Fundamentals of Industrial Chemistry

The course aims to provide the basic knowledge in the field of industrial chemistry, from the comprehension of process diagrams to materials used for the construction of plants, from base chemicals and energy sources to the main products of the chemical industry. 

a) as regards knowledge and understanding, the course aims to provide knowledge of the basic concepts relating to chemical phenomena of industrial interest. 

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 the autonomy of judgment, the course aims to provide the tools to estimate the importance of the chemistry of raw materials and energy sources for the production of the most important products of the chemical industry.

d) as regards communication skills, the course aims to develop and/or improve the ability to present scientific concepts with language appropriate to industrial contexts.

e) as regards learning skills, the course aims to provide the student with a pragmatic study method that helps him to work both independently and in a group for easier insertion into the chemical industry. 

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.  In this case, it is advisable to contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participated Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or SLD) responsible of the Department.

Classroom lessons with numerical 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.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it

1. THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

The chemical industry. Basic chemistry and fine chemistry. Main sectors of the chemical industry. Italian chemistry in the European and world context. 

2. PRINCIPLES OF INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY

General problems of an industrial process. Thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of a chemical process. Principles of catalysis. Classification of catalysts. Calculation of Conversion, Selectivity and Yield. Continuous and discontinuous processes. 

3. ENERGY SOURCES AND SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES

Primary and secondary energy sources. Non-renewable sources. Fossil fuels. Nuclear energy. Renewable sources: wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, biomass. Hydrogen Economy and Green Deal.

4. RAW MATERIALS FOR THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY 

Oil and natural gas: origin and composition. Features and classifications. Fields and technologies for prospection and drilling. Refining and main refinery products. Building blocks for the chemical industry. Coal: structure and types. Dry distillation. Syngas production. Biomass: origin and applications.

5. WATER FOR INDUSTRY

Requirements and uses of water for industry and for food. Hardness. Alkalinity. Salinity and fixed residue. COD, BOD and TOC. Microbiological analysis. Main industrial water treatments. Tertiary treatments and hints on advanced oxidation treatments for the removal of emerging pollutants from water. Softening and demineralization. Sterilization. Purification plants.

6. MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRY

Metal materials: structure and properties. Steels and metal alloys. Fe-C state diagram. Metallic corrosion. Steel production and sustainability: green steel. Corrosion protection technologies. Non-metallic materials: ceramics, glass, polymers. Mechanical properties of materials with calculation exercises. Stress/strain curves. Resilience, ductility, malleability, toughness.

7. EXAMPLES OF INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY PRODUCTIONS AND FORMULATIONS

Detergents. Fertilizers. Aerial and hydrulic binders. Principles of formulation technology

1. Class notes in pdf format.

2. Fabrizio Cavani et al. - Fondamenti di Chimica industriale - Zanichelli (Ed. Aprile 2022)

Base and fine chemical industry.

Thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of a chemical process. Principles of catalysis and main catalysts. Process diagrams (BFD, PFD e P&ID).

Energy sources and basic products of industrial syntheses (crude oil, natural gas, coal, biomass).

Chemical properties of water and its usage in the chemical industry.  

Materials for the industry (metals and alloys, ceramics, glasses, clays and cements).

Main products of industrial chemistry (surfactants, fertilizers, dyes, etc.).

Main processes of industrial organic chemistry (steam cracking. catalytic reforming, steam reforming, catalytic cracking, isomerization, hydrocracking. visbreaking. coking).