Chemical reactor engineering

Duration

45h Th, 15h Pr, 15h Labo.

Number of credits

Lecturer

Dominique Toye

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course introduces the fundamental concepts necessary for the performance prediction and for the design of homogeneous chemical reactors.
Globally, the course covers the following aspects:

• Classification and methodology for the analysis of chemical reactors.
• Analysis and synthesis of the functioning of the ideal homogeneous chemical reactors.
• Case of a single or several reactions. Sizing and selectivity problems.
• Analysis of the multiplicity and of the stability of the stationary states.
• Analysis and synthesis of the functioning of the non isothermal ideal homogeneous chemical reactors.
• Case of a single or several reactions in isothermal or not isothermal regime. Sizing and selectivity problems.
• Analysis of the multiplicity and of the stability of the stationary states.
• Description of the real reacting flows by systematic analysis using the theory of macromixing and the experimental tracer method.
• Experimental diagnosis of flow nonidealities in chemical reactors.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of the course, the students will be able to

• understand and exploit the theoretical concepts and the methodology which constitute the foundation of chemical reactor design
• use this methodology to design and to size an industrial scale reactor for a given production on the basis of kinetic and thermodynamics data obtained at the scale
• detect the main sources of flow non idealities in reactors, predict their impact on reactor performances and to take the necessary precautions to avoid them
• perform exploitable tracer measurements, analyze the experimental results to model the flow within the reactor

At the end of the course, the students will be able to

• understand and exploit the theoretical concepts and the methodology which constitute the foundation of chemical reactor design
• use this methodology to design and to size an industrial scale reactor for a given production on the basis of kinetic and thermodynamics data obtained at the scale
• detect the main sources of flow non idealities in reactors, predict their impact on reactor performances and to take the necessary precautions to avoid them
• perform exploitable tracer measurements, analyze the experimental results to model the flow within the reactor

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Mastering mass balances and basic knowledge in chemical thermodynamics are required.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course organization is mainly based on inverted classrooms, along with discussion and exercise sessions, personal homeworks and labs.
A learning schedule will be proposed to students. Students will have to prepare by themselves some theory before each discussion session. The quality of the preparation and the understanding of the assigned theory will be tested based on questions (PreLecture Quizz), the answers to which will have to be submitted the day before the discussion session at 12:00 am at the very last.
The "ex-cathedra" lectures/ discussion sessions are dedicated to the discussion of the fundamental concepts necessary for the performance prediction and for the design of homogeneous chemical reactors.
During exercises sessions, students resolve individually or in group, basic problems relative to the calculation of the homogeneous ideal chemical reactors.
Personnal homeworks are related to the numerical resolutions of reactor equations of increased complexity (mass and heat balances).
For the laboratory sessions, students work in team. During the laboratory sessions, students observe or perform manipulations the aim of which is to illustrate and to better understand the theoretical concepts as well as their respective application fields.
PLQ, homeworks and attendance to laboratory sessions are mandatory. Students who did not submit at least 80% of the PLQ answer, or who did not realised at least 80% of the assigned homeworks or who did not attend lab sessions will not be allowed to present their exam (neither in June nor in September).
A "questions & answers" session relative to the whole course is proposed at the end the term. Other Q&A sessions relative to specific topics can be organized during the term. The schedule of theses Q&A sessions will be fixed in agreement with students.
 

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Face-to face + distance learning = blended learning

Recommended or required readings

The course book is :
Elements of Chemical Reaction engineering, 5th Edition, H.Scott Fogler
Additional information (exercises and laboratory notes, slides) will be also available via eCampus at the beginning of the year

The course book is :
Elements of Chemical Reaction engineering, 5th Edition, H.Scott Fogler
Additional information (exercises and laboratory notes, slides) will be also available via eCampus during the year

Assessment methods and criteria

Oral examination in January (retake in August/September) on the theory and on the methodology for problem resolution
During the oral examination, students prepare their answers by written, before presenting them orally.
The organization of the August/September examination is the same.
The global note is a weighted average of the notes obtained for the oral examination (55%), for the homeworks (25%), the PLQ (10%) and for the labs and class participation (10%).
PLQ, homeworks and attendance to laboratory sessions are mandatory. Students who did not submit at least 80% of the PLQ answer, or who did not realised at least 80% of the assigned homeworks or who did not attend lab sessions will not be allowed to present their exam (neither in June nor in September).
In case of retake, the notes for the homeworks, the PLQ and the class participation are conserved.

Oral and written examination in January (Part I : theory - Part II : exercises)
Oral and written examination in August/September (retakes).

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

The course is organized during the fall term (Tuesday morning and Thrusday afternoon).
The calendar will be provided to students.

Contacts

Prof. Dominique TOYE Phone : 04/366.35.09 Dominique.Toye@uliege.be
Teaching Assistant Nicolas Graindorge ngraindorge@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

Assessment subjects

Assessment methods

Contacts

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

No exam

Assessment methods

Contacts