Engenharia de Sistemas e Processos

The main objective of this curricular unit is to provide an advanced training in Process Systems Engineering (PSA), focused on the design and operation of complex production systems, with emphasis on the development and application of modelling and computing methods for the simulation, design, control and optimization of chemical and biological processes. These processes are studied through the mathematical description of the underlying physico-chemical and biochemical phenomena. At the end of this course unit the student will have acquired knowledge, skills and competences to:

- Understand the fundamental concepts of PSE, namely the notions of system, stationary and dynamic model, parameters, degrees of freedom, continuous and integer decision variables, constraints, objective function;

- Understand the principles of methods of solving systems of equations (simulation), namely systems of algebraic equations, systems of differential/algebraic equations, and systems of differential equations, and optimization methods for linear (continuous and mixed) and non-linear problems;

- Understand the concepts and methods of modular simulation, involving sequential approach with partitioning and convergence of loops, or simultaneous modular approach.

- Be able to build mechanistic models, involving conservation laws and constitutive relationships, in the form of aggregate or distributed parameter models.

- Be able to carry out parameter estimation, involving data acquisition, application of parameter estimation methods and error analysis.

- Be able to work with simulation and optimization tools specific to the area of chemical and biological engineering, namely flowsheeting tools (Aspen Plus), generic dynamic modelling tools (gPROMS), and optimization languages (AMPL).