European Federation Of Chemical Engineering Research Articles

Editorial: European symposium on electrochemical engineering

The European Symposium on Electrochemical Engineering ESEE is organized by the Working Party on Electrochemical Engineering (WPEE) of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering every 3 years. The 12th ESEE, on June 14–17 2021, was planned at Wetsus European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology in Leeuwarden but had, unfortunately, to be held online due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The focus of the event was on “Electrochemistry for electrification and energy transition toward a sustainable future.” It captures the aims of the WPEE to showcase scientific advances in physical, chemical and biochemical routes toward a future where electrochemical engineering is part of a sustainable society, closing resource cycles and contributing to zero-pollution mobility and manufacturing. All around the rapid electrification of our society can be found, changing how we recover valuable resources in a more sustainable way, make chemical products, store energy, provide energy to our houses, and go from place to place. Increasingly we move from molecular building blocks and processes toward a world where the electron is the carrier of energy and information and is the key building block to create new materials. The scientific program of the conference covered over 140 oral presentation and 25 posters, two tutorials and a match making session for academic and industrial researchers. Two important prizes of the WPEE were given and accompanied by award lectures: “Recognition for a Life Devoted to Electrochemical Engineering 2020 Award” to Professor Christos Comninellis and the “Carl Wagner Medal 2020” to Dr Emmanuel Mousset. Overall it was a very successful event, although we unfortunately could not meet in person and not visit beautiful Leeuwarden. This Special Issue is bringing together a small selection of contributions presented during the event. It was prepared thanks to collaboration of the journal editorial office and authors of the contributions and we hope, you will enjoy reading it. We also would like to invite you to the 13th ESEE, which will be held in Toulouse from 26th to 29th of June 2023. Focus of the event is on the Electrochemical Engineering as the key enabling to overcome current societal problems regarding energy, environment, and life. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Conclusions from Round Table Discussion during IUT of ESAT 2021 electrolyte thermodynamics challenges - From industrial needs to academic research

Electrolyte thermodynamics is considered one of the most challenging areas of applied thermodynamics. It is an area with a wide range of applications in science and engineering. There are numerous models, both activity coefficient models and equations of state, but despite great successes and achievements of many models for several applications there is little consensus on which are the more generally applicable approaches. There are many controversial aspects, both related to models and to fundamentals. Over many years the Working Party of the Thermodynamics and Transport Properties of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering has organized IUT (Industrial Use of Thermodynamics) workshops in different topics of actual interest. The most recent of these IUTs, 5th in the series, was held (virtually) during the ESAT 2021 conference in Paris. Panellists and participants from both academia and industry attended allowing to include views from a very wide spectrum. This manuscript summarizes the most important points from this workshop in terms of status and needs for electrolyte data and models and concludes with some recommendations for the community, which we hope can accelerate future studies in the field. The target of this work is not to present a general account of successes and shortcomings of electrolyte thermodynamic models, rather it is mostly to focus on the expert views of the IUT participants from industry and academia related to the challenges concerning data, models and applications of electrolyte thermodynamics.

Reactive liquid-liquid test system ZnSO4/D2EHPA: Equilibrium, thermochemical, structural, and spectroscopic insights from experiments and density functional theory

The reactive liquid-liquid test system of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) ZnSO4/D2EHPA has been the subject of studies for decades. Although much information is known at a process engineering level, some is yet to be established from a fundamental chemical point of view. This is the case of the molecular structure of the zinc organocomplex formed at high loading conditions, which is still experimentally unproven due to the chemical similarities involved, as previous studies propose the formation of ZnR2 (breakage model) or (ZnR2)2 (agglomeration model) species. To gain further insight into such a classical hydrometallurgical system, two strategies were applied in this work using reported experimental measurements ranging from low to high loading conditions: equilibrium data fitting and computational chemistry by means of DFT calculations. Both analyses have pointed out that (ZnR2)2 is more favorable to be formed than ZnR2 species. The conclusions were supported by the revisited spectral, thermochemical, and equilibrium stoichiometry information. The bond and angle strain in the metal center seem to be among the main reasons behind the results. Moreover, the formation of D2EHPA dimers instead of monomers is crucial in order to guarantee reaction spontaneity.

