B8049 - Plants for Chemical Industry and Environmental Protection

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student has acquired: a) the basic elements of chemical engineering, enabling them to understand the operating principles of equipment used in industrial chemical processes and in the treatment of liquid and gaseous effluents; b) methods for the quantitative evaluation of reactor performance and selected separation operations, with particular focus on applications aimed at environmental protection.

Course contents

Prerequisites

Elementary functions: powers, roots, exponentials and logarithms. Solution of algebraic equations. Basic knowledge of differential and integral calculus for functions of one real variable.

Knowledge of the main physical quantities and of the relationships between them, main units of measurement. Mechanics of material points and systems.

Chemical reactions and their balancing. The ideal gas equation of state — The meaning of pressure and temperature of a gas — Gas mixtures — Partial pressures — Dalton’s law. Knowledge of thermodynamics applicable to systems of chemical interest under equilibrium conditions. Phase equilibria in single-component and multicomponent systems. The ideal gas equation of state. Mole fraction and partial pressure. The first law of thermodynamics. Physical transformations of pure substances. Simple mixtures.

Module 1 - Prof. Francesco Maluta

Integral material and energy balances applied to equipment and plants.

Schematization of equipment in the chemical and process industry: equilibrium-stage model, design and rating problems.

Application of integral material and energy balances.

Fluid flow: flow regimes of fluids in pipes, generalized Bernoulli equation, pressure drops; pumps, basic concepts.

Simple fluid-dynamic models: perfectly mixed vessel, plug flow.

Chemical reactors: ideal isothermal reactors (batch, CSTR, PFR) and performance comparison; design criteria and rating problems; analysis of yield and selectivity.

Module 2 - Prof. Federico Alberini

Heat transfer: conduction; convection, phase and overall coefficients, logarithmic mean temperature difference; heat exchangers.

Interfacial mass transfer by convection: phase and overall coefficients. Stage operations and basic concepts of continuous-contact operations. Equilibrium-stage efficiency.

Separation processes: principles and main applications, operating modes, design elements, basic concepts on rating problems related to the following unit operations: absorption and stripping, concentration.

Readings/Bibliography

R.M. Felder, R.W. Rousseau, Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, 3rd ed., Wiley, 2000.

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

[These are recommended reference texts, useful for further study of various parts of the programme; they are not officially adopted, nor followed in detail.]

Teaching methods

Lectures and classroom exercises, according to the official timetable.

During the lectures, the topics listed above are presented and discussed; this theoretical part is accompanied by numerical exercises carried out in class. During the exercise sessions, in order to help students acquire the ability to perform simple calculations and to prepare for the exam, exercises are solved in class. During this activity, the teacher gradually increases the difficulty of the problems and clarifies any doubts.

Assessment methods

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

- ability to use the analysis and calculation tools covered in the lectures and exercise sessions to understand the operation of equipment and the principles on which design is based, including the chemical/physical phenomena that occur in process plants and equipment;

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

Learning is assessed through a final examination to be taken after the end of the course. The final examination consists of a written test and an oral test. The written test is non-structured and is aimed at solving problems and exercises. The oral part, also non-structured, concerns the setting up and discussion of problems aimed at applying the tools acquired for the analysis of transport phenomena related to heat, mass and momentum transfer in process equipment. In addition, students are required to verify specific assumptions and interpret the results obtained.

The written and oral tests are graded on a 30-point scale and contribute to the definition of the final grade. The final grade will be within plus or minus three points of the grade obtained in the written test.

For the definition of the contents to be assessed in the written and oral tests, the two modules contribute in proportion to the number of hours assigned.

During the written test, which consists of solving two exercises, the use of books, notes and calculators is permitted. The test will be cancelled if the student is caught copying or using electronic devices connected to the network, such as mobile phones, tablets, ebook readers, notebooks, etc.

In order to sit the written examination, registration through “AlmaEsami” is required, in strict compliance with the set deadlines. Students who are unable to register by the deadline must promptly inform the teacher in charge of the problem, and in any case before the official closure of the registration lists. It is at the teacher’s discretion whether or not to admit the student to the test. The recording of the assessment obtained takes place on the scheduled date set for the oral test.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities: students 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 adjustments to the students concerned; these must in any case be submitted, 15 days in advance, for approval by the teacher, who will assess their appropriateness also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

AI may be a useful tool to support individual study through further investigation, summaries and self-assessment paths. As regards learning assessment, during the in-person examination the use of AI is prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Outlines, diagrams, handouts and texts of exercises to be carried out.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Maluta

See the website of Federico Alberini