TB243EA Course Overview and Key Concepts | Quizlet

TB243EA

To explore technical dimensions of large-scale industrial systems in the Netherlands, analyzing production chains from raw materials to end-products.

Case Studies

Methanol production (continuous process) and beer brewing (batch process).

Unit Operation

A fundamental step in an industrial process transforming flows of mass, energy, and information.

Components of an Industrial Site

Raw material pipelines, auxiliary utility flows, and data transfer networks.

Process Diagrams

Block Flow Diagram (BFD), Process Flow Diagram (PFD), Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID).

Phase Rule for Degrees of Freedom in Flows

F = 2 - π + N + 1

Unit Operation Types

Transport, Storage, Mixing, Separation, Chemical Conversion.

Physical Adjustments

Thermal gradients, mechanical forces, or electromagnetic forces.

Wastewater Treatment Levels

Primary (mechanical), Secondary (biological), Tertiary, Quaternary.

Sludge Treatment Role

To reduce volume and remove harmful components before disposal or reuse.

Sources of Drinking Water

Groundwater, surface water, seawater.

Final Step in Preparing Drinking Water from Seawater

Membrane purification (reverse osmosis).

First Oil Refinery

1881 by Alfred Nobel.

API Gravity

The density of crude oil relative to water.

Watson Characterization Factor

To indicate the paraffinic or aromatic nature of crude oil.

Topping Refinery

A basic refinery that performs atmospheric distillation.

Hydrotreater Purpose

To remove sulfur and nitrogen from hydrocarbon streams.

Chemical Equilibrium

A state where the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction.

Raoult's Law

The partial vapor pressure of a component in a mixture is proportional to its mole fraction.

Trays in a Distillation Column

To create contact stages for mass transfer between vapor and liquid phases.

Calculating Number of Trays

Using an x-y diagram, stepping between equilibrium and operating lines.

Focus of Petrochemistry

Processing intermediate refinery products into useful chemicals.

Types of Organic Reactions

Substitution, Addition, Condensation, Elimination, Isomerization.

Function of a Steam Cracker

To break down hydrocarbons into smaller, more valuable molecules like ethylene and propylene.

Key Constraint in Balancing Equations

Variables must be whole numbers, often found using linear algebra.

Reaction Rate

The change in concentration of a reactant or product per unit time.

Types of Reactors

Batch Reactor, Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR), Plug Flow Reactor (PFR).

Importance of Process Control

To maintain desired operating conditions and ensure safe, efficient operation.

Basic Components of a Control System

Sensor, Controller, Actuator.

Key Steps in Sugar Refining

Washing, cutting, extraction, coagulation, filtration, crystallization, drying.

Biodiesel production

Base-catalyzed transesterification of fats/oils with methanol.

Batch processes

Time-dependent and discrete production methods.

Continuous processes

Steady and ongoing production methods.

Distillation column output streams

The distillate (top product) and the bottom product.

Reflux ratio (R)

The ratio of the liquid returned to the column to the distillate withdrawn.

Higher reflux ratio effect

Generally improves separation but increases energy usage.

Sieve trays role

To enhance contact between vapor rising and liquid descending.

Feed stream introduction

At an intermediate point, creating rectifying and stripping sections.

Mole fraction of the lightest component in the feed

zFz_F

x-axis in x-y diagram

Mole fraction in the liquid phase.

y-axis in x-y diagram

Mole fraction in the vapor phase.

Number of equilibrium trays determination

By stepping between the equilibrium curve and operating lines.

Condenser function

It condenses the vapor stream to form liquid reflux and distillate.

q-line in distillation

A line that represents the thermal condition of the feed.

Distillate mass balance equation

VyD=LxD+DxDVy_D = Lx_D + Dx_D

Reboiler function

Part of the bottom liquid is vaporized and returned to the column.

Intersection point significance

It ensures all mass balances are satisfied.

xDx_D

Mole fraction of the lightest component in the distillate.

xBx_B

Mole fraction of the lightest component in the bottom product.

Condensation necessity

To recycle part of the liquid as reflux for better separation.

Trays operation at equilibrium

To maximize the efficiency of component separation.

Increasing number of trays effect

Improves separation performance.

Feed composition in design

Determines the required operating conditions and number of trays.

(Petro)chemistry core discipline

Organic chemistry.

(Petro)chemical product groups

Solvents, resins, fragrances, pharmaceuticals, adhesives.

(Petro)chemistry main base chains

C1 (methane), C2 (ethylene), C3 (propylene), C4 (butenes), BTX (aromatics).

Steam cracker

A unit that converts hydrocarbons into smaller valuable components.

Alkanes to alkenes reaction

Dehydrogenation.

Aromatics from cyclic structures reaction

Dehydrocyclization.

Dealkylation

Removal of side chains from aromatics.

Steam use in steam cracking

To minimize soot and aid reaction control.

Radical polymerization

Forms long-chain polymers from small unsaturated molecules.

Key input for steam crackers in Europe

Naphtha.

Post steam cracking process

Rapid quenching to prevent secondary reactions.

Common products of steam cracking

Ethylene, propylene, butadiene, aromatics.

Substitution in organic reactions

One atom or group replaces another.

Elimination reaction

Formation of a double bond by removing atoms.

BTX compounds

Benzene, Toluene, Xylene.

C1-C4 base chains categorization

By number of carbon atoms and structure.

Cracking in steam crackers

The process of breaking down larger hydrocarbons into smaller ones.

Dutch steam crackers location

Moerdijk, Terneuzen, Geleen.

Major reaction types in petrochemistry

Substitution, addition, condensation, elimination, isomerization.

Difference between refining and (petro)chemistry

Refining focuses on separation, petrochemistry on transformation.

General formula for a reaction rate

Rate = (1/stoichiometric coefficient) × d[concentration]/dt

Runaway reaction

Exothermic feedback loop due to insufficient cooling.

Arrhenius equation

Relates reaction rate to temperature.

Effect of a catalyst

Lowers activation energy, increasing reaction rate.

Batch reactor

A closed vessel where reactants react over time.

CSTR

A reactor where contents are continuously stirred and fed.

PFR

A reactor where flow is unidirectional with no back-mixing.

Mole balance equation

Accumulation = Inflow - Outflow + Formation

Parallel reactions

Reactions that occur simultaneously with different products.

Concentration relation to reaction rate

Higher concentration generally increases the rate.

Effect of pressure in gas reactions

Similar to increasing concentration.

Residence time in a PFR

τ=VR/v˙inτ = V_R / \dot{v}_{in}

Exponential term in the Arrhenius equation

e−Ea/RTe^{-E_a/RT}

Rate constant k

Proportionality constant in reaction rate equations.

Solving for coefficients in complex reactions

Systems of linear equations.

Primary goal of balancing chemical equations

Ensuring mass conservation.

Effect of increasing temperature by 10°C on rate

Approximately doubles the reaction rate.

Impact of incomplete reactions in CSTRs

Can lead to temperature spikes and unsafe operation.

Formation term in mole balance

Change due to chemical reaction.

Important factors for reactor design

Reaction kinetics, residence time, heat transfer.

Three main components of a control loop

Sensor, controller, actuator.

Function of a sensor

Measures a physical quantity.

Function of a controller

Compares measured value with setpoint and calculates correction.

Function of an actuator

Executes the control action.

Goal of process control

Maintain system at desired operating conditions.

Setpoint

Desired value of a process variable.

Feedback control

Correction based on measured deviation from setpoint.