Digital simulation of the Haber–Bosch process with ChemCAD™: A transferable scaffolded module for sustainable chemical engineering education

Romero-Cano L.A.; Power-Porto G. · Education for Chemical Engineers (2026) · DOI: 10.1016/j.ece.2026.100523

Resumen

The Haber–Bosch process remains one of the most significant industrial chemical processes in terms of global impact, energy use, and engineering complexity. This communication describes a scaffolded and transferable teaching module employing ChemCAD™ to simulate the industrial Haber-Bosch ammonia synthesis process, aimed at fourth-year undergraduate chemical engineering students enrolled in an Industrial Processes course with prior knowledge of thermodynamics, reaction engineering, and process simulation. A complete set of ready-to-use learning materials, including step-by-step exercises, environmental reflection prompts, simulation activities, instructor guidance, complete ChemCAD™ simulation files, and supplementary resources, was developed to support learning in mass and energy balances, reactor modeling, phase separation, recirculation loops, compression, thermodynamics equilibrium analysis, and process evaluation and energy analysis. The module was designed to promote technical analysis, systems thinking, and critical reflection on sustainability, while progressively introducing students to industrial process flowsheets, recycle strategies, energy requirements, and engineering decision-making. The module has been implemented in multiple iterations of the Industrial Processes course at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (Mexico), including a COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) experience developed in collaboration with Universidad de Lima (Peru). The proposed module provides instructors with a transferable framework for integrating simulation-based learning, sustainability-oriented reflection, and international collaborative activities into undergraduate chemical engineering education, while offering a flexible platform that can be extended toward kinetic reactor models, industrial recycle configurations, and advanced sustainability analyses. Supplementary implementation materials, including editable workbooks and ChemCAD™ simulation files, are provided to support adoption and adaptation by other educators.

Instituciones: Universidad de Lima