Heterogeneous Catalysis

Module Notes
Faculty Member (Members):
Undergraduate, 9th Semester (5th Year, Fall)
Module Category: Thematic Unit Electives, Group B
Module Type: Core Chemical Engineering
Teaching Language: Greek
Course Code: CHM_E_B1
Credits: 3
ECTS Credits: 4
Teaching Type: Lectures (3h/W) Project/Homework (1/Semester)
Module Availability on Erasmus Students: No
Course URL: E-Class (CMNG2250)
Student's office hours: Wednesday 11:00-14:00
Module Details

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the basic types of solid catalysts as well as the most common methods of their synthesis. Identify the most important physicochemical properties of solid catalysts and the main methods for their characterization and evaluation.
  2. Describe the fundamental principles underlying the various physicochemical methods used to determine the main physical and chemical properties of solid catalysts.
  3. Describe, at a microscopic level, the chemisorption of reactant species, as well as the mechanism and key elements of catalytic activity for the various general categories of solid catalysts.
  4. Describe the basic aspects of the thermodynamics and kinetics of heterogeneous catalytic reactions.
  5. Explain the mode of action of catalysts in selected processes of industrial and environmental interest.
  6. Analyze experimental data/results from physicochemical characterization (e.g., physical adsorption/chemisorption on surfaces) of solid catalysts, and identify the key features of the mechanism of heterogeneous catalytic reactions, based on kinetic measurement results and data obtained from characterization techniques of heterogeneous catalysts.
  7. Select a general category of catalysts for a specific reaction and present the current research developments related to that subject in an oral presentation.
  8. Clearly present written answers to both theoretical questions and problems related to heterogeneous catalysis.

There are no prerequisite modules. The students should have a basic knowledge of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics.

Content

Introduction to Catalysis.
Basic types of catalysts:

  • Unsupported catalysts (metal oxides, carbides, metal-organic frameworks)
  • Supported catalysts (substrates, supports, supported mixed metal oxides, surface-modified catalysts)
  • Monolithic catalysts

Synthesis methods of solid catalysts:

  • Wet preparation methods (wet/dry impregnation, deposition–precipitation, solution combustion, etc.)
  • Dry preparation methods (thermal decomposition of precursor compounds, solid-state reaction, combustion, etc.)

Characterization techniques for physicochemical properties:
Determination of texture, size, and composition of catalytic particles.
Chemisorption processes on the surfaces of transition metals, redox solids, and acidic solids.
Detection of adsorbed species on catalytic surfaces.
Techniques for studying surface phenomena on solid materials (TPD, TPR, SIMS, LEED, EELS, AES, UPS, XPS, EXAFS, IR, and IRAS).
General principles and application examples of these techniques in heterogeneous catalysis.

Thermodynamics and kinetics of heterogeneous catalytic reactions.

Catalytic activity on solid surfaces:

  • Reactions catalyzed by transition metals
  • Oxidation reactions on redox catalysts
  • Hydrocarbon conversions on acidic solid surfaces
  • Reforming catalysts

Key aspects of catalytic activity in heterogeneous catalytic processes of industrial and environmental interest:

  • Hydrogenation of vegetable oils
  • Production of ammonia and nitric acid
  • Methanol synthesis
  • Syngas conversion processes
  • Ethylene oxide production
  • Sulfuric acid production
  • Linear polyethylene production
  • Catalytic pyrolysis
  • Production of synthetic gasoline
  • Catalytic processes using modified zeolite catalysts
  • Catalytic pollution control processes

Teaching Organization

LECTURES: 39 h

HOMEWORK: 13h

PROJECT (preparation & presentation): 20h

STUDY: 30h

EXAMS: 3h

Total Module Workload (ECTS Standards):

105 Hours

Assessment Language: Greek

The assessment process includes:

  • Analysis of experimental results / problem solving
  • Writing / presentation of a literature review topic (50%)
  • Final written exam (50%)

To pass the course, the grade on the written exam must be greater than or equal to five (5).
Clarification: If the exam grade is less than 5, that grade will be considered the final grade for the specific exam period.

The assessment criteria are explicitly stated in the course syllabus, which is posted on the Department’s website.

  1. Σ. Μπεμπέλης και Σ. Λαδάς, “Ετερογενής Κατάλυση”, Εκδόσεις Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών, 2006
  2. Α. Θ. Σδούκος και Φ. Ι. Πομώνης, “Χημικές διεργασίες της χημικής τεχνολογίας”, Εκδόσεις ΤΖΙΟΛΑ, 2024
  3. Α.Σ. Λυκουργιώτης και Χ. Κορδούλης, “Κατάλυση”, Τόμος Α΄, Ελληνικό Ανοικτό Πανεπιστήμιο, Πάτρα, 2003
  4. Χ. Α. Κορδούλης, Α.Σ. Λυκουργιώτης, “Καταλυτικές Επιφάνειες”, Ελληνικό Ανοικτό Πανεπιστήμιο, Πάτρα, 2003
  5. J.M. Smith, "Μηχανική Χημικών Αντιδράσεων", Εκδόσεις ΤΖΙΟΛΑ, 2024 
  6. J.R.H. Ross, “Heterogeneous Catalysis: Fundamentals and Applications of metal oxides”, Elsevier B.V., Amsterdam, 2012