GATE Chemical Engineering Syllabus

What is GATE Chemical Engineering Syllabus?

The GATE Chemical Engineering syllabus is a collection of topics required for the exam. The question paper will consist of questions from this prescribed syllabus only. The GATE Chemical Engineering syllabus is divided into 9 main sections. Each of the sections is elaborated here for candidates to review the GATE syllabus for Chemical Engineering to get a comprehensive understanding of these 9 sections.

Sections in GATE Chemical Engineering Syllabus are:

• Engineering Mathematics
• Process Calculations and Thermodynamics
• Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations
• Heat Transfer
• Mass Transfer
• Chemical Reaction Engineering
• Instrumentation and Process Control
• Plant Design and Economics
• Chemical Technology

The detailed GATE Chemical Engineering syllabus for all the sections is given below.

GATE Chemical Engineering Syllabus PDF Download

Candidates can download the PDF of the GATE syllabus for Chemical Engineering. Candidates can follow the link provided below in order to download the GATE Chemical Engineering syllabus PDF:

GATE Chemical Engineering Syllabus PDF

Engineering Mathematics Syllabus

The GATE Chemical Engineering syllabus 2023 for the Engineering Mathematics section consists of topics such as calculus, probability, numerical methods, etc. Let us discuss these topics below in detail:

• Linear Algebra: Matrix algebra, Systems of linear equations, Eigenvalues, and Eigenvectors.
• Calculus: Functions of a single variable, Limit, continuity and differentiability, Taylor series, Mean value theorems, Evaluation of definite and improper integrals, Partial derivatives, Total derivative, Maxima and minima, Gradient, Divergence and Curl, Vector identities, Directional derivatives, Line, Surface and Volume integrals, Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems.
• Differential equations: First-order equations (linear and nonlinear), Higher order linear differential equations with constant coefficients, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Initial and boundary value problems, Laplace transforms, Solutions of one-dimensional heat and wave equations, and Laplace equation.
• Complex variables: Complex number, polar form of a complex number, triangle inequality. Probability and Statistics: Definitions of probability and sampling theorems, Conditional probability, Mean, median, mode and standard deviation, Random variables, Poisson, Normal and Binomial distributions, and Linear regression analysis.
• Numerical Methods: Numerical solutions of linear and non-linear algebraic equations. Integration by trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule. Single and multi-step methods for the numerical solution of differential equations.

Process Calculations and Thermodynamics Syllabus

Process Calculations and Thermodynamics section of the GATE syllabus for Chemical Engineering includes various important topics such as molar properties, laws of entropy and phase equilibria, etc. Let us discuss all topics covered in this section in detail:

• Steady and unsteady state mass and energy balances include multiphase, multicomponent, reacting, and non-reacting systems. Use of tie components; recycle, bypass and purge calculations; Gibbs phase rule and degree of freedom analysis.
• First and Second laws of thermodynamics. Applications of first law to close and open systems. Second law and Entropy. Thermodynamic properties of pure substances: Equation of State and residual properties, properties of mixtures: partial molar properties, fugacity, excess properties, and activity coefficients; phase equilibria: predicting VLE of systems; chemical reaction equilibrium.

Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations Syllabus

The GATE Chemical Engineering syllabus for the Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations section constitutes topics such as dimensional analysis, flow meters and turbulent flow, etc. Let us now discuss these topics below in detail:

Fluid statics, surface tension, Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, transport properties, shell balances including a differential form of Bernoulli equation and energy balance, equation of continuity, equation of motion,

Equation of Mechanical energy, macroscopic friction factors, dimensional analysis, and similitude, flow through pipeline systems, velocity profiles, flow meters, pumps and compressors, elementary boundary layer theory, flow past immersed bodies including packed and fluidized beds, Turbulent flow: fluctuating velocity, universal velocity profile and pressure drop.

Particle size and shape, particle size distribution, size reduction and classification of solid particles; free and hindered settling; centrifuge and cyclones; thickening and classification, filtration, agitation, and mixing; conveying of solids.

Heat Transfer

The Heat Transfer section consists of topics such as evaporators, heat exchangers and condensation, etc.

Other than this topic, some important topics are Equation of energy, steady and unsteady heat conduction, convection and radiation, thermal boundary layer and heat transfer coefficients, boiling, condensation and evaporation; types of heat exchangers and evaporators and their process calculations; design of double pipe, shell and tube heat exchangers, and single and multiple effect evaporators.

