Environmental Process Engineering MSc

Students undertaking this module will complete a group design project with a large individual component. The module is student-lead under the guidance of a group of academics.

Method and Frequency of Class:

Activities may take place every teaching week of the Semester or only in specified weeks. It is usually specified above if an activity only takes place in some weeks of a Semester.

Method of Assessment:

This module covers the following:

• Risk assessment principles (source, pathway, receptor) including conceptual frameworks, Greenleaves III, risk based regulation and environmental protection
• Risk characterisation, hazard identification, consequences, significance, handling uncertainty
• Tools and techniques: Qualitative risk assessment. Quantitative risk assessment, ie hands-on risk assessment modelling
• Risk management
• Fate and transport of contaminants, speciation of contaminants, environmental partitioning (fugacity)
• Health impact assessment: Public health, occupational health studies, toxicology, perception, exposure, causality, odds ratios, epidemiological studies, scientific evidence for landfill versus energy from waste (comparative assessment), odour

The module develops the skills required to design, plan, implement and manage a research project.

Students will be given instruction and practice in:

• problem definition
• collection and synthesis of information from a range of traditional and electronic sources
• critical review of information
• definition of scope, aims and objectives
• development of a project plan and schedule
• management of project progress

Particular emphasis of the module is towards quality control and quality assurance and how these underpin measurement activities. The use of statistics for the assessment of data quality in measurement is also emphasised. Students will also develop their writing and practical skills through exercises and coursework.

Method and Frequency of Class:

The module will comprise a series of lectures, tutorials and practicals. Students will undertake, under supervision, develop an appreciation and an ability plan and evaluate the requirements for a research project. Directed study to include the preparation of a research plan, individual presentation and a laboratory report.

Method of Assessment:

This module develops a risk based framework for the assessment of contaminated land based on the characterization and modelling of contaminant sources, pathways and receptors and the remediation of such linkages.

Case studies are used to illustrate the application of this approach, the typical uncertainties and the management of risk. A range of physical, biological, chemical and thermal in-situ and ex-situ remediation technologies are covered. The application of these technologies is demonstrated by case studies including design studies based on the emerging concept of sustainable remediation.

The aim of this module is to give students an in depth understanding of the physical and chemical principles behind the selection and design of various processes that may be employed to control atmospheric pollutants.

Students will be introduced to the scientific and engineering principles behind the design, costing, commissioning and operation of particulate and gaseous control devices. Students will study the application of these principles to the design of pollution control devices, and stack designs for a range of engineering processes.

The module covers two main topics:

Topic 1: Control of Particulates, including

• Cyclone design 
• Electrostatic Precipitator Design 
• Fabric Filter Design 
• Particulate Scrubbers

Topic 2: Design of Auxiliary Equipment, including:

• Hoods
• Ducts
• Fans
• Coolers

Delivery

Assessment method

This module will concentrate on water treatment technologies covering those applicable to both the treatment of wastewater and the treatment of water for potable (drinking water) use. The first part of the module will review current practice and scientific principles in water treatment.

Case Studies across the water industry will be utilised to demonstrate problems and potential solutions and gain an understanding of design considerations and operation of water treatment processes. You’ll study emerging issues in water treatment and how developing technologies are addressing them. Guest speakers from industry and two site visits will support the module delivery. You’ll spend three hours in lectures per week.

You will gain skills in planning, executing and reporting on an individual research study thereby developing your powers of analysis, independence and critical judgement.

This is a combined design and research project undertaken by a team of 2-5 students, and involving both group and individual working. The basic elements of the project involve a critical review of the literature to provide the background to the initial group design element, followed by the group design part of the project.

The design element will involve the selection of an appropriate, initial process scheme following by preparation of a process flowsheet with associated mass and heat balances. The design will also include control, operational, safety, environmental and economic aspects in addition to the design of important plant items.

This will then be followed by the research element, which will be based on a topic with the aim of eventually aiding the individual design process. The research segment will consist of a critical review of relevant literature and subsequent research work, which may be experimental, computational or theoretical in nature.

The final element of the project is a re-evaluation of the previous design in the light of information gleaned from the research segment.

This module introduces students to a range of knowledge and skills applicable to water and wastewater treatment. Students will gain an understanding in water availability, sources of pollution and the legislative framework for water quality from an EU perspective.

Municipal water and wastewater treatment processes will be covered, focusing on key unit processes including sedimentation, filtration and disinfection. Example sheets and case studies on unit operations and processes will support the lecture delivery and provide an appreciation of the benefits of different plant specifications. The module will also be supported by 2 site visits.

Method and Frequency of Class:

The 2 site visits (field trips) will replace 2 of the 2 hour lectures.

Method of Assessment: one 2-hour examination (100%).

This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of air pollution problems. It includes a categorisation of the types of natural and anthropogenic air pollution sources, sinks, and the effects that air pollutants may produce within natural and manmade environments.

You’ll learn about the processes of selection and design of pollutant monitoring and control technologies that may be applied to control atmospheric emissions from industrial processes.

Delivery

Assessment method

This module covers underpinning aspects for bio-processing technologies including: an overview of microbes, including structure, function, kinetics and components; metabolism and biomolecules; microbial technology including industrial biosafety and reactor systems; and industrial enzyme biocatalyst technologies with applications.

 Method and Frequency of Class:

Method of Assessment: one 2-hour exam (100%).

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.

This module will focus on renewable energy from different waste streams. You will examine the potential of various waste streams in industry, domestic sources, and agriculture, as well as the different combustion technologies available. There will be a strong international focus, particularly on small/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 you to the interdisciplinary nature of the subject.

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:

Method of Assessment: one 2-hour exam (100%) 

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.

Delivery

Assessment method

This module aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills in relation with energy storage science, engineering and technology.

It covers the following topics:

• Fuels storage (coal, oil, natural gas, biomass, hydrogen etc.)
• Mechanical energy storage (springs, compressed air, fly wheels etc.)
• Heat or thermal energy storage (phase transformation, endothermic and exothermic reactions etc.)
• Electricity storage (electrochemical means, such as batteries, fuel cells, redox flow batteries, supercapacitors).
• Integration of storage with supplier and users (power electronics for interfacing energy stores with power grid, renewable sources and users.

Delivery

Assessment method