Response surface methodology study of dispersed phase holdup and mean droplet size in a perforated rotating disc contactors (PRDC)

ABSTRACT This research aims to optimize the influential hydrodynamic parameters in liquid-liquid extraction columns for three different systems of butanol–water, n-butylacetate–water, and toluene–water recommended by the European Federation of Chemical Engineering. The operating conditions of rotor speed, continuous phase, and dispersed phase velocities and two responses of the dispersed phase holdup of dispersed phase and Sauter mean drop diameter are considered to examine their interaction effects in a perforated rotating disc contactor (PRDC) pilot plant by response surface methodology (RSM). A desirable consistency between the predicted and experimental data was observed due to an R2 value higher than 0.99. The maximum dispersed phase holdup and minimum Sauter mean drop diameter (d32 ) were obtained at 0.117 and 0.599 mm, respectively. The results pointed out that the rotor speed is the most substantial variable in the studied responses.

A critical perspective on the implementation of the EU Council Seveso Directives in France, Germany, Italy and Spain

From 1982–2012, an important legislation, known as Seveso Directives I-II-III and amendments, was adopted in the European Union to regulate and prevent major industrial accident hazards. This European legislation was transposed, applied and implemented in each European Member State and after nearly forty years it is worthwhile to look back and also to look forward to key issues relevant to actual Seveso implementation. Authors of this paper are all members (retired or active) of the Loss Prevention Working Party of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering, which started in 1971. This article examines and compares, for the four EU Member States France, Germany, Italy and Spain, the structures and practices for the implementing of the European rules. Difficulties, variations in application and the quality of enforcement of this complex process are critically discussed, including proper analysis of worked examples. Finally, a particular attention is paid to the different ways in which the control and inspection practices of each of the Member States concerned are implemented.

VOF SIMULATION OF SINGLE RISING DROPS IN THREE LIQUID-LIQUID EXTRACTION SYSTEMS USING CSF AND CSS INTERFACIAL FORCE MODELS

ABSTRACT In liquid-liquid extraction contractors, mass transfer and stage efficiency are closely related to drop hydrodynamics. In the present study, hydrodynamic simulation of three standard liquid-liquid extraction systems recommended by the EFCE (European Federation of Chemical Engineering) has been investigated. Toluene/water, n-butyl acetate/water, and n-butanol/water with different drop diameters were considered in the simulations, representing systems with high, medium, and low interfacial tension respectively. In the current research, for the first time simulations have been carried out using the VOF-PLIC (Volume of Fluid - Piecewise Linear Interface Calculation) model, implementing two surface tension force models of CSS (Continuum Surface Stress) and CSF (Continuum Surface Force) as a source term in the momentum equation. Simulations have been carried out in an axisymmetric geometry with a moving droplet in the static zone. The stages of droplet acceleration, deformation, and stability in terms of shape and velocity have been captured through simulations. Simulation results show that the average relative error reduces by using the CSS model and the most enhanced effect is observed in the toluene/water system, followed by the n-butyl acetate/water and n-butanol/water systems, respectively. This is due to higher parasitic current effects in the highest surface tension system (toluene/water). The onset of oscillations in the toluene/water system was correctly predicted by the CSS model, while the CSF model could not. Droplet shapes, aspect ratio, terminal and transient velocity and streamlines were also reported in the two surface tension models and compared.

Reactive Zinc Extraction with D2EHPA in a Kühni Miniplant Column

AbstractReactive extraction of Zn2+ with di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) was examined in a multistage countercurrent extraction column of type Kühni. Hydrodynamics and mass transfer for the reactive European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) test system were comprehensively experimentally investigated in a DN32 Kühni miniplant column. The experiments demonstrate that the column hydrodynamics and mass transfer performance markedly depend on throughputs, phase ratio, energy input as well as on the component concentrations. Using a simple equilibrium stage model, it was found that two to four stages per meter can be reached in the miniplant extractor. The system physical properties (density, viscosity, interfacial tension) of the reactive test system change rapidly due to mass transfer, which is considered by appropriate correlations.

Liquid–Liquid Two-Phase Flow Patterns in Y-Junction Microchannels

Experiments are carried out to study liquid–liquid two-phase flow patterns in Y-junction microchannels etched in glass chips. The liquid–liquid test systems used in the experiments are the three standard test systems recommended by the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) for extraction studies. Four different flow patterns—slug flow, slug and droplet flow, droplet flow, and parallel flow—are observed. Effects of microchannel diameter, flow rate, interfacial tension of the liquids, and hydrophobicity of channel wall on two-phase flow patterns have been studied, and flow regime maps are presented and discussed.

