Instructor: prof. Alberto Maria Gambelli
(brochure)
Course description:
The course aims to explore the phase equilibrium for ideal mixtures. Starting from an initial multi-species mixture, the determination of pressure and temperature conditions that lead to the coexistence of a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, both containing all the species present in the initial mixture but with different concentrations depending on their relative volatilities, is the basis of numerous industrial and technological applications. To give a concrete example, flash units consist of separators in which, starting from a single-phase mixture, two distinct streams are obtained: a gaseous stream, rich in the more volatile components of the initial mixture, and a liquid stream, containing predominantly the less volatile components. The relative concentrations of each stream are function of the selected operating temperature and pressure, which therefore allow the two streams to be adjusted to simplify their subsequent treatment/use. Phase equilibria are also the basis of techniques for absorbing contaminants present in gaseous streams, such as sulfur compounds, acid gases, and others.
The course provides a detailed understanding of the concept of equilibrium for multiphase mixtures, also describing practical applications of these concepts, which are used in the construction industry.
Topics:
- Description of the main thermodynamic state functions and determination of the spontaneous evolution of a system;
- Definition of chemical potential and fugacity;
- Phase rule for multicomponent systems;
- Mass balance and equilibrium conditions for multiphase systems;
- Raoult's Law and construction of phase diagrams;
- Practical applications: methods for absorbing contaminants present in gaseous streams;
- Useful applications for construction: the limestone-gypsum process.
Course scheduling (-):
- October Friday the 9th afternoon, Room 17
- October Friday the 16th afternoon, Room 17
- October Friday the 23th afternoon, Room 17