| Category | Goal | Typical Equipment | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Move fluids | Pipes, Pumps, Compressors, Valves | | Heat Transfer | Heat/Cool | Heat exchangers, Boilers, Condensers | | Mass Transfer | Separate components | Distillation columns, Dryers, Extractors | | Mechanical Separation | Remove solids | Filters, Centrifuges, Screens | | Size Change | Grind/Form particles | Crushers, Mills, Pelletizers |
If you remember nothing else, master these three: unit operations
To make them easier to study and apply, engineers generally group unit operations into five main categories based on the physics involved: 1. Fluid Flow Processes | Category | Goal | Typical Equipment |
By mastering these individual steps, engineers can apply the same principles across totally different industries. For example, the techniques used to make vodka are nearly identical to those used to separate crude oil. This modular approach allows for: This modular approach allows for: