Chemical Engineering Project Ideas and Topics for Final-Year Students

13-Feb-2026

Chemical engineering final-year projects play a pivotal role in bridging theoretical frameworks with their practical industrial and societal applications. A well-chosen chemical engineering project not only enhances core competencies in thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction engineering, and process control, but also builds problem-solving, analytical, and research skills demanded by industry and higher studies. Modern chemical engineering projects increasingly focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental protection, while pursuing material innovation and optimizing processes through computational and experimental methods.

This guide introduces 15 detailed final-year chemical engineering project topics, drawn from both academic research databases and practical applications in industry. The article provides comprehensive guidance on project selection, execution workflow details, evaluation criteria, and technical skills requirements, enabling undergraduate chemical engineering students to use it as their primary reference.

How to Select a Final-Year Chemical Engineering Project

Selecting the right project requires an academic feasibility assessment together with an evaluation of resource availability and career relevance. Students should choose projects that help them learn essential concepts related to mass transfer, heat transfer, reaction kinetics, or separation processes. Finalizing the topic is guided by the availability of laboratory facilities, software tools, safety considerations, and faculty expertise. Projects that are aligned with emerging fields—renewable energy, wastewater treatment, biochemical processes, or process simulation—offer greater academic and placement value.

General Project Execution Methodology

Most chemical engineering projects follow a structured methodology:

1. Literature review and problem definition

2. Theoretical modeling and design calculations

3. Experimental setup or simulation development 

4. Data collection and analysis

5. Optimization and validation

6. Technical documentation and presentation

This systematic approach maintains academic standards while enabling reproducible research.

Tools and Technologies Commonly Used

• MATLAB / Python - for modeling and data analysis

• Aspen Plus / HYSYS—for process simulation

• COMSOL / ANSYS—for CFD and multiphysics analysis

• Spectrophotometers, GC, FTIR—for experimental validation

• Statistical tools—for optimization and error analysis

1. Solar Desalination System Design and Performance Evaluation

• Project Objective: The objective is to design a solar-powered desalination unit capable of converting saline water into potable water using renewable energy.

• Methodology & Procedure: The project starts with the review of various solar still designs and the heat transfer mechanism employed in the system. The design of a basin-type solar still involves the consideration of energy balance equations. Important parameters such as absorber area, insulation thickness, and condensation surface are calculated in this process.

• Implementation: A lab-scale unit is constructed, which consists of glass covers and blackened absorber plates. Data on temperature and yield are collected throughout the day.

• Expected Outcomes: The project delivers efficiency curves, daily water output data, and design recommendations for rural water supply systems.

• Tools & Skills: Heat transfer analysis, MATLAB simulation, concepts of renewable energy.

2. Production of Activated Carbon from Agricultural Waste

• Project Objective: Produce activated carbon from low-cost agricultural waste such as coconut shells, rice husks, and sawdust and evaluate its adsorption efficiency for wastewater treatment applications. The project promotes sustainable waste utilization and cost-effective adsorbent development.

• Methodology & Procedure: The selected biomass is cleaned and then carbonized at high temperatures in the presence of limited oxygen. Chemical activation is also carried out, where chemicals like phosphoric acid or potassium hydroxide are used to improve the properties of the biomass. Properties like surface area, pore volume, moisture content, and ash content are also analyzed.

• Implementation: The batch adsorption experiments are performed for adsorbing dyes/heavy metals from contaminated water. The results are compared to the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models.

• Expected Outcomes: The project aims to determine optimum activation conditions and to prove the feasibility of agricultural waste-based activated carbon for industrial effluent treatment.

• Tools & Skills: Material balance calculations, adsorption modeling, BET surface area analysis, laboratory analytical skills.

3. Modeling and Simulation of a Packed Bed Reactor

• Project Objective: The scope is to derive a mathematical model for a catalytic packed bed reactor and evaluate its performance for different scenarios.

• Methodology & Procedure: Mass and energy balance equations are written, based on the assumption of plug flow. Reaction kinetics and temperature effects are included in the model.

• Implementation: The equations are solved using MATLAB or COMSOL Multiphysics software to obtain profiles of the concentration and temperature distributions along the reactor.

• Expected Outcomes: The project also includes a conversion efficiency plot, a sensitivity analysis, and guidance on reactor optimization and scale-up.

• Tools & Skills: Reaction engineering concepts, numerical solution techniques, and process simulation software.

4. Biosorption of Heavy Metals from Wastewater

• Project Objective: This project is intended towards the removal of toxic heavy metals such as lead, chromium, or nickel from wastewater using low-cost biosorbents.

