Numerical Methods for Chemical Engineering in MATLAB

Chemical engineering systems often rely on complex, non-linear algebraic equations to model thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and transport phenomena. To solve these systems, engineers need robust numerical methods that go beyond simple root-finding techniques. This text-based course guides you through the foundational mathematical principles and modern computational strategies needed to solve challenging engineering equations. You will begin by mastering core concepts of non-linear algebraic systems, learning how to structure equations for computational solving. Then, you will progress to advanced root-finding algorithms, exploring how to implement reduced-Newton methods and weak line searches to guarantee convergence even with poor initial guesses. Along the way, you will practice writing clean, modern MATLAB code, focusing on structured scripts, efficient vectorization, and debugging practices. What you'll learn: - Understand the mathematical foundation of non-linear algebraic equations in chemical engineering. - Implement Newton-Raphson and reduced-Newton algorithms from scratch in MATLAB. - Apply weak line search techniques to improve algorithm stability and convergence. - Solve practical engineering problems involving chemical equilibrium and reactor design. - Write clean, structured, and modern MATLAB scripts using best programming practices. - Debug and optimize numerical solvers for speed and accuracy. This course is designed for engineering students, researchers, and practicing professionals who want to build a solid foundation in numerical computing. No advanced programming experience is required, though a basic familiarity with algebra and introductory MATLAB concepts will help you get the most out of the material. Start reading today to master the numerical tools that power chemical engineering simulation and design.