Chemical Reaction Engineering

Dear Reader, It was a great pleasure to host the European Symposium on Chemical Reaction Engineering (ESCRE 2015) in Fürstenfeldbruck from the 27th to the 30th of October 2015. The conference was held under the auspices of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) and the Working Party on Chemical Reaction Engineering of EFCE. Almost six decades ago, in 1957, the first European Symposium on Chemical Reaction Engineering (ESCRE) was held in Amsterdam. After four symposia, the conference series turned into the International Symposium on Chemical Reaction Engineering (ISCRE), held biannually from the early 70s on, alternating between Europe and America. Since 2002, ISCRE conferences are also held in Asia, last time in Bangkok in 2014. So, every six years, Europe will be hosting an ISCRE event; the next one in 2018 will take place in Florence. As venue the Fürstenfeld Abbey (in German: Kloster Fürstenfeld), which is a former Cistercian Monastery in Fürstenfeldbruck, 25 kilometers north-west of Munich, was chosen. The history of the monastery goes back to 1258 when it was officially founded. In 1263, it was moved to the present site near the town of Bruck (the former name of Fürstenfeldbruck). The abbey was one of the household monasteries of the Wittelsbachs. Particularly, the Abbey Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is said to be a masterpiece of the late Baroque in southern Germany. As umbrella for the conference the title “Chemical Reaction Engineering – Providing Tomorrow´s Solutions” was chosen. The unique venue served as home for more than 360 attendants from academia and industry all over the world for four days. We listened to inspiring and fascinating talks and learnt about new developments in various fields ranging from fundamental aspects to industrial applications. We gathered together at the posters and discussed research in detail. Traditionally, catalysis and reactor engineering play a dominant role, however, the field of polymer reaction engineering attracted a large number of contributions. A special focus was set also on energy-related topics such as the utilization of carbon dioxide and biomass conversion as well as photo- and electrochemical reaction engineering. This special issue contains a variety of papers based on prominent talks presented at ESCRE 2015. On behalf of the EFCE Working Party on Chemical Reaction Engineering and the organizing committee of ESCRE 2015, we would like to thank DECHEMA for the organization, the sponsors and exhibitors for their generous support, and all scientists, in particular the young ones and those coming from far away, for attending the symposium and spending their time with us. Last but not least, everybody should also remember Bavaria – the taste and feeling of its culture and tradition, in particular, when you attended the Bavarian Evening. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kai-Olaf Hinrichsen Chairman of ESCRE 2015 Prof. Dr.-Ing. Elias Klemm Co-Chairman of ESCRE 2015

Detailed analysis of single drop coalescence—Influence of ions on film drainage and coalescence time

Coalescence in liquid–liquid systems is determined by multiple factors, including droplet size ratios and the concentration and type of any continuous phase ions present. When using the standardized EFCE (European Federation of Chemical Engineering) toluene/water standard test system, these factors were systematically investigated based on a high statistical relevant database. The influence on the film drainage time was captured with a high speed imaging system. Shorter coalescence times were found to correlate with higher coalescence probabilities and an observed increase in the coalescence time with increasing droplet diameter agrees well with simple drainage modeling. Coalescence inhibition was also observed with the addition of continuous phase electrolyte. An empirical correlation was developed to account for the influence of equivalent droplet diameter and ion concentration on the coalescence time.

Liquid–liquid extraction in microchannels and conventional stage-wise extractors: A comparative study

The objective of the study is to compare the performance of microchannels and conventional stage-wise extractors for liquid–liquid extraction by using a standard phase system. Three different microchannels – a T-junction microchannel, a serpentine microchannel and a split-and-recombine microchannel – have been used in the experiments. Conventional extractors are represented by a mixer-settler and an annular centrifugal extractor. The phase system used in the experiments is water (succinic acid) n-butanol system which is one of the standard phase systems recommended by the European Federation of Chemical Engineering. The extractors have been compared on the basis of percentage extraction, overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient and specific extraction rate. When compared on the basis of percentage extraction, performance of the microchannels and the conventional stage-wise extractors is found to be almost similar. Maximum values of overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient and specific extraction rates are found to be more in the microchannels than in the conventional stage-wise extractors. The ratio of maximum overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient in microchannels and conventional stage-wise extractors is found to range from 1 to 8.1. The ratio of maximum specific extraction rate in microchannels and conventional stage-wise extractors is found to range between 2.3 and 9.7.

