Industrial Physical Chemistry

The course aims to deepen the basic chemical-physical knowledge for the understanding and investigation of chemical reactions and transport phenomena, a fundamental step for the design of chemical processes. Therefore, the applicative potentialities of the laws that regulate the transport of matter, energy and momentum will be presented. At the end of the course the student will be able to treat and solve through the direct numerical application of the studied relationships, problems concerning the motion of fluids, the transmission of heat and diffusion in the different chemical processes.
In particular:
a) as regards knowledge and understanding, the course aims to introduce the basic concepts relating to transport phenomena and unit operations of interest in the chemical industry
b) as regards the ability to apply knowledge and understanding, the course aims to develop the ability to apply chemical knowledge in the industrial context to solve problems common to the chemical industry.
c) as regards making judgments, the course aims to provide the tools for the choice and design of unit operations and the transport phenomena that govern them for the implementation of industrial chemical and physical processes.
d) as regards communication skills, the course aims to develop and/or improve the ability to present scientific concepts with language properties suitable for industrial contexts.
e) as regards learning skills, the course aims to provide the student with a rigorous study method that helps him to work both independently and in a group for easier insertion within the chemical industry.

Information for students with disabilities and/or SLD.

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs.

Classroom lecture and numerical training

Parte I: Unit Operations

• Separation Processes and Equipment for Multiphase Contacting
• Diagrammi termodinamici di equilibrio
• Thermodynamic Equilibrium Diagrams (gas-liquid, liquid-liquid, fluid-liquid) and equilibrium relationship
• Equilibrium Stage Calculation
• Equilibrium Multistage Calculation 
• Graphical Multistage Calculation by McCabe-Thiele Method

 Parte II: Transport Phenomena

• Transfer of momentum
• Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. The energy balance equations: ideal fluid and dissipative fluid. The mass balance and the continuity equation. The Navier-Stokes equations.
• Buckingham method of dimensionless constants. Diagram of Moody. Laminar and turbulent regime, instability phenomena
• Modern fluidodynamics. Numerical methods and empirical methods for the solution of the differential equations of modern fluidodynamics.
• Heat transfer: conductivity in gases and condensed phases, laws of Fourier., applications.
• Mass transfer.
• The law of continuity and Fick laws. Transport processes in liquids. Transport processes in solids. Correlation effects of flows and phenomenological equations of Onsager. Mass transfer and chemical reactions.

• L. Forni, I. Rossetti Fenomeni di Trasporto, Cortina Editore, Milano, 2009.
• C.O. Bennett, J.E. Meyers, Momentum, heat and mass transfer, Mc Graw - Hill, New York 1962.
• L.F. Thompson, C.G. Willson and M.I. Bowden, Introduction to Microlithography, ACS 219, American Chemical Society, Washington.1982.

Continuity Equation of a Steady-state flow in a pipe with variable section

Application of Navier Stokes equations to a steady state laminar flow between two parallel plates: derivation of parabolic velocity profile

Velocity profile for a turbulent flow in a pipe

Cooling of a thin plate: non-steady state conduction and convection: equation derivation

Conduction and Convection of heat through composite flat walls in contact with fluids

Direct radiation between black bodies in vacuum at different temperatures: heat transfer equation

      Dependence of diffusion coefficient on T,P, or m in a gas, a liquid and in a solid

      Diffusion through a stagnant gaseous film

Phase equilibrium liquid-Vapor

Absorption Gas-Liquid: method for calculating the number of ideal stages

Continuous Distillation with Reflux: material and enthalpy balances

Liquid-liquid extraction