Master in Industrial Catalysis
Mission
The mission of the Industrial Catalysis master program is to provide quality integrated theoretical and practical learning experiences in the fields of catalysis that prepare students for successful careers in order to meet the challenges of Saudi Chemical industries and government sectors and provide professional development services to Saudi industries.
Why Master Program of "Industrial Catalysis" at kfupm?
- Catalysis involves somewhere in the production chain of more than 80 % of all manufactured chemical products.
- Career prospects for graduates with specialist knowledge in catalysis are strong, particularly the petrochemical industry.
- The economic prospect of the petrochemical industry in the kingdom is showing significant growth. The Saudi Arabian general investment authority (SAGIA) announced in 2019 more than US 2 Billion investments in new petrochemical facilities in the kingdom.
- The students in the Industrial Catalysis program are benefiting from the first-class research facilities available and the chemistry and chemical engineering departments and the research institute at KFUPM.
- The courses are taught by experts in their field providing in-depth and cutting edge knowledge.
Objectives
The objectives of the Master in Industrial Catalysis program aim for the graduates to:
- attain employment in the governmental or private sector related to the chemical and petrochemical industry, or engage in entrepreneurship.
- advance their careers by demonstrating leadership and interpersonal skills, including teamwork and communication skills.
- be able to practice scientifically appropriate decisions in selecting and improving catalysts and catalytic systems for a given industrial process.
- pursue their professional development through self-learning or pursue advanced degrees.
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:
- demonstrate in-depth knowledge in the fields of catalysis.
- apply the basic practical skills required in the synthesis, characterization and testing of catalysts.
- demonstrate competence in the application of the principles of catalysis in solving problems relevant to the chemical industry.
- extend knowledge and self-development in the area of catalysis.
- identify contemporary issues related to the best practices in catalysis.
Courses
Fall
Course Outline
| Coordinating Department | Chemistry |
|---|---|
| College | College of Sciences |
| Availability | |
| ECTS Credits | |
| Credit Level | |
| Number of Credits | |
| Summary | Molecular theories of adsorption and catalysis. |
| Course description | Molecular theories of adsorption and catalysis. Solid-state and surface chemistry of catalysts. Diffusion and reaction in porous catalysts. Design, preparation and characterization of catalysts. Catalyst deactivation and regeneration. Catalytic process engineering: examples and case studies. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites | Graduate Standing |
|---|---|
| Co-requisites | |
| Other requirements |
Course Delivery Information
| Academic year 2020/21, Available to all students (SV1) | |
|---|---|
| Quota: | |
| Course Start | Semester 1 (201) |
| Timetable: Lecture & Office Hours | |
| Learning and Teaching activities |
1. Knowledge of the principle of heterogeneous catalysis. 2. Understand with the concept of catalyst preparation, characterization and testing 3. Understand the structure-properties relation 4. Have an overview of selected industrially important applications of heterogeneous catalysis. 5. Explore new trends and research areas in heterogeneous catalysis through term projects and filed trips. |
| Assessment | Assignment type, Exam, Quizzes, ….. |
| Additional Information (Assessment) | More details on grad distribution.. |
| Feedback | |
| No Exam Information |
| Learning Outcomes |
|
On successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1. Describe the role of each component in a supported heterogeneous catalyst 2. Describe the role of adsorption in heterogeneous catalysis 3. Define different components in a global reaction rate equation and understanding the role of mass transfer effects 4. Interpret physical and chemical catalyst properties of different catalyst components to dynamic properties. And to different catalyst preparation methods 5. Discuss physical and chemical catalyst characterization methods and analyze characterization data. 6. Discuss different catalyst deactivation mechanisms and modeling them. |
| Reading List |
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills | |
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| Additional Class Delivery Information | |
| Keywords |
Contacts
| Course Instructor | Dr. Shakeel Ahmed |
|---|---|
| Course Assistant |
Course Instructor
Dr. Shakeel Ahmed
Course Outline
| Coordinating Department | Chemistry |
|---|---|
| College | College of Sciences |