CFD aided investigation of single droplet coalescence

This article describes the development of a coalescence model using various CFD work packages, and is validated using as toluene water model system. Numerical studies were performed to describe droplet interactions in liquid–liquid test systems. Current models use adjustable parameters to describe these phenomena. The research in the past decades led to different correlations to model coalescence and breakage depending on the chemical system and the apparatus geometry. Especially the complexity of droplet coalescence requires a detailed investigation of local phenomena during the droplet interaction. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies of single droplet interactions were performed and validated with experimental results to improve the understanding of the local hydrodynamics and film drainage during coalescence. The CFD simulations were performed for the interaction of two differently sized droplets at industrial relevant impact velocities. The experimental verification and validation of the numerical results were done with standardized high-speed imaging studies by using a special test cell with a pendant and a free rising droplet. An experimental based algorithm was implemented in the open source code OpenFOAM to account for the contact time and the dimple formation. The standard European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) test system toluene/water was used for the numerical studies and the experimental investigations as well. The results of the CFD simulations are in good accordance with the observed coalescence behavior in the experimental studies. In addition, a detailed description of local phenomena, like film rupture, velocity gradients, pressures and micro-droplet entrainment could be obtained.

A review of the past, present and future of the European loss prevention and safety promotion in the process industries

In 2013, the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) celebrates its 60th anniversary. EFCE has continually promoted scientific collaboration and supported the work of engineers and scientists in thirty European countries. As for its mission statement, EFCE helps European Society to meet its needs through highlighting the role of Chemical Engineering in delivering sustainable processes and products. Within this organizational framework the Loss Prevention Symposium series, organized throughout Europe on behalf of the Loss Prevention Working Party of the EFCE, represents a fruitful tradition covering a time span of forty years. The tri-annual symposium gathers experts and scientists to seek technical improvements and scientific support for a growingly safer industry and quality of life. Following the loss prevention history in this paper, a time perspective on loss prevention and its future is presented.

Droplet coalescence model optimization using a detailed population balance model for RDC extraction column

Single droplet experiments in a small lab scale Rotating Disk Contactor (RDC) for two different liquid–liquid systems were used to evaluate the coalescence parameters necessary for column simulations. Five different coalescence models are studied; the models parameters were obtained by an inverse solution of the population balance model using the extended fixed-pivot technique for the discretization of the droplet internal coordinate. The estimated coalescence parameters by solving the inverse problem were found dependent on the chemical test system. The Coulaloglou and Tavlarides model was found to be the best model to predict the experimental data for both test systems. These parameters were used to study the hydrodynamics and mass transfer behavior of pilot plant RDC extraction column using the simulation tool LLECMOD. This is performed for two different liquid–liquid systems as recommended by the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) (butylacetate–acetone–water (b–a–w) and toluene–acetone–water (t–a–w)). The simulated Sauter mean droplet diameter, hold-up values and concentration profiles for organic and aqueous phase were found to be well predicted compared to the experimental data.

BiotecVisions 2013, January

BiotecVisions 2013, January

LLECMOD: A Bivariate Population Balance Simulation Tool for Pulsed Liquid-Liquid Extraction Columns

A rigours mathematical model based on the bivariate population balance frame work (the base of LLECMOD “Liquid-Liquid Extraction Column Module”) for the steady state and dynamic simulation of pulsed liquid-liquid extraction columns is developed. The model simulates the coupled hydrodynamic and mass transfer for pulsed (packed and sieve plate) extraction columns. It is implemented using visual digital FORTRAN and then integrated into the LLECMOD program. Experimental validated correlations are used for the estimation of the droplet terminal velocity in extraction columns based on single and swarm droplet experiments in laboratory scale devices. Additionally, recently published correlations for turbulent energy dissipation, droplet breakage and coalescence frequencies are discussed as being used in this version of LLECMOD. In a case study, LLECMOD is used here to simulate the steady state performance of pulsed extraction columns with two chemical test systems recommended by the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (water- acetone-n-butyl acetate and water-acetone-toluene) and an industrial test system. Model predictions are successfully validated against steady state and transient experimental data, where good agreements are achieved. The simulated results (holdup, mean droplet diameter and mass transfer profiles) compared to the experimental data show that LLECMOD is a powerful simulation tool, which can efficiently predict the dynamic and steady state performance of pulsed extraction columns.

