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

Additional Information

Graduate Attributes and Skills
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

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).

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