SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: ROBERTO FIORENZAExpected Learning Outcomes
Course Overview
The main objective of the course is to illustrate how, in recent years, the chemical industry has evolved towards greener and more sustainable processes, reducing its environmental impact by enhancing and recycling waste materials, while simultaneously increasing the use of processes powered by renewable energy.
In particular, the course will explore several case studies of highly sustainable industrial processes, and examine innovative (catalytic and photocatalytic) technologies for the reduction of pollutants in both water and air. New methodologies and materials used in the field of sustainable industrial chemistry will also be analyzed.
The laboratory component will focus on the preparation of such materials (catalysts) and their application in model experiments.
Dublin Descriptors and Transversal Skills
Knowledge and understanding:
Knowledge of key sustainable industrial processes and plants
Ability to reason across the entire industrial process
Applying knowledge and understanding:
Ability to connect theoretical studies on catalysis and industrial/environmental chemistry with real-world applications
Skills in both inductive and deductive reasoning
Ability to develop scientific projects and solve technical and applied problems
Ability to write a complete and structured scientific report
Making judgements:
Critical thinking and reasoning
Ability to make connections between different topics covered in the course
Teamwork skills
Ability to evaluate the quality of experimental data obtained in the laboratory
Communication skills:
Ability to clearly present topics orally, using appropriate language and scientific terminology
Capacity to work independently in the lab and effectively in a team
Learning skills:
Ability to apply acquired knowledge to describe and discuss industrial processes or plants according to eco-sustainability criteria
Ability to synthesize and characterize supported heterogeneous catalysts
Ability to tackle complex, including interdisciplinary, problems
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.Course Structure
Theoretical lessons 6 cfu, laboratory work and tests concerning the laboratory experiences 3 cfu
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.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
- Introduction: green chemistry, sustainable chemistry and sustainable industrial chemistry
- Processes and plants with high sustainability
- Biotechnology and biocatalysis
- Fuels and chemicals from biomass
- CO2 valorization
- Sustainable Industrial processes
- Nanotechnology and catalysis
- Green economy
- Laboratory work: Synthesis and characterization of heterogeneous catalysts. catalytic and photocatalytic tests, bioethanol and biodiesel synthesis.
Textbook Information
- Sustainable Industrial Processes, F.Cavani, G.Centi ,S.Perathoner and F.Trifiró Eds:Wiley-VCH, 2009.
- Catalysis, Green Chemistry and Sustainable Energy, Volume 179 1st Edition; New Technologies for Novel Business Opportunities; A. Basile, G. Centi, M. De Falco, G. Iaquaniello, Eds: Elsevier, 2019
- Nanotechnology in Catalysis, Applications in the Chemical Industry, Energy Development, and Environment Protection, B. Sels, M. Van de Voorde, Eds:Wiley-VCH 2017
- Course documents
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduzione e definizioni | Appunti delle lezioni- Testo 1: Capitolo 1 |
| 2 | Processi ed impianti chimici ad elevata sostenibilità | Appunti delle lezioni- Testo 1: Capitolo 2 (2.3-2.4); (2.6.3-2.7), Capitolo 4 (4.4-4.5) |
| 3 | Biotecnologie e biocatalisi | Appunti delle lezioni- Testo 1: Capitolo 2 (2.4-2.5) |
| 4 | Produzione di chemicals e di fuels da biomasse | Appunti delle lezioni- Testo 1: Capitolo 8, Capitolo 11; Testo 2: Capitolo 5, Capitolo 10, Capitolo 11, Capitolo 17 |
| 5 | Anidride Carbonica come risorsa | Appunti delle lezioni- Testo 2: Capitolo 21 |
| 6 | Principali esempi di processi industriali sostenibili | Appunti delle lezioni- Testo 1: Capitolo 2 (2.5.6 - 2.5.7), Capitolo 7 |
| 7 | Nanotecnologia e catalisi | Appunti delle lezioni- Testo 3: Capitolo 2, Capitolo 3, Capitolo 7, Capitolo 10, Capitolo 12 |
| 8 | Economia Green | Appunti delle lezioni- Testo 2: Capitolo 9, Capitolo 23, Capitolo 24, Capitolo 25, Capitolo 26 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Oral Examination
The final grade is expressed out of thirty, according to the following scheme:
Fail (Not eligible)
Knowledge and understanding of the subject: significant gaps and inaccuracies, including deficiencies in basic chemistry; laboratory report insufficient
Analytical and synthesis skills: frequent generalizations
Use of references: inappropriate
18–20
Knowledge and understanding of the subject: very limited, with evident flaws; laboratory report barely sufficient
Analytical and synthesis skills: barely adequate
Use of references: barely appropriate
21–23
Knowledge and understanding of the subject: slightly above sufficient; laboratory report sufficient
Analytical and synthesis skills: fair ability to analyze and synthesize; arguments are logically and coherently structured
Use of references: appropriate use of course materials
24–26
Knowledge and understanding of the subject: good knowledge; laboratory report adequate
Analytical and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis skills; coherent presentation of content
Use of references: appropriate use of course materials
27–29
Knowledge and understanding of the subject: more than good; excellent laboratory report
Analytical and synthesis skills: strong analytical and synthesis skills
Use of references: in-depth study of topics
30–30 with honors
Knowledge and understanding of the subject: excellent knowledge; excellent laboratory report
Analytical and synthesis skills: excellent analytical and synthesis skills
Use of references: significant and in-depth exploration of topics
The assessment may also be conducted online, should circumstances require it.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Examples of questions:
- Processo Ecofining
- MOF
- Sintesi acido adipico
- processo SHOP
- nanozeoliti e MOF
- AOP
- Biofuels
- CO2 capture e cella PEC
- Laboratory reports