29931 - Fundamentals of Industrial Chemistry

Learning outcomes

The student,by the analysis of some of the most important productive lines in process industry,will be able to understand the plant,economical and environmental reasons that have determined the realized solutions. By the help of the earned methodology he wil be able, in other situation, to define the operations and the conditions to obtain the desired results.

Course contents

Prerequisites : knowledge of basic topics in Chemistry, Chemical Thermodynamics, Transport Phenomena, Unit Operations. Fluent spoken and written Italian is a necessary prerequisite : all the lectures and tutorials will be in Italian.
Course contents:
1. Structure and characteristics of chemical industry. Raw materials for organic and inorganic chemical industry. Carbochemistry and petrochemistry. Scale effects,plant integration and location. Commodities and specialties.
2. Synthesis gas : partial oxidation, reforming of hydrocarbons, CO oxidation, CO2 andsulphur compounds separation. Biomass gassification. Hydrogen production.
3. Ammonia synthesis : thermodynamic analysis,catalyst,reactors, product separation and reactant recycling.
4. Nitric acid : ammonia oxidation, nitric oxides absorption, acid concentration, reduction of tail gas nitrogen oxides.
5. Sulphuric acid : raw materials, sulphur and pyrites oxidation, SO2 conversion, absorption, reduction of tail gas sulphur oxides.
6. Phosphoric acid : sulphuric acid acidulation of phosphote rock, slurry filtration. Phosphoric acid via phosphorus oxidation.
7. Fertilizers : ammonium sulphate and nitrate, urea, superphoshate, potassium salts, mixed fertilizers.
8. Manufacture of soda ash.
9. Chorine and caustic soda : electrolysis of sodium chloride acqueous solutions; diaphram,mercury and membrane cells.
10. Air separation : liquefaction and rectification of air; separation by adsorption or membrane. Rare gases production

Readings/Bibliography

1. I. Pasquon, G.F. Pregaglia " Principi della chimica indistriale 5. Prodotti e processi dell'industria chimica ", Città Studi, Milano
2. R.Norris Shreve, J.A.Brink " Chemical Process Indistries " McGaw - Hill
3. J.A.Mouliyn, M.Makkee, A. van Diepen " Chemical Process Tecnology ", John Wiley &Sons

Teaching methods

The different production lines will be proposed and discussed. During practice hours mass and energy balances of the most important production lines will be carried out. All the  teaching activity is frontal.

Assessment methods

Achievment will be assessed by the means of a final exam. that is composed by two different sessions. The first one is a written, open books test consisting in the calculation of flow rates, temperatures and thermal fluxes for streams and apparatuses of a plant section. The duration is three hours.To be eligible to take the oral exam the student must score a total minimum of 18 point over 30 points. When passed, the written part has an unbounded validity.

The oral test consists in the discussion of some productive lines proposed during the lectures.

To obtain a passing grade, students are required to demonstrate a sufficient knowledge of the key concepts.Higher grades will be awarded to students who will demonstrate an organic understanding of the subject and will be able of a proper presentation .

Teaching tools

Overhead projector and PC

Office hours

See the website of Carlo Stramigioli