98857 - Fundamentals of Chemical Plants

Learning outcomes

The course aims to introduce the fundamental tools required to understand the operation of chemical process plants. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the methodologies used to perform material, enthalpy, and mechanical energy balances for process equipment and plants. They will be able to understand the mechanisms of mass and heat transfer and to quantify their effects. Students will also have acquired knowledge of the configuration and operating principles of several typical reactors used in the chemical process industry.

Course contents

Material and energy balances for chemical equipment and plants: methods and applications.

Simple models for the chemical and process industry equipment: equilibrium stage. Application of Raoult’s and Henry’s laws.

Heat and mass transfer: main mechanics and applications to the chemical and process industry.

Chemical reactors: main configurations and operating modes.

Readings/Bibliography

Lectures notes on “Virtuale”

W.L. McCabe, J.C. Smith, P. Harriott, Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, 5^ ed., McGraw-Hill, 1993.

This book is not formally adopted as textbooks nor followed in a detailed way.

Teaching methods

The lessons on the above-mentioned topics and solution of exercises are given in class in the standard format, according to the official timetable. The exercises are aimed at helping the students to gradually acquire the skills to solve simple calculations as well as to apply their knowledge to the solution of practical problems.

Assessment methods

The final assessment is intended to verify the achievement of the following learning objectives:

• the ability to apply the analytical and computational methods covered in the lectures and practical sessions to understand the operation of process equipment;
• the ability to use the results obtained to improve the performance of process plants and equipment.

Assessment consists of a written examination and an oral examination to be taken after the end of the course.

With regard to the assessment of learning, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

The oral examination consists of solving problems and discussing topics covered during the lectures.

Teaching tools

Blackboard and video projector.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Paglianti

See the website of Giuseppina Montante