CHEMISTRY AND INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES LABORATORY

The teaching falls within the integrative training activities of the Master's degree program in Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies. The course allows the student to become familiar with the main methods of synthesis and characterization of a heterogeneous catalyst. The synthesized catalysts will be used in the study of some important industrial reactions such as the methane dry reforming reaction or the alcohol steam reforming. Catalytic systems able to be activated by light (photocatalysts) will be prepared. The same catalysts will be used in the decomposition reaction of organic pollutants (VOC) or in the reduction of CO2.
The student will have the opportunity i) to face some industrial/technological problems and will be encouraged to use a logical and deductive reasoning in solving these problems; ii) to develop the ability to argue scientific reasoning;

1. Knowledge and understanding:
a) on the preparation and characterization of heterogeneous catalytic systems;
b) study of some industrial processes.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
a) to know how to use the knowledge to solve technological problems in a logical and deductive way;
b) to know the role of catalytic methodologies in the exploitation of renewable energy and in the development of sustainable processes.

3. Ability to judge
a) to know how to evaluate comparatively the effectiveness of different technologies;
b) to develop a preliminary critical capacity on the effectiveness of some processes and choices of catalysts.

4. Communication skills
a) to know how to use an appropriate vocabulary and the suitable technical-scientific symbolism;
b) to be able to interact positively with the teacher and with the classmates, formulating coherent questions and arguing alternative hypotheses.

5. Learning skills
a) to be autonomous in carrying out laboratory activities and in the use of the equipment used during the course.
b) to know how to take notes, independently selecting the salient aspects of scientific reasoning and collecting information according to their importance and priority.

A good knowledge of General Chemistry and good practise for laboratory experiences

Preparation of a heterogeneous catalyst (precipitation, ion exchange, wet impregnation and dry impregnation, synthesis by templates, deposition and precipitation) Characterization by physisorption and chemisorption of gas for the determination of the surface area of the catalyst and of the dispersion of the active phase. Analyses for the determination of the reducibility and oxidability of the active species and their possible interaction with the support (TPR, TPO), gas desorption measurements for the determination of the presence of acid or basic sites on the catalyst. Abrasion tests and other techniques normally used to characterize the catalysts. Activity tests in methane dry reforming reactions, and photo reduction of pollutants.

1. Synthesis of Solid Catalysts EDS. Krijn P. de Jong, Wiley-VCH, 2013.
2. Catalyst manufacture Alvin B. Stiles, Theodore A. Koch., EDS Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York 1995.
3. Material provided by the teacher

The assessment of learning takes place by a written and an oral test. The final grade will take into account the results achieved in the two tests. The written test consists in the preparation of a power point on one of the topics and its presentation, with the aim of verifying the ability of the student to independently discuss the information. During the oral examination, the student must demonstrate knowledge of the topics and how to expose them in a formal way. To pass the exam, participation in laboratory activities is required (80% minimum).

Lessons will be in part in the educational laboratory of Industrial Chemistry and partly in the research laboratory of the Professor.

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

written and 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