Introduction to Chemical Engineering Calculations
Lecture 1.
Units and Dimensions
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
Units and Dimensions
Mathematics and Engineering
In mathematics,
If x = 500 and y = 100, then (x + y) = 600
In engineering,
If x = 500m and y = 100m, then (x + y) = 600m
But,
If x = 500m and y = 100kg, then (x + y) = 600???
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
Units and Dimensions
Why Do We Need Units?
Units are important for effective communication
and standardization of measurements
Image Source: http://lamar.colostate.edu/~hillger/feet-to-meters_1.jpg
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
Units and Dimensions
The Gimli Glider Incident (23 July 1983)
Pounds vs Kilograms
Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
Units and Dimensions
The Mars Climate Orbiter Incident (23 September 1999)
Newton vs Pound Force
Image Source: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/... /climate-orbiter-browse.jpg
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
Units and Dimensions
The 7 Fundamental (Base) Dimensions
Dimension
Symbol
Mass
Length
Time
Temperature
Mole
Luminosity
Electric Current
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
Units and Dimensions
SI and American Engineering System Units for Fundamental Dimensions
Dimension
SI Unit
Am. Eng. Unit
Mass
kilogram
(kg)
poundmass
(lbm)
Length
meter
(m)
foot
(ft)
Time
second
(s)
second
(s)
Temperature
Kelvin
(K)
Rankine
(0R)
Mole
gram mole
(gmol)
pound mole
(lbmol)
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
Units and Dimensions
Secondary (Derived) Dimensions
Dimension
Symbol
Area
L2
Volume
L3
Velocity
L/
Acceleration
L/2
Force
m (L/2)
Pressure
m (L/2)/L2 = m/2 L
Energy
m (L/2) L = m (L2/2)
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
Units and Dimensions
SI and American Engineering System Units for Secondary Dimensions
Dimension
SI Unit
Am. Eng. Unit
Volume
m3
ft3
Acceleration
m/s
ft/s
Force
kg m/s2
lbm ft/s2
Pressure
kg /(m s2)
lbm /(ft s2)
Energy
kg (m2/s2)
lbm (ft2/s2)
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
Units and Dimensions
Defined Equivalent Units
Dimension
SI Unit
Am. Eng. Unit
Force
1kg m/s2
=1N
32.174 lbm ft/s2
= 1 lbf
Pressure
1 kg /(m s2)
= 1 N/m2 = 1
Pa
32.174 lbm /(ft s2)
= 1 lbf/ft2
= (1/144) lbf/in2 (psi)
Energy
1 kg (m2/s2)
= 1 N m = 1 J
32.174 lbm (ft2/s2)
= 1 ft lbf
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
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Units and Dimensions
Conversion of Units: Single Measurements
The equivalence between two units of the same
measurement may be defined in terms of a ratio
(conversion factor):
New Unit
Old Unit
= New Unit
Old Unit
1
Old Unit
Old Unit
1
=
New Unit New Unit
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
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Units and Dimensions
Conversion of Units: Single Measurements
2.2 lbm
500 kg
=1100 lbm
kg
300
cm 2
2
2
300 1 cm 2
3
1 cm
=
=
10
mm
cm 2 102 mm 2 mm 2
cm 3600s 24 h 365d 1m 1km
9 km
=
9.95
x10
s 2 1h 1d 1yr 100cm
yr 2
1000 m
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
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Units and Dimensions
Conversion of Units: Equations or Formula
Consider the following equation of motion:
D (ft) = 3 t(s) 4
Derive an equivalent equation for distance in meters and
time in minutes.
Step 1. Define new variables D(m) and t(min).
Step 2. Define the old variables in terms of the new variable.
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
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Units and Dimensions
Conversion of Units: Equations or Formula
3.2808 ft
D(ft) = D'(m) x
or D = 3.2808D'
1m
60 s
t(s) = t'(min) x
or t = 60t'
1 min
Step 3. Substitute these equivalence relations into the
original equation.
