2019-2020 / CHIM9306-1

Introduction to chemical engineering and industrial processes

Duration

24h Th, 24h Pr, 20h Proj.

Number of credits

 Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Engineering5 crédits  

Lecturer

Marie-Noëlle Dumont, Nathalie Job, Dominique Toye

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course is composed of two parts: - Part 1 : Introduction to industrial processes - Part 2 : Chemical kinetics
The 1st part introduces the fundamental principles relative to the analysis of mass, energy and momentum balances in industrial processes.
 
 
The second part of the concerns the study of reaction kinetics. It aims at developing the link between chemical reactions and their rate equation. It contents the following concepts:

  • Définition of the reaction rate
  • Structure of the rate equation
  • Elementary steps
  • Steady-state hypothesis
  • Kinetic treatment of catalytic sequences (open/closed) and chain reactions
  • Rate-determining step
  • Examples in catalysis and enzymatic catalysis
 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Part I : Introduction to industrial processes
At the end of the course, the students will be able to: - understand and exploit the fundamental principles relative to the analysis of balances in industrial processes - use the general resolution methodology to resolve mass balance problems linked to industrial processes of increasing complexity
Exercise sessions will help the students to develop more transverse skills as team-working, use of numerical methods and software tools to resolve problems.
 
Part II : Kinetics
At the end of the course, the sudents will be able to:
- determine the reaction rate equation from a given reaction mechanism, and vice-versa.
- calculate kinetics and thermodynamics parameters (activation energy, adsorption enthalpy and entropy) from kinetics data.
Knowledge acquisition will be made possible via exercise session and through the realization of a personal project (teams of 2 students) concerning the analysis of a recent scientific article about reaction kinetics.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic knowledge in chemistry and in thermodynamics

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Part I: Introduction to industrial processes
The course is based "ex-cathedra" lectures and practical courses (10 hours + 10 hours).
Optional "questions & answers" sessions are proposed during the spring term
 
Partie II : Kinetics
The course comprises "ex-cathedra" lectures (theory, 20h) and exercise sessions (problem solving, 15 h).
One personal project (groups of 2 students) will be realized: analysis of a recent scientific article, published in an international journal (in English) about the mechanism of a reactin and the determination of the reaction rate equation.

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

Face-to face

Recommended or required readings

Copies of the theoretical course slides and of the exercises will be available on eCampus at the begining of the spring term for both parts.
Reference book (Introduction to Chemical Processes) : D. Himmelblau (Basic Principles and Calculations in Chemical Engineering)
Reference book (Kinetics) : M. Boudart - Kinetics of chemical processes

Assessment methods and criteria

Oral examination in June. The individual works realized are taken into account.
 
Part I : Introduction to industrial processes (40% of the final mark)
Personnal work in small group (mass balance on a complete process - 50% of the mark of Part I) and resolution of a problem (50% of the final mark of Part I).
 
Part II : Kinetics (60%  of the final mark)
Personnal work (written report and oral discussion with the supervisor) - 40% of the final mark of Part II.
Oral examination (Exercices similar to those prepared in classes and sub-questions related to theory) - 60% of the final mark of Part II.


Note that the dates at which the reports must be sent to the supervisor are fixed from the beginning. Any postponement of the reports handing leads to penalties.Personnal works are mandatory. Students who do not realize one of them will not be allowed to attend the exam in June.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

The course is organized during the spring term (Friday morning).
Language : French.

Contacts

Part I : Introduction to industrial processes
Prof. Dominique TOYE Tel : 04/366.35.09 Dominique.Toye@uliege.be
Dr Ir Marie-Noëlle DUMONT Tel : 04/366.35.23 MN.Dumont@uliege.be
 
Part II : Kinetics
Prof. Nathalie JOB Tel : 04/366.35.37 Nathalie.Job@uliege.be

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

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

Part I : introduction to industrial processes
All theoretical concepts have been presented during face-to-face lecture. No additional distance session will be organised.
Questions/answers sessions are organized about theory, exercises and the project. The schedule is communicated to students via eCampus. A forum is organised on eCampus for students to ask questions.
Part II: Kinetics
 
Theoretical concepts that could not be taught face-to-face have been sent to the students (via e-Campus) as audiocommented slideshow.  Concerning exercises, statements and solutions are available on e-Capus.

A detailed work calendar concerning both theory and related exercises has been sent to the students. It is asked to watch the slideshows and solve the related exercises with specific deadlines.
Questions/answers sessions are organized every Friday morning (except on April 17) by Skype, on a "rendez-vous" basis, with the Professor (N. Job), one assistant (P. Dupont) and a Master 1 student (C. Schmitz).

 

Assessment subjects

Part I : Introduction to industrial processes
All the theoretical content and the exercises relative to the course have been thaught during face-to-face lectures. No modification is made.
 
 
Part II: Kinetics
The content of the lecture has been limited to lectures 1 to 6 (lectures 1 and 2 were done face-to-face).
All the lecture content is also avaliable in the reference book (M. Boudart - Kinetics of Chemical Processes). The pages are:
 
Lecture 1 : p. 2 à 35 (avec des passages non vus)
Lecture 2 : p. 35 à 50, puis p. 60 à 67
Lecture 3 : p. 67 à 80
Lecture 4 : p. 82 à 93
Lecture 5 : p. 93 à 99
Lecture 6 : p. 99 à 105
 
All concepts that are not explicitely present in the slides are excluded from the lecture content.
Concerning exercises, the content has not changed. all the necessary material is avaliable on e-Campus.

Assessment methods

Part I : Introduction to industrial processes
No exam during the session for this part. The note will be based on the written report (one report per group) and on the (individual) presentation relative to the project.
 
Part II : Kinetics
The project related to the analysis of a scientific paper is maintained. All the necessary material has been communicated to the students. The teaching staff (N. Job, P. Dupont and C. Schmitz) are available for questions. Nothing changes compared to the normal situation except for the question/answer sessions: those will take place by Skype, on appointment.
An individual oral examination will take place in June, by Skype. It will focus on:
- a short exercise: its solution will be explained by the student;
- a discussion about the report, during which the mastering of theoretical concepts will be assessed through questions related to the theory necessary to realize the project.
 
The mark distribution does not change  (project: 40%, oral examination: 60%)

Contacts

Part I : Introduction to industrial processes
Prof. Dominique TOYE Tél : 04/366.35.09 Dominique.Toye@uliege.be
Dr Ir Marie-Noëlle DUMONT Tél : 04/366.35.23 MN.Dumont@uliege.be
 
Part II : Kinetics
Prof. Nathalie JOB Tél : 04/366.35.37 Nathalie.Job@uliege.be

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

Assessment subjects

No change with regards to May-June

Assessment methods

No change compared to May-June.
 

Contacts

Part I : Introduction to industrial processes 
Prof. Dominique TOYE Tél : 04/366.35.09 Dominique.Toye@uliege.be
Dr Ir Marie-Noëlle DUMONT Tél : 04/366.35.23 MN.Dumont@uliege.be
 
Part II : Kinetics
Prof. Nathalie JOB Tél : 04/366.35.37 Nathalie.Job@uliege.be