We have a common first year across the department that introduces the principle engineering sciences together with the fundamental aspects of process engineering design.
At the end of year one you can elect to transfer to any of the courses offered by the department.
Fundamentals of Engineering Design
This module introduces the deliverables, constraints and conventions of the design process. It will enable you to understand the fundamental basis of design, and the design tools most commonly used by engineers in the industry. Each week you will have two three-hour workshops and one one-hour computing session.
Fluid Mechanics
This module covers the essential fluid mechanics needed by engineers to design tanks, vessels, piping systems and pumps. It also forms a basis for later modules on heat and mass transfer in fluids. You'll spend three hours in lectures per week and have regular practical sessions.
Chemistry for Engineers
Content for this module will be confirmed later in 2022 - please keep checking back on this page.
Process Engineering Fundamentals
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the fundamental material and energy balances that underpin process engineering. You'll study material balances incuding:
- once-through and recycle systems
- flowsheets for continuous processes
- batch processes
- steady and unsteady state operation
- reacting and non-reacting systems
- energy balances
- combustion calculations
- heat balances in chemical and physical systems
- enthalpy/composition diagrams
You'll spend three hours in lectures and have regular practical workshops for this module.
Mathematical Methods for Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Content for this module will be confirmed later in 2022 - please keep checking back on this page.
Introductory Geology
This module provides a basic understanding of geology and includes topics such as:
- introduction to the main rock types and minerals
- rock forming processes
- the composition of the Earth
- geological structures
- natural hazards including volcanism and earthquakes
- geological map interpretation
Engineering Thermodynamics
This module will present the basics of thermodynamics with particular emphasis on applications to process plant. By the end of the module you should be able to analyse most of the common energy-based operations found on process plant.
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the
module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Wednesday 10 August 2022.
During this year you will become familiar with key process engineering concepts including process control, plant design, separation and particle technologies, material properties and sustainable processing.
Chemical and Phase Equilibria
This module is an introduction to chemical thermodynamics and its applications to chemical, vapour/liquid/liquid and solid/liquid equilibria, and correlation and prediction of data. You'll spend two hours in lectures and one hour in a practical session per week studying for this module.
Interfacial Chemistry
This module covers the essential principles of key 'liquid' based surface phenomena, such as surface tension, capillary rise/depression, micelle formation and design of surfactants/interfacial agents. The aim of the module is to give you an appreciation of the essential aspects of surface chemistry in relation to heterogeneous catalysis and aspects of surface tension as relevant to chemical engineers. You'll spend three hours in lectures per week for this module.
Analytical Measurement
This module is designed to give you a theoretical and practical introduction to the principles of analytical measurement. Particular emphasis of the module is on quality control, quality assurance and accreditation. Teaching is delivered through a blend of lectures, practical workshops and computing sessions.
Separation and Particle Technology
Content for this module will be confirmed later in 2022 - please keep checking back on this page.
Advanced Mathematical Modlelling for Process Engineers
Process Engineering Project
This module builds on and applies the principles of particle mechanics, separation processes, interfacial chemistry and chemical and phase equilibria. You’ll utilise current technical chemical engineering knowledge to plan and operate a multi-step process in order to produce a series of products to a given specification.
Consideration is also given to appropriate safety and environmental guidelines. You’ll spend two hours in lectures and one hour in tutorials per week.
Materials and Sustainable Processes
Content for this module will be confirmed later in 2022 - please keep checking back on this page.
Process Design and Control
Content for this module will be confirmed later in 2022 - please keep checking back on this page.
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the
module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on
This year you'll put your knowledge and skills into practice. Laboratory exercises are open-ended, using large-scale and industrial equipment. Project management, business and finance are covered and there is input from industry.
MEng students wishing to take a year in industry, usually do so between their third and fourth year.
Biochemical Engineering
This module aims to introduce to students and build fundamental knowledge and skills in the utilisation of biological systems in bio-manufacturing and bioconversion. Students will learn basic biological science applied to the exploitation of living systems and their components. Fundamentals of bioprocess safety will be developed. You'll spend three hours in practical sessions each week studying for this module.
Industrial Process Analysis
This module aims to provide you with a thorough understanding of how process, hygiene and material characteristics influence the total transformation design of chemical process plants via the reverse / forensic engineering based analysis of examplar plant designs. You'll learn how to:
- assess the physical-chemical basis for safe process design, including handling of extremely hazardous materials, appropriate safety and control measures and the effect that such considerations have upon influence of scale-up
- evaluate the basis for selection of construction material based on the characteristics of the materials being processed, conditions required to achieve the transformation, etc.
- critically evaluate physical-chemical basis for application of novel/alternative processes and plant designs (e.g. green chemistry/process intensification/process integration)
- explain the physical-chemical and practical factors which influence process economics, for example achievable yields, economies of scale of process, work-up and purification, sue stages
- demonstrate what influence whole system thinking, total life-cycle and critical analysis have upon the physical-chemical basis of process designs
- explain control choices with respect to the material, physical and chemical properties of the process relating them to product specifications and legislation requirements etc.