(3.2808D) = 3 (60t) 4
Simplifying,
D (m) = 55t(min) 1.22
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
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Units and Dimensions
Operation on Units: Addition and Subtraction
The numerical value of two or more quantities can be
added/subtracted only if the units of the quantities
are the same.
5 kilograms + 3 meters = no physical meaning
10 feet + 3 meters = has physical meaning
10 feet + 9.84 feet = 19.94 feet
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
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Units and Dimensions
Operation on Units: Multiplication and Division
Multiplication and division can be done on quantities
with unlike units but the units can only be cancelled
or merged if they are identical.
5 kilograms x 3 meters = 15 kg-m
3 m2/60 cm = 0.05 m2/cm
3 m2/0.6 m = 5 m2/m = 5 m
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
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Units and Dimensions
Dimensionless Quantities
Reynolds Number Calculation
Reynolds number is calculated as:
Dv
Reynolds Number =
where
D
v
=
=
=
=
density of the fluid (kg/m3)
diameter of pipe (m)
mean velocity of fluid (m/s)
dynamic viscosity (kg/m s)
What is the net dimension of Reynolds Number?
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
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Units and Dimensions
Dimensionless Quantities
Importance of Dimensionless Quantities
Used in arguments of special functions such as exponential,
logarithmic, or trigonometric functions.
e20 is possible but e(20ft) is undefined
cos(20) is possible but cos(20 ft) is undefined
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
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Units and Dimensions
Dimensionless Quantities
Importance of Dimensionless Quantities
Consider the Arrhenius Equation:
k = Ae
Ea
RT
If Ea is activation in cal/mol and T is temperature in K, what
is the unit of R?
To make the argument of the exponential function
dimensionless, R must have a unit of (cal/mol-K).
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
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Units and Dimensions
Dimensional Consistency
Every valid equation must be dimensionally consistent.
Each term in the equation must have the same net
dimensions and units as every other term to which it is
added, subtracted, or equated.
A + B = C DE
If A has a dimension of L3, then
1.
2.
3.
4.
B must have a dimension of L3 since it is added to A.
(A + B) has a net dimension of L3.
(C DE) must have a net dimension of L3
C and DE have a dimension of L3.
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
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Units and Dimensions
Dimensional Consistency
Example on Dimensional Consistency
The density of a fluid is given by the empirical equation
= 70.5 exp(8.27 x 10-7 P)
where = density in (lbm/ft3) and P = pressure (lbf/in2).
a. What are the units of 70.5 and 8.27x10-7?
b. Derive a formula for (g/cm3) and P (N/m2)
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
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Units and Dimensions
Dimensional Consistency
= 70.5 exp(8.27 x 10-7 P)
1. Since the exponential part is dimensionless, then 70.5
must have the same unit as which is (lbm/ft3).
2. Since the argument of the exponential function must be
dimensionless, then 8.27 x 10-7 must have a unit of
(in.2/lbf) which is a reciprocal to the unit of P.
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
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Units and Dimensions
Dimensional Consistency
1. Define new variables (g/cm3) and P (N/m2).
2. Express the old variables in terms of the new variables.
3
lbm
g
1
lbm
28,317
cm
3 = ' 3
= 62.43'
3
1 ft
ft
cm 453.593 g
lbf
N 0.2248 lbf
P 2 = P' 2
1N
in
m
1 m
-4
=
1.45x10
P'
2
39.37 in
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
SLIDE
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Units and Dimensions
Dimensional Consistency
3. Substitute the equivalence relations into the original
equation.
= 70.5 exp 8.27 x 10-7 P
62.43' = 70.5 exp 8.27 x 10-7 1.45 x 10-4 P'
Simplifying,
g
N
' 3 = 1.13 exp 1.20 x 10-10 P' 2
cm
m
Prof. Manolito E Bambase Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering. University of the Philippines Los Baos
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