATLAB, Aspen HYSYS).
  3. Scope & Scale
    • Avoid being too ambitious for your timeframe.
    • Define clear, achievable objectives.
  4. Relevance
    • Align with current industry trends (e.g., carbon capture, bioplastics).
    • Consider market needs or academic gaps.
  5. Skill Development
    • Choose projects that help you learn new tools or methods.
    • Balance between building on strengths and challenging yourself.
  6. 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)

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Catalytic Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide
    You’ll test different catalysts (like manganese dioxide) to speed up H₂O₂ breakdown and measure oxygen evolution rate.
  5. Thermal Cracking of Hydrocarbons
    Study how heating heavy oil in a tubular reactor breaks it into lighter products, analyzing gas chromatography outputs.
  6. 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.
  7. Biofuel Production via Transesterification
    Produce biodiesel from vegetable oil using a base catalyst, then measure methyl ester yield and purity.
  8. Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes
    Use titanium dioxide and UV light to break down water pollutants, measuring color removal over time.
  9. Hydrogen Production by Water–Gas Shift
    Examine how temperature and gas ratio affect H₂ yield from CO and H₂O in a fixed-bed reactor.
  10. Oxidation of Sulfur Dioxide to Sulfur Trioxide
    Simulate contact process kinetics and measure SO₃ formation under different catalyst and temperature conditions.
  11. Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis
    Compare reaction times and yields using microwave heating versus conventional heating for a simple organic reaction.
  12. Transient Behavior of CSTR Start-Up
    Monitor concentration changes when a CSTR is fed with reactant step-change, and compare to theoretical curves.
  13. Enzyme-Catalyzed Reaction in a Packed Bed
    Immobilize lipase on beads and study how flow rate affects fatty acid conversion in a packed column.
  14. Hydrolysis of Sucrose Using Acid Catalyst
    Measure rate of sucrose breakdown into glucose and fructose at various acid concentrations and temperatures.
  15. Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene
    Test Pd-Ag catalysts for turning acetylene into ethylene selectively, measuring by gas chromatography.
  16. Modeling Reactor Heat Transfer
    Build a model of heat removal in an exothermic reactor and validate with simple lab data.
  17. Catalytic Cracking Using Zeolite
    Study how zeolite type and temperature affect conversion of vacuum gas oil into gasoline fractions.
  18. Polymerization Kinetics in Batch Reactor
    Measure monomer conversion and molecular weight growth over time for a free-radical polymerization.
  19. Gas-Liquid Reaction in Bubble Column
    Investigate mass transfer coefficient by absorbing CO₂ into water in a bubble column reactor.
  20. Nitric Acid Production via Ostwald Process
    Simulate ammonia oxidation kinetics and measure NO and NO₂ yields under varying conditions.
  21. Oxidation of Alcohols with KMnO₄
    Measure how temperature and concentration affect rate of converting ethanol to acetic acid.
  22. Reaction Engineering with Supercritical CO₂
    Study solubility and reaction rate of an organic reaction in supercritical CO₂ medium.
  23. High-Pressure Hydrogenation in Batch Reactor
    Test how pressure influences hydrogenation rate of an unsaturated compound using a Parr reactor.
  24. Catalyst Deactivation in Fixed-Bed Reactor
    Monitor how sulfur poisoning reduces catalyst activity over time when converting syngas to methanol.
  25. Heterogeneous Catalysis in a Monolithic Reactor
    Compare mass transfer and reaction rates in monolith vs. pellet catalysts for oxidation reactions.
  26. Modeling CO Oxidation on Platinum Surface
    Use Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetics to fit data from CO + O₂ reaction on Pt catalyst.
  27. Reaction Engineering of Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis
    Study how temperature and H₂/CO ratio affect hydrocarbon chain length distribution.
  28. Continuous Polymerization in Tubular Reactor
    Simulate residence time distribution and product molecular weight in a flow polymerization setup.
  29. Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation
    Use formic acid as hydrogen donor over Ru catalyst to hydrogenate nitrobenzene, measuring selectivity.
  30. Modeling Exothermic Reaction Runaway
    Build a thermal safety model for an exothermic reaction and determine safe operating limits.

Separation Processes (31–60)

  1. Distillation Column Design for Ethanol–Water
    Design and simulate a multi-stage distillation column to separate ethanol and water to 95% purity.
  2. Liquid–Liquid Extraction of Caffeine
    Test how solvent choice (e.g., dichloromethane vs. ethyl acetate) affects extraction efficiency from tea.
  3. Membrane Separation of Saline Water
    Study reverse osmosis membrane flux and salt rejection under different pressures and temperatures.
  4. Adsorption of Dyes on Activated Carbon
    Measure how contact time and adsorbent dose affect dye removal from wastewater.
  5. Pressure Swing Adsorption for CO₂ Capture
    Simulate a PSA cycle to capture CO₂ from flue gas, monitoring breakthrough curves.
  6. Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Essential Oils
    Use supercritical CO₂ to extract oils from plant material, measuring yield at different pressures.
  7. Pervaporation for Alcohol–Water Separation
    Test pervaporation membrane performance in separating water from isopropanol mixtures.
  8. Cryogenic Air Separation
    Design a simple chart-based process to separate O₂ and N₂ by fractional distillation at low temperatures.
  9. Ultrafiltration of Protein Solutions
    Study membrane fouling and flux decline when filtering bovine serum albumin solutions.
  10. Ion Exchange for Water Softening
    Measure hardness reduction using Na⁺-form resin, tracking exchange capacity over cycles.
  11. Foam Fractionation for Protein Purification
    Investigate how gas flow and surfactant affect protein recovery in a foam column.
  12. Vacuum Drying of Pharmaceuticals
    Measure drying rate of a heat-sensitive drug powder under different pressures and shelf temperatures.
  13. Hydrocyclone Separation of Solid Particles
    Test how feed pressure and cyclone geometry affect particle separation efficiency.
  14. Gas Absorption of SO₂ in Alkaline Solution
    Measure SO₂ removal from simulated flue gas using NaOH scrubber and track pH change.
  15. Electrodialysis for Desalination
    Build a lab-scale electrodialysis cell and measure salt removal at different voltages.
  16. Rotary Evaporation of Solvent Mixtures
    Study how bath temperature and vacuum level affect solvent removal rate.
  17. Molecular Sieve Separation of Water–Ethanol
    Test zeolite 3A performance to dehydrate ethanol, measuring water content by Karl Fischer titration.
  18. Simulated Moving Bed Chromatography
    Model separation of two compounds using SMB and validate with simple lab column runs.
  19. Packed Tower Gas Absorber for Ammonia
    Design and test a small packed column to remove NH₃ from air using acid solution.
  20. Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor
    Combine membrane separation and photocatalysis to degrade and remove organic pollutants.
  21. Rotating Disk Contactor for Liquid–Liquid Extraction
    Study mixing efficiency and mass transfer during solvent extraction in a rotating disk setup.
  22. Gas–Liquid Two-Phase Flow in Packed Bed
    Measure pressure drop and mass transfer when gas and liquid flow together through packing.
  23. Falling Film Evaporator for Brine Concentration
    Test film thickness and evaporation rate for concentrating salt solutions.
  24. Bubble Point Measurement of Binary Mixtures
    Determine bubble point curves of ethanol–water mixtures using a simple ebulliometer.
  25. Superfine Filtration of Colloidal Suspensions
    Study membrane cake build-up when filtering fine silica suspensions.
  26. Melt Crystallization of Benzoic Acid
    Investigate crystal size and purity as a function of cooling rate in a simple crystallizer.
  27. Spiral Wound Module Performance
    Compare flux and rejection in spiral RO vs. hollow fiber membranes for desalination.
  28. Thermal Swing Solvent Extraction
    Test how heating regenerates a solvent loaded with extracted solute in a two-phase system.
  29. Foaming Behavior in Distillation
    Study how different liquids create foam in a small distillation column and how antifoam helps.
  30. Agitated Thin-Film Dryer
    Measure drying rate and particle size change when drying wet granules in an ATFD.