Solution of Inverse Problem with the One Primary and One Secondary Particle Model (OPOSPM) Coupled with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Abstract The reduced one group population balance (PBE) model, the One Primary and One Secondary Particle Model (OPOSPM) is developed for a liquid extraction column. It is used because of its simplicity and the ability to reproducemost of the information contained in the PBE. It is usedto estimate the optimum droplet breakage and coalescence parameters using steady state experimental data. The data is obtained from a pilot plant liquid extraction column of 80 mm diameter and 4.4 m height for toluene-acetone-water chemical test system as recommended by the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE). In this contribution Coulaloglou and Tavlarides (1977)breakage and coalescence model is studied to obtain the parameters by solving a population balance inverse problem. The estimated droplet parameters are used as input parameters for the CFD simulation and in the simulation program PPBLAB.The optimized values were found to predict accurately the mean dispersed phase holdup, mean droplet diameter and the concentration profile for the continuous and dispersed phase along the extraction column height.

Design and analysis of questionnaires for survey skills in chemical engineering

The new reorganization of university education has involved relevant changes in teaching and learning methodologies in order to help students to learn more effectively and to develop important skills and competences demanded by the professional world. In this sense the new configuration of the degree in Chemical Engineering required the identification of the main general and transferable skills, the implementation of the new teaching and learning strategies necessary to achieve them and, in addition, an evaluation procedure for determining the importance and the degree of development of a students skills and competences. In this exercise, two obligatory chemical reactor engineering subjects of the still in effect Chemical Engineering degree were chosen as examples of competence-based learning disciplines. For each one, a significant group of transferable and specific skills were selected to be developed. The identification and selection of skills was made according to the recommendations of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) together with the established requirements in the ministerial order for the new Chemical Engineering Degree (Ministerial order CIN/351/2009). In order to check the effectiveness of teaching strategies in helping students to acquire these abilities, specific questionnaires were designed. These tests allowed for the utility of the competences in question to be evaluated in terms of the studentsprofessional work as future chemical engineering graduates and also facilitated the perception of skill development acquired through the methodology implemented in these subjects. The results of the skill evaluation questionnaires revealed the importance that both university collectives (students and professors) give to the development of transferable skills. These skills included the ability to communicate effectively (including in English), to work in multidisciplinary teams and learn on one's own accord, and to be aware of the need for life-long learning. Furthermore, students and teachers agreed that there is a direct correlation between the higher development of specific skills and the chemical engineering learning outcomes. In this sense, an important effort should be devoted to the development of a students´ transferable skills by way of modifying the current teaching-learning system (partial substitution of lectures with tutorials and seminars, strategies based on problem-solving, projects and case studies (individual or student team-work), use of internet and electronic tools, etc.).

Good learning practices in the field of science and technology

The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) scenario offers a new framework in which the role of universities can be rethought, regardless of the field of new degrees and postgraduate Studies involved. Therefore, the roles of teachers and students might differ significantly as the student would be obliged to request teacher’s guidance in order to acquire not only knowledge, which could be easily obtained elsewhere (books, internet etc. ), but also personal skills and, especially, those related to their future professional career. By the term “Good learning practices” we refer to those activities asociated with professorship itself ,such as those of facilitating and guiding the student learning process, or rather, those activities which are aimed at the student´s thorough learning of specific (related to the field of study ) and generic skills. It is now a common occurrence to describe the students of a given classroom as being little motivated and as having great interest in passing but not in actually learning. This fact is quite concerning, as it suggests that the student sees the university as a mere transaction by which they can obtain a degree, certifying that they are apt for the professional world, where they consider the “real” learning will take place. A good classroom environment is essential for the generation of teaching-learning processes. It is precisely because of this that we are able to raise the issue of effective practices among teachers who foster a suitable classroom dynamics facilitating, then, the targeted learning experience. Within this context, there are some authors who discuss good practices by professors especially concerned on how to perform assessment and feedback to enhance student’s learning activity. Thus, providing them with a deep and lasting impact. Generally speaking, the activities in question are those which enable the student to execute a learning process that will continue throughout their professional and personal lives. In the present issue we have selected a number of articles related to good practices taking place in the context of new studies plan implementation (EHEA ) in several Spanish Universities. In the first paper: Reflections and conclusions on the work developed by the group of teaching innovation in electronics at the university of Valladolid ,they present the main conclusions and results obtained over the three last academic years in the Electronics and Automatic Industrial Engineering degree. As a result of cooperative work of the group, an improvement in activity coordination and provision of tools to facilitate the teaching-learning process has been obtained. The work in question shows relevant strategies and tools that facilitate the incorporation and evaluation of generic competences in the new degrees within the EHEA framework. The second article, Realising pedagogical potential of the Bologna Process third cycle is contextualised within the issues of internationalisation, standards and standardization of degree credit ratings, with special attention on collaboration and competition, and language and writing. In other words, the main challenges that the emerging EHEA poses in terms of third cycle students needs as to the pedagogical essence is concerned, such as the structural change. The EHEA has many practical gains to offer, but it also has potential disadvantages that this research discusses in depth. The third article, ( Best practices in academic assessment in higher education: A Case in formative and shared assessment ) presents an example of good practices of formative assessment in a course that bases the entire learning process on an ongoing, formative system with real shared student assessment . In the last article of this second issue of JOTSE, Design and analysis of questionnaires for survey skills in chemical engineering ) some specific questionnaires following the recommendations of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) for Chemical Engineering Education in Bologna are discussed. In the academic context of a three cycle degree system the authors analyse the effectiveness of teaching strategies carefully developed to help students acquire specific and interdisciplinary skills. We hope that JOTSE readers enjoy the contents of the present issue which may bring some ideas on good practices for future implementation.

