Chemical Engineering including an Industrial Year - U7UCHEMEY

Combine theory with practice as you learn the fundamentals of design and the design tools most commonly used by engineers in industry. You’ll develop a thorough understanding of core concepts, including process flow diagrams (PFDs), material and energy balances, and equipment selection. Group projects will focus on solving real-world engineering challenges, emphasising sustainability, economic considerations and safety standards. You’ll also gain technical competence with hands-on CAD software training for General Arrangements (GAs) and Piping and Instrumentation (P&IDs) drawings.

By the end of the module, you'll have built foundational skills in process engineering design methodologies and teamwork, preparing you for more advanced design studies in future modules.

This module covers the essential fluid mechanics needed by engineers to design tanks, vessels, piping systems and pumps. You’ll revisit important aspects of A level physics alongside an introduction to engineering materials used by chemical and environmental engineers in relevant process industries, giving you an introduction to the fundamentals of fluid mechanics, including:

• physical properties of fluids
• fluid statics
• elementary fluid dynamics
• viscous flow in pipes

This will then provide a basis for later modules on heat and mass transfer in fluids.

Gain the skills you need for further study of Chemical and Environmental Engineering. In this module, you’ll gain the practical knowledge needed in a modern industrial context, with a working knowledge of basic chemical principles and practice.

You’ll learn how to apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis, evaluation and synthesis of engineering problems, with considerations of sustainability, resource management and green chemical and engineering principles.

The module aims to provide an understanding of the fundamentals of material and energy balances that underpin process engineering. Topics include:

• 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

After you master the basics, you’ll then focus on specific examples of the principals of physical separation processes, including:

• basic separation principles
• single and multiple effect evaporation
• vapor recompression integrated with evaporator, cascade and counter-current leaching process
• stagewise and continuous liquid-liquid extraction process 

Throughout the module, you’ll also explore principles of process operation, design concepts and sizing of process equipment.

Gain the mathematical foundation essential for chemical and environmental engineering. You will consolidate skills in basic algebra, single-variable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, statistics and numerical methods, drawing on real examples directly related to chemical and environmental engineering to show how mathematics supports analysis and design. A key feature of the module is using Python programming to solve problems, combining computational skills with analytical methods.

As well as strengthening your mathematical understanding, you will develop a systematic, problem-solving mindset that prepares you for professional practice and enhances your ability to model, interpret and analyse complex chemical engineering systems.

This module will provide you with a basic understanding of geology. Over the course of the module, you will come to understand and interpret geological information, especially in the context of resource extraction and ground engineering. Topics include:

• 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
• the Earth's resources of groundwater, minerals, coal and oil
• engineering geology

This module introduces the principles, concepts and analysis of thermodynamics, relevant to the applications in building environmental engineering. The topics covered include: dimensions and units, thermodynamic properties, thermodynamic systems, forms of energy, work and heat, ideal gas law, steady flow energy balance equation, 1st law and 2nd law of thermodynamics (closed and open systems, internal energy, enthalpy and entropy, heat engines and the Carnot cycle, refrigerators and heat pumps), steam table and the Rankine cycle.

This module acts as an introduction to chemical thermodynamics and its application to chemical, vapour/liquid/liquid equilibria, and correlation and prediction of data. You’ll learn to apply quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of process-related problems, providing you with a fundamental basis for evaluating reference physical property data. Topics include:

• phase equilibrium in pure components
• prediction of thermochemical data for pure components and mixtures
• principles of equilibrium thermodynamics
• multiphase systems
• reacting systems

This module aims to give you an appreciation of the essential aspects of surface chemistry and aspects of surface tension as relevant to chemical engineers. You’ll study the essential principles of key “liquid” based surface phenomena such as:

• surface tension
• capillary rise/depression
• micelle formation
• and design of surfactants/interfacial agents

You’ll also be introduced to phenomena that relate to “solid” surface phenomena such as: adsorption, isotherms, and the qualitative and quantitative aspects of catalysts including an overview of batch and continuous systems with relation to heterogeneous reactions. 

This module is designed to give you an introduction, in both theory and practice, to the principles of analytical measurement. There is a particular emphasis on quality control, quality assurance and accreditation and how these underpin the topic. You will also cover the use of statistics for the assessment of data quality in analytical measurement.

This module establishes the principles of mass transfer separation processes with detailed study of binary distillation, gas absorption/stripping and drying. You’ll also cover:

• settling of single and multiple particles
• terminal falling velocity
• centrifugation
• flow of fluids through beds of particles
• iltration
• luidisation
• pneumatic transport
• gas-solid separation processes
• particle storage in hopper
• particle size engineering
• hazards in handling and utilisation of particles

Throughout the module, you’ll gain an understanding of how particles behave in engineering processes and learn how to derive and apply equations and concepts to predict how engineering processes involving particles behave.

Extend your mathematical knowledge to tackle advanced chemical engineering problems. You’ll learn advanced mathematical topics central to engineering analysis, including multivariable calculus, complex numbers, higher-order and multivariable differential equations, vector calculus, and numerical methods such as the Runge-Kutta and Euler methods.

