CATALYSIS, ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

The course is one of the integrative courses of the Master's degree program in Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies. The course allows the student to know and understand some topics related to new sustainable technologies for environment and energy. The student will be able to address an industrial/technological problem in its various aspects and to learn how to use the current technical-scientific language.
Some issues related to emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere from both fixed and mobile sources will be proposed. Moreover, the course consists of an overview of traditional sources of energy with a critical analysis on the replacement with renewable sources. The main objective will be to understand the role of catalytic methodologies in the transformation of effluents into harmless materials and in the exploitation of renewable energy. In particular, it will be i) stimulated the use of a logical and deductive reasoning in the resolution of these problems; ii) developed the ability to expose scientific concepts in a formal manner; iii) developed the ability to deepen a topic and to argue it through a slide presentation using an appropriate technical-scientific language.

1. Knowledge and understanding:
i) the main problems related to polluting emissions into the atmosphere from fixed and mobile sources;
ii) traditional energy sources with a critical analysis on the replacement with renewable sources;
iii) role of catalytic methodologies in the exploitation of renewable energy and in the development of sustainable processes.
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
i) knowing how to use the concepts learned to solve technological problems in a logical and deductive way;
ii) knowing how to run a literature search and a consequent elaboration presented through slides.
3. Ability to judge
i) knowing how to evaluate comparatively the effectiveness of different technologies;
ii) develop a preliminary critical capacity on the dangers of some applications for human health and the environment.
4. Communication skills
i) knowing how to communicate the learned knowledge and the result of their application using an appropriate technical-scientific terminology;
ii) knowing how to interact with the teacher and the classmates in a respectful and constructive way, formulating coherent questions and arguing any alternative hypotheses;
5. Learning skills
i) being able to take notes, independently selecting the fundamental aspects of scientific reasoning and gathering information according to their importance and priority;
ii) Being able to be autonomous in a bibliographic research.

Basic knowledge of Chemistry and Physics

The concept of zero-emission processes. Mobile sources. Catalytic converters for petrol cars. Monolithic catalysts: preparation and advantages. Three-way catalysts. Catalytic converters for Diesel emissions. Ozone abatement in commercial aircraft. Fixed sources. Catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides. Process deNOx plant types. Elimination of volatile organic compounds. Carbon monoxide abatement. Catalytic combustion. General aspects on fossil fuels. Oil, natural gas and coal. Unconventional oils and gases. Electricity from nuclear. Perspectives and impact on the climate. Renewable energy sources. Principles of photovoltaic and cell production. Biofuels. Biorefinery. Hydrogen: economy of the future? Fuel cells. Methanol Economy. Chemicals from methanol.

- G. Ertl, H. Knozinger, J. Weitkamp, "Environmental Catalysis" Wiley-VCH 1999.
- G.A. Olah, A. Goeppert, G.K. Surya Prakash, "Beyond oil and gas: the methanol economy", Wiley VCH 2006.
- N. Armaroli, V. Balzani, "Energy for a sustainable world", Wiley-VCH 2011
- C.H. Bartholomew, R.J. Farrauto, “Fundamentals of Industrial Catalytic Processes” 2nd ed. Wiley 2006.

The assessment of learning takes place through an oral test that includes the presentation of one of the topics by slides in ppt format. The goal is to verify the ability of the student to develop the information. The oral exam continues with questions concerning the program reported in the "Contents" section. During the oral examination, the student should demonstrate knowledge of the topics and present them adequately. The oral exam lasts from 30 to 45 minutes.

Teaching is organized in classroom lectures by the use of slides. In the "moodle" platform of the University it will be present the educational material.

Italian

Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and
students with specific learning impairments:
Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010)
regarding support services and accommodation available to students
with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual,
hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning
impairments (Law 170/2010). In the case of disability or impairment
that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note
takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and
Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Climate change and energy" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development