| Availability | |
| ECTS Credits | |
| Credit Level | |
| Number of Credits | |
| Summary | This course presents a comprehensive introduction to the refinery and petrochemicals complex. |
| Course description | This course presents a comprehensive introduction to the refinery and petrochemicals complex. This includes various separation processes such as atmospheric and vacuum distillation in a refinery setup; synthesis and purification of ethylene, propylene, butanes, BTX, and their derivatives in the petrochemicals industry. Hydrotreating, naphtha reforming, coking and thermal processes, thermal and catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, alkylation, isomerization, polymerization, and product blending processes are discussed. Treatment and abatement strategies of typical refinery and petrochemical effluents are presented. Competing technologies along with their economics will be assessed. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites | Graduate Standing |
|---|---|
| Co-requisites | |
| Other requirements |
Course Delivery Information
| Academic year 2020/21, Available to all students (SV1) | |
|---|---|
| Quota: | |
| Course Start | Semester 1 (201) |
| Timetable: Lecture & Office Hours | |
| Learning and Teaching activities |
1. General refinery and petrochemical operations, their products and economic importance. 2. Individual process units covering separation, treatment and conversion of crude oil into refined hydrocarbon products. 3. Selected process units for the production of petrochemicals. 4. Effluent treatment technologies employed in a typical refinery and petrochemical complex. |
| Assessment | Assignment type, Exam, Quizzes, ….. |
| Additional Information (Assessment) | More details on grad distribution.. |
| Feedback | Students will be given feedback after each assessment |
| Exam Date | December |
| Exam Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Learning Outcomes |
|---|
|
On successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1. Be familiar with the operation of main refining and petrochemical processes and understand their feedstocks and products specifications. 2. Analyze alternatives for the refining and petrochemical processes in terms of technology and economics. 3. Have a good understanding of petroleum chemistry with applications to process design & analysis of typical refining and petrochemical operations. 4. Be familiar with the effluent pollution control technologies for a sustainable environment. 5. Be familiar with the integration of refining and petrochemical industries and the resulting technical and economical benefits. |
| Reading List | Textbook/Journal articles |
|---|
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills | |
|---|---|
| Additional Class Delivery Information | |
| Keywords |
Contacts
| Course Instructor | Dr. Oki Murza |
|---|---|
| Course Assistant |
Course Instructor
Dr. Oki Murza
Course Outline
| Coordinating Department | Chemistry |
|---|---|
| College | College of Sciences |
| Availability | |
| ECTS Credits | |
| Credit Level | |
| Number of Credits | |
| Summary | General properties of organometallic compounds, metal-carbon and metal-hydrogen bonds. |
| Course description | General properties of organometallic compounds, metal-carbon and metal-hydrogen bonds. Ligand substitution reactions, complexes of π-bond ligands, oxidative addition and reductive elimination, insertion and elimination, nucleophilic and electrophilic addition and abstraction. Fundamentals of homogeneous catalysis. Major industrial catalytic processes including polymerization, hydrogenation, carbonylation, coupling, and oxidation. Characterization of homogeneous catalyst. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites | Graduate Standing |
|---|---|
| Co-requisites | |
| Other requirements |
Course Delivery Information
| Academic year 2020/21, Available to all students (SV1) | |
|---|---|
| Quota: | |
| Course Start | Semester 1 (201) |
| Timetable: Lecture & Office Hours | |
| Learning and Teaching activities |
1. Recognize the principles of organometallic catalysis 2. Understand the properties of organometallic complexes 3. Understand the effects of steric and electronic factors of the ligands on the metal complex 4. Have an overview of selected industrially important applications of organometallic catalysis. 5. Explore the important catalytic processes |
| Assessment | Assignment type, Exam, Quizzes, ….. |
| Additional Information (Assessment) | More details on grad distribution.. |
| Feedback | Students will be given feedback after each assessment. |
| No Exam Information |
| Learning Outcomes |
|---|
|
On successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1. Describe correctly the general properties of organometallic complexes. 2. Describe correctly bonding, synthesis and reactivity of complexes of σ-σ bound ligands. 3. Discuss and predict competently the effects of steric and electronic factors of the ligands on the metal complex catalytic activity. 4. Differentiate and justify correctly the occurrence of fundamental reactions of organometallic compounds including oxidative addition, reductive elimination, insertion, elimination, nucleophilic and electrophilic addition and abstraction. 5. Describe the important catalytic processes such as polymerization, hydrogenation, carbonylation, hydroformylation, coupling and oxidation, metathesis and isomerization, 6. Interpret competently the data of important physical methods used to characterize organometallic catalysts. 7. Propose and criticize competently catalytic cycles involving organometallic species in organometallic catalysis. |
| Reading List |
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills | |
|---|---|
| Additional Class Delivery Information | |
| Keywords |
Contacts
| Course Instructor | Dr. Mohammed Fettouhi |
|---|---|
| Course Assistant |
Course Instructor
Dr. Mohammed Fettouhi
Course Outline
| Coordinating Department | Chemistry |
|---|---|
| College | College of Sciences |
| Availability | |
| ECTS Credits | |
| Credit Level | |
| Number of Credits | |
| Summary | The course provides students with fundamentals of catalysts synthesis and characterization methods. |
| Course description | The course provides students with fundamentals of catalysts synthesis and characterization methods. Overview of the design, development, preparation of bulk and supported catalysts and structural-activity of the catalysts will be covered. Characterization of physical structure, phase composition, surface structure, vibrational and chemical composition by BET-sorption, SEM, XRD, XPS TEM, AFM, AAS, and ICP will be explored. Special emphasis will be placed on solid catalysts and materials for various industrial applications such as zeolites, mesoporous silicas, pillared clays, perovskites alumina, titania, zirconia, metal-oxide and mixed-metal-oxides, and supported materials. hands-on experience to various characterization methods will be explored. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites | Graduate Standing |
|---|---|
| Co-requisites | |
| Other requirements |
Course Delivery Information
| Academic year 2020/21, Available to all students (SV1) | |
|---|---|
| Quota: | |
| Course Start | Semester 1 (201) |
| Timetable: Lecture & Office Hours | Lecture: MW: 6:45 pm – 8: 00 pm, Office hours: TW 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm and By appointment. |
| Learning and Teaching activities |
1. Knowledge of the principle of heterogeneous catalysis 2. Recognize the concept of catalyst preparation, characterization and testing 3. Understand the structure-activity relationship of different catalysts 4. Explore the different characterization techniques |
| Assessment | Assignment type, Exam, Quizzes, ….. |
| Additional Information (Assessment) | Attendance (5%), Quizzes (15%), General Homework (10%), Reading assignments and presentations (20%), Midterm exam (20%), Final exam (30%) |
| Feedback | |
| No Exam Information |
| Learning Outcomes |
|---|
|
On successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1. Capable of defining and identifying industrial solid catalysts. 2. Proficient in the designing and development of different solid catalysts with outstanding requirements. 3. Learning the basic and advanced methods of preparation for specific industrial catalysts 4. Understanding the use and advantages of different characterization techniques. 5. Capable of understanding the structure-activity relationship of different catalysts. |
| Reading List |
• “HANDBOOK OF HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS” Second edition by Gerhard Ertl, Helmuth Knözinger, Ferdi Schüth, Jens Weitkamp (Editors) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH& Co. KGaA, Weinheim, Germany,ISBN: 978-3-527-31241-2, 2008. • Characterization of catalytic materials” by Israel E. Wachs, C. Richard Brundle and Charles A. Evans. ISBN: 978-1-60650-186-3, 2010. • Preparation of Solid catalysts: Edited by G. Ertl, H. Knozinger, J. Weitkamp, John Wiley & Sons (2008). • Characterization of solid Materials and Heterogeneous Catalysts: Edited by M. Che, J. Vedrine, Wiley-VCH (2012). |
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills | |
|---|---|
| Additional Class Delivery Information | |
| Keywords |
Contacts
| Course Instructor | Dr. Saheed Ganiyu |
|---|---|
| Course Assistant |
Course Instructor
Dr. Saheed Ganiyu
Spring
| Course Number | CHEM 553 |
|---|---|
| Course Title |
Catalyst Evaluation, Testing and Scale Up |
| Course Main Objectives |
The main objectives of this course include: 1. Know the principle of industrial catalysts. 2. Understand the concept of the scale-up of the catalyst. 3. Have an overview of selected industrially important applications of heterogeneous catalysis. 4. Explore the implementation of new catalytic technologies. 5. Learn the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). |
