This module aims to provide students with foundational knowledge of hydrogen technologies and their role in the transition towards a sustainable energy future, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. You will explore the technological, economic, and environmental aspects of hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and utilization. The course will emphasize the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration, data-driven and AI-assisted decision-making, and self-directed learning.

By the end of the module, you will have gained the theoretical knowledge, skills, and understanding of national and global contexts necessary to contribute to the development and implementation of hydrogen technologies in various sectors, as well as to broader challenges in decarbonisation and sustainable development. You will also develop an understanding of the future job market and be prepared to identify opportunities for further training and specialisation in the field of hydrogen engineering.

All students undertake an individual research project working with our high quality researchers on cutting-edge chemical engineering challenges. The module will teach the application of core and advanced chemical engineering principles within a research setting.

The module extends across the various advanced chemical engineering and business/management subjects taught during previous years to consider an advanced technical issue and a business case, within the students industrial workplace.

On completion of the module the student is expected to be able to:

• demonstrate an ability to work across subject boundaries in response to specific technical problems
• have an critical awareness of how to develop a research model and have an ability to apply analytical and modelling tools and techniques appropriately to a specific research problem
• be able to present a business case in support of proposals generated by research

This module covers essential skills and knowledge for project scoping, with a focus on the University’s Strategic Themes and Values leading to preparation for the individual research project. It will include the following topics:

Introduction to ethics & sustainability

• sessions on plagiarism and the use of AI tools
• library skills including databases such as web of science, Scopus; referencing tools such as Endnote

Workshops on literature searching & academic writing

• library skills including databases such as web of science, Scopus; referencing tools such as Endnote

Project planning

• resource planning, Gantt charts and scoping
• sessions on writing skills 

Proposal writing

• sessions on writing skills

This module aims to introduce the fundamentals of combustion engineering, and the concepts and applications of clean combustion technologies.

The module will teach the following:

• combustion chemistry and calculation of the adiabatic flame temperature
• laminar & turbulent flames. The concepts of ignition, flame extinction and instabilities
• getting started with solid fuel combustion, theoretical analysis of carbon particle combustion at the surface and intraparticle driven by mass and heat transfers
• theory of gasification & pyrolysis
• learn to build pyrolysis/gasification model of a single particle at various boundary conditions
• key factors that affect gasification process, and syngas upgrading technologies
• combustion associated pollutant emissions, and their formation mechanisms and prediction
• boiler designs, including CFB boiler and PC boiler & their performances
• theory of the high temperature air combustion technology & its application

You'll also get chances to conduct self-leaning on three combustion-relevant advanced technologies: Integrate Gasification Combined Cycle process, Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR)/Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), and Chemical Looping Combustion.

At the end, you'll be able to:

• describe and analyse combustion processes
• calculate key parameters concerning gas and solid combustion
• solve quantitative problems concerning mechanisms of pollutant formation in combustion processes
• explain and evaluate emissions control methods for combustion, including carbon capture
• apply the principles of clean combustion technologies in solving engineering problems

This module provides an overview of electrochemical energy conversion devices, including batteries, fuel cells and electrolysers for energy storage and generation.

The course will cover the fundamentals of galvanic cells, with an introduction to equilibrium thermodynamics and transport phenomena, as well as introducing the most important aspects of commercialisation of emerging technologies.

The main topics will include:

• thermodynamics - equilibrium electrochemistry and galvanic cells
• kinetics - Faraday’s Law and current-voltage relationships
• energy devices - overview of different battery, fuel cell and electrolysis technologies, including commercial/industrial applications and their place in the energy landscape
• device design, diagnostic methods and modelling
• techno-economic aspects of the hydrogen economy and grid-scale energy storage

This module aims to impart an understanding of the underpinning theoretical principles and practical calculation methods for analysis of energy systems and an appreciation of how these systems are integrated in practical applications. Emphasis is on heat transfer and thermodynamic cycles. The underlying principles and analysis methods are appropriate for both renewable and non-renewable energy systems.

