Chemical Engineering MEng

Core modules:

Mathematics (Chemical)

This module aims to reinforce students' previous knowledge and to develop new basic mathematical techniques needed to support the engineering subjects taken at levels 1 and 2. It also provides a foundation for the level 2 mathematics courses in the appropriate engineering department. The module is delivered via online lectures, reinforced with weekly interactive problem classes.

20 credits

Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics

This unit covers the principles of thermodynamics with applications in chemical engineering. Thermodynamics is a framework which tells us about energy utilisation and efficiency and hence is significant in the design and operation of sustainable processes. The module introduces key concepts such as thermodynamic equilibrium, and the use of thermodynamic tables (e.g. steam tables).  The requirements for chemical and physical equilibria are examined, and their response to changes in composition, temperature and pressure. The first law of thermodynamics is introduced for closed and open systems and used to analyse power and refrigeration cycles. The second law of thermodynamics is introduced. Thermodynamic cycles and property relations are investigated. The teaching of the course is supplemented by several embedded labs which explore the key concepts covered in lectures.

By taking this course students will be: 

1. Able to demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the key principles of macroscopic thermodynamics with applications in chemical engineering.

2. Challenged to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems associated with energy changes in closed and open systems.  

3. Provided opportunity to develop professional and transferable skills including numerical and practical skills. 

15 credits

Chemical Principles

Chemical engineering drives the transition from lab scale discovery to full scale industrial process. Thus, it is vital that chemical engineers are well versed in the fundamental science to aid and drive communication with other scientific disciplines, and therefore to understand and implement the key concepts from physics and chemistry that are fundamental to an understanding of the way the desired chemical processes and systems operate. Key topics include stoichiometry, physical chemistry, equilibria and kinetics, organic chemistry, units and dimensions, statics, kinetics, electricity and energy. Emphasis throughout is placed on application of concepts, to prepare students for core chemical engineering courses. This is further enhanced through the use of embedded labs.

By taking this course students will be: 

1. Able to demonstrate a systematic understanding of core aspects of chemistry. 

2. Equipped to solve sophisticated problems, using ideas and techniques from physical chemistry.

3. Able to bring together concepts from across the discipline, and to apply them to real-world problems 

4. Introduced to aspects of molecular and bulk physical chemistry with a mathematical treatment so as to provide a firm scientific base that can be transferred into core chemical engineering units 

5. Expected to demonstrate a professional approach to professional and transferrable skills and be able to explain chemical topics to a non-scientific audience. 

15 credits

Fluid and Particle Mechanics

Fluid mechanics plays a vital role in any chemical plant. Components flowing through pipes must arrive at the correct rate and pressure. Furthermore, the way fluids move influences heat and mass transfer and the progress of chemical reactions, and so a sound basis in fluid mechanics is a key precursor to the study of heat transfer and reaction engineering. Particles and particle processing are found in a wide variety of industries, such as the pharmaceutical sector. The way the particles interact with surrounding fluid, and with each other, governs key process parameters and behaviours. This unit aims to introduce basic fundamentals of fluid and particle mechanics. It includes the properties of fluids, ideal flow and flow measurement, laminar and turbulent flow, boundary layer development and pipe flow, both with and without particles in fluids. Dimensional analysis will be included for characterising flow regimes. Material is illustrated using problems associated with chemical engineering practice, as well as through formative labs.

By taking this course students will:

1. Be introduced to fluid and particle mechanics and thus have their relevance in chemical engineering established.

2. Develop the fundamental principles underlying the momentum transport for both systems with and without particles.

3. Demonstrate how these are used for the design of chemical processes and units.

15 credits

Heat Transfer

Most processes of interest to chemical engineers do not occur at ambient temperatures. Additionally, many important processes either produce heat, or require heating. To make the most efficient use of resources and to make processes as sustainable as possible, it is vital that chemical engineers have a sound understanding of heat transfer.

Heat transfer is a discipline of thermal engineering that concerns the generation, use, conversion, and exchange of thermal energy (or heat) between physical systems. Heat transfer is classified into various mechanisms, such as thermal conduction, thermal convection, thermal radiation, and transfer of energy by phase changes.

