CME 430 Design Project I, Fall 2017, 1st Draft, Background and Literature Review

Electronic copies are to be submitted through Isidore.

A hard copy is due in class on October 13, 2017.

One submission per design group.

The goals of the Background and Literature Review are to (a) provide readers with the information
they need to place your work into a larger context, and (b) to establish your groups expertise in the
topic by demonstrating an understanding of the area and the nuances of your particular design
problem. The Background and Literature Review must contain the following elements:

1. An opening that states the motivation for the project. This section introduces the problem and
the appropriate motivation. An appropriate motivation might be ``the commodity chemicals
division of UD Chemicals has proposed expanding its production of ethylene glycol by 20,000
tons/yr.'' An inappropriate motivation is ``our Senior design project statement said to design a
chemical plant that produces 20,000 tons/yr of ethylene glycol.'' For some groups, this opening
will be one paragraph. Other groups may wish to discuss the motivation for their project in detail,
and will need to devote more than one paragraph. Groups working on the IV solution project, in
particular, should provide background on the medical conditions that are treated with injectable
sodium bicarbonate solutions, as well as information about the recent shortage.

2. A literature review. This subsection summarizes the current market for your product and the state
of the art for producing it, including the chemistry and process engineering of the primary
production route and any significant alternatives.

A good literature review demonstrates that the designers are aware of the problems associated with
the making their product and the alternative solutions to these problems. Difficult process
engineering problems that shape the design project -- challenging separations, significant
optimization problems, or alternative flow sheets -- should be discussed here.

3. An overview of any major1 health, safety and environmental issues. This subsection discusses
the ethical and professional responsibilities associated with this product and the process you plan
to use to create it. Is the product, raw materials, or any intermediates toxic? Carcinogenic?
Flammable? Explosive? Are there unique safety or environmental hazards that must be addressed
before your proposed plant can begin operating?

4. A transitional closing paragraph. This paragraph provides an overview of the remainder of the
design project.

5. A list of references.

The Background and Literature Review must meet the attached formatting and style guidelines.

1
Major issues do not include basic chemical safety issues, such as a need for good ventilation or personal
protective equipment.
Formatting Guidelines:

1. The Background and Literature Review must begin with a boldfaced section
header. You may also use subsection headers if it improves the readability of your
report.

2. You must cite your sources within the text. Identify your sources sequentially
within the text [1] and provide detailed bibliographic data in an attached list of
references. The IEEE style in Word is a good option.

3. Your Background and Literature Review must be written with 12 point font and
1.5 spacing. The upper and left-hand margins should be 1 wide, and the sum of
the lower and right hand margins should be no more than 2.5.

4. Figures and tables must be numbered sequentially and accompanied by an

appropriate caption. If you have copied the figure or the information, you must
cite the source. Tables and figures should appear at the top or bottom of a page of
text, or on a separate page within the text. Significant points will be deducted
for blurry figures and tables.

5. Equations must be appropriately typeset. You can use the equation editor in
Word (e.g., 1 = 7.0 106) or, for simple equations, superscript/subscript font
effects (e.g., x1=7.0x10-6).
Writing Guidelines:

1. This is a report on a technical subject, not a report about what must be done
to write a report. This is a subtle distinction, but an important one. I will deduct
points for sentences like A literature search was conducted to understand the
range of the problem.

2. Arguments should be based upon published information. This is not a

research paper, a laboratory report, or a work of fiction. Base your discussion on
published information, and cite your sources.

3. Write for chemical engineers who are unfamiliar with your project. Provide
appropriate technical detail. Basic information that all chemical engineers are
familiar with, such as the definition of pH, is not appropriate.

4. Be specific and quantitative. Sentences like The pH of the ocean has

drastically decreased in recent years are vague and convey relatively little
information. Including quantitative (and cited) information strengthens your
report: Industrialization has lowered the average pH of the oceans from 8.2 to
8.1, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that it
will drop to 7.8 to 7.7 by the year 2100 [2].

5. Avoid hyperbole. You are writing a technical paper, not a fundraising letter.
 6. Do not use quotes. I am now banning quotes because in recent years, too many
students have used quotes inappropriately to relay technical information that
should have been written in the students own words.

7. Do not plagiarize. Do not copy or closely paraphrase material from other

sources. Your reports will be submitted through Turning. Teams who have
plagiarized material for this report will receive a zero on this assignment and the
program director will be informed.

8. Sources. You may use the online sources of information, but at least 30% of your
sources must be from reputable publications that could be obtained through the
library. A Scientific American article that you found online satisfies this criterion;
a Wikipedia entry does not. Do not cite class notes or handouts, including the
project statement. Citations for web sites must include the full web site address.

References.
[1] American Institute of Chemical Engineers (2009), retrieved from
http://www.aiche.org/sites/default/files/docs/pages/CEP%20Reference%20Style.pdf
[2] Carpenter, K.E., et al., Science. 321, 560-563 (2008).