Transport Phenomena (61–90)

  1. Laminar Flow Heat Transfer in a Pipe
    Measure temperature profiles and calculate Nusselt number for water flow in a heated tube.
  2. Turbulent Flow Pressure Drop
    Study how Reynolds number affects pressure loss in a pipe with rough and smooth surfaces.
  3. Natural Convection around a Vertical Plate
    Measure heat transfer coefficient by heating a flat plate and recording air temperature.
  4. Mass Diffusion of Salt in Water
    Monitor concentration spread in a tank to calculate diffusion coefficient of NaCl.
  5. Combined Convection–Diffusion in a Channel
    Study how flow rate and diffusion interact by injecting a tracer dye in a water channel.
  6. Transient Heat Conduction in a Slab
    Heat one side of a metal slab and record temperature versus time to fit Fourier’s law.
  7. Rotating Cylinder Flow Visualization
    Use dye to see flow patterns between concentric rotating cylinders and compare to theory.
  8. Packed Bed Void Fraction Measurement
    Determine void fraction by measuring bed weight and volume of packing.
  9. Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger Efficiency
    Build a small exchanger and measure inlet/outlet temperatures to calculate overall heat transfer coefficient.
  10. Falling Sphere Viscosity Measurement
    Drop a ball in fluid and use terminal velocity to find viscosity via Stokes’ law.
  11. Boundary Layer Thickness in Air Flow
    Measure velocity profiles near a flat plate using a hot-wire anemometer.
  12. Hydrodynamics of Fluidized Bed
    Observe minimum fluidization velocity for sand in an air column and relate to Ergun equation.
  13. Electroosmotic Flow in Microchannels
    Measure fluid velocity when applying voltage across a microchannel surface.
  14. Evaporation from a Liquid Surface
    Track mass loss of water in an open pan to calculate mass transfer coefficient.
  15. Mixed Convection over a Heated Cylinder
    Record temperature and flow patterns around a heated cylinder in crossflow.
  16. Diffusion through a Porous Membrane
    Measure how solute concentration changes across a porous barrier over time.
  17. Transient Flow in Pipelines
    Simulate water hammer by rapidly closing a valve and record pressure surge.
  18. Non-Newtonian Flow in a Capillary
    Study how a polymer solution’s viscosity changes with shear rate in a narrow tube.
  19. Heat Pipe Thermal Performance
    Build a simple heat pipe and measure effective thermal conductivity.
  20. Mass Transfer in a Spray Tower
    Spray water into air and measure moisture content to find mass transfer coefficient.
  21. Thermocouple Calibration and Response Time
    Heat a thermocouple in a step-change environment and record its time constant.
  22. Conduction in Composite Walls
    Measure heat flux through layered materials and compare to theoretical resistance network.
  23. Taylor–Couette Instability Study
    Observe flow patterns between rotating cylinders at different speeds and compare to stability maps.
  24. Evaporative Cooling Efficiency
    Measure temperature drop of water in a wetted pad as air flows through.
  25. Lumped vs. Distributed Capacitance
    Heat small and large blocks and compare lumped-parameter model to detailed conduction solution.
  26. Bubble Growth Dynamics in Boiling
    Visualize and measure bubble size vs. time on a heated surface in boiling water.
  27. Transient Solute Transport in Packed Bed
    Pulse a tracer through packing and record breakthrough curve to find dispersion coefficient.
  28. Natural and Forced Convection Combined
    Heat a vertical tube in a crossflow and separate natural from forced convection contributions.
  29. Viscous Heating in High-Shear Mixer
    Measure temperature rise due to viscous dissipation in a rotor–stator mixer.
  30. Radiative Heat Transfer in Furnace Walls
    Build a small furnace and use thermocouples to separate convection from radiation losses.

