AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Provide the general criteria for the realization of the different types of industrial chemical processes, based on chemical-physical and technological principles and on economic considerations, taking into account the aspects of pollution and safety.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course of Principles of Industrial Chemistry is to provide general concepts for the realization of the different types of industrial chemical processes. At the end of the course the student will get  theoretical knowledge on kinetics, thermodynamics and on reactor as well as ability to apply these principles to the design of simple industrial processes. Specifically, the student will be able to: • learn about the main kinetic and thermodynamic laws • learn about the characteristics of the main ideal reactors • learn about the main laws which govern the economics of a chemical process and its environmental impact • apply kinetic laws and thermodynamics to the choice of the most suitable conditions to carry out a chemical reaction • deduce the type of economically most advantageous reactor to carry out a particular chemical process.

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes lectures also conducted through the execution of exercises. Copy of the slides, which will be shown presented in class, will be available on AulaWeb and used as a basis for the study. The slides can only be a reference for the study of the discussed topics to be added to the frequency of the lessons or to the study of the suggested texts. In addition, clickers will be used to ask multiple choice questions and show real-time distribution of answers provided by a smartphone app. In order to stimulate the discussion with students, scenarios will be proposed which can present only relevant information (defined well structured) or even irrelevant information (defined as ill-structured)). This teaching method will be applied to describe a real or hypothetical situation, brief and general, on which to discuss and make decisions.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Module I:

Definition of the reaction rate
Elementary and non-elementary reactions, reaction molecularity
Kinetic treatment of irreversible and reversible first-order and second-order reactions
Half-life
Serial, parallel and autocatalytic reactions
Temperature and reaction rate
Definition of ideal chemical reactors
Definition of residence time and space velocity
Material balances
Comparison between continuous and discontinuous processes
Design equation of CSTR, PFR reactors and discontinuous reactors
Series reactors
Evaluation of the best reactor combination to obtain the desired product in series and parallel reactions
Case study: industrial production of nylon 6.

Module II:

Chemical industry: characteristics, location constraints, production cycle, company organization, product and process research and innovation, concept of scale-up, markets and economies of scale, environmental and safety constraints.
Schematic of production processes in the presence of chemical reactors. Process development.
Yield, conversion and selectivity of a chemical process. Application to different reaction schemes. Considerations on the advantages and disadvantages of performing the desired process.
Thermodynamic aspects and their importance in defining the operating conditions for the accomplishment of a chemical reaction. Review of fundamental thermodynamic concepts for the development of chemical processes. Laws of perfect gases and real gases. Thermodynamic conditions to be satisfied for performing a chemical process. Equilibrium conversion in exothermic and endothermic reactions.
Fuels and references to renewable energy sources. Material balances on combustion reactions.
Definition of risk and signs of reliability. Example of relevant chemical accidents.
Case study: synthesis gas. Applications, raw materials, thermodynamics, processes, reactors, catalysts.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

L. Berti, M. Calatozzolo, R. Bartolo, “Aspetti teorici e pratici dei processi chimici”, G. D’Anna, Messina-Firenze;

F. Cavani, “Lo sviluppo e la gestione dei processi chimici industriali”, CLUEB, Bologna;

J.A. Moulijn, M. Makkee, A. E. van Diepen, Chemical Process Technology, 2nd Edition, Wiley.

L. Berti, M. Calatozzolo, R. di Bartolo, Aspetti teorici e pratici dei processi chimici, Casa Editrice G. D’Anna;

O. Levenspiel, Ingegneria delle reazioni chimiche, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana;

H. Scott Fogler, Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Pearson International Edition.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ANTONIO COMITE (President)

ORIETTA MONTICELLI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam includes the resolution of written exercises and oral discussion.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Both the student's thinking ability and the capacity to solve small theoretical problems will be evaluated. The exam has to be able to assess whether the student has acquired the main concepts of thermodynamics and kinetics and whether he is able to apply them to simple real situations. The Commission consist of at least two members, one of whom is responsible for the course. By applying the above mentioned methods, the Commission will be able to verify the achievement of the objectives of the teaching. In the case that these are not reached, the student will be invited to deepen the study also requesting any additional explanations to the teachers.

Exam schedule