Teaching Mass and Energy Balances by Experiment

Authors

  • Nese Orbey University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Marisel De Jesús Vega University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Fulya Sudur Zalluhoglu University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract

 A general tank-draining problem was used as an experimental project in two undergraduate-level chemical engineering courses. The project aimed to illustrate the critical nature of experimentation in addition to use of mass and energy conservation principles in developing mathematical models that correctly describes a system. The students designed and executed experiments and used mass and energy balances to develop and test a constitutive equation. Compared to the lecture format, most students strongly agreed or agreed that the hands-on approach was more effective (63% and 32%, respectively) and enabled them to learn more effectively (42% and 53%, respectively). Details of the project and student response are presented.

Author Biographies

Nese Orbey, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Nese Orbey is an associate professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) where she has received the Departmental Excellence in Teaching award and Excellence in Innovative and Transformational Education award. She obtained her Ph.D. from McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Her research interests are in polymer rheology and structure-property relations of polymers/nanocomposites. Before joining UML, she worked as a technology manager at QinetiQ North America (formerly Foster-Miller, Inc.).

Marisel De Jesús Vega, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Marisel De Jesús Vega received her B.S. in chemical engineering from University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez campus. She recently completed her Doctoral degree in chemical engineering at University of Massachusetts Lowell. Her research interests are microfluidic devices, microfabrication and materials.

Fulya Sudur Zalluhoglu, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Fulya Sudur Zalluhoglu received her B.S. in chemical engineering from the Middle East Technical University, Turkey. She completed her Doctoral degree in chemical engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Her research interests are materials, microencapsulation and sol-gel chemistry.

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Published

2017-04-10

Issue

Vol. 51 No. 2 (2017): Spring 2017

Section

Manuscripts