Study Programmes 2016-2017
CHIM0697-1  
Heterogeneous catalysis
Duration :
20h Th, 20h Pr, 10h Proj.
Number of credits :
Master in biomedical engineering (120 ECTS)4
Master in chemical and materials engineering (120 ECTS)4
Master in chemical and materials engineering (120 ECTS)3
Master in physical engineering (120 ECTS)4
Lecturer :
Nathalie Job
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents :
The course aims at developing the concepts required to use heterogeneous catalysts in various chemical processes. It contains the following concepts:  




  • Catalyst definition, types of catalysts.
  • History of catalysis - historical processes.
  • Industrial applications: relationship between process, reactor and catalyst;
  • Physical and chemical steps in heterogeneous catalysis (diffusion, adsorption, reaction, desorption);
  • Definition of catalytic sites - catalysis by metals, alloys and surface groups.
  • Conversion ratio, activity, selectivity, turnover number
  • Identification and counting of catalytic sites. catalyst characterization.
  • Nature and synthesis of supports and active phase. catalyst shaping.
  • Coupling between reaction and diffusion in porous catalysts (mass and heat transfers, efficiency factor, diffusional limitation
  • Deactivation
 
Learning outcomes of the learning unit :
Master the concepts of catalyst preparation and characterization.
Be able to use a supported catalyst in a reactor and to determine the operating conditions (chemical vs. diffusional regime).
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Chemistry (CHIM9272-2 and CHIM9273-1) Chemical kinetics (CHIM0012) Chemical engineering - reactor study (CHIM0023-3)    
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Theory lessons with numerous real examples about the preparation, characterization and use of catalysts.    Exercises about characterization data treatment and the study of reaction-mass transport coupling.
 
One personal presentation (in English) on a predefined subject.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
  • Lectures (theory), autumn session (face-to-face). 17 sessions of 1.5 h.  
  • Practice, parallel to theoretical lectures (face-to-face). 9 sessions of 1.5 h.  
  • Language : English
Recommended or required readings :
All teaching and practice material is available on the eCampus portal.
Assessment methods and criteria :
  • Personal presentation on a defined subejct (in English) during the theory lectures. The students may be questioned on any subject presented (either at the oral or written examination).  The personal presentation is mandatory: a students who fails in delivering the presentation will not be admitted to the final examination.
 
  • Written examination for practice (January).
  • Oral examination on theory (January). (two consecutive days, if possible)    
 
  • Weighing ratios: personal presentation: 20%; oral examination: 40%; written examination: 40%.
   
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
No remark
Contacts :
Nathalie Job Department of Chemical Engineering Institut de Chimie - B6a   Tel. : 32-(0)4-366 35 37 e-mail : Nathalie.Job@ulg.ac.be