This module provides a series of strategic frameworks and models for managing high-technology businesses. The emphasis throughout the module is on the development and application of conceptual models which clarify the relationships between a firm's strategy, patterns of technological and market change, the processes for the development of organisational capabilities and innovation management.

The main focus of this module is on the acquisition of a set of powerful analytical tools, which are critical for the development of a technology and innovation strategy as an integral part of business strategy. These tools can provide a guiding framework for deciding which technologies to invest in, how to structure those investments and how to anticipate and respond to the behaviour of competitors, suppliers, and customers. The module utilises lectures, case analyses and independent reading. The readings are drawn from research in strategy, technological change, innovation management, and organizational theory. The case studies provide an extensive opportunity to integrate and apply these abstract tools in a practical, business policy and advanced digital technologies context.

The focus of this module is on the principles of conceptual design and flowsheet development, which often represent the most challenging aspects of process design. The first stage is to define design and the associated terminology and to show how this can be applied to both equipment and process selection. The second stage is to develop an appreciation of the hierarchical and structural methods of developing conceptual designs including the effective design of utility systems to reduce energy use.

The module will teach the following:

• terminology of design
• hierarchy of process design
• block flow diagrams (BFDs)
• process flow diagrams (PFDs)
• input-output structures of flowsheets
• choice of reactors and separators; reaction, separation and recycle systems
• hot and cold utility systems
• energy utilisation to minimise utility and overall capital costs
• retrofit design; batch process design

On completion of this module, the student is expected to be able to:

• carry out a systematic approach to design selection according to the chosen assessment criteria
• undertake a structured approach to designing the reaction, separation and recycle aspects of a flow sheet
• employ pinch technology methods to the overall targeting of hot and cold utility requirements and to heat exchanger capital costs, which would then involve the design of a simple heat exchanger network (HEN)
• apply a methodical approach to retrofit designs as well as to new designs (including an understanding of the special features of batch processes)

The focus of this module is on the wider implications of process design.  The first stage is to consider how batch and semi-batch processes are represented and described, including special factors when compared with continuous processes.  This will also include start-up and shut-down procedures in continuous processes. 

The second stage will provide an appreciation of the broader context or macro level in which process design takes place, and in particular look at the conceptual phase which stakes cognisance of geography, stakeholders, politics, access to infrastructure, economic drivers, logistics, legislation etc., as some of the factors which influence the major process design decisions. The second stage will also provide a framework for how major projects are executed from conceptual to detailed design. 

The third stage is to define chemical product design (CPD) and show the similarities/differences between CPD and process design.

The module will teach the following:

• terminology of batch and semi-batch processes
• design procedures for batch and semi-batch processes
• consider case studies in which the geographical location is a key design factor
• energy utilisation in batch and semi-batch processes
• the role of process simulators in process design
• the importance of project life-span
• the distinction between “commodity” chemical and chemical product

On completion of this module, you are expected to be able to:

• show an understanding of the structured approach to the design of batch and semi-batch processes
• recognise the importance of wider implications, such as geographical location and stakeholder roles
• appreciate the linkage of “key principles”: green engineering, ethics, professionalism and sustainability
• demonstrate knowledge and apply the principles of chemical product design

You'll develop the skills to address global challenges in sustainable product development and the study of environmental legislation.

This module examines sustainable options for energy production, supply and consumption in relation to the net zero transition now underway in many countries. The aim is to give students an understanding of current trends in energy conversion technologies, policies and the energy market, and to enable a critical evaluation of emerging ideas, especially in relation to renewable energy supply systems.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of hydrocarbon production processes from the reservoir through to a well. As petroleum engineering covers a very broad range of interdependent topics, this module focuses on introducing you to the fundamental concepts of reservoir engineering and well performance that underpin the production of hydrocarbons from subsurface reservoirs. You will be introduced to how these same concepts can be applied to energy transition-related subjects, such as carbon storage.

