BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year

Builds on the fundamental concepts and skills established in Engineering Mathematics I and provide students with intermediate and advanced mathematical tools to model and solve engineering problems.

This module will provide an introduction to modern organic chemistry that reinforces and extends the students existing knowledge of aspects of organic chemistry obtained from A-level or equivalent.  A foundation in the stereochemical aspects of molecular structure, and exposure to a range of functional groups and their associated chemistry, will be given.  Students will develop an understanding of the application of synthetic methodology in organic synthesis. Laboratory work will supplement the lecture material.

This module introduces the concept of what chemical engineering is. It will provide an overview of chemical engineering as a discipline and demonstrate the concepts and principles of process analysis and design. Energy and material balances will be introduced and problems set which illustrate how they are applied and used in industrial contexts. This module will start the process of ensuring all students are aware of safety, ethics and sustainability in chemical processing. The module will also provide an introduction to some of the basic principles used to analyse and design new chemical processes. Particular emphasis will also be placed upon fluids and fluid flow, rheology, pressure drops, etc. and provide a basic structure upon which more in depth studies in year two can build. Practical exercises will look at several aspects of flow and conservation of mass in processing equipment. Guest speakers from Industry will be invited to present on a range of topics found within Chemical Engineering.

You will be able to apply fundamental principles to analyse flow in pipes and tank systems, to understand expansion and compression of air in closed systems and to be able to analyse work and heat relationships in basic thermodynamic cycles.

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the fundamental operations, separation methods, technologies and design methods used in process industries. The fundamentals of product formation, manipulation and separation will be introduced and their place in designing and running productive processes explained.

Process Modelling and Simulation is a critical module in the BEng Chemical Engineering curriculum, designed to equip students with essential skills in developing, modelling, analysing, and optimising chemical processes. This module emphasises the importance of mathematical modelling and computational simulation as tools for predicting system behaviour, improving efficiency, and reducing costs in industrial processes. Students will learn fundamental modelling techniques and theories, process modelling and simulation, and the use of simulation software to solve real-world chemical engineering problems.

  This module will provide you with a sound understanding of fundamental concepts of reaction engineering and the theory of mass transfer. Based on reaction equilibria and kinetics, mass and energy conservation, this module will introduce you to the basic concepts behind the design of different types of chemical reactors and also the design and operation of mass transfer equipment.   The core of most chemical processes is some form of chemical reactor to produce the desired product. Downstream of the reactor there is a need to separate the desired product from the other compounds leaving the reactor.

System Dynamics and Control is a vital module in the BEng Chemical Engineering program, focusing on the principles and applications of process control in chemical engineering systems. This module introduces students to the theory of control, exploring key concepts such as feedback, stability, and performance optimisation. The module focuses on dynamic process modeling and developing practical skills for control system simulation. By combining theory with computational tools, this module prepares students to analyse, design, and implement effective control strategies in industrial settings.

Provide the theoretical and under pinning practical considerations behind mass, momentum and heat transport. MHM transport processes are key Chemical Engineering process and underpins much of the rest of the course. This module builds strongly on the concepts first introduced at Level 4 and provides a basis with which to approach problems within a design context. Students should also understand how the underpinning physics associated with transport processes can be used to design and operate unit operations such as mixers or dryers.

This module is intended to draw upon the information gained so far from across the whole of the chemical engineering course. The module will require students to work in groups and design a chemical process. The design will require the students to draw upon various aspects of chemistry, transport processes, reaction engineering and safety when making design decisions. Ultimately the groups will have to sell their designs to a panel of prospective investors. During the module student groups will be required to present their findings, as their design evolves, via a range of methods: presentations, flow diagrams, reports and mass and energy balances. The module intend to all student to make their own (group) decisions on how processes will be run, this will include reactor design and separation method selection.

This module will be split between two related halves.  Within the first half, students will be set a practical task (taken from the existing chemical engineering equipment pool and possibly chemistry department) and will be required to understand the working principle behind the process. They will then perform a hazard/safety analysis and devise an experimental plan to generate test data.  This plan should be rigorous to be able to indicate the accuracy of the equipment in delivering its intended function, but also for experimental and equipment error to be explored and commented on. The second part deals with elected subject/research areas where individual members of staff will present their respective research areas ( manufacturing, energy, food, safety and complex fluids) to the students who elect which area  they wish to follow.  Other specialisms when identified can also be included. This will allow the students (a minimum of 5 to make streams viable) to explore potential employment directions in more details from experts in the field.  This part of the course will be very flexible in their approach to lectures, practical and computational classes.

This module will focus on a variety of related areas. Climate change and overpopulation will be discussed in a context of geological and socio-political changes. The production and uses of sustainable energy will examine new technologies (nuclear, wind, solar) will be discussed in a context of declining fossil fuels. The need for recycling and the technologies to recycle will be examined. The Hydrogen economy will be introduced and form a prime example for discussing sustainability in addition a mixture of lectures tutorials and case studies will explore theses various factors

The Green Energy and Renewable Technologies module presents a thorough understanding of sustainable energy solutions and their importance in addressing climate change. It explores hydrogen energy as a clean and versatile option, alongside solar and wind energy technologies that are pivotal in the global movement towards renewable energy. The module also investigates biomass energy, highlighting its potential to produce power while sustainably managing organic waste. This module explores sustainable energy processing technologies and strategies to meet global targets for 2035 and 2050. It also examines the role of fossil fuel energy resources and their transition in the evolving energy landscape. Moreover, it covers sustainable waste management practices and carbon capture technologies as crucial tools for emission reduction and environmental impact mitigation. This module provides chemical engineers with the knowledge necessary to develop and apply green technologies that support a sustainable, low-carbon and net-zero future.

This module aims to provide you with a complete grounding in all aspects of safety related to the Chemical and Process Engineering Industry.  You will also be made aware of relevant regulations relating to safety, the concept of risk and its management in a process environment, and learn a range of practical tools relating to hazards, risks and error analysis.