Course content

The course is given every second year, next time in the fall term 2025. The course aims to give an understanding of the relation between modern theories of catalysis and the industrial application for the most important groups of heterogeneous catalysts; metals, metal oxides and zeolites. Assessment of the potential developments and limitations of catalysts will be analyzed through examples from industrial applications or processes under development. This includes the catalyst synthesis, a kinetic description of the different processes involved in a catalytic cycle (adsorption, surface reaction and desorption), mass and heat transfer issues, as well as interpretation of results from experimental and theoretical investigations.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: The students should know about modern theories and experimental findings relevant to heterogeneously catalyzed reactions and their implications to important industrial processes as well as processes that are yet to be commercialized. The knowledge should be particularly targeted towards upgrading of crude oil, conversion of natural gas, production of bulk chemicals, cleaning of emissions, and to renewable energy. Skills: The students should be able to find and choose relevant work from the research literature on a given subject within heterogeneous catalysis. They should know, or be able to assess, the opportunities, limitations and relevance of the experimental and theoretical methodology that has been applied. Furthermore, should they be able to combine the information into an overall picture that reveals both consensus and contradictions/conflicts regarding the understanding of the process in question. Finally, they should be able to present and discuss this picture within an audience of researchers. General competence: The students are able to discuss and assess existing and emerging findings and theories within heterogeneous catalysis, in a scientific as well as an industrial context, based on own experience in combination with recent results presented and published by other researchers.

Learning methods and activities

Seminars

Recommended previous knowledge

TKP4155 Reaction kinetics and catalysis.

Course materials

Selected articles and handouts.

Credit reductions