98882 - Chemical Plants Management

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide knowledge of the operating mechanisms and management criteria of the main equipment used in the chemical industry. In particular, students will be able to understand the following basic elements of chemical plant engineering: fluid flow and fluid-handling devices, heat-exchange equipment, mass-transfer equipment, staged and continuous-contact equipment, auxiliary fluids for the operation of chemical plants, and industrial instrumentation for measuring flow rate, level, pressure, and temperature. Students will acquire basic knowledge of control systems and the fundamental operating principles of equipment for the treatment of gaseous effluents.

Course contents

Fluid flow and fluid-handling devices.
Heat-exchange equipment.
Mass-transfer equipment.
Staged equipment.
Continuous-contact equipment.
Auxiliary fluids for the operation of chemical plants.
Industrial instrumentation for measuring flow rate, level, pressure, and temperature.
Overview of control systems.
Operating modes of chemical reactors: batch, continuous, and semi-continuous.

Readings/Bibliography

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

Teaching methods

Lectures and classroom exercises, according to the official timetable.

During the lectures, the topics listed above are presented and discussed.

During the exercises, in order to help students acquire the ability to perform simple calculations and prepare for the exam, exercises are carried out in class. In this activity, the instructor gradually increases the difficulty of the problems and clarifies any doubts.

Assessment methods

The final exam aims to verify the achievement of the following learning objectives:

the ability to use the analytical and calculation tools covered in the lectures and classroom exercises to understand how the equipment works;

the ability to use the results obtained to improve the operation of process plants and equipment.

Assessment of learning takes place through an oral exam to be taken after the end of the course. The oral exam consists of solving exercises and discussing topics covered during the lectures.

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities are advised to contact the relevant University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). The office will propose any necessary accommodations to the students concerned; these must in any case be submitted for approval to the instructor at least 15 days in advance. The instructor will assess their appropriateness also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

With regard to assessment, limited, declared, and non-substantial use of AI is permitted for support activities such as summaries and rewording. Substantial use of AI to complete parts of the exam is not permitted.

Teaching tools

The teaching material useful for exam preparation, including outlines, diagrams, handouts, and exercise texts to be completed, is made available to students electronically online. To obtain the teaching material, students must access the website: https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Office hours

See the website of Federico Alberini

See the website of Nicodemo Di Pasquale