| Course Learning Outcomes |
On successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1. Understand the basic requirements of research and industrial catalysts in terms of their characteristics and catalytic performance. 2. Differentiate the catalytic materials by their activity for a particular application via small-scale screening tests. 3. Development of a promising research catalyst into an industrial catalyst. 4. Issues involved in scale-up of catalyst preparation (milligrams to kilograms) and evaluation (types/sizes of reactors). 5. Conduct performance evaluation of research catalysts in bench-scale units and pilot plants. 6. Criteria to judge reliability and reproducibility of catalytic performance data. 7. Acquire knowledge of selected process-specific reactor design and operation. 8. Learn about Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). 9. Application of TRL methodology in the development of industrial processes. 10. Major hurdles in the successful implementation of new catalytic technologies. 11. Examples of catalyst and process development in petroleum refining and petrochemicals. |
| Catalog Course Description |
Screening of laboratory-prepared catalytic materials in micro-reactors. Performance evaluation of research catalysts in bench-scale units and pilot plants. Scale-up of catalyst preparation and evaluation. Process specific issues in catalyst performance evaluation. Application of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) in the development of industrial processes. Examples of catalyst and process development in petroleum refining and petrochemicals. |
| Pre-requisites | Graduate Standing |
Course Instructor
| Course Number | CHEM 554 |
|---|---|
| Course Title |
Kinetics of Catalytic Reactions: Concepts and Modeling |
| Course Main Objectives |
The main objectives of this course include: 1. Recognize the reaction mechanisms for chemical reactions. 2. Understand the kinetics of the catalytic reactions. 3. Understand the common deactivation mechanisms for heterogeneous catalysts. 4. Have an overview of selected industrially important applications of heterogeneous catalysis. |
| Course Learning Outcomes |
On successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1. identify reaction sequences and suggest reaction mechanisms for chemical reactions. 2. be familiar with the principles of catalytic reactions and how the kinetics of the reactions can be derived and applied in practice. 3. recognize important catalytic reactions, in particular for energy and environmental processes. 4. Know how internal and external mass transfer limitations influence the kinetics of catalytic reactions. 5. Derive rate expressions for catalytic reactions based on Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics. 6. Understand the most common deactivation mechanisms for heterogeneous catalysts and how they influence the kinetics. 7. Be aware of the criteria of good experimental practice in kinetic measurements. 8. Apply chemisorption and kinetic data to calculate reaction rates and specific reaction rate. |
| Catalog Course Description |
The course introduces students to the definitions and concepts and kinetic principles and methods of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. The Collision, Reaction-Rate Theory and Kinetic Modeling will be covered. The design of kinetic experiments involving heterogeneous catalysts, to acquire valid rate data, to propose reaction models, to derive rate expressions based on these models and, finally, to assess the consistency of these rate equations. Definition of Adsorption and Desorption Processes. Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics. Kinetic modelling. Modern theories for surfaces and surface reactions. The effect of diffusion on reaction kinetics. |
| Pre-requisites | Graduate Standing |
Course Instructor
|
Course Number |
CHE 530 |
|---|---|
|
Course Title |
Advanced Reaction Engineering |
|
Course Main Objectives |
The main objectives of this course include: 1. Study the effect of temperature on conversion, stability, and product distribution in complex homogeneous reactions. 2. Develop mixing models and evaluate the non-ideal reactors 3. Discuss the kinetics of catalytic gas-solid reactions, mass and heat transport effects in solid catalyzed reactions. |
|
Course Leaning Outcomes |
On successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1. Analyze the heat effects on the non-isothermal reactors. 2. Analyze non-ideal reactors. 3. Evaluate the kinetics and mass transfer impact on the gas-solid reactions. 4. Evaluate the catalyst deactivation effects on the gas-solid reactions. 5. Design of catalytic fixed-bed reactors. |
|
Catalog Course Description |
