OVERVIEW

This teaching provides the basic concepts of recovery and recycling processes of the polymeric materials are provided. The most important investigation techniques of collection, recycling and reuse of polymeric materials are described, together with the main applications of the different raw materials.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Acquisition of knowledge on the issues of sustainable development and ecosystem protection, with reference to the production, use, recovery and recycling of plastic materials, synthesized from raw materials deriving from non-renewable sources.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching is focused to develop the student's ability to correlate the theoretical notions about the processes that can be used for the reuse and recycling of polymer materials and their sustainability. To pursue this goal, traditional lectures are always accompanied by concrete examples related to everyday life. At the end of the course the student will be able to:

• Critically discuss the different types of processes and theoretically assess their sustainability through a life cycle assessment of recycled materials;

• Compare the properties of virgin raw materials with those of recycled raw materials.

The teaching is also provided for the degree course in Chemistry and Chemical Technologies

PREREQUISITES

It is suggested to have overcome the exams of Polymer science and technology.

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lectures in the classroom for a total of 32 hours. Lesson notes are uploaded to the corresponding aul@web page simultaneously with their presentation in the classroom.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Polymeric materials in nowadays life.
• Influence of the environment on polymers.
• Resource and waste management policies for polymers.
• Identification and separation of polymers in the solid wastes.
• Technologies for polymer recycling:
• Mechanical recycling.
• Chemical recycling and feedstock recycling
• Energy recovery.
• Environmental impacts of recycling.
• LCA case studies of recycling options and technologies.

Based on the objectives described, the teaching contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals of the ONU 2030 Agenda:  4 (Quality Education), 12 (Sustainable consumption and development), 5 (gender equality)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. A. Azapagic, A.Emsley, I.Hamerton ,’ Polymers , The environmentand substainable development’ , Ed. I. Hamerton, Wiley and Sons , England, 2003 ;

2. A.A. V.V. , Feed-stock recycling and pyrolysis  of waste plastics : converting waste plastics into Diesel and other fuels ‘, Ed. J. Scheirs , E.W. Kaminsky, Wiley and Sons, England , 2006

3. M. Aglietto, M.B. Coltelli "Riutilizzo dei materiali polimerici" Ed. Nuova Cultura 2015

Supplementary material is provided on request to working students or students with SLD to meet specific needs.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MAILA CASTELLANO (President)

SILVIA VICINI

MARINA ALLOISIO (President Substitute)

ORIETTA MONTICELLI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The teaching is held on the second semester

Lessons timetable is available at the links reported below.

https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is an oral examination conducted by two teachers for a duration of at least 30 minutes. During the calendar year, seven exam dates are set up in the time intervals scheduled by the Manifesto degli Studi.

The oral examination usually consists of three parts, which of them are evaluated as specified below:

- in the first part, the student has to face a problem related to the recycling of polymeric materials in order to verify his understanding and mastery of the course topics as well as his ability to apply the theoretical concepts to real situations; the first part is awarded a maximum rating of 15/30;

- in the second part, the student is required to describe in detail one type of recycling method; the second part is awarded a maximum rating of 10/30;

- in the third part, the student is asked to describe an arguments related to the diffusion, collection and life cycle of the plastic materials; the third part is awarded a maximum rating of 5/30

IFor students with disabilities or with SLD, the assessment methods refer to the specific regulations of the University of Genova (https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination is conducted by two professors. They are able to verify the achievement of the learning outcomes. When these are not met, the student is invited to extend the study.

Moreover, the oral exam will avail to verify the achievement of the appropriate level of comprehension of the topics developed during the lectures and the capability to use a correct terminology. To ensure uniformity between the examination topics and those actually carried out during the course, is present into the aul@web page a detailed program, so that students themselves can verify adherence.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Any pre-requisites are defined in the following documents: Regolamento Didattico and/or Manifesto degli Studi.

However, it is suggested to have overcome the exams of Polymer science and technology