The University of Trinidad and Tobago

COURSE TITLE: Catalytic Processes

COURSE CODE: REEN3001

LEVEL: Year 3 CREDIT POINTS: 3

Parent Programme: BASc in Process Engineering

Type of Course: Lectures and tutorials with in-class written tests

Date validated: Date modified:

TOTAL STUDENT WORKLOAD: 108 hours

Typically the weekly hours committed to the unit will include 3 hours of formal delivery with
students expected to manage directed learning and independent study in support of the course.
The normal weekly workload will be:
Lecture 2 hrs
Tutorial 1 hrs
Directed and independent study 6 hrs
PREREQUISITES
 REEN2001 – Reaction Engineering
 80 % Attendance

DESCRIPTION
This course will explore catalysts, how they are used in industrial processes, and the relevant
calculations. To do so, we will survey: catalyst nature and structure, adsorption and diffusion
applications, deactivation and regeneration, kinetics of gas-solids reactant systems, and reactor designs
for solid catalytic systems.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Cognitive skills
Students will be able to:

 Use catalyst-affected reaction kinetics to calculate reaction outcomes

 Evaluate rate law parameters for catalysed reactions
 Calculate amount of catalyst needed to achieve desired conversions
 Assess and justify optimal reaction and catalyst conditions given catalyst performance
indicators
Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to:

 Develop fundamental understanding of the role catalysts in reaction engineering

Practical and Professional skills

Students will be able to:

 Ability to manage own learning and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources
 Apply catalyst calculations to common chemical engineering processes
 Develop lab skills

Transferable and Key skills

Students will be able to:

 Apply problem-solving methodologies

AREAS OF STUDY
Catalysts
Steps in a Catalytic Reaction
Synthesizing Rate Law, Mechanism and Rate-Limiting Step
Heterogeneous Data Analysis for Reactor Design
Catalyst Deactivation
Diffusion Fundamentals
Binary Diffusion
External Resistance to Mass Transfer
Parameter Sensitivity
Diffusion and Reaction in Spherical Catalyst Pellets
Internal Effectiveness Factor
Overall Effectiveness Factor

LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY

A combination of formal lectures and flipped classroom activities will be used to facilitate the learning of
concepts covered in textbooks. Student interaction would be encouraged to gauge their understanding of the
content. Laboratory experiments would be to reinforce the understanding of the material. Tutorials would allow
the students to work on problems in groups and individually. In class tutorial sessions may also be centered on
the approach to the problem and selection of an appropriate solution technique. The laboratory experiments
will allow the students to practically apply knowledge gained in the course. Course materials will be posted on
the electronic learning platform Canvas and students are encouraged to utilize the resource regularly.

ASSESSMENT
Assessment Element 1
weighting: 30%
assessment type: Quiz
special facilities: examination conditions
 time/duration: 2h

Assessment Element 2
weighting: 40%
assessment. type: Quiz
special facilities: examination conditions
time/duration: 4h

Assessment Element 3
weighting: 30%
assessment. type: Final examination
special facilities: examination conditions
time/duration: 3 hrs

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY
The exams will assess the students’ understanding of topics covered in the lectures and laboratory
experiments. Exam 2 will be over an extended time period to allow the students sufficient time to
calculate rate law parameters.

Aggregation & Re-assessment Rules

To pass this course a student must obtain at least 50 % overall when the assessment elements are
totaled. The MUST PASS rule is not applied in this course.

INDICATIVE READING
Chapters 10 – 12 of Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering 4th Edition by H. Scott Fogler.
Chapters 17- 21 of Chemical Reaction Engineering 3rd Edition by Octave Levenspiel

Students are required to read some articles in Journal of Chemical Engineering

Course Authors: Dr Ejae John and Dr Devon Indar

Date: 20 April 2017

Course Instructor: Dr Ejae John

Contact Information:
Mobile: 475 – 3792, Monday – Friday, 9am – 6pm
Email: ejae.john@utt.edu.tt