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 Monday 09 August 2021.
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. You will also start to specialise in environmental aspects such as environmental assessment.
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.
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.
Environmental Assessment
Content for this module will be confirmed later in 2022 - please keep checking back on this page.
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
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
Laboratory exercises are more open-ended, using large-scale and industrial equipment. Project management, business and finance are covered.
MEng students wishing to take a year in industry, usually do so between their third and fourth year.
Water Treatment (autumn)
This module will introduce you to a range of knowledge and skills applicable to water and wastewater treatment. You'll 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. You’ll spend three hours per week studying for this module. Teaching is also complemented by site visits.
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'll be completely independent in your learning and will tackle a variety of complex, multidisciplinary problems and understand more advanced chemical and environmental engineering concepts. A research and design project is undertaken, giving you experience in cutting-edge research and the opportunity 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.
30 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 (spring)
This module introduces students to the principles of catalytic reactions and non-ideal reactors with a focus of heterogeneous gas phase reactions and liquid phase reactors. Delivered through a mix of lectures, problem classes and computing sessions. Students will derive catalytic reaction mechanism, define mass transfer & reaction in a catalytic system and develop models to evaluate real reactors via ideal reactors. Students will use computer software (i.e. Matlab, SPSS) to determine the parameters of a heterogeneous catalytic reactions used in the oil & gas industry.
Assessment: 30% individual coursework; 70% exam
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 (spring)
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; and the dynamics package to simulate (a) fluid flow in tanks in series (b) the control of a separator drum.
Assessment: 100% individual coursework
30 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 |
Environmental Risk 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
Renewable Energy from Wastes (autumn)
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.
Water Treatment Engineering
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.
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