Kemiantekniikka - Chemical Engineering

Learning principles of different types of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and electrochemical methods for water treatment. Learning how these methods and technologies can be utilized in different applications, particularly for water purification. Economical, technical, and sustainability aspects of the methods will be considered. Real case examples and seminar work will be effectively implemented in order to give a depth understanding of the methods.

Biological wastewater treatment methods, professional terminology, built-up ecosystem, desired metabolism and reactor types, selection of microbes and enrichment, influence of temperature and other conditions on above-mentioned factors, basic knowledge on the biological methods used in removal of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous, aerobic and anaerobic wastewater treatment, process alternatives and technologies, designing and operating modes of processes, controlling and optimization of processes, novel technologies, recovery of valuable products from waste originating (secondary raw materials) raw materials, aerobic and anaerobic technologies in the treatment of sewage sludges and organic wastes.

The course covers recent topics in chemical engineering related to energy transformation, including generation of renewable hydrogen, carbon capture and utilization, E-fuels, Power-to-X processes, and carbon neutral products and processes.

Gas-liquid contactor theory, sizing principles and equations, calculation examples, computer exercises. Distillation, evaporation, gas scrubbing. In more details described. MATLAB based solution for continuous reactor case. Distillation principles, McCabe-Thiele method for distillation design. Distillation process (trays, reboiler, condenser, reflux), distillation efficiencies, thermodynamics. Mass balances, phase equilibrium calculations (MATLAB). Pxy-diagram, Flash distillation, Bubble temperature calculation, dew temperature calculation, Txy-diagram formulation, Batch distillation simulation program development (MATLAB). Absorption/gas scrubbing Equipment and Structures, sizing equations, Absorber sizing using MATLAB. Evaporation principles, equipment, sizing, sequencing.

Fundamentals of precipitation, crystallization, coagulation and flotation in water treatment and the mechanisms, modelling and process design related to the above methods. Advanced methods in order to enhance treatment processes. Sustainability aspects and recycling possibilities of the produced side streams. The course includes Moodle exercises and project work. The project work will be carried out individually or in small groups.

Circular economy and resource efficiency are important aspect in sustainable development within the industry. The course aim is that students gain the skills needed to ensure that circular economy concepts become adopted into the design, development and operation of mainly metal production processes, during its application, end-of-life stage and recycling.Students carry out project works in groups. The topics are from industry, for example side stream processing in metal and steel producing industry, circular economy, eco-design. Different aspects are emphasized in different projects, depending on the topic.

Background. Solution chemistry of hydrometallurgical solutions. Leaching. Treatment of leach solutions by solvent extraction, ion exchange and adsorption. Metals recovery by precipitation and electrochemical methods.

The topics are as follows: Fundamentals of solid-liquid separation, filtration methods, operation of filters, cake formation and washing, deliquoring, design and modeling of filters and scale-up. Filter media and blinding. Experimental design in filtration test work.

Membrane processes (micro-, ultra- and nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, pervaporation, etc.). Manufacturing membranes, membrane materials and structures, phenomena in membrane processes (fouling, concentration polarisation, etc.). Modules. Separation mechanisms. Characterisation of membranes. Applications.

Statistical data-analysis tool for critical process parameters identification using (MODDE-PRO) software: theory&practice, trouble-shooting cases, experimental plan. Week 36-37 Statistical data-analysis tool for set-up data-analysis using set of linear equation solvers. Different exercises: Cardboard strength improvement with additives, Pretreatment of raw material by washing, Dissolution of sustained release particles. Cyclopropane reaction results analysis, Pipe loss data analysis, DOE for cranberry extraction. Statistical data-analysis tool for set-up experimental design of experiments (DOE), data-analysis and optimization, combining statistical data model to Flowsheet simulator. Different Exercises: DOE and optimization for electrostatic dust collector, setting up water purification plant for simulating flow parameters such as BOD, COD using process data (Combining MODDE+ASPEN+) Machine learning in process industries: theory, methods, case examples. 

The projects are carried out in groups of five students. The topics are mainly from industry and the design work is done under supervision of industrial partners. The main focus is on energy transition related processes, i.e. carbon capture and utilization, hydrogen economy, and Power-to-X processes, but topics from chemical industry in general, waste treatment and processing, bioprocesses, metal processing, and circular economy, are also possible. A typical topic starts with product analysis covering a brief market survey, comparison of process alternatives, preliminary process design (process flow diagram, mass and energy balances, sizing of main equipment, lay-out, cost and profitability estimation). Different aspects are emphasized in different projects, depending on the topic.