- evaluate interactive risk within a complex system
- understand the potential influence of that environmental impact and societal opinion has upon process design
Every week you'll have two hours of lectures and a one hour tutorial.
Reactor Design
This section is made up of eight topics, which are detailed below. Each topic covers a fundamental principle in reactor design, also how students can combine those principles to derive/optimise the reactor design equations. The textbook Fogler, H. Scott "Elements of chemical reaction engineering", 4th ed., Prentice Hall, 2005 is closely followed. The main topics are:
- mole balances
- conversion and reactor sizing
- rate laws and stoichiometry
- collection and analysis of rate data
- isothermal reactor design
- multiple reactions
- steady-state non-isothermal reactor design
- catalysis and catalytic reactors
Design Project
This is a group design project involving the preparation of heat and mass balances and flow sheets for a particular process scheme and the detailed design of certain important plant items. A study of the control, operational, safety, environmental and economic aspects will be included. You'll spend one hour in a tutorial and make use of self-study sessions each week studying for this module.
Process Engineering Laboratory
In this module you'll be given a laboratory-based problem and you'll need to plan experiments to collect the data required to solve the problem. You'll work in groups but write individual reports covering process assessment, experimental procedure and the description and discussion of the experimental results.
By solving a laboratory-based problem, you should gain the confidence in making decisions in a technical/scientific environment and adopt a rational, efficient approach to problem solving. You'll also become more familiar with the operation of commonly-encountered chemical engineering equipment and improve your skills in collecting, analysing and interpreting experimental data.
Process Simulation 1
This module is an introduction to steady-state process simulation by computer. Students will use a commercial package in a design environment and will develop an understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of such tools. You'll spend one hour in lectures and around three hours in practical sessions per week.
Multicomponent Separations
In this module you’ll look in detail at the process of mass transfer in multi-component separation equipment and multicomponent separation processes. You’ll learn principles of design for distillation and absorption columns and use computer applications. You’ll spend two hours in lectures and one hour in workshops per week studying for this module.
Advanced Transport Phenomena
This module aims to provide an in depth knowledge of heat, mass and momentum transport that is necessary in assessing, analysing and developing chemical, biochemical and environmental processes.
Furthermore, this module fills the gap between first year transport phenomena and the fourth year CFD module while introducing the multi-physics aspect of the discipline. You’ll spend three hours in lectures and three hours in practicals each week studying for this module.
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the
module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on
You will be completely independent in your learning and will be able to tackle a wide variety of complex, multidisciplinary problems and more advanced chemical engineering concepts. A research and design project gives you experience in cutting-edge research and allows you to develop more advanced skills.
MEng Project
In this module, you’ll undertake a combined design and research project in a team of two to four students. In addition, you’ll gain detailed knowledge in the specific topic of study.
The aim is for you to gain skills in planning, executing and reporting on an individual research study thereby developing their powers of analysis, independence and critical judgement. You’ll spend one hour in tutorials and make use of group-study sessions each week studying for this module.
20 credits from this group
Power Generation and Carbon Capture (autumn)
The following topics are covered:
- fossil fuels, occurrence, use and world-wide availability
- fossil power generation, conventional and advanced technologies
- current environmental/climate change issues in power generation using fossil fuels
- emission problems and reduction technologies
- climate-forcing carbon emissions and fossil energy de-carbonisation
- co-firing of fossil fuels and biomass
- carbon (CO2) capture and storage (CCS)
The challenges in tackling climate change call for a sustainable re-structuring of our energy infrastructure, particularly the fossil fuel fired power generation sector. The primary aim of this module is to address the major issues and challenges facing the power generation sector using fossil fuels. This will be related to emissions problems and their abatement technologies and will address both conventional and advanced power generation technologies.
There will be a particular focus on various aspects of CCS technologies and their application in a range of fossil energy sectors, from the technical and deployment status of CCS to related financial and environmental challenges and opportunities. You’ll have two hours of lectures a week for this module.
Delivery
| Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
| Lecture |
11 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
| Lecture |
11 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
Assessment method
| Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
| Dissertation |
30.00 |
Technology Assessment Report and Presentation |
| Exam |
70.00 |
2 hour exam |
Food Processing (autumn)
The aims of this module are to:
- familiarise students with the complex food matrices, their formulation, and performance.
- provide a level of understanding on a range of food process technologies to enable them to design process methodologies and comprehend current problems and their potential solutions.
Method and Frequency of Class:
| Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
| Lecture |
|
1 week |
2 hours |
| Tutorial |
|
1 week |
1 hour |
Method of Assessment: one 2-hour exam (100%)
Renewable Energy from Wastes (autumn)
This module focuses on providing high quality teaching materials on renewable energy from different waste streams. The module will look at the potential of various waste streams in industry, domestic sources, and agriculture, as well as the different combustion technologies available.
