Unit TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE CHEMICAL PROCESSES

Course
Environmental engineering
Study-unit Code
A005640
Curriculum
In all curricula
Teacher
Alberto Maria Gambelli
Teachers
  • Alberto Maria Gambelli
Hours
  • 48 ore - Alberto Maria Gambelli
CFU
6
Course Regulation
Coorte 2025
Offered
2026/27
Learning activities
Caratterizzante
Area
Discipline delle interazioni tra attività antropiche e sistemi naturali
Sector
ING-IND/27
Type of study-unit
Opzionale (Optional)
Type of learning activities
Attività formativa monodisciplinare
Language of instruction
English
Contents
Energy context and current role of conventional energy sources; Refinery: description of input and output material flows; Main refinery processes for crude oil transformation; Refinery processes for pollutant reduction; Main chemicals obtained from refinery processes; Coal refinery; Biorefinery; Comparison between different types of refinery, in terms of processes, impacts and opportunities.
Reference texts
Jacob A. Moulijn, Michiel Makkee, Annelies E. van Diepen, "Chemical Process Technology" Wiley Slides displayed in class and made available by the teacher.
Educational objectives
The course aims to deepen the different topics related to the unit operations of chemical engineering and their use in processes relevant to the transformations and use of energy resources. It consists of two modules. Chemical plants. In this module, fundamental topics will be discussed and the elements for the choice and calculation of the main units used in separation and purification operations will be provided. Chemical processes. In this module, the role and characteristics of chemical processes of interest for the energy sector will be explored, such as: transformations of energy raw materials necessary to satisfy the requirements of industrial use of fuels; production and transformation processes of synthesis gas, reduction of combustion pollutants from fixed and mobile sources. The processes will be analyzed starting from the rational thermodynamic, kinetic and plant criteria underlying their design and operation.
Prerequisites
General concepts of thermodynamics. Knowledge of the main components of industrial plants. Basic notions of organic chemistry.
Teaching methods
The course is structured in: 1) classroom lectures on all program topics with discussion with students; 2) seminar-style face-to-face lectures with projector support; 3) practical in-lab activities.
Other information
Examination schedule: the examination schedule can be found at the link: http://www.ing1.unipg.it/didattica/studiare/calendario-esami
Learning verification modality
The verification of the educational objectives of the course includes an oral exam. It consists of a discussion lasting between 20 and 40 minutes, aimed at ascertaining the level of knowledge of the theoretical and methodological contents provided and detailed in the program. The oral exam also aims to verify the communication and organic synthesis skills, as well as the student's command of language in relation to the theoretical and practical topics covered. The final evaluation will be made in thirtieths by the commission. For information on support services for students with disabilities and/or DSA visit the page http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa
Extended program
The chemical Industry. Brief history of inorganic and organic chemicals. Structure of the chemical industry. Raw materials and energy context (fossil fuel consumption and reserves; biomass as an alternative for fossil fuels; composition of fossil fuels and biomasses). General concepts of organic chemistry. General concepts on catalysis. Processes in the oil-refinery: - General overview with input and output mass and energy flows; - Physical processes: desalting and dehydration, crude distillation and propane deasphalting; - Thermal processes: visbreaking, delayed coking and flexicoking; - Catalytic Processes: definition of octane and cetane numbers; Catalytic cracking; catalytic reforming; Alkylation; Hydroprocessing; Production of synthesis gas: - Synthesis gas from natural gas, reactions and thermodynamics; - Steam reforming process; - Autothermal reforming process; - General concepts on coal gasification; - Clean and conditioning of synthesis gas (acid gas removal, water-gas shift reaction, methanation) Bulk chemicals ans synthetic fuel derived from synthesis gas: - Ammonia; - Methanol; - Synthetic fuels and fuel additives. Introduction to the Biorefinery.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile
7) Clean and affordable energy; 9) Industry, innovation and infrastructure; 12) Responsible consumption and production.