You’ll explore these topics through chemical engineering applications, such as the mathematical modelling of physical systems involving reactors, heat transfer, mass transfer and momentum transfer. A key feature of the module is the use of Python programming to solve problems, preparing you to model, interpret and solve complex engineering problems with both theoretical insight and computational precision.

Put your technical chemical engineering knowledge into practice to plan and operate a multi-step process to produce a series of products to a given specification, within appropriate safety and environmental guidelines.

You’ll apply the principles of particle mechanics, separation processes, interfacial chemistry and chemical and phase equilibria.

This module introduces the basic science and engineering principles governing the use of materials in engineering applications. You will explore a range of commonly used engineering materials and their properties such as chemical bonding and structure, mechanical properties, elasticity, viscoelasticity, creep, fatigue and fracture.

You’ll also be introduced to a range of knowledge and skills applicable to the management of waste. Waste is increasingly viewed as a valued resources that must be managed and utilised effectively to minimise environmental impact. This module will introduce you to conventional waste management practices, including:

• the development of legislation and how directives from the European Union impact our daily lives
• current waste treatment techniques and technologies (including biological methods, thermal methods, mechanical biological treatment and landfilling)
• techniques and approaches for the recovery and recycling of waste products
• successful waste/resource recovery schemes

This module introduces the economic and control aspects of designing industrial process plants. You'll learn cost estimation techniques, simple economic design principles, and how process designs translate into engineered plants. You’ll gain experience in dynamic process simulation and process control concepts and gain familiarity with the concept of control features, PID, reliability and safety assessments like HAZOP/CHAZOP.

This module aims to equip you with fundamental knowledge and skills in the utilisation of biological systems in biomanufacturing and bioconversion. You will learn basic biological science applied to the exploitation of living systems and their components. Topics include:

• an overview of microorganisms’ structure, function, kinetics and components
• metabolism and biomolecules
• microbial technology including industrial biosafety and reactor systems
• industrial enzyme biocatalyst technologies with applications
• fundamentals of bioprocess safety

This module will provide you with a thorough understanding of the influence that process, hygiene, safety and material characteristics have upon the overall, total transformation design of chemical process plants via the reverse/forensic engineering-based analysis of exemplar plant designs.

You’ll learn how to:

• assess the physical-chemical basis for safe process design (including handling of extremely hazardous materials and appropriate safety and control measures)
• evaluate the basis for selection of construction material based on the characteristics of the materials being processed
• critically evaluate physical-chemical basis for application of novel/alternative processes and plant designs
• explain the physical-chemical and practical factors that influence process economics
• 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
• evaluate interactive risk within a complex system
• understand the potential influence that environmental impact and societal opinion has upon process design

In this module, you’ll learn how to apply the fundamental principles of chemical kinetics along with heat and mass transport to design chemical reactors for both homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions. You’ll also gain a basis for understanding the dynamic behaviour of a process system and the options available for its safe single loop control.

The module is divided into two sections. Section A is made up of eight topics, each of which covers a fundamental principle in reactor design:

• 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

Section B provides an appreciation of the dynamic behaviour of processes, effects of disturbances and single loop controllers, the features and constraints on choice of conventional process control instruments and equipment, and a basis for process analysis and design using dynamic process models and dynamic simulation. The main topics are:

• process dynamic characteristics: 1st order, 2nd order and dead time
• feedback control methods
• controller tuning
• cascade and feedforward control
• design philosophy and flow-sheeting
• frequency response

This is a group design project focused on system-level process plant design. You’ll apply interdisciplinary knowledge and collaborative problem-solving to develop the key skills required for professional engineering design and practice. You’ll enhance your competencies in:

• system-level design
• ustainability
• team collaboration
• digital capabilities
• professional communication

The module encourages critical reflection, inclusivity and the application of ethical reasoning in engineering contexts.

This module gives you a laboratory-based problem. You’ll have to carry out a process assessment, involving planning and carrying out design experiments to collect data required to solve the problem. Working in groups, you’ll analyse the data and adapt your experimental plan between the laboratory sessions. You’ll also write individual reports covering process assessment, experimental procedure and the description and discussion of the experimental results.

Through this, you’ll gain experience in planning and carrying out experiments as independently as possible, giving you the confidence to make 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.

This module is an introduction to steady-state process simulation by computer. You will use a commercial package in a design environment to create and interact with a simulation of a real-life process and experiment with different scenarios to better understand how an actual industrial facility operates. 

In this module, you’ll look in detail at the process of mass transfer in multi-component separation equipment and multicomponent separation processes. Topics include:

• principles of design for distillation and absorption columns (including computer applications)
• adsorption
• membranes processes

This module aims to provide you with an in-depth knowledge of heat, mass and momentum transport that is necessary in assessing, analysing and developing chemical, biochemical and environmental processes. Topics include:

• fluid kinematics
• Lagrangian and Eulerian frameworks
• pressure and stress forces
• conservation laws
• fiffusive and convective transport
• flow modelling, boundary and initial conditions
• boundary layers and turbulence

Subject to you meeting the relevant requirements, this year will be spent in industry.

The placement year opportunity enables you to take what you've learned and apply it to real projects in a professional working environment. You will be supported by a placement tutor in securing a position and they will keep in touch during the year to see how you are getting on. The placement year can provide you with a source of income and can even lead to a job offer before you've graduated.

Important information

Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university’s control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.

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.