The fundamentals of these modes of heat transfer will be introduced to allow students the opportunity to design practical heat transfer equipment with emphasis on chemical processes. Teaching is supported by several embedded labs which will allow students to both deepen their understanding of the fundamental concepts, and to further develop their practical skills.

By taking this course students will be: 

1. Introduced to heat transfer and have its relevance to chemical engineering established. 

2. Familiar with  the fundamental principles underlying heat transfer. 

3. Required to design and select heat exchange systems and units and evaluate different types of heat exchangers

4. Introduced to the process safety and sustainability issues around heat transfer. 

15 credits

Principles of Chemical Engineering 1

Whilst the list of industries employing chemical engineers continues to grow, the basic principles underpinning them all remain the same. Fundamentally, chemical engineering is the discipline that transforms scientific breakthroughs into large scale industrial processes. This course serves as an introduction to the principles and techniques used in the field of chemical and process engineering by developing knowledge and expertise in the basic principles of chemical engineering design. 

Students will also actively engage with the concepts of professional responsibility, safety, sustainability and ethics of chemical engineers, which will come to define the 21st Century chemical engineer.  The module begins by developing and applying the process synthesis method to design a chemical process. This is then extended to the development of material balances, which are a fundamental tool of chemical engineering, and are presented in the context of industrially relevant unit operations such as crystallisation, distillation columns, evaporators, reactors and boilers. This concept is further reinforced through embedded labs, and the introduction of industry standard process modelling software.

By taking this course students will be: 

1. Introduced to the chemical industry. 

2. Engaged by the challenges of professional responsibility, safety, sustainability and ethics for 21st Century chemical engineers. 

3. Introduced to systems of units commonly used in different industries.

4. Given the opportunity to develop and practice problem solving skills. 

5. Able to apply mass conservation to a variety of chemical processes and carry out material balances with and without chemical reactions.

6. Practised in team working and communication skills. 

7. Taught to apply both general and relevant chemical engineering  IT skills.

15 credits

Principles of Chemical Engineering 2

Energy usage is a key economic factor in chemical plants, and the sustainable usage of energy is of ever increasing importance. Following on from CPE130, which introduced material balances, this module will introduce the next key balance that is vital in the development and deployment of chemical processes, namely the energy balance. 

This course expands the chemical engineering design toolkit to include the development of energy balances. The concept is applied to a wide range of chemical processes such as chemical reactors, heaters/coolers, mixers, distillation columns, evaporators, and cooling towers. Such processes make up the bulk of the unit operations seen in both existing and emerging chemical industries. The module also provides elementary techniques for the evaluation of vapour-liquid and gas-liquid equilibria, and gives an introduction to the unit operation - distillation. A firm understanding of separation processes such as distillation is vital in ensuring the energy requirements for processes are minimised and hence the processes are as sustainable as possible. 

This module is supported by embedded labs, and also hosts the first 'Design Week' of the programme, which gives students the opportunity to work together on an extended problem as a more detailed introduction to the design process.

By taking this course students will be: 

1. Able to identify common ground and differences between this unit and the Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer and Principles of Chemical Engineering 1 units.2. Comfortable with the definition and calculation of energy balances for batch and continuous processes. 3. Confident in the application of energy balances to various unit operations. 4. Introduced to simultaneous mass and energy balances for analysing and designing processes. 5. Allowed to further develop problem solving, team working, IT and communication skills. 

15 credits

Engineering with Living Systems 1

As we face some of the emerging challenges of this century, from global pandemics, the environment to energy, water and health, it has become increasingly evident that engineering biological systems represent some of the most sustainable and advanced solutions. To progress these innovative approaches, there is an increasing need to train the next generation of engineers with knowledge of fundamental science applied with chemical engineering principles.  

