Recently, the Grand Final of the 18th TITAN DESIGN CUP National College Student Chemical Engineering Design Competition, organized by the Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China and China Education Association of Chemical Industry, and hosted by Dalian University of Technology, was successfully held. A total of 2,333 teams from 438 universities competed in the event, showcasing their skills and creativity. After rigorous selection in the provincial and regional competitions, 61 teams (including one international-track team) advanced to the national finals. The "Chun Wu Yi Qin" team from the Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (SCCE) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), won the national grand prize with their outstanding design and impressive presentation, marking a historic breakthrough for SJTU in this competition.

Project Title

Hydration and Hydrogenation of Acrolein for the Annual Production of 25,000 Tons of 1,3-Propanediol

Team Members

Jiajie LI, Yang YANG, Haitao YANG, Tianyu GAO, Jiahe ZHAO

Supervisers

Xuegang LI, Jianmin YAN, Yijun HE, Shunchao GU, Yunxiang PAN

Project Introduction

The competition task was to design a clean production subplant for 1,3-propanediol (PDO) for a large chemical company, with the technical requirements aligned with China's green, low-carbon, and circular development policies. The team from SJTU, after nearly six months of meticulous preparation, completed a high-quality design titled "Hydration and Hydrogenation of Acrolein for the Annual Production of 25,000 Tons of 1,3-Propanediol." The deliverables included a comprehensive set of design documents (such as feasibility studies, preliminary design, equipment design, system and energy integration, economic analysis, environmental impact and safety pre-evaluation), drawings (including process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, workshop equipment layout, and plant site layout), and modern design methodologies (such as ASPEN PLUS process simulation, SW6 equipment mechanical strength verification, ALOHA leakage diffusion simulation, FreeFta fault tree analysis, Risksystem environmental risk assessment, EIAN noise analysis, 3D piping and workshop layout, and 3D plant layout). The project adhered to the principles of green, safe, energy-efficient, and cost-effective design. Through multiple innovations in process and equipment technology, the project achieved reductions in energy consumption per unit of industrial value added, CO₂ emissions, and water usage by 44.59%, 68.75%, and 34.92%, respectively, compared to the 2020 baseline, significantly surpassing the green targets outlined in China's 14th Five-Year Plan.

The National College Student Chemical Engineering Design Competition is the largest and most influential event for undergraduate students in the major of chemical engineering. It plays a crucial role in enhancing students' engineering practice skills, fostering innovative thinking, and promoting teamwork. In this year's competition, a total of 13 grand prizes and 48 first prizes were awarded.

Student Reflections

► Jiajie LI: From doing project research to finalizing the plan, from developing process to preparing drawing, from optimizing process parameters to improving the detailed design and selection of equipment, from workshop design to plant layout, our team completed the entire process of creating a comprehensive "process package" from scratch. This journey gave us a deeper understanding and appreciation of chemical engineering design.

► Yang YANG: As we continuously revised and refined our work, we applied the theoretical knowledge we learned in class, transforming from simply receiving knowledge to understanding and applying it.

► Haitao YANG: After advancing through several stages of the competition and six rounds of presentations, I gained insights that can't be found in the classroom. For instance, the project preparation required rigorous calculations and designs, where even the smallest error could lead to significant deviations. During the presentations, I learned the importance of staying confident, showcasing the strengths of our work, while also being humble enough to face shortcomings and listen to feedback.

► Tianyu GAO: From the very beginning, our goal was to strive for perfection, ensuring that every aspect of our work not only met the competition’s evaluation criteria but also adhered to industry standards as closely as possible. In doing so, I gained a wealth of industry knowledge that extended beyond the classroom.

► Jiahe ZHAO: Our success in the competition was built on the unity and collaboration of our team, as well as the tremendous support from our school, professors, and alumni from previous years. I hope to use this as a new starting point, pushing forward and achieving even better results in the future.

SCCE consistently adheres to the "four-in-one" talent cultivation philosophy, which integrates value guidance, knowledge exploration, skill development, and character building. The school actively encourages students to participate in various academic competitions, emphasizing the cultivation of practical abilities and innovative spirit, fostering interdisciplinary integration, and applying knowledge to real-world problems. This competition highlights the students' solid professional foundation and strong spirit of unity, enhancing their ability to analyze and solve practical problems using theoretical knowledge while also bolstering their confidence.

Translator: Chenyun SUN

Reviser: Xiaoke HU