OVERVIEW

The course refers to the application of mathematical tools to the description of industrial chemical processes. The description is addressed to the simulation and optimization of the aforementioned processes for a correct design of industrial chemical plants. The mathematical tools aim at the setup of equations and at their numerical solution.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at supplying to all students, regardless of their origin, the basic mathematical tools to understand the fundamental phenomena of chemical processes applied to industrial plants. The course is divided in two parts. The former deals with issues of chemical engineering principles, while the second deals with numerical problems related to the aforementioned topics.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The global purposes refer to the acquisition of a mastery in the use of a mathematical tool applied to industrial chemical processes. In particular, the course is intended to formulate a mathematical model, to adopt the proper simplifications, to obtain a numerical solution of the model and finally to propose a critical analysis of the model itself.

TEACHING METHODS

Oral lessons and exercises on the blackboard.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Part 1

Elements of stochastic calculus. Measures of central tendency and dispersion. Application to the unit operations of industrial chemical processes.

Residence time distribution functions for reagent and non-reagent systems. Ideal and real chemical reactors. Choice of the optimal reactor setup in a chemical process.

Theory of sample variables. Test of hypothesis applied to quality control of a chemical product and to pollution data analysis.  

Part 2

Introduction to matrix algebra. Operations with vectors, matrices and determinants. Numerical solution of a linear algebraic system.

Experimental data fitting with linear and non-linear models. Least squares estimation.

Determination of the local singular points of an objective function in the technical-economical optimization of an industrial chemical process.

Numerical methods for non-linear algebraic equations. Application to chemical equilibria.

Computational molecules for derivative operators and their application to finite difference methods in the solution of ordinary differential equations. Introduction to partial diffrential equations and their application to diffusive processes.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Recommended bibliography:

R. Bird, “Transport Phenomena”, John Wiley & Sons

N. Piskunov, “Calcolo Differenziale e Integrale”, vol. 1 e 2, Editori Riuniti

D.Himmelblau, “Process Analysis by Statistical Methods”, John Wiley & Sons

Scheid, “Analisi numerica”, Schaum

D.Himmelblau, “Applied Nonlinear Programming”, Glen Head NY

R. Felder, “Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes”, John Wiley & Sons

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ANDREA REVERBERI (President)

PAOLO MORETTI

ALBERTO SERVIDA (President Substitute)

MARCO VOCCIANTE (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Since it is impossible to provide a definitive lesson schedule now, due to the COVID emergency and provisions released by Unige concerning the teaching activity in Phase 3, we strongly recommend that students frequently visit the following websites for an update:
https://corsi.unige.it/9020/p/studenti-orario;
https://chimica.unige.it/node/390

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral discussion.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam aims at checking:

• the learning level ;
• the skilfulness in applying the learned concepts to solve problems concerning the themes proposed.

The assessment standards concern the ability to stay on topic, the quality of expression, the logic pattern of the reasoning and the critical reasoning skills.

Exam schedule