Chemical Technology (eBook)

Andreas Jess studied at the Technical University of Aachen. He obtained his PhD and habilitation from the University of Karlsruhe for his work on syngas formation and up-grading of raw coke-oven gas. In 1998 he became professor for technical chemistry in Aachen. Since 2001 he is owner of the chair of Chemical Engineering at the University of Bayreuth. His research interests are the optimization and modeling of catalytic processes, utilization of ionic liquids, and processes for production of fuels and chemicals from fossil and renewable resources. Peter Wasserscheid studied chemistry at the Technical University of Aachen and obtained his PhD for the work on the use of ionic liquids. After a postdoc at BP Chemicals in Great Britain Wasserscheid returned to Aachen. In 2001 he became Scientific Supervisor of the Solvent Innovation Company and since 2003 he owns the chair of Chemical Reaction Engineering at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg. At present he researches the development of concepts for highly selective catalytic processes. He has received several awards including the Max-Buchner-Award of DECHEMA (2001), the Innovation Award of the German Economy (2003, together with Solvent Innovation GmbH, Cologne) and the Leibniz Award of the German Science Foundation (2006).

1 Introduction
1.1 What is Chemical Technology?
1.2 The Chemical Industry
2 Chemical Aspects of Industrial Chemistry
2.1 Stability and Reactivity of Chemical Bonds
2.2 General Classification of Reactions
2.3 Catalysis
3 Thermal and Mechanical Unit Operations
3.1 Properties of Gases, Liquids, and Solids
3.2 Heat and Mass Transfer in Chemical Engineering
3.3 Thermal Unit Operations
3.4 Mechanical Unit Operations
4 Chemical Reaction Engineering
4.1 Main Aspects and Basic Definitions of Chemical Reaction Engineering
4.2 Chemical Thermodynamics
4.3 Kinetics of Homogeneous Reactions
4.4 Kinetics of Fluid?Fluid Reactions
4.5 Kinetics of Heterogeneously Catalyzed Reactions
4.6 Kinetics of Gas?Solid Reactions
4.7 Criteria used to Exclude Interphase and Intraparticle Mass and Heat Transport Limitations in Gas?Solid Reactions and Heterogeneously Catalyzed Reactions
4.8 Kinetics of Homogeneously or Enzyme Catalyzed Reactions
4.9 Kinetics of Gas?Liquid Reactions on Solid Catalysts
4.10 Chemical Reactors
4.11 Measurement and Evaluation of Kinetic Data
5 Raw Materials, Products, Environmental Aspects, and Costs of Chemical Technology
5.1 Raw Materials and Energy Sources
5.2 Inorganic Products
5.3 Organic Intermediates and Final Products
5.4 Environmental Aspects of Chemical Technology
5.5 Production Costs of Fuels and Chemicals Manufacturing
6 Examples of Industrial Processes
6.1 Ammonia Synthesis
6.2 Syngas and Hydrogen
6.3 Sulfuric Acid
6.5 Coke and Steel
6.6 Basic Chemicals by Steam Cracking
6.7 Liquid Fuels by Cracking of Heavy Oils
6.8 Clean Liquid Fuels by Hydrotreating
6.9 High Octane Gasoline by Catalytic Reforming
6.10 Refinery Alkylation
6.11 Fuels and Chemicals from Syngas: Methanol and Fischer?Tropsch Synthesis
6.12 Ethylene and Propylene Oxide
6.13 Catalytic Oxidation of o-Xylene to Phthalic Acid Anhydride
6.14 Hydroformylation (Oxosynthesis)
6.15 Acetic Acid
6.16 Ethylene Oligomerization Processes for Linear 1-Alkene Production
6.17 Production of Fine Chemicals (Example Menthol)
6.18 Treatment of Exhaust Gases from Mobile and Stationary Sources
6.19 Industrial Electrolysis
6.20 Polyethene Production
References
Index
1 Introduction
1.1 What is Chemical Technology?
1.2 The Chemical Industry
2 Chemical Aspects of Industrial Chemistry
2.1 Stability and Reactivity of Chemical Bonds
2.2 General Classification of Reactions
2.3 Catalysis
3 Thermal and Mechanical Unit Operations
3.1 Properties of Gases, Liquids, and Solids
3.2 Heat and Mass Transfer in Chemical Engineering
3.3 Thermal Unit Operations
3.4 Mechanical Unit Operations
4 Chemical Reaction Engineering
4.1 Main Aspects and Basic Definitions of Chemical Reaction Engineering
4.2 Chemical Thermodynamics
4.3 Kinetics of Homogeneous Reactions
4.4 Kinetics of Fluid?Fluid Reactions
4.5 Kinetics of Heterogeneously Catalyzed Reactions
4.6 Kinetics of Gas?Solid Reactions
4.7 Criteria used to Exclude Interphase and Intraparticle Mass and Heat Transport Limitations in Gas?Solid Reactions and Heterogeneously Catalyzed Reactions
4.8 Kinetics of Homogeneously or Enzyme Catalyzed Reactions
4.9 Kinetics of Gas?Liquid Reactions on Solid Catalysts
4.10 Chemical Reactors
4.11 Measurement and Evaluation of Kinetic Data
5 Raw Materials, Products, Environmental Aspects, and Costs of Chemical Technology
5.1 Raw Materials and Energy Sources
5.2 Inorganic Products
5.3 Organic Intermediates and Final Products
5.4 Environmental Aspects of Chemical Technology
5.5 Production Costs of Fuels and Chemicals Manufacturing
6 Examples of Industrial Processes
6.1 Ammonia Synthesis
6.2 Syngas and Hydrogen
6.3 Sulfuric Acid
6.5 Coke and Steel
6.6 Basic Chemicals by Steam Cracking
6.7 Liquid Fuels by Cracking of Heavy Oils
6.8 Clean Liquid Fuels by Hydrotreating
6.9 High Octane Gasoline by Catalytic Reforming
6.10 Refinery Alkylation
6.11 Fuels and Chemicals from Syngas: Methanol and Fischer?Tropsch Synthesis
6.12 Ethylene and Propylene Oxide
6.13 Catalytic Oxidation of o-Xylene to Phthalic Acid Anhydride
6.14 Hydroformylation (Oxosynthesis)
6.15 Acetic Acid
6.16 Ethylene Oligomerization Processes for Linear 1-Alkene Production
6.17 Production of Fine Chemicals (Example Menthol)
6.18 Treatment of Exhaust Gases from Mobile and Stationary Sources
6.19 Industrial Electrolysis
6.20 Polyethene Production
References
Index

