AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module provides elements and methods for the identification and description of the main operating units and chemical reactors of industrial interest. Macroscopic scale models are adopted.

The module analyzes the main unit operations of the process industry, the main types of reactors (mixing and segregation) and the operating types (batch, semi-continuous, continuous) , outlining the respective advantages and disadvantages.

Attendance and active participation in the proposed training activities (lectures, exercises) and individual study will allow the student to:

i) be able to describe the main operations of the process industry and the related equipment
ii) be able to solve mass and energy balances on a global scale in equipment in which unit operations take place through physical transformations (absorption, separation)
iii) be able to solve mass and energy balances on a global scale in reactors in which chemical reactions evolve

TEACHING METHODS

The theoretical contents alternate with some guided exercises. Lectures and exercises will be carried out face-to-face.

Working students and students with DSA, disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and exam methods which, in compliance with the teaching objectives, take into account individual ways of learning.

Transversal skills in terms of independent judgment and communication skills will be assessed during the oral exam.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The main topics covered in the course are the following:

• The main unit operations of the process industry
• The operations of transfer, transport and transformation
• Process equipment for operations based on physical processes (separation, filtration, absorption, physical adsorption, distillation)
• Process equipment for operations based on chemical transformations (mixing reactors, segregation reactors, homogeneous and heterogeneous phase reactors, series/parallel reactors)
• Operating methods in the process industry, advantages and disadvantages
• Macroscopic scale balances of mass and energy and their application in solving simple problems