The module includes a strong international focus, particularly on small to medium scale renewable energy schemes in developing countries. The module will also have dedicated socio-cultural, socio-economic, policy and guidance and techno-economic seminars to introduce students to the interdisciplinary nature of the subject.
The module looks at:
- Indigenous fuels around the world
- Fuel Types Characterisation of Fuels
- Supply Chains for the Energy Sector
- Small Scale Energy Production
- Alternative Small Scale technologies for fuels production -
- Future Energy Sources
- New Technologies
- Ethics, Engineering and Waste Management
- Life Cycle Assessment, CCALC (Carbon Calculations over the Life Cycle of Industrial Activities)
- Techno, Socio and Economic Considerations
This module aims to provide students with a comprehensive and in-depth introduction of the major existing and emerging technologies/proof of concepts and underlying physical and chemical principles for the low-carbon manufacturing of fuels and vital chemicals and materials, which underpin the required low carbon transitioning of chemical and energy process industries to combat climate change for sustainable development.
The module will enable students to gain advanced knowledge and understanding of key low-carbon technologies/concepts and to develop key conceptual skills needed in assessing related sustainability, economic, societal and ethical aspects.
Delivery
| Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
| Lecture |
11 weeks |
1 week |
2 hour |
| Tutorial |
11 weeks |
1 week |
1 hours |
Assessment method
| Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
| Coursework |
30.00 |
|
| Exam |
70.00 |
2 hour final exam |
Polymer Engineering (autumn)
A broad-based module covering the chemistry, material properties and manufacturing methods relevant to polymers.
Topics include:
- Polymer chemistry and structure
- Routes to synthesis, polymerisation techniques, practical aspects of industrial production
- Viscoelasticity, time-temperature equivalence
- Rheology of polymer melts, heat transfer in melts, entanglements
- Properties of solid polymers, yield and fracture, crazing
- Manufacturing with polymers, extrusion, injection-moulding
- Design/ processing interactions for plastic products
Method and Frequency of Class:
| Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
| Lecture |
11 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
| Seminar |
11 weeks |
1 week |
1 hour |
Method of Assessment:
| Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
| Coursework 1 |
25.00 |
Report on multidisciplinary design exercise covering the chemistry, processing and properties of a polymeric product |
| Exam 1 |
75.00 |
2 hour exam |
Process Risk Benefit and Analysis
The module will explore decision making in the presence of uncertainty. Risks of particular interest are those associated with large engineering projects such as the development of innovative new products and processes. The module will present and interpret some of the frameworks helpful for balancing risks and benefits in situations that typically involve:
- human safety
- potential environmental effects
- large financial and technological uncertainties
Case studies will be used to illustrate key points and these will centre on the use and recovery of plastics, metals, industrial minerals and energy. You’ll spend three hours in tutorials per week.
Petroleum Production Engineering
This module covers:
- the formation and location of petroleum hydrocarbon reserves
- drilling and completion engineering including well control techniques
- basic reservoir physics and evaluation
- production management and enhancement
- primary separation
You’ll spend two hours in lectures every week.
40 credits from this group
Advanced Rheology and Materials
This module covers:
- the formation and location of petroleum hydrocarbon reserves
- drilling and completion engineering including well control techniques
- basic reservoir physics and evaluation
- production management and enhancement
- primary separation
You’ll spend two hours in lectures every week.
Process Synthesis and Design (autumn)
This module develops the student's ability in directed group work to synthesising and designing sustainable chemical processes.
The group project will involve teams of three to four students. Two projects covering flow-sheet synthesis and resource conservation will be undertaken.
Delivery
| Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
| Computing |
11 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
| Lecture |
11 weeks |
1 week |
1 hour |
Assessment method
| Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
| Coursework 1 |
40.00 |
Group project, technical report, maximum 2,000 words. Group project, presentation, maximum 15 minutes.
|
| Coursework 2 |
60.00 |
Individual project, technical report, max 2,000 words. |
Advanced Reaction Engineering
The intent of this module is to help the student master advanced concepts in chemical reaction engineering. You’ll study topics such as: advanced reactor design; chemical reaction mechanisms and rate theories, transport effects in reactive systems, and rate expressions for complex and heterogeneous catalytic reaction system. You’ll spend three hours in lectures per week.
Multiphase Systems
This module will identify the industrial occurrence of the simultaneous flow of more than one phase and highlight the implications for design. It will establish the principles of flow and heat transfer in gas/liquid systems and the principles of design methods. You’ll spend three hours in lectures per week.
Advanced Computational Methods
The module is designed to give you experience of advanced software applications in chemical engineering, and their potential application to research projects. You will learn how to use advanced features of HYSYS, including:
- the optimiser for (a) a two-stage compressor (b) an economic assessment of a refrigeration process
- the dynamics package to simulate (a) fluid flow in tanks in series (b) the control of a separator drum
You’ll spend three hours per week in computing sessions.
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the
module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on