Course content

The course is an introduction to important principles and methods of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. The importance of catalysis as a key technology in sustainable chemical process industry, in energy production and in environmental processes. Definition of catalysis, elementary reactions, chain reactions and catalytic sequences. Adsorption, desorption, surface area and porosity. Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics. Kinetic modelling. Catalyst preparation and characterisation. Modern theories for surfaces and surface reactions. Internal and external mass and heat transfer in catalyst particles. The effect of diffusion on reaction kinetics. Multifunctional catalysis. Catalysis by transition metal complexes. Two seminars specific for the PhD students taking the course.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: -To have overview and knowledge about important industrial catalytic processes and the most common catalysts. -Know how catalysts are applied in sustainable industrial processes to reduce the energy demand and to improve selectivity to the desired products. -Be able to identify reaction sequences and suggest reaction mechanisms for chemical reactions. -Be familiar with synthesis methods for preparation of catalysts and important catalyst characterisation methods. -Know how internal and external mass transfer limitations influence the kinetics of catalytic reactions. -Understand the most common deactivation mechanisms for heterogeneous catalysts and how they influence the kinetics. -Be aware of the criteria of good experimental practice in kinetic measurements. -Understand reaction cycles in homogeneous transition metal complex catalysis. Skills: -Derive rate expressions for catalytic reactions based on Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics. -Design catalytic experiments with control over reaction kinetics without influence of heat and mass transfer limitations. -Apply chemisorption and kinetic data to calculate reaction rates and specific reaction rate. -Identify and distinguish different deactivation mechanisms present in heterogeneous catalysts. -Identify internal and external mass transfer limitations by using diagnostic criteria. -Identify individual elementary reactions, perform valence electron book-keeping for reaction cycles in homogeneous catalytic reactions General competence: -Be familiar with the principles of catalytic reactions and how the kinetics of the reactions can be derived and applied in practice. -Recognize important catalytic reactions, in particular for energy and environmental processes. -The candidates should be able to identify if a reaction is kinetically controlled or if equilibrium or external limitations such as heat or mass transfer are present.

Learning methods and activities

Expected workload per week is 3 hours of lectures, 2 hours of exercises and 7 hours of self-study. Lectures in English.

Compulsory assignments

• Mandatory excercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Course TKP4110 Chemical Reaction Engineering or similar knowledge.

Course materials

I. Chorkendorff and J. W. Niemantsverdriet: Concepts of Modern Catalysis and Kinetics, 3rd edition

Credit reductions