CHEMICAL PLANTS

The course introduces to the knowledge of the more widespread process industry plants and equipment (Unit Operations), providing the fundamental elements for the choice and the calculation of the main units used in the operations of phase separation and for their management. At the end of the course, the student will be able to correctly determine the specifications of the individual devices and to evaluate the effects of a variation of operating parameters on the performance of the process.

Lectures and computer exercises, technical visits

1. FLOW-SHEETING - (C&R, vol. 6 – cap. 4) 1.1 Introduction; 1.2 Flow-sheet presentation; 1.3 Manual flow-sheet calculations; 1.4 Computer-aided flow-sheeting; 1.5 Full steady-state simulation programs; 1.6 Simple material balance programs;

2 SEPARATION THROUGH BIOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION AND PHYSICAL PROCESS (Lecture notes) 2.1 An example of biological transformation. 2.2. Separation by simple gravity 2.3. Enhanced separation through lamella packs

3.SEPARATION THROUGH COAGULATION AND FLOCCULATION – (Lecture notes); 3-1 Introduction; 3-2 Characteristics of particles; 3-3 Coagulation theory; 3-4 Coagulation practice; 3-5 Flocculation theory; 3-6 Mixing theory; 3-7 Mixing practice; 3-8 Operation and maintenance;

4. ADSORPTION - (C&R, vol. 2 – cap. 17/Lecture notes); 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 The nature of adsorbents; 4.3 Adsorption equilibria; 4.4 Multicomponent adsorption; 4.5 Adsorption from liquids; 4.6 Structure of adsorbents; 4.7 Adsorption equipment; 4.8 Regeneration of spent adsorbent;

5. SEPARATION COLUMNS (DISTILLATION, ABSORPTION AND EXTRACTION) – C&R, vol. 6 – cap. 11; 5.1 Introduction; 5.2 Continuous distillation: process description; 5.3 Continuous distillation: basic principles; 5.4 Design variables in distillation; 5.5 Design methods for binary systems; 5.6 Multicomponent distillation: general considerations; 5.7 Multicomponent distillation: short-cut methods for stage and reflux requirements; 5.8 Multicomponent systems: rigorous solution procedures (computer methods); 5.9 Batch distillation; 3.10 Plate efficiency; 5.11 Approximate column sizing; 5.12 Plate contactors; 5.13 Plate hydraulic design; 5.14 Packed columns; 5.15 Column auxiliaries; 5.16 Solvent extraction (liquid-liquid extraction);

6. MEMBRANE SEPARATION PROCESSES – (C&R, vol 2 – cap. 8); 6.1 Introduction; 6.2 Classification of membrane processes; 6.3 The nature of synthetic membranes: 6.4 General membrane equation; 6.5 Cross-flow microfiltration; 6.6 Ultrafiltration; 6.7 Reverse osmosis; 6.8 Membrane modules and plant configuration; 6.9 Membrane fouling; 6.10 Electrodialysis; 6.11 Reverse osmosis water treatment plant;

LEACHING - (C&R, vol. 2 – cap. 10); 7.1 Introduction; 7.2 Mass transfer in leaching operations; 7.3 Equipment for leaching; 7.4 Countercurrent washing of solids; 7.5 Calculation of the number of stages; 7.6 Number of stages for countercurrent washing by graphical methods

1. Coulson & Richardson's Chemical Engineering, vol 6 – Chemical Engineering Design (reference book)

2. Coulson & Richardson's Chemical Engineering, vol 2 - Particle Technology and Separation Processes (reference book)

3. Lecture notes (reference book) Given on pend drive at the first lecture

Oral exam. Elements to be evaluated: 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.