Process Control & Instrumentation (91–120)

  1. PID Control of Liquid Level
    Implement a PID loop on a tank to keep liquid level constant despite disturbances.
  2. Temperature Control in a Jacketed Reactor
    Tune a control valve and PID to hold reactor temperature steady under varying heat input.
  3. Flow Control with Smart Valves
    Use a flow transmitter and control valve to maintain constant flow rate, logging performance.
  4. pH Control in Neutralization Process
    Add acid/base via PID to keep pH at setpoint during addition of reactive streams.
  5. Online Viscosity Measurement
    Use a rotational viscometer in a line and display real-time viscosity for quality control.
  6. Level Measurement with Ultrasonic Sensor
    Calibrate an ultrasonic level sensor on a tank and compare to float measurements.
  7. Conductivity Monitoring in Water Treatment
    Track conductivity as ions are removed, and use feedback to adjust dosing of resin.
  8. Gas Chromatography Process Monitoring
    Automate sampling and GC analysis to control a continuous reaction’s feed ratio.
  9. DCS Simulation for Simple Process
    Build a distributed control simulation of mixing, heating, and level control in software.
  10. Soft Sensor Development for Concentration
    Use temperature and density data to infer solute concentration via regression model.
  11. Cascade Control for Distillation Column
    Implement inner flow control loop and outer level loop to stabilize bottom product level.
  12. Model Predictive Control of Heat Exchanger
    Use a dynamic model to predict outlet temperature and adjust flow rates proactively.
  13. Alarm Management in Control Systems
    Analyze alarm logs and redesign alarm setpoints to reduce nuisance alerts.
  14. Wireless Sensor Network in Plant
    Deploy wireless transmitters for temperature and pressure and evaluate data reliability.
  15. Smart Actuator Performance Testing
    Compare response time and hysteresis between pneumatic and electric control valves.
  16. PID Tuning Methods Comparison
    Test Ziegler–Nichols, Cohen–Coon, and trial-and-error for level control and compare overshoot.
  17. Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) Design
    Design a simple SIS to shut down a reactor if temperature exceeds safe limit.
  18. Control of pH Swing Adsorption
    Adjust pH to load and unload adsorbent in a cyclic process and monitor breakthrough.
  19. Dynamic Modeling of a Heat Exchanger
    Develop and validate a transfer function model for a shell-and-tube exchanger.
  20. Neural Network Control for Nonlinear Process
    Train a basic neural controller to regulate temperature in a highly nonlinear reactor.
  21. Fault Detection in Control Loops
    Introduce faults (e.g., sensor drift) in a level control loop and detect them using residuals.
  22. Human–Machine Interface (HMI) Design
    Create a clear HMI screen for a mixing process, focusing on usability and alarms.
  23. Control of Crystallization Process
    Use temperature and supersaturation control to maintain crystal size distribution.
  24. Multivariable Control of Distillation
    Coordinate reflux and boil-up controls using decoupling techniques.
  25. Dynamic Simulation of Batch Process
    Model batch heating, reaction, and cooling steps in a control simulator.
  26. Advanced Process Control with Fuzzy Logic
    Design a fuzzy logic controller for a temperature-control loop and compare to PID.
  27. Flowmeter Calibration and Linearity
    Calibrate orifice plate, turbine, and Coriolis meters and plot calibration curves.
  28. Control Valve Characterization
    Test valve flow coefficient (Cv) vs. stem position and derive valve equation.
  29. Alarm Prioritization Study
    Classify alarms by risk and frequency, then propose priority scheme for operators.
  30. 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)

