Chemical Engineering

The course is divided into the following modules: - a first part is dedicated to the characterization of natural waters [35 hours]; - a second part to water treatments [40 hours]; - the last module is dedicated to cementitious materials [15 hours] In detail, the program includes: Natural waters. Classification. Physico-chemical characteristics: total solids, dissolved solids, suspended solids, ionic strength, concentration and activity, activity coefficients, pH. The equilibria of the carbonic acid system. Acidity, alkalinity, Total inorganic carbon content, hardness, stability (aggressive, scale-forming waters, Langelier and Ryznar indexes), dissolved gases. Uses of natural water for civil (drinking water), irrigation, and industrial purposes (cooling and heating systems, steam generators, chemical processes). Quality requirements. Primary water treatment processes: neutralization, chemical conditioning/stabilization, softening, demineralization, degassing, disinfection. Schemes of treatment plants for the different types of water. Elements of design of treatment units. Hydraulic binders: Portland cement, production, setting and hardening, mechanical characteristics. European legislation on cement. Concrete: characteristics of the components, properties, and critical issues of fresh and hardened concrete.

Good knowledge of general and inorganic chemistry is required to successfully participate in the course and achieve the learning objectives.

- Lecture notes (insights on W.D. Callister - Materials Science and Engineering and Benefield, Judkins, Weand - Process Chemistry for water and wastewater treatment) - Presentations of the lessons in Powerpoint - Exercises book (provided by the teacher and containing both exercises done and exam exercises of which only the solutions are given) The material, in digital format, will be made available at the beginning of the course with the exception of the PowerPoint which will be shared in real time, using a virtual google classroom (whose access code will be sent via email to the attendants).

Attendance, although not compulsory, is strongly recommended. This course is scheduled for the second semester (approximately from 26 February 2024 to 31 May 2024).

The evaluation is based on: 1) a written task, aimed at verifying the achievement of knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge in the solution of numerical calculations to characterize natural waters, choose and design the treatments suitable for different applications, and design the mixtures of concrete and measure its characteristic parameters. 2) an oral interview aimed at verifying the acquisition of a critical sense in understanding phenomena, the choice of solutions, and their application The final grade is expressed out of thirty of which - Up to 2 points (weight on the total grade of about 6.7%) - Attendance, interest, involvement, and punctuality in the delivery of assigned tasks - Up to 22 points (Weight on the total grade about 73.3%) - Written assignment including 3 exercises: the first on the characterization of natural waters (maximum score of 7 points), the second on a treatment (maximum score 10 points), the third on concrete (maximum score 5 points). - Up to 6 points (Weight on the total grade about 20%) - Short oral interview consisting of a maximum of three questions on the topics of the course. The exam dates are, tentatively, June 7th, July 14th, September 20th, January 10th, February 14th There are 3 intermediate tests during the course (indicatively the first at the beginning of April, the second at the beginning of May, and the last at the end of the course) with which, if passed, you have direct access to the oral exam.

The adopted teaching model includes traditional lectures and flipped classrooms for the acquisition of knowledge as well as numerous exercises to carry out also in groups for the application of knowledge to real cases.