Study Guide

Objective

After completion of this course the student understands the concepts of chemical reactions and is able to solve relevant problems in his own professional field, to apply this understanding as a necessary basis in later studies and to utilize it in future professional tasks. One of the major goals is to learn how to influence the yield and rate of chemical reactions, as well as to assess the type and size of the reactor for a given application.

Content

1. The meaning of thermodynamics and reaction kinetics; the meaning of reaction rate and mass transfer rate
2. The influence of temperature on the enthalpy and spontaneity of reactions
3. The yield and conversion of chemical reactions; how to influence them
4. Assessing reaction equilibria on activity, concentration and partial pressure scales; the determination of the thermodynamic equilibrium constant
5. Reaction kinetics: Determination of rate laws, reaction mechanisms, activation energy, catalysis, selectivity
6. The most important reactor types (ideal reactors) and their properties.
7. Assessing the size of reactors and reactor groups.

Prerequisites

Fundamentals of Chemistry 1 & 2
Engineering Chemistry
Math and Science Basics 1
Math and Science Basics 2
Math and Science Basics 3

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is able to define and describe the concepts and phenomena included in the course in a qualitative way and to compute straightforward problems mainly based on inserting a correct quantity into a correct formula.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student is able to define or describe the concepts and phenomena in one´s own words; he also knows how to explain the origin and meaning of related equations and to critically evaluate different solutions.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student is able to characterize and model phenomena on the basis of reasonable assumptions as well as to analyze, evaluate and modify solutions and the model when needed.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to define and describe the concepts and phenomena included in the course in a qualitative way and to compute straightforward problems mainly based on inserting a correct quantity into a correct formula.