  1. Photocatalytic Water Purification
    Use TiO₂ under sunlight to break down organic pollutants, measuring COD removal.
  2. Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment
    Build a small aerobic bioreactor and monitor BOD removal with varying retention times.
  3. Adsorption of Heavy Metals on Biochar
    Test rice husk biochar for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ removal from water, measuring adsorption isotherms.
  4. Algal Biofuel Production in Open Ponds
    Grow microalgae on wastewater and extract lipids, measuring growth rate and oil yield.
  5. Constructed Wetland Design
    Simulate a small wetland cell to remove nutrients from agricultural runoff and track TN and TP.
  6. Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste
    Measure biogas yield and methane content from kitchen waste in a lab digester.
  7. Electrocoagulation for Turbidity Removal
    Use iron electrodes to remove suspended solids, measuring turbidity decline over time.
  8. Solar Still for Purifying Brackish Water
    Build a simple solar still and measure fresh water output under different insolation.
  9. Constructing a Small-Scale Biogas Plant
    Design and test an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for biogas production.
  10. Carbon Capture with Amine Solutions
    Study CO₂ absorption in MEA scrubber and measure energy needed for regeneration.
  11. Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles
    Use plant extracts to produce silver nanoparticles and test antibacterial activity.
  12. Life-Cycle Analysis of a Process
    Compare environmental impacts of two routes to produce a common chemical, using LCA software.
  13. Run-of-River Microhydro Power Plant Design
    Estimate power output and environmental impact for a small river site.
  14. Electrochemical Removal of Nitrates
    Use a lab cell to reduce nitrates to nitrogen gas and measure efficiency vs. current.
  15. Membrane Bioreactor for Sewage Treatment
    Combine activated sludge and membrane filtration, monitoring flux and effluent quality.
  16. Photovoltaic-Thermal Hybrid Collector
    Build a small PVT panel and measure electrical and thermal efficiencies concurrently.
  17. Green Solvent Screening for Organic Reactions
    Compare toxicity and performance of traditional vs. bio-based solvents in a simple synthesis.
  18. Urban Air Quality Monitoring Network
    Deploy low-cost sensors for PM₂.₅ and NO₂, logging data and mapping pollution hotspots.
  19. Zero-Liquid Discharge System Design
    Integrate evaporation, crystallization, and recycling to eliminate wastewater from a process.
  20. Biodegradation of Plastics by Enzymes
    Test enzyme blends on PET samples and measure weight loss over time.
  21. Solar-Powered Desalination Using CPC
    Build a compound parabolic collector still and measure freshwater output under sun.
  22. Green Ammonia Synthesis via Electrolysis
    Produce H₂ by water electrolysis and combine with air in a small Haber reactor, measuring NH₃ yield.
  23. Life Cycle Water Footprint Analysis
    Calculate water usage of bottled water vs. tap, including production and transport stages.
  24. Biofilter for Volatile Organic Compounds
    Pack a column with compost and pass VOC-laden air, measuring removal efficiency.
  25. Sustainable Cement Alternatives
    Test fly ash and slag blends for strength, comparing to ordinary Portland cement.
  26. Algal Removal of Heavy Metals
    Grow algae in metal-contaminated water and measure metal uptake per biomass.
  27. Rainwater Harvesting System Design
    Size roof catchment and storage for household use, analyzing water savings.
  28. Electrochemical Oxidation of Organic Pollutants
    Use BDD electrodes to degrade phenolic compounds, measuring TOC decline.
  29. Greenhouse Gas Emission Audit
    Perform an audit for a small plant to quantify CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O outputs and propose reduction steps.
  30. Solar Thermal Energy Storage
    Test phase-change materials for storing heat from a solar collector and monitor melting/freezing cycles.
  31. Microbial Fuel Cell for Wastewater
    Build a single-chamber MFC and measure voltage and power density from real wastewater.
  32. Biochar-Amended Constructed Wetland
    Add biochar to wetland soil and compare nutrient removal to a standard wetland.
  33. Photovoltaic-Powered Electrocoagulation
    Drive an electrocoagulation cell with PV panels to remove turbidity, measuring energy use.
  34. Solar Drying of Agricultural Products
    Build a solar dryer for fruits, tracking drying rate and final moisture content.
  35. Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor
    Combine anaerobic digestion and membrane separation, monitoring biogas yield and permeate quality.
  36. Wet Scrubber Design for SO₂
    Test different packing materials for removing SO₂ from gas stream, measuring removal percent.
  37. Conducting Polymers for Environmental Sensing
    Fabricate a PEDOT sensor for detecting heavy metals, calibrating sensitivity and selectivity.
  38. Solar-Driven Photoelectrocatalysis
    Use a dye-sensitized electrode under sunlight to remove dyes from water, tracking degradation.
  39. Green Production of Hydrogen Peroxide
    Explore electrochemical routes to make H₂O₂ directly from O₂ in a flow cell, measuring concentration.
  40. Carbon Nanotube Adsorbents for VOCs
    Test CNT powder for benzene removal from air, measuring breakthrough time and capacity.