• Methodology & Procedure: You can perform batch adsorption experiments by testing different parameters, which include pH levels, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and initial metal concentration. You can study how metal ions interact with the biosorbent surface functional groups, which create the different surface characteristics of biosorbents.

• Implementation: Experimental adsorption data is evaluated using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models together with kinetic models to analyze experimental adsorption data, which helps students understand the adsorption process.

• Expected Outcomes: The project provides high metal removal efficiency data and demonstrates a cost-effective, environmentally friendly wastewater treatment method.

• Tools & Skills: Environmental engineering principles, spectrophotometric analysis, adsorption modeling, data interpretation.

5. Design and Calibration of a Rotameter

• Project Objective: In this project, you will be creating a calibrated variable-area flow meter system that uses a rotameter design for precise measurement of fluid flow.

• Methodology & Procedure: Theoretical flow equations are used to design the rotameter tube and float geometry based on fluid properties and operating conditions.

• Implementation: The fabricated rotameter undergoes experimental calibration by testing, comparing its measured flow rates with those from standard flow measurement devices under different operating conditions. 

• Expected Outcomes: It results in two main outcomes, which are accurate flow-rate versus float-position calibration curves and enhanced knowledge of flow measurement instrumentation.

• Tools & Skills: Fluid mechanics, instrumentation principles, experimental calibration techniques, data analysis.

6. Chemical Treatment of Distillery Spent Wash

• Project Objective: This project aims to minimize the concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color in distillery spent wash through chemical treatment methods.

• Methodology & Procedure: The coagulation and oxidation processes are studied through jar test experiments in which coagulant dosage and pH are varied. The performance of the treatment processes is evaluated.

• Implementation: Physicochemical parameters, e.g., COD, CI, pH, and total solids, in water are measured before and after the treatment process.

• Expected Outcomes: Considerable reduction in pollutant load is demonstrated, and the project also examines the feasibility of chemical treatment as a principal method of primary effluent treatment.

• Tools & Skills: Water chemistry, effluent analysis, process optimization techniques, laboratory experimentation.

  Read Also: Aerospace Engineering Project Ideas and Topics for Final Year Students

7. Heat Pipe Assisted Drying System

• Project Objective: In this project, you will develop the thermal efficiency of conventional drying systems using heat pipes with improved heat transfer and reduced energy consumption.

• Methodology & Procedure: The project study aims to understand the drying kinetics and mechanisms of heat transfer in solid materials. Drying experiments are conducted with and without heat pipes under identical operating conditions to assess their performance.

• Implementation: A laboratory dryer equipped with heat pipes is used to dry selected materials. Moisture content of the material is measured at regular intervals to obtain the drying curve.

• Expected Outcomes: The project shows aspects of reduced drying time, efficiency in use of energy, and better utilization of heat.

• Tools & Skills: Heat transfer analysis, thermal system design, experimental data collection, and performance evaluation techniques.

8. Crystallizer Design and Crystal Size Analysis

• Project Objective: This project involves designing a laboratory-scale crystallizer, with crystal growth behavior being the subject of investigation.

• Methodology & Procedure: The study is initiated with the assessment of supersaturation extent and nucleation rate using mass and energy balance concepts. It is observed that parameters such as temperature, cooling rate, and mixing speed have significant effects.

• Implementation: Batch crystallization experiments are carried out using a chosen solute-solvent system, and the distribution of crystal dimensions is determined by sieving or microscopic observation.

• Expected Outcomes: The project can control crystal size distribution, increase product purity, and optimize yield based on process conditions.

• Tools & Skills: Separation process design, solid-liquid equilibrium analysis, crystallization kinetics, experimental data interpretation.

9. Study of Filmwise and Dropwise Condensation

• Project Objective: In this project, you will compare two mechanisms, filmwise condensation and dropwise condensation, and assess their implications on performance.

• Methodology & Procedure: Theoretical analysis of the coefficients due to condensation is performed using Nusselt's theory. Experimental studies involve surfaces designed to favor either filmwise or dropwise condensation by selecting appropriate surface characteristics.

• Implementation: It involves using a controlled condensation system to measure surface temperature, condensate behavior, and heat flux. The study calculated heat transfer coefficients, which are then compared under the same operating conditions.

• Expected Outcomes: The project delivers numerical measurements that assess both mechanisms and provides recommendations for surface treatment methods to enhance heat exchanger performance.

• Tools & Skills: Heat transfer analysis, surface engineering concepts, experimental measurement techniques, and thermal performance evaluation.

10. Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil

• Project Objective: The aim of this project is to produce biodiesel from waste cooking oil by transesterification and investigate the fuel properties for its possible application in diesel engines.

• Methodology & Procedure: The chemical reaction between waste oil and methanol requires the base catalyst, sodium hydroxide, to proceed. You have to perform experiments to optimize key parameters, which include temperature, alcohol-to-oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration, and reaction time, in order to achieve maximum yield.

