Course syllabus for Chemical reaction engineering

Course syllabus adopted 2026-02-18 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameKemisk reaktionsteknik
  • CodeKBT277
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTKTKE
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyEngineering Chemistry
  • DepartmentCHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 43124
  • Maximum participants100
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0126 Laboratory 2 c
Grading: UG		 2 c
0226 Examination 5.5 c
Grading: TH		 5.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Course specific prerequisites

Knowledge equivalent to the content in the courses Introduction to chemical engineering, Fundamentals of program development, Linear algebra and differential equations, Thermodynamics, Transport phenomena in chemical engineering, and Physical chemistry.

Aim

The purpose of the course is to provide a theoretical foundation for the understanding and analysis of chemical reactors as central units in chemical engineering processes, and to develop an understanding of how reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena interact at the reactor scale and how this interaction affects reactor performance, stability, and safe operation. The course thereby provides the basis for analysing, designing, and evaluating chemical reactors under both ideal and non-ideal conditions.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

After completing the course, students should be able to:
  • Formulate and solve mass and energy balances for ideal reactors involving multiple chemical reactions, under both steady-state and transient conditions.
  • Carry out numerical calculations to analyze and visualize reactor behavior and interpret results in relation to theory and assumptions.
  • Analyze the interplay between kinetic and equilibrium limitations in reactor operation and design reactors based on these considerations.
  • Produce technical reports and conduct peer review of laboratory reports with a focus on methodology and conclusions.
  • Evaluate and apply residence time distributions to formulate and solve various non-ideal reactor models.
  • Understand and describe the interaction between transport processes and reactions in heterogeneous catalytic processes.
  • Discuss process safety related to chemical reactors and assess reactor conditions for stable and safe operating points.

Content

This course provides a broad overview of chemical reactors and their role in industrial processes, with a focus on both theory and application. You will learn how reactors operate, the factors influencing their efficiency, and how safety and stability are ensured in practice. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding how mass and heat transfer affect processes, as well as how reactors can be optimised for various purposes. Throughout the course, you will develop both technical competence and analytical skills to tackle challenges within chemical reaction engineering.

The course covers the following key areas:
  • Operation and sizing of reactors under steady-state and non-steady-state conditions.
  • Analysis of complex chemical reactions and how reactor type and sizing can be optimised to control selectivity and product yield.
  • Design of reactor systems adapted for equilibrium reactions, including strategies to achieve the desired conversion and selectivity.
  • Use of residence time distribution data to formulate and solve various non-ideal reactor models.
  • Assessment of how mass and heat transfer affect catalytic processes and reactor performance.
  • Process safety in connection with chemical reactors, including calculation of operating points and evaluation of reactor stability.

Organisation

Lectures, exercises, problem-solving sessions, assignments, and laboratory work.

Literature

Chemical Reaction Engineering, by Bengt Andersson with support of Claude.ai. Year: 2026. Book available online for the students.

Examination including compulsory elements

Graded written examination, approved assignments, and completed laboratory work (experiments, seminars, written report, and review of another group’s report).

Credit distribution and grading scale:
Module 1: Laboratories & assignments — 2.0 credits, Pass/Fail (experiment, written report, peer review, and numerical assignments)
Module 2: Written examination — 5.5 credits, Fail, 3, 4, 5 (theory and problem solving)

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.