Biochemical & Food Process Engineering (161–200)

  1. Fermentation Optimization for Ethanol
    Use yeast strains to ferment sugarcane juice, varying pH and temperature to maximize yield.
  2. Enzymatic Synthesis of Invert Sugar
    Use immobilized invertase to convert sucrose to glucose/fructose, measuring conversion over time.
  3. Spray Drying of Probiotic Cultures
    Test inlet/outlet temperatures for best cell survival and powder yield.
  4. Microencapsulation of Flavors
    Encapsulate vanilla in whey protein, studying capsule size and release rate in water.
  5. High-Pressure Processing of Fruit Juice
    Measure microbial inactivation and nutrient retention under different pressures.
  6. Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Antioxidants
    Use sonication to extract polyphenols from fruit peels, comparing yield to conventional methods.
  7. Continuous Cultivation of Algae for Omega-3
    Grow microalgae in a photobioreactor, optimizing light and nutrient feed for fatty acid production.
  8. Osmotic Dehydration of Fruits
    Soak mango slices in sugar solution, then measure water removal and solid gain kinetics.
  9. Membrane Filtration for Milk Clarification
    Use micro- and ultrafiltration to remove fat and proteins, monitoring flux decline.
  10. Bioplastic Production from Starch
    Produce PLA from corn starch via fermentation and polymerization, testing tensile strength.
  11. Biosensor for Glucose Detection
    Fabricate an enzyme electrode with glucose oxidase and measure response time and sensitivity.
  12. Continuous Beer Fermentation
    Model and run a chemostat for beer fermentation, monitoring alcohol concentration and biomass.
  13. Enzyme Immobilization on Magnetic Nanoparticles
    Attach lipase to particles, test activity and reusability in oil hydrolysis.
  14. High-Shear Emulsification of Dressings
    Use rotor–stator mixer to make stable oil-in-water emulsions, measuring droplet size.
  15. Supercritical CO₂ Extraction of Caffeine
    Extract caffeine from coffee beans, comparing yield to Soxhlet extraction.
  16. Biopolymer Films from Chitosan
    Cast chitosan films with glycerol plasticizer, testing mechanical and barrier properties.
  17. Continuous Cheese Production Modeling
    Simulate coagulation, curd cutting, and drainage in a continuous cheesemaking line.
  18. Lactic Acid Fermentation Kinetics
    Study Lactobacillus growth and lactic acid production from lactose at different pH.
  19. Vacuum Frying of Potato Chips
    Compare oil uptake and crispiness at reduced pressure versus atmospheric frying.
  20. Ultrasonic Sterilization of Liquid Foods
    Use high-power ultrasound to inactivate microbes in milk, measuring microbial count and nutrients.
  21. Encapsulation of Probiotics by Freeze Drying
    Freeze-dry probiotic cultures with protectants and test viability after storage.
  22. Enzymatic Clarification of Fruit Juices
    Use pectinase to reduce viscosity, measuring turbidity and juice yield.
  23. Continuous Spray Chilling of Chocolate
    Model and test cooling of chocolate droplets in a spray chamber to form shells.
  24. Antimicrobial Packaging Films
    Incorporate silver nanoparticles into biopolymer film and test against E. coli and S. aureus.
  25. Microbial Fuel Cell with Wastewater Feed
    Build an MFC using grape juice waste and measure power density and COD removal.
  26. Fermentation of Soy Milk to Yogurt
    Compare classic and probiotic cultures for texture and acidity development.
  27. Cold Plasma Treatment of Grains
    Treat wheat with plasma to reduce microbial load and measure germination rate post-treatment.
  28. 3D-Printed Food Structures
    Use paste extrusion to print sugar structures and study rheology needed for stability.
  29. Edible Coatings for Fruit Preservation
    Apply chitosan-based coating to strawberries and track shelf life and weight loss.
  30. Photobioreactor Design for Spirulina
    Model light distribution and mixing in a tubular PBR for high algae productivity.
  31. Continuous Microfiltration of Juice
    Run continuous MF and monitor fouling rates and juice clarity over time.
  32. Ultrafiltration of Whey Proteins
    Separate whey proteins from lactose using UF, measuring protein rejection and flux.
  33. Supercritical Fluid Microencapsulation
    Encapsulate fish oil in polymer using SCF, then test particle size and oxidation stability.
  34. High-Pressure Homogenization of Emulsions
    Study droplet size reduction of oil emulsions at different pressures and passes.
  35. Biosurfactant Production by Bacteria
    Grow Pseudomonas on waste oil and measure rhamnolipid yield and surface tension reduction.
  36. Probiotic Drying by Fluidized Bed
    Dry probiotic beads in a fluidized bed, comparing viability to freeze drying.
  37. Continuous Extraction of Plant Oils
    Use counter-current extraction in a lab column, measuring oil concentration profiles.
  38. Light-Driven Enzymatic Reactions
    Couple a photoreactor with enzyme catalysts to drive reactions using visible light.
  39. Scale-Down Model of Food Pasteurization
    Build a small-scale HTST unit, measuring microbial kill and nutrient retention.
  40. Biorefinery Simulation in Aspen Plus
    Model a full biorefinery converting biomass to fuels and chemicals, optimizing energy use.

