48
Foundations of Chemistry for Technologies
REGGIO DI CALABRIA
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
At the end of the course the student matures basic knowledge for understanding the problems related to energy production and environmental protection. In particular, the program will recall some basic concepts of physical chemistry and organic chemistry, these notions are essential for understanding the processes and problems related to both energy production and environmental protection in safe conditions. The program also provides for the study of some real cases and the problems that have arisen for the failure to comply with the prescribed safety and maintenance standards.
Course Prerequisites
Are important prerequisites for the correct development of the course, the basic concepts of physical chemistry and organic chemistry, these notions are essential for the understanding of the processes that underlie the problems related to both energy production and environmental protection.
Teaching Methods
Classroom lessons, use of powerpoint slides
Assessment Methods
Learning ability:
following the passing of the exam, the student is able to independently learn the problems connected with the observed phenomenon.
Assessment and evaluation methods:
The examination and assessment method consists of:
- in an oral exam, aimed at ascertaining the understanding of the theoretical aspects and the chemical-physical problems connected with the combustion processes and the technologies necessary to guarantee the operation of civil and industrial plants in safe conditions, maximum grade 30/30.
- In order to pass the exam with a minimum score of 18 - 19 it is necessary that the knowledge / skills possessed by the student on the main topics of the course are at least at a level of basic elementary notions, basic knowledge of technical language, sufficient skills interpretative, sufficient ability to apply the basic knowledge acquired;
- A grade between 20 and 23 is instead attributed when the student has adequate knowledge of the topics but limited command of them, satisfactory language properties, correct interpretative skills, more than sufficient ability to independently apply the knowledge to solve the proposed problems;
- A grade between 24 - 27 is assigned when the student demonstrates good knowledge of the topics with a good degree of command, good language skills, correct and safe interpretative skills, good ability to apply most of the knowledge correctly to solve the problems proposed;
- A grade between 28 - 30 is attributed when the student demonstrates complete and in-depth knowledge of the topics, excellent language skills, complete and effective interpretative skills, able to independently apply the knowledge to solve the proposed problems;
- The evaluation of 30 cum laude is awarded when the student has complete, in-depth and critical knowledge of the topics, excellent language skills, complete and original interpretative skills, full ability to independently apply knowledge to solve the proposed problems;
- The rating of Insufficient is attributed when the student does not have an acceptable knowledge of the topics covered during the course.
Texts
Teaching material: handouts distributed by the teacher
Readings / Bibliography
Handbook of green chemistry and technology, Eds J. Clark and D. Macquarrie, Blackwell Science, Oxford, 2002
Safety and security review for the process industries: Application of PHA, What if and Hazop; D.P Nolan, Wiliam Andrew Inc., New York (USA) 2008.
Environmental Chemistry, Colin Baird, Ed. Zanichelli.
Contents
Program
The thermodynamics of combustion:
General information on combustion reactions. Overview of thermochemistry. Combustion in the air. Mechanism combustion reactions. The laminar combustion speed and flame front speed. The adiabatic temperature of flame. Conventional fuels. Thermodynamic data and estimation methods. The triangle of combustion. Flammability of gas and dust Flammability limits. Le Chatelier's Rule. Flammability limits as a function of temperature and pressure. Flammability of liquids Flammability limits and vapor pressure. Flash point and combustion point. Flash point of mixtures. Dangers arising from liquid fuels. Explosion limits of the mists. Inertization processes The peninsula of flammability. Minimum oxygen concentration Causes of ignition Introduction. Minimum triggering energy. Self-ignition temperature Flammability and ignition sources Flames. Incandescent materials. Welding and cutting. Friction and impact. Hot surfaces. Adiabatic compression. Pyrophoric substances. Static electricity. Working with flammable liquids Violence of explosions General information on fires in confined or semi-confined spaces. LPG fire and carbon monoxide toxicity. Estimate of the issued CO. Carbon monoxide toxicity. Evaluation of the consequences. Ignition energy and ignition sources. Explosion limits. Explosivity of powders. Explosion and detonation phenomena
Practical examples
Transport of liquids through pipes or flexible pipes. Filling and emptying of gravity drums. Transfer from flammable liquids drums by pumps. Loading of reactors with flammable liquids. Operations performed on the open manhole of a reactor. Handling of powders in the presence of flammable vapors. Loading powders when an inert atmosphere can not be maintained
More information
Expected learning outcomes:
At the end of the course the student matures basic knowledge for understanding the problems related to energy production and environmental protection. In particular, the program will recall some basic concepts of physical chemistry and organic chemistry, these notions are essential for understanding the processes and problems related to both energy production and environmental protection in safe conditions. The program also provides for the study of some real cases and the problems that have arisen for the failure to comply with the prescribed safety and maintenance standards.
Knowledge and understanding:
following the passing of the exam, the student acquires the basic notions and principles that are necessary for the development of energy production processes and for environmental protection in safe conditions.
Ability to apply knowledge:
In particular, the student through the study of practical examples will be able to evaluate and solve problems related to combustion processes and the technologies necessary to guarantee the functioning of civil and industrial plants in safe conditions.
Judgment autonomy:
to pass the exam, the student must answer autonomously to theoretical questions, with a free answer and is therefore led to develop autonomy of judgment on the completeness and correctness of the answers provided.
Communication skills:
is able to illustrate the theoretical principles and operating methods for operating in safe conditions which are the basis of the illustrated phenomenon.