SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY AND ALTERNATIVE SOURCES
cod. 1008517

Academic year 2022/23
2° year of course - First semester
Professor
Roberta PINALLI
Academic discipline
Chimica industriale (CHIM/04)
Field
Discipline chimiche ambientali, biotecnologiche, industriali, tecniche ed economiche
Type of training activity
Characterising
55 hours
of face-to-face activities
6 credits
hub: PARMA
course unit
in ENGLISH

Learning objectives


The aim of the course is to teach the following concepts:
Knowledge and understanding: the aim of the course is to give to the student fundamentals on the use of renewable, sustainable and alternative sources and a deep knowledge of the principal chemical processes for the production of fuels, electrical and thermal energy. In particular, the following items will be discussed:
Bioethanol and biodiesel production from renewable sources: first, second and third generation biomass
Second generation biomass gasification principles
Chemicals production from biomasses and their uses in the biofuel production
Bio-oil production and upgrading
As alternative energy source, the fuel cells will be presented, together with hydrogen production and storage
As renewable energy, the use of solar energy for the production of electricity through the use of solar cells will be discussed.
As for the environment protection, different methodologies for the recycle of the polymers will be discussed. In particular:
Chemical recycle processes of polymers; Thermal depolymerization reactions; Polymer oxidative degradation; Chemical depolimerization reactions
Polymer natural degradation processes
A particular emphasis will be given to the biodegradable polymers production, properties and uses
Finally, the thermovalorization of solid waste will be presented.
The last part of the course will be focused on the urban and industrial wastewater treatments and industrial exhaust gases treatments.

Applying knowledge and understanding: in parallel to theoretical explanations, the student will be trained in laboratory practice exercises. The lab experiments will be: (i) synthesis and characterization of biodiesel; (ii) synthesis and characterization of polylactic acid; (iii) chemical depolimerization of PET: how to chemically recycle a plastic bottle. Moreover, during the academic year, two instructional visits will be performed. One visit will be at the IMEM solar energy labs, and the second one alternatively to (i) a wastewater (or exhaust gases) treatment plant; (ii) to an incenerinator plant; (iii) a biopolymer production plant. These activities will train the student to apply and reinforce the concepts acquired, in particular for the plant and process management and its sustainability.

Making judgements: The student will possibly acquire a complete autonomy in the classification of the different alternative energetic sources, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages. The student will be able to autonomously and critically analyze the most suitable wastewater treatment (exhaust gas) for a particular plant or process, proposing the necessary characterizations to identify the type of wastewater (exhaust gas). Moreover, the student will be able to evaluate the most suitable treatment process for polymer disposal/recycle, based on the material characteristics.
Communication and lifelong learning skills: the student should be able to properly communicate using the typical scientific terminology. To this aim, at the end of the course the student will present in English to the teacher and to the classmate, who will actively participate to the discussion, an article or a review connected to the course contents. The work will be done as working group. The group will be composed by maximum four students that will autonomously select from the literature the article/review. The student should be able to present in a proper and critical way the selected argument.

Prerequisites


To successfully follow the course and pass the examination it is fundamental to possess most of the knowledge and concepts treated in the course of
"Chimica Generale", "Organic Chemistry I and II", "Chimica e Tecnologia dei Polimeri"

Course unit content


Biofuels: first, second and third generation
Biorafinery processes and biomass uses
Biodegradable polymers
Polymer recycle
Wastewater treatment
Exhaust gas treatments
Fuel cells
Solar cells

Full programme


Bioethanol and Biodiesel production from biomass of first, second and third generation
Syn gas Production from biomass of second generation
Bio-oil production and upgrading
Syngas as chemical platform: the thermochemical route
MTG (Methanol to Gasoline) process
MTO (Methanol to Olefins) process
Solar cells: solar energy; mode of operation; characterization; types of solar cells (Si, CIS, CIGS, DSSC, nanocrystal thin film, Grätzel)
Fuel cells: mode of operation; applications; types of fuel cells (low and high temperature); hydrogen production and storage
Polymer recycle: mechanical, chemical and thermal
Chemical transformation of plastic materials
Thermal depolymerization
Polymer oxidative degradation
Chemical depolimerization
Biopolymers: definition, production and sources. Types of bioplymers and applications. Natural degradation of biopolymers. Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment: pre-treatments, primary, secondary (biological) and tertiary treatments. P and N reduction in wastewater. Principal definitions: BOD, TOC, TIC, sludge age, sludge loading
Industrial exhaust gas treatment.

Bibliography


Slides, handsout and references cited

Teaching methods


The lessons will be in presence in compliance with the anti-COVID practices. The lab practices will be held in presence at the Plesso Polifunzionale student labs, in compliance with the anti-COVID practices. Videos will be made available to support the learning of the subject. A group work (maximum 4 students) consisting in a presentation to be done in English in front of the classmates is foreseen. The presentation will cover a particular argument of the course. Students will organize themselves for the preparation in compliance with the anti-COVID rules. The course takes advantage of a seminar held by experts to deepen particular topics, and possibly an educational visit to chemical plants operating in the sectors covered by the course.

Assessment methods and criteria


Oral or on-line (via Teams ONLY during the COVID emergency) examination.
The student will have to prove to be able to properly and critically manage the contents of the course using a technical correct language. The student must be able to connect the arguments of the course.
The ability to master the technical language will be positively evaluated.
The result of the oral exam will be provided immediately
It is mandatory to register for the exam.

Other information

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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development

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