73523 - Process Analysis for Energy and Environment M

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide the students with a basic knowledge of the tools for the analysis of industrial processes. The introduced process analysis tools will be aimed at the integrated assessment of technological, economic, environmental, and safety drivers, orientating process design and allowing the assessment of process sustainability.

Course contents

1) Introduction

Definition of an industrial process in the context of the chemical, energy and environmental sectors. Process boundaries and interfaces. Continuous, batch and semi-batch processes. Process operations, process units and process streams. Process technological issues, aims and impacts. Tools for process representation: Block Diagrams and Process Flow Diagrams.

 

2) Energy and Mass Balances

Basic definitions. System and surroundings. Types of flow. Balance equations. Scale of balance equations. Mass balance and energy balance. Application of energy and mass balance to process analysis.

 

3) Process economics

Assessment of production costs. Operating costs and capital costs. Assessment of process operating costs. Assessment of capital costs of equipment. Analysis of investment and basic indicators of process economic performance.

 

4) Environmental impact

Assessment of process environmental impacts. By-products and non-renewable raw-material consumption. Side-streams and emissions. Fugitive emissions. Link with LCA perspective. Key performance indicators for environmental performance.

 

5) Safety

Assessment of process safety and of major accident hazards. Hazard identification and preliminary risk assessment. Key performance indicators for safety performance.

 

6) Process simulation and analysis

Introduction to the Hysys software. Application to the simulation of a case-study. Assessment of key performance indicators and of process sustainability.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture slides and integrative supporting material will be available on-line by AMS Campus service (http://campus.unibo.it/). UniBo credentials are required for access.

 

A mailing list will be available for communications (https://www.dsa.unibo.it/).

Teaching methods

Individual development of a process analysis based on the simulation of a process by the Hysys software (process flow diagram and report describing Hysys simulation and sustainability assessment).

Discussion of individual project report and of topics presented during the lessons.

The students will be asked to carry out the development of a process analysis based on the simulation of a process by the Hysys software (process flow diagram and report describing Hysys simulation and sustainability assessment).

Assessment methods

The final exam will be an oral exam. Student will be asked to present the completed activities of the process analysis developed within the course. The exam will consist of a critical discussion of the individual project report and of topics presented during the lessons.

 

The exam is set to evaluate the students' knowledge-level, application abilities, and technical communication skills.

 

Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the subject, a high ability for critical application, and a clear and concise presentation of their ideas.

 

To obtain a passing grade, students are required to know the key concepts of the subject, to demonstrate some ability for critical application, and a comprehensible use of technical language.

 

A failing grade will be awarded if the student shows knowledge gaps in key-concepts of the subject, inappropriate use of language, and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.

Teaching tools

In-class lessons

Tutorials

Self-directed work

Office hours

See the website of Valerio Cozzani

See the website of Alessandro Tugnoli

See the website of Giacomo Antonioni