This module will provide students with knowledge of fundamental biological processes, whilst enabling a clear link to how these are exploited within industry for biomanufacturing. More specifically,  this module is an introduction to biological engineering covering the basics of host cell systems (e.g. yeast, E. coli) exploited within the biomanufacturing industry i.e. cell types, structure, function. The working of the cell will be introduced; cell chemistry (biochemistry) and cell structure (macromolecules). These will be described in terms of products (e.g. protein biopharmaceuticals, fatty acid fuels), cell cultivation (basic and industrial microbiology, fermentation) and methods to improve cell productivities e.g. metabolic engineering, synthetic biology. Modelling of fermentation processes will be expanded through enzyme catalysis and Michelis Menten kinetics and linked to applications e.g. departmental relevant research. The concepts described in the module will be reinforced through labs embedded at relevant points of the semester.

By taking this course students will be: 

1. Introduced to biological engineering.

2. Shown that manufacturing can be achieved using living systems.

3. Introduced to microorganisms and microbiology. 

4. Introduced to novel products such as biopharmaceuticals, and new environmental processes such as bioremediation.

5. Introduced to enzymatic catalysis.

6. Introduced to the key process of fermentation.

7. Introduced to synthetic biology and metabolic engineering.

10 credits

Global Engineering Challenge Week

The Faculty-wide Global Engineering Challenge Week is a compulsory part of the first-year programme. The project has been designed to develop student academic, transferable and employability skills as well as widen their horizons as global citizens. Working in multi-disciplinary groups of 5-6, for a full week, all students in the Faculty choose from a number of projects arranged under a range of themes including Water, Waste Management, Energy and Digital with scenarios set in an overseas location facing economic challenge. Some projects are based on the Engineers Without Borders Engineering for people design challenge*.

*The EWB challenge provides students with the opportunity to learn about design, teamwork and communication through real, inspiring, sustainable and cross-cultural development projects identified by EWB with its community-based partner organisations.

Skills for Employability - Level 1

This module is designed to help students in planning their career development, and to equip them with the essential knowledge, know-how and practical skills needed to succeed in the recruitment process and be competitive in the job market.The information in this form applies to all three levels of the Skills for Employability module.

Core modules:

Mass Transfer and Separation Processes

The course introduces the fundamental principles of equilibrium and mass transfer kinetics in multicomponent systems and applies these principles to analysis and design of separation process. Thermodynamics concepts from Year 1 are extended to non-ideal, multicomponent mixtures and applied to phase equilibria. These equilibria are then used to design and rate staged separation processes. The kinetics of mass transfer are introduced with molecular diffusion in gases, liquids and solids. Links are made between the transport of momentum, heat and mass. Convective mass transfer is also covered and the mass transfer coefficient, and methods for its calculation, are introduced. This then leads to the analysis and design of mass transfer over various systems and unit operation.

20 credits

Engineering with Living Systems 2

This module focuses on the production of a range of important products using living systems. The module will introduce the biotechnology industry and outline typical products in each sector.  The module will cover general microbiology of cell growth including growth kinetics in batch and continuous systems. An overview of a typical fermentor for biomass production will be included. The module will describe how genetic engineering and metabolic engineering of biological systems is used for the production of important products. As examples a number of case studies will be used.

15 credits

Experimental Investigation

Much of engineering involves designing, undertaking and analysing the results from experimental studies. This module gives students a chance to do so using the Diamond Pilot Plant and other unit operations experiments as the test bed. Core to the design and analysis is a sound grounding in applied statistics which will be covered as part of this module. Student teams will be given open ended laboratory investigations. They will design experiments and visit the lab on several occasions to collect data for analysis. Results will be presented as both written and oral reports.

15 credits

Introduction to Pharmaceutical Engineering

This module introduces pharmaceutical manufacturing (including biopharmaceuticals) using real world examples. Regulatory affairs and quality management regarding their manufacturing will be introduced.

15 credits

Process Control

Process control is the study of regulating the conditions of a process in order to obtain a stable process and to generate high quality products efficiently, economically and safely. This module covers modelling and analysing various control system behaviours, including first order and higher order systems, with closed and open loops. The application of control systems to various chemical processes and units will be included. 

