XWT-24305 Physical Chemistry in Water Technology

Course

Credits 5.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

The course unit assumes no prior knowledge acquired from previous course units but does require a solid understanding and ability to apply physical and mathematical principles at the level of the final competences for Dutch VWO ' Wiskunde B' and 'Natuurkunde' or compared education. As for the mathematics used, students are expected to be familiar with integral and differential calculus, including 1st and 2nd order differential equations and separation of variables.

Contents:

Many technological developments in the field of Water technology build on concepts from physics and chemistry. This course aims to apply some general concepts of physical chemistry to a number of processes in water technology.
Examples from Water Technology-related processes include Blue Energy (energy from mixing salt and brackish water), Eutectic Freeze Crystallization, Super Critical H2O and CO2, (Reverse) Electro Dialysis, Monitoring Water Quality. Key aspects of these technologies will be translated and explained in terms of physical chemistry.
Specific topics that will be addressed include:
- thermodynamics;
- adsorption isotherms;
- phase diagrams;
- reaction kinetics;
- dielectrics & electrostatics;
- electrolytes.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- identify the relevant physio-chemical parameters in Water Technology processes;
- apply the concepts of physical chemistry to a number of Water Technology-related processes, e.g., mixing entropy to Blue energy, electrochemical potential to (reverse) electro-dialysis;
- calculate the effect of changing one or more experimental or environmental parameters on a particular Water Technology process, e.g. the effect of temperature or salt concentration on the process of Blue energy.

Activities:

- lectures and tutorials;
- self-study to prepare for the lectures;
- tutorials for practicing problem solving;
- practicing 2 proof (previous) exams;
- question hour a few days prior to the exam.

Examination:

The final exam consists of a closed-book written exam but a formula sheet will be provided. A bonus arrangement applies.

Literature:

The literature needed for the course will be provided.