From reviews of the project proposal:

"I am most impressed that the authors have endeavored to take-up this daunting task. I should like to sincerely congratulate them and wish them great success. I agree with the contents proposed by the authors ... they have done an excellent job."
Professor M. M Sharma, University of Mumbai, Institute of Chemical Technology, India

"This is an ambitious project and meets a clear need for courses that integrate chemical processing technology between the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering... This is a good idea for a book and if done properly will lead to an intersting and valuable reference work."
Dr. Gavin Towler, UOP LLC, Des Plaes, USA

"The authors are young professors with recognition in the academic environment... I would trust in their capability to write a textbook of high quality."
Dr. Alfred Oberholz, Degussa AG, Duesseldorf, Germany

"I was impressed by the thoroughness with which the table of contents was proposed, and I have no suggestions as to what should be added or deleted... The book will be a must for everbody studying chemistry at a German technical university... I can state that their didactic capabilities are most remarkable, and in spite of their youth, they all have impressive teaching records. These few facts may suffice to show that the trio does not only have an excellent "standing in the field", but it is also ideally suited to convert the ambitious plan into a superb textbook. It is indeed difficult to fancy a better suited team of authors for such a book."
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jens Weitkamp, University of Stuttgart, Germany

"Yes, I think there is a need for a book of this type... It is a good textbook for advanced students."
Dr. Nicole Schoedel, Linde AG, Hoellriegelskreuth, Germany

"This is an excellent book. The authors have set themselves a daunting task: combining in one volume the basics of industrial chemistry, physical chemistry, catalysis, and chemical engineering. The result is a highly readable and useful textbook that covers all the fundamental aspects of technical chemistry and fits well with today's curricula.
Historically, there has always been a gap between chemistry and chemical engineering. But this gap is closing. More and more companies are realizing that project success depends on integrating concepts (and teams!) early on in the project. This book meets the growing demand for inclusive courses, giving chemists more knowledge of engineering and vice versa.
The book starts with a detailed overview of units and concepts, creating a frame of references for all chapters and their examples. These 16 pages of handbook-style information are clear and concise, placing the readers on common ground. The authors then introduce the main aspects of chemical industry, showing its importance and ubiquity worldwide. Again, this is a smart way to start--the would-be engineer or chemist gets to see first the high-impact result, before being confronted with the technical equations and details. This spirit of application is kept throughout the book, with many examples, photographs, and stories.
Chapters 2, 3, and 4 cover the chemical aspects and the engineering aspects (thermal and mechanical unit operations and reactor engineering) of industrial chemistry, respectively. Starting by explaining the main types of chemical reactions, the authors then move on to catalysis and its importance in industrial processes. The examples are well chosen, with emphasis on importance by volume and market. The engineering sections are detailed, covering thoroughly the subjects of chemical thermodynamics, kinetics of homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions, and the different types of reactors. All these assume a working knowledge of calculus and algebra, so the book is suitable for senior undergraduate students and up.
There are some dry and technical bits, sure, but the authors' commitment to keeping their readers interested shines through. One highly effective device