15 credits

Process and Product Design

The unit covers the selection and design of process equipment found on a chemical plant, including aspects of control, scale-up methods and short cut design procedures. Students are introduced to product design including various techniques necessary for the selection of ideas and screening of alternatives, as well as the details of manufacturing and economic considerations. The unit also provides an introduction to process safety and loss prevention from industrial processes and will enable students, with further experience in industry, to carry out activities involved in the safety review of proposed and existing plants.

15 credits

Reaction Engineering 1

Reaction engineering deals with the holistic design of reactions and appropriate reactors, using the concepts of materials and energy balances, kinetics and chemical thermodynamics. These concepts apply across all sectors of chemical engineering, from petrochemicals to food; from pollution control to biotechnology. This module will cover reactor design including reactor volume, reaction or residence time and operating temperature; and in particular how to optimise both reactor design and reactor type alongside operating conditions for different chemical processes. Application of this knowledge to open ended problems and tools to model any idealised reaction system will be covered.

15 credits

Mathematics III (Chemical)

This module is part of a series of second-level modules designed for the particular group of engineers shown in brackets in the module title. Each module consolidates previous mathematical knowledge and develops new mathematical techniques relevant to the particular engineering discipline. MAS248 includes Partial Differentiation, Fourier Series, Vector Calculus, Partial Differential Equations and Probability Distributions.

10 credits

Engineering - You're Hired

The Faculty-wide Engineering - You're Hired Week is a compulsory part of the second year programme, and the week has been designed to develop student academic, transferable and employability skills. Working in multi-disciplinary groups of about six, students will work in interdisciplinary teams on a real world problem over an intensive week-long project. The projects are based on problems provided by industrial partners, and students will come up with ideas to solve them and proposals for a project to develop these ideas further.

Skills for Employability - Level 2

This module is designed to help students in planning their career development, and to equip them with the essential knowledge, know-how and practical skills needed to succeed in the recruitment process and be competitive in the job market.The information in this form applies to all three levels of the Skills for Employability module.

Core modules:

Process Design Project

A design project is carried out over two semesters. In the first semester a series of laboratory and/or computer based practical activities introduces the students to the concepts of the design of a process. In the second semester elements of the degree course are brought together and applied to the solution of a typical process industry problem. Students work in teams of about five with an academic staff member as supervisor, but an identifiable individual contribution is required. Each student writes a dissertation containing a report on the laboratory project and detailed design of the process. Creative and critical powers are evoked by decision making in areas of uncertainty. Flexibility and planning in the balance of activities is necessary, depending on the nature of the particular project.

45 credits

Reaction Engineering 2

This module provides in depth analysis of complex reactions and design of realistic reactors. It builds from the reaction engineering-1 module and covers complex reaction kinetics including bimolecular reactions, reversible reactions and autocatalytic reactions etc., multiple reactions, product distribution, multiple reactors, non-ideal reactors, residence time distribution and dispersion model. It also covers the diagnosis and optimisation of the non-ideal reactors. The module further covers the aspects pertaining to solid-fluid reactions such as catalytic reactions, designs of catalytic reactors, and non-catalytic heterogeneous reactors. In addition, the module also covers the bioreactors and fermentation.

15 credits

Systems for Sustainability

This module introduces sustainability relevant to the environmental impact of chemical processes and industry. The module covers the concepts of systems analysis by introducing systems-level thinking. Tools to examine process sustainability will be included such as life cycle analysis and circular economy.

15 credits

Transport Phenomena

Transport Phenomena describe the rates by which heat, momentum and mass are transported between a system and its surroundings. This class builds upon CPE170, CPE180 and CPE230 by extending the use of shell balances to set up and solve the governing differential equations for heat and mass transfer. The appropriate constitutive equations are manipulated for different geometries and to solve problems with resistances in series. Different boundary and initial conditions are explored for steady-state and transient problems, Mathematical tools are re-introduced in the context of solving specific problems. Combined convection­-diffusion problems for heat and mass are solved in terms of dimensionless numbers; another set of dimensionless numbers is introduced for molecular transport problems spanning a solid interface. The class concludes by using dimensionless parameters to estimate solutions for problems with multiple forms of transport.

