GATE 2025 Syllabus for Chemical Engineering

CH Chemical Engineering

Section 1: Engineering Mathematics

Linear Algebra: Matrix algebra, Systems of linear equations, Eigen values and eigenvectors.

Calculus: Functions of 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 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, 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 numerical solution of
differential equations.

Section 2: Process Calculations and Thermodynamics

Steady and unsteady state mass and energy balances including multiphase, multi-component,
reacting and non-reacting systems. Use of tie components; recycle, bypass and purge calculations;
Gibb’s 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.

Section 3: Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations

Fluid statics, surface tension, Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, transport properties, shell-
balances including 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.

Section 4: Heat Transfer

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.

Section 5: Mass Transfer

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, membrane separations (micro-filtration, ultra-filtration, nano-
filtration and reverse osmosis).

Section 6: Chemical Reaction Engineering

Theories of reaction rates; kinetics of homogeneous reactions, interpretation of kinetic data, single
and multiple reactions in ideal reactors, kinetics of enzyme reactions (Michaelis-Mentenand
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.

Section 7: Instrumentation and Process Control

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 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 feed forward control.

Section 8: Plant Design and Economics

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 equipments such as heat exchangers and multistage
contactors.

Section 9: Chemical Technology

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).