GOOD LEARNING PRACTICES IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) scenario offers a new framework in which the role of universities can be rethought, regardless of the field of new degrees and postgraduate Studies involved. Therefore, the roles of teachers and students might differ significantly as the student would be obliged to request teacher’s guidance in order to acquire not only knowledge, which could be easily obtained elsewhere (books, internet etc. ), but also personal skills and, especially, those related to their future professional career. By the term “Good learning practices” we refer to those activities asociated with professorship itself ,such as those of facilitating and guiding the student learning process, or rather, those activities which are aimed at the student´s thorough learning of specific (related to the field of study ) and generic skills. It is now a common occurrence to describe the students of a given classroom as being little motivated and as having great interest in passing but not in actually learning. This fact is quite concerning, as it suggests that the student sees the university as a mere transaction by which they can obtain a degree, certifying that they are apt for the professional world, where they consider the “real” learning will take place. A good classroom environment is essential for the generation of teaching-learning processes. It is precisely because of this that we are able to raise the issue of effective practices among teachers who foster a suitable classroom dynamics facilitating, then, the targeted learning experience. Within this context, there are some authors who discuss good practices by professors especially concerned on how to perform assessment and feedback to enhance student’s learning activity. Thus, providing them with a deep and lasting impact. Generally speaking, the activities in question are those which enable the student to execute a learning process that will continue throughout their professional and personal lives. In the present issue we have selected a number of articles related to good practices taking place in the context of new studies plan implementation (EHEA ) in several Spanish Universities. In the first paper: Reflections and conclusions on the work developed by the group of teaching innovation in electronics at the university of Valladolid ,they present the main conclusions and results obtained over the three last academic years in the Electronics and Automatic Industrial Engineering degree. As a result of cooperative work of the group, an improvement in activity coordination and provision of tools to facilitate the teaching-learning process has been obtained. The work in question shows relevant strategies and tools that facilitate the incorporation and evaluation of generic competences in the new degrees within the EHEA framework. The second article, Realising pedagogical potential of the Bologna Process third cycle is contextualised within the issues of internationalisation, standards and standardization of degree credit ratings, with special attention on collaboration and competition, and language and writing. In other words, the main challenges that the emerging EHEA poses in terms of third cycle students needs as to the pedagogical essence is concerned, such as the structural change. The EHEA has many practical gains to offer, but it also has potential disadvantages that this research discusses in depth. The third article, ( Best practices in academic assessment in higher education: A Case in formative and shared assessment ) presents an example of good practices of formative assessment in a course that bases the entire learning process on an ongoing, formative system with real shared student assessment . In the last article of this second issue of JOTSE, Design and analysis of questionnaires for survey skills in chemical engineering ) some specific questionnaires following the recommendations of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) for Chemical Engineering Education in Bologna are discussed. In the academic context of a three cycle degree system the authors analyse the effectiveness of teaching strategies carefully developed to help students acquire specific and interdisciplinary skills. We hope that JOTSE readers enjoy the contents of the present issue which may bring some ideas on good practices for future implementation.