• Implementation: The biodiesel produced is then separated and purified for analysis on viscosity, density, flash point, and calorific value in accordance with standard fuel specifications.

• Expected Outcomes: The project results in a high biodiesel conversion rate, while environmental and economic sustainability are assessed.

• Tools & Skills: Reaction kinetics, mass balance calculations, fuel property analysis, laboratory experimentation.

11. Biogas Production Through Anaerobic Digestion

• Project Objective: This project aims to generate biogas from organic waste materials using anaerobic digestion and assess its potential as a renewable energy source.

• Methodology & Procedure: Organic substrates, for example, food waste or sewage sludge, are characterized for total solids and volatile solids content. A laboratory-scale anaerobic digester is operated at various temperatures under controlled conditions with specific retention times to observe microbial degradation.

• Implementation: Biogas yield can be measured using gas collection systems, and the gas composition, i.e., methane and carbon dioxide, can be analyzed. Process parameters like pH and loading rate can also be optimized.

• Expected Outcomes: The project provides data on the production of biogas, efficiency of methane yield, and the possibility of waste energy conversion.

• Tools & Skills: Biochemical engineering principles, process monitoring, gas analysis techniques, and data interpretation.

12. Portable Edible Oil Adulteration Detection System

• Project Objective: In this project, you will develop a portable device for detecting adulterants in edible oil through sensor technology.

• Methodology & Procedure: Physicochemical values such as dielectric constant, refractive indices, and conductivity can be measured using appropriate sensors, and the sensor responses can be correlated with a database of known true and adulterated oil samples.

• Implementation: A compact prototype is created using microcontrollers and sensor integration. The experimental data is processed and classified for the different levels of purity.

• Expected Outcomes: The project facilitates quick on-site detection of oil adulteration with precise accuracy and improved food security monitoring.

• Tools & Skills: Instrumentation principles, sensor calibration, basic data analysis, and embedded system integration.

13. Electrocoagulation for Effluent Treatment

• Project Objective: This project involves the treatment of industrial wastewater by electrocoagulation, as opposed to conventional chemical treatment methods.

• Methodology & Procedure: The process is about passing electric current through sacrificial electrodes made of aluminum or iron to produce in situ the coagulated species. Important parameters such as current density, electrode spacing, pH, and treatment time are varied systematically to study their effects on pollutant removal.

• Implementation: A lab-scale electrocoagulation unit is fabricated, and the wastewater samples before and after treatment are analyzed for parameters such as COD, turbidity, and color.

• Expected Outcomes: The project also presents the effectiveness in the removal of pollutants and evaluates electrocoagulation as an environmentally viable treatment technology.

• Tools & Skills: Electrochemical engineering principles, wastewater analysis, experimental optimization, data interpretation.

14. Rheological Behavior of Non-Newtonian Fluids

• Project Objective: The goal is to study the flow characteristics of non-Newtonian fluids and understand their deviation from Newtonian behavior.

• Methodology & Procedure: Shear stress-shear rate data is obtained, under controlled conditions, for fluids such as polymer solutions or slurries using a rheometer.

• Implementation: Models such as the power law or Bingham plastic model are fitted to experimental data in order to establish flow parameters.

• Expected Outcomes: The findings of this project give essential rheological parameters that are useful in the design of the pipeline, pumping, and mixing applications.

• Tools & Skills: Fluid mechanics, rheology, experimental data analysis.

15. Performance Optimization of Domestic LPG Burner

• Project Objective: To enhance thermal efficiency and combustion characteristics of a domestic LPG burner.

• Methodology & Procedure: Experimentally calculate air-fuel ratio, flame temperature, and heat transfer efficiency.

• Implementation: Efficiency and Emissions—Use Thermocouples and Gas Analyzers.

• Expected Outcomes: Make recommendations on changes to the design to improve efficiency and reduce the amount of carbon monoxide produced.

• Tools & Skills: Combustion engineering, heat transfer analysis, emission testing, experimental optimization.

Conclusion The Final Project Action Plan

To succeed, you need to think of it as a professional engineering contract and not just an academic assignment. Below are three rules that you can follow:

• Pick for the Resume: Choose a topic you truly care about; it's your "calling card" that will get you hired.

• Check Resources: Confirm that you have the needed lab equipment, a sound mentor, and a realistic scope today.

• Execute & Deliver: Emphasize completing a high-quality, functional project rather than an overly complicated, unfinished one.

Ultimately, the goal is to graduate with a degree in hand and a professional-grade portfolio piece attached to your profile.

Education Professional Chemical Engineering Final year projects Project ideas