Course syllabus for Cellulose technology

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-16 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameCellulosateknik
  • CodeKBT130
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPISC
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyChemical Engineering
  • DepartmentCHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 25116
  • Maximum participants60
  • Minimum participants12
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0107 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH
7.5 c
  • 18 Mar 2023 pm J
  • 08 Jun 2023 am J
  • 14 Aug 2023 am J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Basic course in organic chemistry
Unit operations in Chemical engineering

Aim

The purpose of the course is to give the students knowledge of the different processes for paper pulp production from wood. Some important operations are highlighted in the laboratory sessions (kraft pulping, bleaching and mechanical pulp production). In a minor project work, the students are introduced to a flow-sheeting programme (WinGEMS commonly used in the pulping industry).

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • describe the macroscopic and morphological structure of wood and give a basic description of the chemical structure of the wood constituents (cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin and extractives)
  • describe different processes related to mechanical pulp production (SGW, TMP and CTMP) and explain the mechanisms leading to fibre separation during mechanical pulp production processes as well as differences in resulting pulp properties
  • describe and discuss the different events taking place during kraft pulping (steaming, impregnation and delignification) - chemical, physical and kinetic aspects should be covered
  • describe batch and continuous kraft pulping processes (including both conventional and modified processes)
  • describe how washing, sieving and drying of pulp are carried out and discuss different phenomena involved in these operations.
  • describe and discuss different bleaching sequences applied in the brightening of kraft pulp (including chemical and environmental aspects, different types of equipment, as well as pulp fibre properties)
  • describe and discuss processes and phenomena involved in the chemical recovery in the kraft process (evaporation, combustion in the recovery boiler and white liquor preparation)
  • give a basic description of the production of sulphite pulps and semi-chemical pulps

Content

The purpose of the course is to give the students knowledge of the different processes for paper pulp production from wood. Some important operations are highlighted in the laboratory sessions (kraft pulping, bleaching and mechanical pulp production).  A project dealing with kraft cooking kinetics will also be conducted. The results from that project will be applied in the kraft cooking laboratory session. A study visit to a kraft pulp mill (Värö mill) will also be included in the course.

Organisation

The course consists of a series of lectures, laboratory sessions, project work and a study visit to a pulp mill. In order to give an industrial perspective, some lecturers will be invited from the pulping industry.

Literature

A book consisting of relevant chapters from The Ljungberg textbook.

Examination including compulsory elements

Written exam, laboratory sessions, project work and attendance at the study visit. The final grade will be set by the written exam and, to some extent, the quality of project work.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.