29902 - Principles of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering T

Learning outcomes

Basic knowledge of mass and heat transport phenomena. 

Ability to apply mass and energy balances to model processes occurring in simple single units of practical applications.

Course contents

• Introduction to transport phenomena and integral balance equations for a generic extensive variable.

 

• Mechanisms of heat transport. Convection and conduction.
• Local energy balance. Boundary conditions. Plane, cylindrical and spherical geometries.
• Heat transfer coefficient. Heat transport in forced and natural convection. Dimensional analysis. Global heat transfer coefficient.
• Macroscopic energy balance under simplified fluid dynamic conditions.
  

 

• Diffusive and convective mass transport. Law of Fick.
• Local mass balance. Boundary conditions. Plane, cylindrical and spherical geometries. Reacting systems and heterogeneous catalysis. Mass transport in fluids in motion. Convection generated by diffusion.
• Mass transfer coefficient. Mass transport between phases. Dimensional analysis. Global mass transfer coefficient.
• Macroscopic mass balance under simplified fluid dynamic conditions.
  

 

• Mathematical analogy between mass, energy and momentum transport.
• Simultaneous mass and energy transport.

Readings/Bibliography

Required readings

Annesini M.C., Fenomeni di Trasporto. Fondamenti e Applicazioni. Ed. Efesto 2015.

Notes from classes. 

Teaching methods

Class lectures and discussion of problem solutions.

Assessment methods

The exam will be only written and has a duration of 3 hours. It is composed by two parts:

1. Five question on theoretical aspects. Duration: 30 minutes. The maximum total score is 10 points. The minimum score to achieve is 6 points.
2. Two practical problems to solve, one on energy transport and the other on mass transport. Duration: 2,5 hours. The maximum total score is 20 points. The minimum score to achieve is 12 points.

The exam requires a total score of at least 18/30 to pass.

A score larger than or equal to 18/30 can be rejected at most once.

A calculator and a formula table (provided during the course) are the only material allowed during the exam.

 

Teaching tools

Presentation slides that will be made available to the students.

Office hours

See the website of Camilla Luni