OVERVIEW

This class deals first with thermodynamics fundamentals, which are deepened and applied to main Industrial Chemistry processes. In particular, first the oil industry, coal and its derivatives and some organic syntheses (for instance, methanol; maleic and phthalic anhydride) of particular industrial interest are discussed in detail. Then, the main inorganic and industrial synthetic processes (for instance, ammonia, nitric acid, sulphuric acid, soda synthesis, industrial crystallization) are described in detail according to thermodynamics fundamental previously provided.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This class deals with thermodynamics, kinetics and plant engineering fundamentals, which are applied to basic organic and inorganic processes of industrial chemistry. Moreover, the optimization of process yields and economy of raw materials while complying the ecosystem will be also addressed and deepened.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching is focused to develop the student's ability to correlate the theoretical notions of the industrial processes to the real practice in order to optimize the processes themselves.

At the end of the class, the student will be able to use in a deep way tools and functions of thermochemistry for real systems (thermodynamic potential, fugacity, activity, chemical potential, vapor pressure, compressibility factors), kinetics and plant engineering in the study of a production process. Moreover, He/she must be able to use the group contribution method to calculate the equilibrium constant and its temperature dependence considering the contribution of molar heats as well as to exploit generalized diagram for thermodynamics function at different pressure/temperatures. He/She must be able to work with fundamental of chemical kinetics to describe the conditions for maximum reaction speed as a function of temperature for exothermic chemical reactions. Students Identify and critically discuss the accessible information to maximize the yields of the process.

According to the advanced knowledge previously discussed, students must be able to discuss the industrial production process for oil & gas petrolchemical industry, ammonia, nitric and sulphuric acids, and sodium carbonate. Moreover, students must know kinetic and thermodynamic fundamentals of industrial crystallization in order to control the crystal size distribution.

PREREQUISITES

Basic fundamentals of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics, fundamentals of chemistry

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures delivered by Power Point presentations (teaching notes) available to students on AulaWeb simultaneously with their presentation in the classroom.  Moreover, the comparison of topics discussed during class with the corresponding ones available in suggested books guarantee the better understanding.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

SECTION 1: THERMODYNAMICS RECALL

Systems under evolution and at the equilibrium

Un-compensed heat

Entropy generation and reaction velocity

Free Enthalpy and chemical potential

Fundamental equation of thermodynamic chemistry

Gibbs-Duhem equation

Fugacity and activity

Standard states

Ideal and real solutions

Henry and Raoult laws

The equilibrium constant

Free Enthalpy, standard enthalpy and entropy for compound formation

Preferred/unpreferred chemical reactions

Thermodynamic stability of the compounds in relation to the elements

Temperature dependence of thermodynamical functions

FORSEEN CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS FOR IDEAL GASES, PURE LIQUIDS, PURE SOLIDS

Group contribution methods for free standard entalpies for gases and condensed substances

Molar heat for pure gases, liquids and solids

Latent vaporization heat for liquids

APPLICATION OF FORMATION FREE ENTHALPIES AND BOND DISSOCIATION ENERGY FOR THE STUDY OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS

Chemical yield at the thermodynamic equilibrium

Francis diagram – relative hydrocarbon stability

Radical and ions relative stability

Thermodynamic properties of selected chemical reactions. Role of temperature and pressure

The SynGas

REAL GASES AND PURE LIQUIDS PROPERTIES, CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM AND REACTION HEAT IN REAL GAS SYSTEMS

The equation of state for pure real gases

Corresponding states law

Density of pure liquids

Fugacity coefficients

Non ideal gas system thermodynamic properties

Amagat and Dalton laws, pseudocritical conditions

Examples

CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIA AND REACTION HEAT IN CONDENSED SYSTEMS

Solution integral heat and solution properties

Reaction heat in liquid systems

Examples of chemical equilibrium in condensed systems

SECTION 2: OIL & COAL

Factory location, the 12th principles of green chemistry, atomic economy and yield of a reaction.

Petroleum industry and its principle working processes

The coal industry and its subsidiary industries

Some relevant organic syntheses of industrial interest (i.e. Methanol synthesis; maleic and phthalic anhydride synthesis etc..)

Thermodynamics, kinetics, catalysis, technological processes and their environmental impact

SECTION 3: SYNTHETIC INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES AND INDUSTRIAL CRYSTALLIZATION

APPLICATION OF THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS TO RELEVANT INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES – PLANT STRUCTURE

Ammonia synthesis

Sulphuric acid synthesis

Nitric acid synthesis

The Solvay process- for sodium carbonate synthesis

Industrial crystallization

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

J.A. Moulijn, M. Makkee, A.E. van Diepen, Chemical Process Technology, 2nd edition, Wiley (2013)

H.S. Fogler, Elements of chemical reaction engineering 2nd ed., Prentice-Hall International Editions, New Jersey (1992).

E.W. Comings, High Pressure Technology, McGraw-Hill, New York (1956). Chap. 8 e 12.

E. Keszei, Chemical Thermodynamics: An Introduction, Springer (2013).

H.H. Schobert, Coal: - the energy source of the past and future, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC (1987)

Ulmann’s,  Enciclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, VHC Ed.

Additional notes and bibliography can be provided to worker-students and unpaired students in order to fulfill specific requirements

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

DAVIDE COMORETTO (President)

DARIO CAVALLO

MAILA CASTELLANO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

This class is held on the second semester

The class schedule is available at https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/  

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written test and an oral exam conducted by two teachers (one of them is D. Comoretto/M. Castellano).

A maximum mark of 24/30 can be achieved in the written exam. Students who wish to obtain a higher mark must request the additional oral examination.

The oral exam consists of a discussion of the written exam and topics related to industrial synthetic processes and the corresponding thermodynamical principles.

Students must demonstrate that they have understood the key physical/chemical/technological principles relating to the topics and can describe them logically using appropriate technical vocabulary.

The minimum score in the written test to be admitted to the oral examination is 10/30.

For students with disabilities or with SLD, the assessment method will comply with the UNIGE rules summarized in https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa.

Students have to book in advance an appointment for the exam with teachers.

In emergency case only – according to specific rules issued by the University – the exam could be telematic

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Goal of the assessment is to verify the achievement of the learning outcomes. When these are not met, the student is invited to extend the study. Moreover, the exam will avail to verify the achievement of the appropriate level of knowledge of the topics transmitted during the lectures and the capability to use a correct terminology. In order to guarantee the correspondence between the examination topics and those actually carried out during the course, the detailed program is uploaded to aulaweb and described at the beginning of the teaching.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

For any other information, students are invited to directly contact teachers by email (davide.comoretto@unige.it; maila.castellano@unige.it), telephone (0103538736/8744; 01013538706/) or visiting them in their offices/labs.

Attending lectures is strongly recommended in order to familiarize yourself with the examination procedure, as the lectures are always accompanied by concrete examples from industrial practice.

Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goals

4. Quality education

5. Gender equality

12. Responsible consumption and production

13 Climate action

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.