C9600 - GLOBAL CHEMISTRY LANDSCAPE

Learning outcomes

Students will gain knowledge of the current chemical industry in the global landscape, namely the main industries, resources and cirtical materials. Students will acquire theoretical and practical expertise of material flow analysis (MFA) techniques as well as understand the concepts and benefits of recycling and recover in waste management. The student is expected to be able to: 1. Describe the current global chemical industry landscape; 2. Understand and apply material flow analysis (MFA) techniques; 3. Understand how different waste treatment practices affect the circularity of resources

Course contents

The CU is composed of three modules with the following contents:

- World's main chemical industries, alternative technologies used in the production of chemical products and analysis of the demands of the market driven by the need for sustainability. This transformation and the technological advances involved are characterized by a move away from fossil raw materials towards renewable and circular resources, together with innovative production methods that minimize environmental impact. The role of chemical innovation in the development of new products is explained, how to reduce the carbon footprint of existing products and the need to increasingly increase our productivity. Study and interpretation of the global geographical location of raw materials for the basic, fine and intermediate chemical industry. Identification of critical raw materials and approaches to reprocessing and recycling. Concepts of critical raw materials recovery, social responsibility of producers and the 2030 sustainable development goals.

- Definition of fundamental principles and accounting methodology to identify and quantify flows and reserves of material and energy by means of material flow analysis (MFA). Data sources and processing, distinction between static and dynamic MFA approaches. Recycling rates in anthropogenic material cycles. Practical modelling and software simulation of retrospective and prospective MFA applied to selected case studies.

- Waste management and environmental issues. Strategic European documents on waste and resources. Definition of waste, by-products, EoW status. Trends in waste generation. Solid Waste Characterisation. Waste hierarchy. Integrated Waste Management. Distinction between recycling, recovery and disposal. Recycling of technical materials: definition and targets. Examples of waste recycling. Treatments of bio-waste. Thermal treatments of waste with energy recovery.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes and selected papers will be available for students on the Moodle. In addition, the following readings are suggested:

Paul H. Brunner and Helmut Rechberger, "Practical Handbook of Material Flow Analysis", CRC Press, 2004.

Thomas E. Graedel and Matthew J. Eckelman, "Industrial Ecology and Sustainability", World Scientific Pub Co Inc, 2023.

John Pichtel, “Waste Management Practices. Municipal, Hazardous, and Industrial”, II ed., CRC Press, 2014.

Teaching methods

The course unit is divided into three modules taught independently at different times in the academic year, each module is organized in theoretical classes where main concepts are introduced, as well as tutorial classes with discussion of excercies and case-study examples.

Laboratory experiences will be performed using ICT tools for learning practical expertise with calculations and software simulation: it is recommended to bring own laptop at lessons for modules relating to the module "Sustainability and Circularity of Material Flows".

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend online Module 1 and Module 2 on Health and Safety [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas]

Assessment methods

Each module learning is evaluated independently, exploiting: i) written tests; ii) oral presentations or interviews; iii) written assignments or combinations of them. The Course Unit grade will be the arithmetic mean of grades from the three modules. ChIRS grades scale goes from 1 to 100, pass grade is 40, and will be translated into ECTS and different University scales. Criteria: knowledge on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical ability that emerges only with the help of the instructor, using generally correct language → 40-45;
Knowledge on a limited number of topics covered in the course and independent analytical ability only on purely executive issues, using correct language → 45-60;
Knowledge on a large number of topics covered in the course, ability to make independent critical analysis choices, mastery of specific terminology → 60-80;
Essentially comprehensive knowledge on the topics covered in the course, ability to make independent critical analysis and connection choices, full mastery of specific terminology, and ability for argumentation and self-reflection → 80-100.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used as a valuable tool to support independent study by providing additional explanations, summaries, and self-assessment activities. However, during examinations, the use of AI is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI during the examination constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

The course will be taught with the aid of computer support for the projection of text and images. Lectures slides and notes will be available on the course moodle https://emmcchir-learning.ualg.pt

ICT tools will be employed to introduce the use of calculation software.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Fabrizio Passarini

See the website of

See the website of Luca Ciacci