15 credits

Skills for Employability - Level 3

This module is designed to help students in planning their career development, and to equip them with the essential knowledge, know-how and practical skills needed to succeed in the recruitment process and be competitive in the job market.The information in this form applies to all three levels of the Skills for Employability module.

Optional modules:

Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

The module aims to provide an understanding of the key unit operations used in manufacturing biopharmaceutical products including vaccines, therapeutic proteins, and cell/gene therapies. The course will cover fermentation, extraction technologies and purification operations. The module will describe the design and application of each unit of operations, and introduce key associated topics including process engineering, analytical technologies, automation, quality by design, and regulatory issues. The course will have a particular focus on latest industrial trends, and current and future challenges in biopharmaceutical
manufacturing will be studied in-depth.

15 credits

Environmental Engineering

The course will have three main focus areas: Air pollution, water pollution and soil pollution. The module will prepare students for tackling pollution problems, both in terms of methods for preventing the pollution from occurring in the first place and with methods for remediation of polluted sites in the environment.

15 credits

Introduction to Fuels and Energy

The module covers the following topics:

- Introduction to energy: sources, history, classifications, units

- Primary energy - Introduction to coal

- Primary energy - Introduction to oil and natural gas

- Primary energy conversion - heat to power

- Introduction to electrical systems and energy carriers

- Primary electricity - nuclear

- Energy end use - transport

- Introduction to combustion processes I

- Introduction to combustion processes II

- Energy futures

15 credits

Science of Formulated Products

Formulated products are an increasing focus across a wide variety of chemical engineering industries, including the pharmaceutical sector, food manufacture, fast moving consumer goods, fertilisers and catalyst manufacture. These industries are unified by the need to understand particle behaviour and hence this unit will introduce the engineering concepts of various particle processing systems such as powder flow, mixing, granulation, fluidized bed drying and tableting. The theoretical concepts developed in lectures will be reinforced by the opportunity to see Diamond Pilot Plant, which is a world-leading full scale continuous pharmaceutical production line. In addition, the materials will be supplemented by guest lecturers from a range of relevant industries.

15 credits

Core modules:

Research Project

Research Projects are intended for Fourth Year MEng students. The projects are carried out broadly based on the research activities in the department. As such, a project is usually supported through a programme of research in the supervisor's group. The key purpose of this module is to introduce a student to basic principles of research work, and its academic societal and commercial importance. A student achieves this through the following stages: a) A clear definition of the problem of a research project and its main objectives. b) A related literature review. c) A choice of research strategy for achieving the research objectives. d) Data acquisition and analysis. e) A critical consideration of research achievements with respect to its societal/commercial application. f) Collation of critical and useful information in a dissertation resembling a publication format, which also introduces students to technical writing. g) Communication of research topic and findings with colleagues and academics. h) Opening of new research avenues.

45 credits

Advanced Process Modelling, Simulation and Optimisation

Building on the use of simulation tools in Years 1 to 3, CPE450 will: (1) allow students to achieve an in-depth understanding on how to select physical property methods for different process applications; (2) develop students' ability in steady state modelling and advanced process analysis; (3) develop students' ability in dynamic modelling/simulation and advanced process analysis; (4) allow students to apply process economic analysis and process optimisation for different applications; (5) allow students to apply these knowledge and skills to important application examples.

15 credits

Computational Modelling

This module will cover the numerical methods required to solve complex chemical engineering problems that are typically encountered in design and assessment of unit operations and processes. Further, the module includes ways to model selected systems and introduces to optimisation of models. Tools for mathematical analysis and modelling will be covered e.g. Matlab, Mathematica and/or python.

15 credits

Optional modules:

Biopharmaceutical Engineering

This module will equip students with a comprehensive understanding of technologies that contribute to manufacture of complex biological products by engineered cells. An emphasis will be placed on (i) core design principles and tools that underpin engineering of genetic vectors, cells and biopharmaceutical products (e.g. proteins, vaccines, gene therapeutics) and (ii) biomanufacturing process design and optimisation. Case histories and exemplars will be provided by invited external experts from bioindustry to reinforce students' understanding of core principles.