Mass Transfer

The GATE Chemical Engineering syllabus 2023 for the Mass Transfer section consists of topics such as molecular diffusions, momentum, heat mass transfer, etc. Let us discuss these topics below in detail:

• Fick’s laws
• Molecular diffusion in fluids
• Mass transfer coefficients, film, penetration, and surface renewal theories
• Momentum, heat, and mass transfer analogies
• Stage-wise and continuous contacting and stage efficiencies
• HTU & NTU concepts
• Design and operation of equipment for distillation, absorption, leaching,liquid-liquid extraction, drying, humidification, dehumidification and adsorption, and membrane separations (micro-filtration, ultra-filtration, nano-filtration and reverse osmosis).

Chemical Reaction

The Chemical Reaction section of the GATE Chemical Engineering syllabus consists of topics such as diffusion effects, the kinetics of the heterogeneous catalytic reaction, non-ideal reactors, etc. Let us discuss these topics below in detail:

• Theories of reaction rates
• Kinetics of homogeneous reactions, interpretation of kinetic data, single and multiple reactions in ideal reactors, the kinetics of enzyme reactions (Michaelis-Menten and Monod models), non-ideal reactors
• Residence time distribution, single parameter model
• Non-isothermal reactors
• Kinetics of heterogeneous catalytic reactions
• Diffusion effects in catalysis
• Rate and performance equations for catalyst deactivation.

Instrumentation and Process Control

The GATE Chemical Engineering syllabus 2023 for the Instrumentation and Process Control section consists of topics such as transducer dynamics, control valves, process reaction curves, etc. Let us discuss these topics below in detail:

• Measurement of process variables, sensors, and transducers
• P&ID equipment symbols
• Process modeling and linearization, transfer functions and dynamic responses of various systems, systems with the inverse response, process reaction curve, controller modes (P, PI, and PID)
• Control valves
• Transducer dynamics
• Analysis of closed-loop systems, including stability, frequency response, controller tuning, cascade and feedforward control.

Plant Design and Economics

The GATE Chemical Engineering syllabus 2023 for the Plant Design and Economics section includes various topics such as payback period, discounted cash flow, and cost indices. Let us discuss these topics below in detail:

• Principles of process economics and cost estimation including depreciation and total annualized cost, cost indices, rate of return, payback period, discounted cash flow, optimization in process design, and sizing of chemical engineering equipment such as heat exchangers and multistage contactors.

Chemical Technology

The GATE Chemical Engineering syllabus 2023 for the Chemical Technology section includes topics such as petrochemicals, fertilizers, and natural products. Let us discuss these topics below in detail:

• Inorganic chemical industries (sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, Chlor-alkali industry), fertilizers (Ammonia, Urea, SSP, and TSP)
• Natural products industries (Pulp and Paper, Sugar, Oil, and Fats)
• Petroleum refining and petrochemicals
• Polymerization industries (polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, and polyester synthetic fibers). 

How to Prepare GATE Chemical Engineering Syllabus?

The right approach to the preparation of the GATE CH syllabus can be really impactful in achieving a good rank. Here we have provided a few important tips to finish and prepare the syllabus for Chemical Engineering so as to score well in the exam. Check out these tips:

• Read the syllabus and pattern before preparation.
• Select the best study material to prepare.
• Create a preparation plan to study for at least 4-5 hours.
• Prepare Mathematics and high-scoring topics well.
• Prepare notes on each topic.
• Build your conceptual knowledge.
• Solve mock test papers and previous year papers to understand.

Important Topics in GATE Chemical Engineering Syllabus

GATE Chemical Engineering syllabus carries various topics which are essential for the exam perspective to score good marks. Here is a list of those important topics which candidates shall prepare with extra care.

• Fick’s laws
• Molecular diffusion in fluids
• Residence time distribution, single parameter model
• Non-isothermal reactors
• Control valves
• Transducer dynamics
• Natural products industries (Pulp and Paper, Sugar, Oil, and Fats)
• Petroleum refining, and petrochemicals
• Steady and unsteady
• Complex variables

GATE Chemical Engineering Books

Some of the important books for GATE Chemical Engineering are given below.

• Chemical Engineering For GATE By Ram Prasad
• A Textbook of Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics By K. V. Narayanan
• Introduction to Fluid Mechanics By Fox and Mc Donald
• Mechanical Operation For Chemical Engineering By Narayanan C. M. & Bhattacharyya B. C
• Mass Transfer Operations By Robert E. Treybal
• Dryden’s Outlines of Chemical Technology By Gopala Rao M. and Marshall S