Chemical Processes and Industrial Plants
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to give students all the possible tools to be able to evaluate the type of reactor that is best for the chemical process being studied. Process optimization and basic cost evaluation will be taken into account
Expected learning outcomes
at the end of the course the students will be able to manage simple reactions from the chemical engineering point of view, evaluating the chemical kinetics and sizing the ideal reactor to carry out the chemical reaction to the study.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Prof. Bianchi
Mass and energy balances
Homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical kinetics
Study and design of batch reactors
Study and design of continuous reactors (PFR and CSTR) Reactors for biphasic and triphasic kinetics.
Optimization of times, sizes, and costs of chemical reactors
Prof. Rossetti
The students will be guided through a base introduction on the numerical methods needed to solve simple or advanced kinetic modelling and on the best ways to express kinetic rate equations for use in the design equations of ideal reactors.
Numerical methods will be introduced with the basic algorithm, followed by exercises, to be solved either manually or with the aid of Excel/Matlab/Phyton scripts. Basic understanding of the meaning and implementation modes of preconstructed scripts will be required to all students. Those aiming to become expert users will be guided (on request) to the development of an own-written script.
Correlated to the fundamental part on applied kinetics and reactors, numerical examples will be given in order to gain a practical insight into the reactor design activity (ideal batch reactor, continuous PFR and CSTR reactors).
Introductory concepts will be given on the issues raising with non ideal reactors. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) will be introduced for these general concepts, with examples on reacting media in continuous flow reactors. COMSOL Multiphysics will be used as computational tool.
Finally, AI implementations have proven to dramatically reduce design and experimental efforts by enabling laboratory automation, predicting bioactivities of new drugs, suggesting synthetic routes to complex target molecules, predicting properties of materials and new molecules, optimizing reaction conditions, select the most appropriate plant configuration among thousands and discriminating among thousands of scenarios during fault, risks or lifecycle assessments. The potential and best practices for these emerging technologies will be introduced to the students with a comparison between different approaches of Machine Learning in cyber-chemical systems.
Mass and energy balances
Homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical kinetics
Study and design of batch reactors
Study and design of continuous reactors (PFR and CSTR) Reactors for biphasic and triphasic kinetics.
Optimization of times, sizes, and costs of chemical reactors
Prof. Rossetti
The students will be guided through a base introduction on the numerical methods needed to solve simple or advanced kinetic modelling and on the best ways to express kinetic rate equations for use in the design equations of ideal reactors.
Numerical methods will be introduced with the basic algorithm, followed by exercises, to be solved either manually or with the aid of Excel/Matlab/Phyton scripts. Basic understanding of the meaning and implementation modes of preconstructed scripts will be required to all students. Those aiming to become expert users will be guided (on request) to the development of an own-written script.
Correlated to the fundamental part on applied kinetics and reactors, numerical examples will be given in order to gain a practical insight into the reactor design activity (ideal batch reactor, continuous PFR and CSTR reactors).
Introductory concepts will be given on the issues raising with non ideal reactors. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) will be introduced for these general concepts, with examples on reacting media in continuous flow reactors. COMSOL Multiphysics will be used as computational tool.
Finally, AI implementations have proven to dramatically reduce design and experimental efforts by enabling laboratory automation, predicting bioactivities of new drugs, suggesting synthetic routes to complex target molecules, predicting properties of materials and new molecules, optimizing reaction conditions, select the most appropriate plant configuration among thousands and discriminating among thousands of scenarios during fault, risks or lifecycle assessments. The potential and best practices for these emerging technologies will be introduced to the students with a comparison between different approaches of Machine Learning in cyber-chemical systems.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of mass and energy exchange systems.
Understanding of mass and energy balances.
Familiarity with the equations governing the operation of heat exchangers.
Basic knowledge of thermodynamics and kinetics.
Understanding of mass and energy balances.
Familiarity with the equations governing the operation of heat exchangers.
Basic knowledge of thermodynamics and kinetics.
Teaching methods
The educational approach involves a combination of traditional classroom lectures and computational calculations. During the lectures, the teacher uses a projector to display PowerPoint slides (PPT) on the screen or the classroom's whiteboard. This allows students to visually follow along and interact with the material.
Furthermore, students will engage in practical tutorials specifically focused on developing numerical methods for the solution of sizing and rating problems on chemical reactors. Part of the lectures will be taken in the informatic lab.
Furthermore, students will engage in practical tutorials specifically focused on developing numerical methods for the solution of sizing and rating problems on chemical reactors. Part of the lectures will be taken in the informatic lab.
Teaching Resources
Lecture notes on ARIEL, including slides and examples of numerical scripts elaborated by the teacher.
- Chemical Reaction Engineering, Octave Levenspiel, Wiley
- Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, W. McCabe, Mc Graw Hill (2014)
- Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering" by H. Scott Fogler
- Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics" by J.M. Smith, H.C. Van Ness, and M.M. Abbott
- Process Dynamics and Control" by Dale E. Seborg, Thomas F. Edgar, and Duncan A. Mellichamp
- Chemical Reaction Engineering, Octave Levenspiel, Wiley
- Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, W. McCabe, Mc Graw Hill (2014)
- Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering" by H. Scott Fogler
- Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics" by J.M. Smith, H.C. Van Ness, and M.M. Abbott
- Process Dynamics and Control" by Dale E. Seborg, Thomas F. Edgar, and Duncan A. Mellichamp
Assessment methods and Criteria
The course includes a written exam with an exercise and theoretical questions.
The student's ability to size a chemical reactor under real operating conditions will be assessed. Additionally, the student's ability to identify the best type of reactor for various conditions in which a chemical reaction must be conducted will also be evaluated.
The students will be asked to describe the most appropriate numerical methods for the resolution of a kinetic modelling problem or a reactor sizing case.
The student's ability to size a chemical reactor under real operating conditions will be assessed. Additionally, the student's ability to identify the best type of reactor for various conditions in which a chemical reaction must be conducted will also be evaluated.
The students will be asked to describe the most appropriate numerical methods for the resolution of a kinetic modelling problem or a reactor sizing case.
CHIM/04 - INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
Everytime upon appointment by mail
Office of the teacher or MS Teams