TECNOLOGIE CHIMICHE INDUSTRIALI ED AMBIENTALI

The course provides fundamental knowledge regarding the application of chemical technologies in the industrial, environmental, and cultural heritage sectors. Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired basic skills concerning pollutant and waste treatment processes, material recycling strategies, chemical safety regulations, and the principles of green chemistry. Students will also gain an understanding of the role chemistry plays in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage and in the management of technological and environmental risks.

With reference to the Dublin Descriptors, this course contributes to the acquisition of the following transversal competences:

• Knowledge and understanding: ability to use inductive and deductive reasoning; understanding of the chemical processes involved in environmental analysis and control, the various types of chemical/industrial risks, and the basic environmental and industrial regulations.

• Applied knowledge and understanding: by the end of the course, students will be able to solve problems related to industry and the environment and develop scientific and/or technical applications projects. Furthermore, students will be able to use complex measurement and analysis equipment and apply the acquired operational skills to various professional and research needs in the industrial and environmental sectors.

• Independent judgment: upon completion of the course, students will be able to: a) select the most appropriate investigation techniques for the type of experimental problem being addressed and evaluate their limitations; b) critically apply the acquired methodological skills to different operational contexts and research topics, independently identifying the most suitable approaches for the specific problem; c) retrieve and analyze information from open-access databases, scientific literature, etc.; d) formulate reflections on scientific and ethical issues regarding safety, environmental sustainability, economic impact, etc.; e) design experimental activities, evaluating their timing and methods, independently evaluate and quantify the results obtained; f) work in team.

• Communication skills: upon completion of the course, students will be able to: a) argue and support scientific issues in specialized and popular contexts; b) participate in or coordinate multidisciplinary projects and groups in chemical research; c) work independently, managing time and resources, and adapting to new contexts; d) convey acquired theoretical and/or experimental knowledge to undergraduate students; e) interact with colleagues, plan and manage the time required for laboratory work, and work both in groups and independently, adapting to different contexts.

• Learning skills: at the end of the course, students will be able to: a) effectively identify and consult scientific literature, specialized databases, and online resources to obtain information; b) be able to address new studies, emerging scientific topics, and professional issues in various work contexts; c) manage complex problems, including interdisciplinary ones; d) find and evaluate information to formulate and argue solutions in specialized and popular fields.

4 CFU (28 h) of lectures and 2 CFU of exercises (30 h)

• Teaching Delivery (DE) - 28 hours: Classroom lectures supported by presentations to facilitate a quick and effective understanding of the course content.
• Interactive Teaching (DI) - 30 hours: Educational visits to leading companies, research institutions, and public and/or private laboratories in the industrial and environmental sectors.

If the course is taught in a blended or distance learning format, any necessary changes to the above may be made to ensure compliance with the planned program outlined in this syllabus.

This course may be offered in an "English-friendly" format. The course will be taught in Italian, but students participating in an international mobility program will be supported with English-language teaching materials . Exams may be taken in English. The "English-friendly" format will be adopted upon request by students participating in an international mobility program.

As per the didactic regulations of the Course of Studies.

If the teaching is given in a mixed or remote mode, the necessary changes with respect to what was previously stated may be introduced, in order to respect the program envisaged and reported in the Syllabus.

The course examines the role of chemical technologies in the industrial, environmental, and cultural heritage sectors. Key industrial and environmental issues, technologies for pollutant and waste treatment, material recycling processes, and the regulatory framework regarding chemical safety and industrial risk prevention will be addressed. The syllabus also covers applications of chemistry to the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, elements of nuclear chemistry and CBRN risks, as well as the principles and applications of green chemistry.

1. Introduction to industrial and environmental issues. Relationship between chemistry, technology, and society.

2. Chemical technologies for the removal of volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and pesticides from environmental matrices.

3. Chemical technologies for waste disposal.

4. Chemical technologies used for the recycling of plastics, paper, glass, and metals.

5. Civil protection and the Seveso Directive.

6. REACH, CLP, ADR regulations and safety data sheets

7. Nuclear chemistry and NBCR (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, Radiological) risk.

8. Chemical technologies for the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.

9. “Green Chemistry”: definition, historical background, principles of green chemistry, and examples of application at laboratory and industrial scale.

Teaching contribution to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/)

Goal 3

• Target 3.9

Goal 4

• Target 4.4

Goal 6

• Target 6.3
• Target 6.4
• Target 6.6

Goal 8

• Target 8.4

Goal 11

• Target 11.4
• Target 11.6

Goal 12

• Target 12.2
• Target 12.4
• Target 12.5

Goal 13

• Target 13.3

Goal 14

• Target 14.1
• Target 14.2
• Target 14.3

Goal 15

• Target 15.1
• Target 15.3
  

Teaching method: Lessons

Concepcion Jimenez-Gonzales and David J.C. Constable, “Green Chemistry and Engineering”, Wiley

Additional teaching material to be made available to students consists of:

-) Copies of the PowerPoint presentations used during lectures

Oral examination

Verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, should the conditions require it.

Grading Criteria

The final grade is expressed on a scale of 30, according to the following scheme:

Fail 
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: significant gaps and inaccuracies
Analytical and synthesis skills: negligible, frequent generalizations
Use of references: completely inappropriate
18–20
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very limited, with evident inaccuracies
Analytical and synthesis skills: barely sufficient
Use of references: barely appropriate
21–23
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: slightly more than sufficient
Analytical and synthesis skills: fair, with logical and coherent argumentation
Use of references: uses standard references
24–26
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good
Analytical and synthesis skills: good ability to analyze and synthesize; arguments are presented coherently
Use of references: uses standard references
27–29
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: more than good
Analytical and synthesis skills: strong analytical and synthesis skills
Use of references: demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the subject
30–30 cum laude
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent
Analytical and synthesis skills: outstanding analytical and synthesis skills
Use of references: significant and insightful use of references

Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the didactic objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) referring teacher of the Department of Chemical Sciences (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

Indicative, non-exhaustive, and non-binding list of possible examination questions:

1. Discuss the evolution of the regulatory framework governing chemical and industrial risk, with particular reference to major accidents in the chemical industry.
2. Discuss the main chemical and technological factors that should be considered before undertaking the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage objects.
3. Compare the strengths and limitations of the main technologies used for the abatement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
4. Describe the main environmental issues associated with nuclear chemistry, highlighting both challenges and potential benefits.
5. Compare green pesticides and synthetic pesticides, highlighting their similarities, differences, and environmental implications.
6. Describe the evolution of European legislation following the Seveso accident and discuss its impact on the prevention of major industrial accidents.
7. Explain the regulatory framework governing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and the labelling of chemical products, outlining their objectives and key requirements.
8. Describe the objectives, fundamental principles, and key provisions of the REACH Regulation.
9. Discuss the parallels between green chemical processes and natural processes, providing relevant examples.
10. Evaluate the advantages and limitations of chemical recycling technologies, considering environmental and energy aspects as well as the quality of the recovered secondary raw materials.