Computational & Modeling (201–220)

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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)

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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)

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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)

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. Piezoelectric Nanogenerator Fabrication
    Objective: Harvest mechanical energy. Methodology: Electrospin PVDF nanofibers, apply cyclic stress, measure voltage. Expected Outcome: Voltage output vs. force. Equipment: Oscilloscope.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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)

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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:

  1. Literature & Data
    • Access scholarly articles (ScienceDirect, IEEE, ACS).
    • Government or industry reports for real-world data.
  2. Software & Simulation Tools
    • Process simulators: Aspen HYSYS, ChemCAD, PRO/II.
    • Data analysis: MATLAB, Python (NumPy, Pandas), Excel.
  3. Laboratory Equipment
    • Reactors (batch, continuous), distillation columns, heat exchangers.
    • Sensors: pH meters, thermocouples, flow meters.
  4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
    • Lab coat, goggles, gloves, fume hood usage.
    • Always prioritize safety!
  5. Documentation Tools
    • Electronic notebook (OneNote, Evernote) or traditional lab notebook.
    • Reference manager (Zotero, Mendeley) for citations.
  6. 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:

  1. Abstract
    A concise summary of objectives, methods, results, and conclusions.
  2. Introduction
    Contextualize the problem and state objectives.
  3. Literature Review
    Overview of prior work; identify gaps your project fills.
  4. Theory & Modeling
    Equations, simulations, and assumptions.
  5. Materials & Methods
    Experimental setup, materials, and protocols.
  6. Results
    Data presented via tables, graphs, and images.
  7. Discussion
    Interpret results—compare with theory and literature.
  8. Conclusions & Recommendations
    Highlight key findings and suggest improvements or future work.
  9. References
    Cite all sources in a consistent format (APA, MLA, or paper’s style).
  10. 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!

John Dear

I am a creative professional with over 5 years of experience in coming up with project ideas. I'm great at brainstorming, doing market research, and analyzing what’s possible to develop innovative and impactful projects. I also excel in collaborating with teams, managing project timelines, and ensuring that every idea turns into a successful outcome. Let's work together to make your next project a success!