Industrial Processes and Scale-Up

A.Y. 2021/2022
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
CHIM/04
Language
English
Learning objectives
The objective of the course is to emphasize the importance of scale-up methodology for the unit operations in chemical plants (reaction and separation processes), to give the theoretical basis for a correct approach to a scaling-up and to introduce the simulation science and the process simulation. The correct theoretical and experimental approaches of this kind of study will be presented and discussed; different industrial examples will be considered.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the students will be able to use simulation plant software for the project and optimization of a chemical plant, to analyze a chemical process (reaction or separation) from a laboratory scale experiment to a possible industrial process layout; to apply kinetic and thermodynamic models for scale up development of new technologies.
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
Teaching methods:
The lessons will be conducted online via the Microsoft Teams platform in synchronous mode with respect to the timetable set in the academic calendar. All lessons will be recorded and videos will always be available on the Ariel platform, on the course page. For any doubt, clarification or need, it will always be possible to contact the teacher via email ([email protected]) to define an appointment for a call through Microsoft teams individually or in a group of students. We guarantee an immediate response and an appointment within 1-2 working days. In case of overlapping of the lessons with other courses with didactic laboratories, alternative days and times will be identified to allow maximum participation in the synchronous lessons especially for the parts of the exercise with the PRO II process simulation software. The Ariel platform will be the reference for all communications, notices and discussions.

Reference materials:
The program and the reference material will not change.

Learning verification procedures and assessment criteria:

The remote examinations will be carried out with the use of the Microsoft Teams platform, through oral exam. To verify the learning of the process simulation software, we will carry out exercises remotely by sharing the screen.
Course syllabus
The course will be devoted to a specific introduction of the scaling-up methodology for chemical processes from a chemical and an engineering point of view. Both chemical reactions and separation processes will be taken into account. More in detail, the following topics will be explained and discussed:

- Scaling-up of a chemical operation: meaning and importance
- Laboratories and pilot-plant studies
- Models for the interpretation of experimental data and simulation of a chemical unit operations: steady-state and dynamic models
- Physical and chemicals models
- Pilot plants: raw materials, mock-ups, degree of freedom, constructive materials, test program and use of results
- Experimental techniques in scaling-up methodology
- Applications to industrial process development: industrial examples and case-histories
- Control technology in chemical processes
- Environmental and regulatory issues
- Use of simulation softwares in the scaling-up: PRO II. Tutorial of these programs and their use for several aspects involved in the topics of the course.
- Immersive Training system for a virtual visit in a Crude Distillation Unit plant.
Prerequisites for admission
The basic prerequisites are a good knowledge of physical chemistry and a basic knowledge of transport phenomena, chemical reactors, distillation and absorption columns, fluid phase equilibria.
Teaching methods
The course will be based on 48 h of lessons in room in which: 1) theory of scale up will be explained (40%); 2) simulation software of chemical plants will be introduced and used (40%); 3) industrial case studies will be considered (20%). Moreover, during the course, a visit in the Radici plant in Novara will be proposed and organized, if it will be possible for the health situation.
Teaching Resources
- A. C. Dimian, C. S. Bildea, A. A. Kiss: Integrated Design and Simulation of Chemical Processes", 2nd Edition, Elsevier disponibile nella biblioteca di Chimica)
- V. Ragaini, C. Pirola, "Processi di Separazione nell'Industria Chimica", Hoepli
- The properties of Gases and Liquids Autori: B. Poling; J. 'O Connell; J. Prausnitz. McGraw-Hill 2004
- Scale-up Methodology for Chemical Process. Autori: J. B. Euzen, P. Trambouze, J. P. Wauquier, Edition Technip.
Assessment methods and Criteria
All the topics considered in the course will be discussed in a oral or written examination. Theoretical questions and/or practical exercises using the simulation software will be requested. The students should be able to discuss all the topics of the course, to explain the industrial examples considered in the lessons and to make exercises using the simulation software concerning optimization of columns or reactors.
CHIM/04 - INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor: Pirola Carlo
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday: 9:30-13:30 am
Pilot Plants Laboratory (Build # 7 of the Chemistry Departement)