The module will teach the following:

• introduction to petroleum reservoir engineering
• hydrocarbon phase behaviour and fluid properties
• production mechanisms and material balance
• fluid flow through porous media
• introduction to well test analysis
• well inflow performance
• well vertical lift performance
• applications in the energy transition

This module will enable you to understand the principles and techniques of Systems Engineering.  You will learn how to apply systems engineering techniques in engineering contexts, taking into account a range of regulatory requirements as well as commercial and industrial constraints.

This module explores financial options and strategies for ensuring the solvency and financial sustainability of business ventures. It covers topics including financial reporting and financial accounting in relation to the wider issues of corporate behaviour and corporate governance. Also covered are:

• financial instruments
• asset valuation
• capital project financing and methods of raising capital
• capital structure and gearing
• financial risk management
• elements of portfolio management
• and corporate business and financial strategies, including mergers, acquisitions and restructuring as aspects of financial engineering and corporate business management

The module will also look into the implications of the occurrence of financial crises at corporate, national and global levels for the financial engineering practice.

Learning objectives:

• understand issues in financial engineering and ability to analyse the significance of financial engineering in terms of the macro and micro aspects of economic activities
• identify and analyse issues arising from the financial accounts and reports of companies
• identify sources and methods of raising project finance and implications of these for business and financial risk
• analyse the principles underlying the operation of financial/capital markets
• identify and evaluate financial strategies and instruments for corporate risk management
• explain business sustainability in terms the imperatives of financial engineering

This module aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge to be able to undertake the following learning outcomes:

• demonstrate a good understanding of project management practices and practical skills to manage project scope
• gain intellectual skills to apply various project planning, scheduling and controlling methods with respect to the project triple constraints: time, cost and quality
• develop a good understanding of the inter-dependency between various project management knowledge areas
• understand the importance of project stakeholders and their impact on project management
  This will be achieved through the following key areas:
• introduction to project management principles, concepts and processes
• project management and organisations: organisational influences, project stakeholders, project team, and project life cycle
• project scoping: project definition, project objectives, project deliverables, and work breakdown structure
• project planning and scheduling: definition of events, activities and nodes, network diagram, analysis of critical path, PERT method, and use of industry standard software packages
• project controlling: cost estimate, budget setting, risk identification and assessment, and contingency planning
• case studies/practical examples in project management

This module aims to introduce the fundamental techniques of risk management and risk-informed decision making.

Under Health and Safety legislation, and under the wider European Post-Seveso Directives, it is mandatory for many industries to carry out risk assessments with the aim of showing that risk is  as low as reasonably practicable. You will have the opportunity to learn the general principles of methods and their place in risk management, as well as the chance to develop skills in applying these methods to a variety of engineering examples.

The module is split into two distinct sections:

• initially the focus will be on learning the modelling approaches and methods used by industry currently to manage risk
• latterly we shall consider tools and techniques that are gaining popularity in industry but are not yet widespread

Throughout the module, the basic principles of uncertainty and consequence modelling are considered together with the tools and techniques required to apply these principles. Industry standard processes and software tools are discussed, and illustrated by relevant case studies.

Learning outcomes

• to understand the general process of risk management and its applications in industry
• to build risk models, appreciating the modelling issues involved in their application
• to understand key theoretical concepts and their application in the development of an as low as reasonably practicable case
• to use commercial software to conduct detailed risk analysis of technological systems

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) relates to the process of identifying, evaluating, and mitigating the biophysical, social, economic, cultural and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made. This module introduces the methods used to predict environmental impacts, and evaluates how these may be used to integrate environmental factors into decisions. The module draws principally on the UK planning context of environmental impact assessment of individual projects (project EIA), but also takes account of EIA experience in other countries and international organisations.

You will evaluate the quality of Environmental Statements and of the EIA process using the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Management (IEMA) methodology. The module discusses how EIA can be used a pro-active design tool for projects and how it can contribute to the enhancement of environmental, social and health issues. The module has the contribution of key practitioners in the field and includes different case studies such as mining, roads, and on-shore and off-shore windfarms.