Heterogeneous Reaction Engineering

Abstract

Heterogenous reaction engineering aims at studying heterogeneous reactions to define the optional reactor design. Integrating concepts from chemical engineering and chemistry, the fundamental principles of this broad family of reactions are covered, making students develop the necessary skills for the selection and design of various types of reactors.

Objective

At the end of the course students must understand the basic principles of catalyzed and non-catalyzed heterogeneous reactions, enabling them to predict the effect of process variables on reaction rates, develop rate expressions from experimental data, and identify suitable reactors. To reach these goals, they first must be able to determine key process features through applying models to represent fluid-fluid and fluid-solid reactions, describing kinetics of catalyzed reactions, accounting for mass and heat transport phenomena on reaction rates, and recognizing the main causes of catalyst deactivation. Based on this, students must be able to select suitable reactors described during the course.

Content

The following areas are covered: - Fluid-fluid and fluid-solid heterogeneous reactions. - Kinetics of catalyzed reactions. - Mass and heat transport phenomena. - Catalyst effectiveness. - Catalyst deactivation. - Strategies for catalyst evaluation and reactor selection. Exercises based on relevant processes are discussed throughout the course to support the understanding of the theory and to exemplify the practical significance of the topics. Voluntary self evaluations associated to each core area for independent/team work and supported by teaching assistants are also provided. They contain short questions about concepts covered in the lectures and exercises from previous exams. Delivered self evaluations are graded. Consistently high grades over the series of self evaluations may have a positive impact on the final grade of the course. The evaluation of the course will cover theoretical and practical aspects. Students will be asked to develop theoretical concepts closely related to those described in the script and developed during the lectures. Students are also expected to solve practical examples relative to the level of complexity of the exercise booklet and dossiers.

Resources