93772 - Fundamentals of Industrial Chemistry and Polymers

Learning outcomes

The first module of the course is aimed at providing competences for the development and management of catalytic processes for the production of chemicals and fuels, with a particular attention on the evolution of the chemical industry and on the main families of process applied at industrial level. Aspects related to the improvement of sustainability in the chemical industry will also be taken into account. The central role of catalysis as driving force for innovation in the implementation of chemical process will be underlined, with focus on the spectroscopic techniques useful for the understanding of the catalytic reaction. In this way, several examples of commercial processes will be discussed. Moreover, the definition and the development of an integrated biorefinery as a way in order to increase the sustainability of the industrial chemistry production will be discussed. At the same time the student will be able to learn the fundamentals of polymer science, both in terms of synthetic approaches and of structure-properties relationship, in order to understand the potential of several polymers for industrial and everyday life applications. Basic principles of polymerization, as well as a hint at thermal ad mechanical properties will be explained together with the main industrial implication in terms of macromolecular thermal and mechanical performances obtained.

Course contents

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of thermodynamics and kinetics.

Basic knowledge of organic chemistry in order to understand the reactivity of different substrates in the reaction media of the chemical process.

Basic knowledge of inorganic chemistry for the understanding of the role and the main properties of the heterogeneous (or homogeneous) catalysts.

Basic knowledge of stoichiometry.

Contents

-Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Industry. The structure and the evolution of the chemical industry, from commodities to fine chemicals, from coal to renewables. Concept of bio-refinery.

- Definition of conversion, yield, selectivity and productivity applied to chemical processes. Hints on the economic aspects of the industrial chemistry processes.

- Fundamental knowledge of the different types of industrial reactors and reaction schemes.

- Definition of catalysis. Catalysis applied in industrial chemistry as a way to increase the sustainability of the processes. Heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis.

- Explanation of the different types of the industrial reactions (oxidation, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, acid-catalysed reactions): main differences, characteristics and associated risks.

- Design of basic chemical processes: flow-sheet and material balance.

- Introduction to chemistry of macromolecules: monomers, omopolymers and copolymers, configuration and stereoregularity, macromolecules conformation, polymerization processes, molecular weight and molecular weight distribution.

- Polymers in the solid state: amorphous phase and crystal phase, glass transition (T_g) and melting/crystallization (T_m/T_c) in polymeric materials, characterization methods for determination of T_g and T_m/T_c

- Structure-properties correlation in polymers: thermoplastics, thermosettings, elastomers and fibers; thermal and thermo-mechanical properties in polymers

- Main industrially relevant polymers and their fields of application.

Readings/Bibliography

Scientific papers on specific topics will be discussed during the lectures (whenever necessary).

Teaching methods

The course is mainly based on frontal lectures with the use of Power Point presentations.

Assessment methods

Type of exam: The assessment takes place through a final test, aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills.

The final exam consists of an oral test, divided into two parts, of the total duration of about 40 minutes duration.

Assessment approach: the oral exam will be divided in two sub-sessions.

The first part consists of an interview on the fundamentals of the chemical industry and on the sustainability of the industrial processes. The outcome of this part accounts for 50% of the final vote.

The second part will deal with assessment of the comprehension of basic concepts about the macromolecular chemistry and the correlation of polymer structure and properties with their final application. The outcome of this part accounts for 50% of the final vote.

The final mark, in a scale of 30^th, will be the weighted average mark.

Teaching tools

The course takes place through lessons and exercises carried out in the classroom. These activities also make use of media such as power point presentations, videos and graphics tablets; all the teaching material presented is accessible to students on the teaching application https://virtuale.unibo.it/

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 Tommaso Tabanelli

See the website of Laura Mazzocchetti