Basic Course

The Basic Course transcends the  bachelor level of the universities of applied sciences and offers a solid theoretical base for process technology. This Basic Course contains all topics that are necessary in order to follow the advanced programmes in separation- and reactor technic, process design and -controle.

 The total amount of study load for the Basic Course is 25 EC. After having successfully completed all exams and assignments, you will receive the certificate Process Technology Basic Course.

The Basic Course consists of the following six modules:

  • M1. Chemical equilibria and phase diagrams for PT-course

    Equilibrium thermodynamics is a toolbox of equations to describe and quantify the changes in the state of a substance as a function of composition, temperature or pressure. The (chemical) thermodynamics determine whether a process will run spontaneously or not. Phase equilibria, commonly expressed in phase diagrams, can be seen as an application of equilibrium thermodynamics. They are used in the design of separation processes like distillation, crystallization and extraction, as well as the manufacture of materials with a complex composition.

  • M2. Catalysis & Reaction kinetics

    Most of the chemical and biochemical reactions at an industrial scale use a catalyst to accelerate the reaction kinetics increasing process throughput. In this module basic knowledge of chemistry is a pre-requisite. Over the course of the module a number of subjects will be covered, including:

    1. Reaction kinetics: order, reaction rate limiting step, and Arrhenius equation.
    2. Homogeneous catalysis and bio-catalysis (catalyst and reactants are in the same phase): complex formation, models for homogeneous catalysis cycles and Michaelis-Menten kinetics in bio-catalysis.
    3. Heterogeneous catalysis (catalyst and reactants are in different phases): absorption models, Langmuir-Hinshelwood and Eley-Rideal mechanisms, transport limitations and characterization of catalytic materials.
  • M3. Fluid Dynamics

    The transport phenomena include fluid dynamics (momentum transfer), energy transfer (heat transfer) and component transfer (mass transfer). This module focuses on momentum transfer, where the fundamental equations that dictate fluid flow are derived from conservation of mass and momentum, in combination with a constitutive equation relating the flux to the gradient (which introduces the viscosity). The elementary subjects concern: micro and macro-balances for mass and momentum, velocity profiles in gas and liquid flows, concept of laminar and turbulent flow (Reynolds number), application of the Bernoulli’s theorem which describes the conservation of energy along a streamline, determination of flow resistances and the description of an equation of motion for a particle in a fluid influenced by gravity or upward force.

  • M4. Heat & Mass Transfer

    This module presents the fundamental aspects and basic equations to describe heat and molecular mass transfer from conservation laws. These balances can have a differential or an integral character, describing stationary or instationary behavior. Heat transfer mechanisms are (forced and free) convection, conduction and radiation. Mass transfer mechanisms are forced or free convection and diffusion. From these equations, together with the Nusselt-Sherwood relationships, the temperature distribution or component profiles can be derived. Special attention will be paid to describing heat and component transfer between different phases and on coupled heat and component transfer.

  • M5. Industrial Separation Technology

    To purify raw materials or reaction components all kinds of mechanical, chemical or physical separation techniques are applied to produce (intermediate) products with a certain required purity. The following separation techniques will be discussed: distillation, absorption/desorption, extraction, drying, crystallisation, sedimentation, filtration and membrane separation.

  • M6. Introduction to Chemical reactor engineering

    The chemical reactor is usually the core unit of the plant in which new components are formed according a specific conversion and selectivity. The ideal model reactor types are discussed: continuous ideally stirred tank reactor, plug flow reactor (composition is f(x)) and a batch reactor (composition is f(t)). Two model operation conditions are considered: isothermal as well as adiabatic operation for exothermal and endothermal reactions. Subjects which describe deviations of the idealistic systems are: micro-mixing and implications of a changing density due to the reaction. 

Organisation

Contact moments

In 2019 the entire Basic Course was renewed and since then has been offered in a flexible and blended learning approach. This means that face-to-face contact moment at the univeristy are organised. During these contact moments, you have the possibility of asking the lecturers questions and to work on assignments with fellow course participants. We expect course participants to be present during these contac moments. In the weeks when there are no face-to-face contact moments planned, there will be an online contact moment. This can be, for instance a virtual classroom, but also and online question moment. The amount of face-to-face and online contact moments planned can differ per module.

Study material

Most of the study material will be offered through our online platform Canvas.  In addition, course participants will need to buy books for the different modules.

application & costs

Would you like to apply for the Basic Course Process Technology of UT? Read more about the costs and what is included and how you can apply for the course. Do you have any questions? Please contact us.

Apply for the Basic Course Process Technology.
More information
To start in april, please apply before 15 March.