TRANSPORT PHENOMENA FOR CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: ANTONELLA PATTI

Expected Learning Outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide the knowledge of the transport phenomena of momentum, energy and mass, through the macroscopic and microscopic balances, in order to allow the study of the physical phenomena that take place inside of industrial processes. Finally, it will be considered simple models of the main operations of chemical engineering.

Course Structure

Lectures with numerical and practical exercises.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Required Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Attendance of Lessons

Mandatory

Detailed Course Content

Viscosity and the Mechanisms of Momentum Transport. Shell Momentum Balances and Velocity Distributions in Laminar Flow. The Equations of Change for Isothermal Systems.Velocity distribution with more than one independent variable. Velocity distribution in turbulent flow. Interface transport in isothermal systems. Macroscopic balances for isothermal systems. Thermal conductivity and the mechanisms of energy transport. Shell Energy Balances and Temperature Distributions in Solids and Laminar Flow. The equations of change for non-isothermal systems. Temperature distribution with more than one independent variable. Interphase transport in non-isothermal systems. Macroscopic Balances for non-isothermal systems. Diffusivity and the mechanisms of the mass transport. Concentration distribution in solids and in laminar flow. The Equations of change for multicomponent systems. Interface transport in multicomponent systems. Macroscopic balances for multicomponent systems. Stage operation. Mass-Transfer Operations. Phase relations. Equilibrium stage calculations. Multistage Operations. Introduction to polymer rheology. Instrumentations for rheology. 

Textbook Information

  1. Transport Phenomena, R.Byron Bird, Warren E. Stewart, Edwin N.Lightfoot, Ed. John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
  2. Principles of Unit Operations, Alan S. Faust, L.A. Wenzel, Curtis W. Clump, L. Maus, L.B.Andersen, Ed. Wiley International Edition.
  3. Polymer and composite rheology, R.K.Gupta, Ed. Taylor & Francis Group.

Supporting textbook     4. Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook, Don Green, Robert Perry, Ed. McGraw-Hill.

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Viscosity and the Mechanisms of Momentum TransportText 1 
2Shell Momentum Balance and Velocity distribution in laminar flowText 1 
3The Equations of Change for Isothermal SystemsText 1
4Velocity distribution with one than more independent variableText 1 
5 Velocity distribution in turbulent flowText 1
6Interface transport for isothermal systemsText 1
7Macroscopic balances for isothermal systemsText 1
8Thermal conductivity and the mechanisms of energy transportText 1 
9Shell balance and Temperature distributions in solids and in laminar flowText 1
10The equations of change for non-isothermal systemsText 1
11Temperature distribution with one than more independent variableText 1 
12Interphase transport for non-isothermal systemsText 1 
13Macroscopic Balances for non-isothermal systemsText 1
14Diffusivity and the mechanisms of the mass transportText 1
15Concentration distribution in solids and in laminar flow Text 1
16The Equations of change for multicomponent systemsText 1
17Interface transport in multicomponent systemsText 1
18Macroscopic balances for multicomponent systemsText 1
19Stage operationText 2 
20Mass-Transfer OperationsText 2 
21Phase relationsText 2 
22Equilibrium stage calculationsText 2 
23Multistage OperationsText 2 
24Introduction to polymer rheologyText 3 
25Instrumentations for rheologyText 3

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Oral examination and test in progress. Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.


 Elements to be evaluated: Knowledge and application of properties and methods, relevance of the answers, quality of their contents, ability to connect with other topics within the program, ability to report examples, quality of technical language, and overall expressive ability.

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students can request a meeting in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measure, according to the educational goals and specific needs. In this case, it is advisable to contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participated Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or SLD) professor of the Department where the Degree Course is included

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Newton's law of viscosity. Flow through a circular tube. Determination of a capillary radius by flow measurements. Volume flow rate trough an annulus. Flow in a narrow slit. Annular flow with inner cylinder moving axially. Fourier’s law of the heat conduction. Heat loss from an insulated pipe. Heat loss from a rectangular fin. Maximum temperature in a lubricant. Insulation thickness for a furnace wall. Determination of the diffusivity and evaporation rate. Adsorption rate in a falling film. Method for separating helium from natural gas. Definition of friction factors. Forced and natural convection. Evaporation from a freely falling drop. Draining of a cylindrical tank with exit pipe. Force on  a U bend in a pipe. Disintegration of wood chips. Friction loss associated with a sudden expansion. The cooling of an ideal gas.  Heat transfer in a double pipe heat exchangers.