"Dies ist ein ausgezeichnetes Buch. Die Autoren haben sich eine gewaltige Aufgabe gestellt: In nur einem Band wollen sie die Grundlagen von industrieller Chemie, physikalischer Chemie, Katalyse und Chemieingenieurwesen darlegen. Das Ergebnis ist ein gut lesbares und nützliches Lehrbuch, das alle wichtigen Aspekte der technischen Chemie abdeckt und sich gut in die aktuellen Lehrpläne einfügt.
Traditionell klaffte stets eine Lücke zwischen Chemie und Chemieingenieurwesen, aber diese Lücke beginnt sich zu schließen. Immer mehr Firmen erkennen, dass der Erfolg eines Projekts auf einer frühzeitigen Einbindung von Konzepten (und Arbeitsgruppen!) beruht. Dieses Buch bedient den steigenden Bedarf nach übergreifenden Kursen, in denen Chemiker und Ingenieure mehr über die Aufgaben der jeweils anderen Gruppe erfahren.
Am Anfang des Buchs steht eine detaillierte Übersicht der Einheiten und Konzepte, die einen Bezugsrahmen für alle Kapitel und Beispiele schafft. Auf diesen 16 Seiten sind die Informationen kurz und bündig dargelegt, um allen Lesern eine allgemeine Grundlage zu geben. Die Autoren führen danach die wichtigsten Aspekte der chemischen Industrie ein und betonen ihre Bedeutung und weltweite Verbreitung. Es ist klug, den angehenden Ingenieuren und Chemikern schon gleich zu Anfang einen Eindruck vom erstrebten Resultat zu vermitteln, bevor sie mit technischen Details und Gleichungen konfrontiert werden. Diese Anwendungsbezogenheit wird, mithilfe von Beispielen, Photographien und kleinen Geschichten, das ganze Buch hindurch beibehalten.
Die Kapitel 2, 3 und 4 stellen die chemischen Aspekte und die ingenieurwissenschaftlichen Aspekte (thermische und mechanische Grundoperationen und Reaktortechnik) der industriellen Chemie vor. Nach der Einführung der wichtigsten chemischen Reaktionsklassen besprechen die Autoren die Bedeutung der Katalyse für industrielle Prozesse. Die gelungene Auswahl der Beispiele orientiert sich an der mengenmäßigen und markttechnischen Bedeutung. Die ingenieurwissenschaftlichen Abschnitte sind detailliert ausgeführt und decken die Themen chemische Thermodynamik und Kinetik homogener und heterogener Reaktionen sowie die verschiedenen Reaktorarten gründlich ab. All diese Abschnitte setzen Kenntnisse der Algebra voraus, sodass das Buch erst für fortgeschrittene Studenten geeignet ist.
Auch wenn einige trockene und technische Abschnitte unvermeidlich sind, sind doch die Autoren doch stets bemüht, ihre Leser bei der Stange zu halten. Ein hoch wirksames Mittel dazu ist das Einstreuen der Biographien wichtiger Wissenschaftler -- oft angereichert mit kleinen Anekdoten, die dem Leser im Gedächtnis bleiben sollen. Ich bin ein starker Befürworter dieses Ansatzes, dessen Erfolg ich aus eigener Erfahrung bestätigen kann. Eine der Herausforderungen der Lehre besteht darin, seine Studenten so zu unterrichten, dass sie den Inhalt des Kurses auch über den Prüfungstermin hinaus behalten. Gedächtnisstudien zeigen, dass unser Gehirn Informationen nicht in einem Schubladensystem speichert (denn für all die einzelnen Informationen gäbe es nicht genügend Schubladen); statt dessen wird ein Auslöser benötigt, um einen Sachverhalt im Gedächtnis zu speichern oder eine Erinnerung abzurufen (als Lektüre hierzu empfehle ich Kevin Kellys faszinierendes Buch Out of Control). Studenten werden sich daher eher an die Einzelheiten eines Alkylierungsprozesses erinnern, wenn man ihnen erzählt, dass die Luftschlacht um England von der Seite gewonnen wurde, die über die besseren Alkylierungskatalysatoren, und damit über den besseren Flugzeugtreibstoff, verfügte. Analog kann man auf S. 201 lesen, dass der schwedische Chemiker Svante August Arrhenius zwar im Jahr 1884 fast durch seine Doktorprüfung gefallen wäre, für dieselbe Arbeit aber 19 Jahre später einen Nobel-Preis erhielt. Das erheitert den Leser nicht nur, sondern es implantiert in sein Gehirn einen Auslöser mit Verweis auf die Arrhenius-Gleichung und ihre Bedeutung für die Abschätzung kinet