The course covers different process intensification methods and their theoretical background. Teaching involves lectures, assignments, meetings and seminars. The main work will be carried out as a process design project assignment where students will work in teams aiming to intensify a process given by the teacher. Each team will write a report and present their results in seminar. The topics focus mainly on intensification of different Power-to-X processes, such as production of E-fuels, carbon neutral products, energy storage etc.

– Chemical and physical properties, determination of chemical components in process simulation- Property estimation methods – Chemical process material and energy balances, sizing, costing and economical evaluation – Process performance analysis, process evaluation and optimization– Chemical process synthesis, Biorefinery process synthesis: objectives and steps – Simulation strategies for Power-to-X chemicals syntheses, transitions from CO2 and H2 – Synthesis of separation sequences – Energy integration in process design.

Design methods and scale-up of fluid mixers, rheology, mixing effects in chemical reactors. Theoretical basics of CFD in chemical engineering with Power-to-X aspects and ability to solve basic mixing problems with CFD. COMSOL Multiphysics software.

Modeling and parameter estimation using Matlab in chemical engineering, and in applied mathematics in general. The course presents some of the most common unit operations of chemical engineering, including batch reactors, continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR’s), both in dynamic and steady state; tubular plug flow reactors, flash distillations, and modeling of temperature dependence of reactions and elements of heat transfer. The models are limited to ones that do not require solving partial differential equations (PDE’s).

The knowledge discovery is referring to the overall process of discovering useful knowledge from data. The knowledge discovery process is interactive and iterative and involves several steps starting from studying the application domain and ending to use of the information discovered. Process data analysis can be part of this process. Fundamental concepts - such as reliability of data, preprocessing (e.g., de-noising, handling missing data, and scaling strategy), data reduction, choosing methodology, validation, modelling, etc - will be addressed in tutorials, Moodle assignments, and discussions. A project work will be carried out in small groups that will define their working methodology. The course is suitable for distance learning.

The course will introduce the most important processing technologies that enable the implementation of circular economy, such as recycling and recovery as well as separation and purification technologies. The approach of the course is mainly solution based and thus aims to show practical examples on the utilization of different technologies in solving different kind of challenges in circular economy. A special emphasis is laid on topical themes, such as recycling and upgrading of plastic, electric, packaging and textile waste as well as on the production of biofuels. The course will also introduce the concept of ecodesign as a tool to manage the complex value chains in circular economy.

Course will be divided in two parts: Part I: Solution Chemistry (2 cr): Ideal, ideally dilute, and real solutions. The Debye-Hückel theory for electrolyte solutions. Pitzer equations for real electrolyte solutions. Equilibrium in electrolyte solutions. (1. period) Part II: Fundamentals of Electrochemistry (3 cr): Conductivity and capacitance. Electrolysis cells and galvanic cells. Potential differences across Liquid junctions. Basics of electrochemical analysis. Electrochemical energy storage: Batteries and fuel cells. Electrodes and electrode reactions. Electrode kinetics: Current-voltage characteristics of charge-transfer reactions. Reaction order. Two laboratory works included (can be conducted remotely with help of videos) (2. period) Student can conduct both or one of the parts.

This course contains two independent modules.1) Inorganic chemistry module is designed to prepare students for further study in inorganic chemistry or, more generally, employment of materials science fields. The content include advanced concepts in structure, reactions, bonding, and chemical/physical properties of inorganic compounds, understanding of which is central to the study of all areas of chemistry. 2) Analytical chemistry module covers design, operational principles and application of modern instrumental methods used in chemical analysis via case studies. There is an eBook for each module, and online interactive assignments. Students will work in small groups on the topics selected. The course is suitable for distance learning.

This course includes the use of scientific databases to find research results and knowledge including critical source assessment. The students will make individual or group workshops on selected research topics where they find knowledge of what is known today. They will learn to search the knowledge gap to propose research objectives, to identify promising scientific methods, and to plan for research. Students will learn to process the results to check the reliability of their results and their research hypothesis. Finally, the course will help to present the research results in presentation, thesis, or peer reviewed scientific journals.