A study of the effect of temperature on conversion, stability, and product distribution in complex homogeneous reactions. Analysis of flow and mixing patterns and residence time distributions in chemical reactors, kinetics of catalytic gas-solid reactions, mass and heat transport effects in catalysis. Design of catalytic fixed-bed reactors. |
| Pre-Requisites |
Graduate standing |
Course Instructor
|
Course Number |
CHEM 619 |
|---|---|
|
Course Title |
Project |
|
Course Main Objectives |
The main objectives of this course include: 1. Knowledge of the research methodology. 2. Recognize the integration of theory and practice. 3. Understand the concepts of the selection of the research topic and frame a proposal. 4. Recognize the suitable research methodology and conduct research. 5. Write and present a research report . |
|
Course Leaning Outcomes |
On successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1. Apply the key elements of research methodology. 2. Discuss the importance of integrating relevant theory and practice. 3. identify the research topic, and thereafter frame appropriate research proposal. 4. construct the appropriate research methodology, conduct necessary detailed research, and write a report. |
|
Catalog Course Description |
A graduate student will arrange with a faculty member to conduct an industrial research project related to catalysis. Subsequently the students shall acquire skills and gain experiences in developing and running actual industry-based project. This project culminates in the writing of a technical report, and an oral technical presentation in front of a board of professors and industry experts. |
| Pre-Requisites |
Graduate Standing |
Course Instructor
Summer
| Course Number | CHEM 529 |
|---|---|
| Course Title | Catalytic Polymerization |
| Course Main Objectives |
1. Fundamental understanding of how catalysts work in polymerization reactions. 2. Fundamental knowledge of how structure affects the function of catalysts. 3. Mechanistic analysis of several catalytic processes. 4. Trends and new developments in industrial catalysts for polymerization. |
| Course Leaning Outcomes |
Upon completion of this course, students will: 1. Explain the principles of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis 2. Discuss the concepts of catalyst stability, activity, deactivation, poisoning and selectivity 3. Relate key roles of catalysts in the production of polymers with precisely controlled structures and stereochemistry 4. Choose the catalysts appropriate for various types of polymerizations. 5. Propose and critique competently mechanisms of catalytic reaction. |
| Catalog Course Description |
Fundamentals of homogeneous, heterogeneous, and supported catalysis, developments in catalytic polymerization field including early transition metal and Ziegler-Natta, metallocene and non-metallocene, mid- and late transition metal catalysts. Study the effect of catalyst types on polymer structures. Mechanistic studies of some catalytic reactions. Other examples of catalytic polymerization. |
| Pre-Requisites | Graduate Standing |
| Breakdown of Topics |
1. Fundamentals of Catalysis: Homogeneous and Heterogeneous 2. Polymerization Reaction 3. Early Transition metal and Ziegle-Natta Catalysts 4. Metallocene and non-metallocene catalysts 5. Mid and late transition metal catalysts 6. Supported catalyst for polymerization 7. Olefin copolymerization with polar monomers 8. Effect of catalyst types on polymer structures and properties 9. Mechanistic studies of some catalytic reactions |
Course Instructor
|
Course Number |
CHEM 619 |
|---|---|
|
Course Title |
Project |
|
Course Main Objectives |
The main objectives of this course include: 1. Knowledge of the research methodology. 2. Recognize the integration of theory and practice. 3. Understand the concepts of the selection of the research topic and frame a proposal. 4. Recognize the suitable research methodology and conduct research. 5. Write and present a research report . |
|
Course Leaning Outcomes |
On successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1. Apply the key elements of research methodology. 2. Discuss the importance of integrating relevant theory and practice. 3. identify the research topic, and thereafter frame appropriate research proposal. 4. construct the appropriate research methodology, conduct necessary detailed research, and write a report. |
|
Catalog Course Description |
A graduate student will arrange with a faculty member to conduct an industrial research project related to catalysis. Subsequently the students shall acquire skills and gain experiences in developing and running actual industry-based project. This project culminates in the writing of a technical report, and an oral technical presentation in front of a board of professors and industry experts. |
| Pre-Requisites |
Graduate Standing |
Course Instructor