15 credits

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

This module provides an overview of bioresources and their applications in the bioeconomy. The different types of bioresources, their characteristics and how that affects their applications will be discussed. Technologies, including chemical and biochemical methods, that are used for processing bioresources will be explored. Production of bioenergy from bioresources will be discussed.

15 credits

Continuous Manufacturing Technology: PAT and Process Optimization (MEng)

The module covers recent advances in Process Analytical Technology (PAT), which is used in continuous manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. Selection of suitable PAT tools and PAT data interpretation are both addressed. Additionally, the module will present different approaches used in process control and optimization. The lecture topics are designed based on the skills required by the pharmaceutical industry and there is significant input from industrial experts.

15 credits

Energy Systems and Management

To provide a broad study of conventional and renewable Energy Systems and an advanced knowledge of selected emerging energy technologies. To develop practical skills and confidence in carrying out energy management tasks such as conducting an energy audit.

15 credits

Low Carbon Energy Science and Technology

Low carbon technologies are an essential requirement if the world's energy needs are to be met without causing irreversible changes to the planet's climate. This module will cover why there is a need for various different technologies that can help to meet the world's energy needs without releasing large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. Various different technologies that aim to meet this need will be introduced and then a select number will be studied in more detail. The aim of the module is to enable the student to make critical assessments of the different low carbon technologies backed by sound scientific understanding of their limitations and advantages.

15 credits

Nuclear Reactor Engineering

The module provides a broad base introduction to the theory and practice of nuclear reactors for power production. This includes those aspects of physics which represent the source of nuclear energy and the factors governing its release as well as the key issues involved in the critical operation of nuclear cores. The relation of the science underlying successful operation with the needs for fuel preparation and engineering designs is emphasised. The unit aims to provide students with a clear grasp of those aspects relevant to the design and operation of nuclear reactors along with an understanding of the principles of reactor design. The unit will cover the techniques used to prepare nuclear fuels and process spent fuel. Students will develop an understanding of the present and future roles of nuclear reactors in energy provision.

15 credits

Particle Design and Processing

This module will give an introduction to particulate products. An overview of particle and powder characterisation will be given, and particle property distributions and how these change over time will be covered. Particle design (production of new particles with specific attributes) and production methods will be included (e.g. crystallisation and precipitation; granulation; jet break up and spray drying; aerosol processes; chemical vapour deposition; suspension polymerisation; and grinding).

15 credits

Petroleum Engineering

This unit gives an overview of the current and future technology for the oil and gas industry. It includes the origins of petroleum and its refining, as well as introduction to biofuels. This module covers -the origins, types and quality of refinery feedstock and products;-detailed analysis of various sections of petroleum processing in refineries;-introduction to advanced topics in petrochemical engineering such as catalyst development, desulphurisation, pollution control and hydrogen production.-details on key biofuels and their strategic importance and the technological challenges of viable large scale production.

15 credits

Synthetic Biology

Synthetic Biology is: a) the design and construction of new biological parts, devices and systems; b) the re-design of existing, natural biological systems for useful purposes. The module seeks to introduce students to the field of synthetic biology, the context (technical and ethical, legal and social issues) and the industrial promise. The module demonstrates the concepts of the engineering design paradigm applied to exploitation of biology. In particular, issues related to standardisation and modularity of biological parts, devices and systems are introduced and examined in light of examples. Concepts related to creation of life and deconstruction of life are covered.

15 credits

Electrochemical Engineering

This module covers three key topics:
a. Fundamentals of electrochemical kinetics and thermodynamics
b. Electrical and mass transport and electrochemical characterisation
c. Energy storage and conversion - fuel cells, batteries and supercapacitors

15 credits

Advanced Materials

The module introduces Materials Science and Engineering starting with the fundamentals. This includes the types of materials and their structure, properties and processing. It also provides depth about functional materials and special classes of materials. The module also includes practical aspects on selecting materials for chemical industry.

15 credits