Materials & Sustainable Processes

Code

CHEE2047

School

Chemical and Environmental Engineering

Level

2

Credits

20

Semesters

Spring UK

Summary

This module provides an introduction to the properties of engineering materials including topics such as chemical bonding and structure, mechanical properties, elasticity, viscoelasticity, creep, fatigue and fracture. The module also provides elements of mechanical and structural design using engineering materials.

This module also introduces students to a range of knowledge and skills applicable to the management of waste. Increasingly waste is viewed as a valuable resource that must be managed and utilised effectively to minimise environmental impact. The beginning of the module will introduce the students to conventional waste management practices. The development of legislation and how directives from the European Union impact on our daily lives will be covered. Current waste treatment techniques and technologies will be covered including biological methods (composting, anaerobic digestion), thermal methods (energy from waste, gasification, pyrolysis), mechanical biological treatment and landfilling. Techniques and approaches for the recovery and recycling of waste products will be a core component. Successful waste/resource recovery schemes are increasing due to the application and adaptation of technology from other industries. This will be explored and include case studies on topical aspects such as materials recovery and reprocessing of specific waste streams.

Re-Assessment: The module will be re-assessed through 100% individual examination, centrally timetabled in the University's resit period. 

Target Students

Available to students studying BEng/MEng (Hons), Chemical & Chemical with Environmental Engineering & Environmental Engineering

Assessment

• 100% Exam 1 (3-hour): Exam

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

A1 Underpinning mathematics, science, and associated engineering disciplines: 
A1.2.2 Have a knowledge and understanding of basic mathematical models relevant to chemical engineering. Assessment: by final exam and coursework, through several questions and the real-world case study.

A1.2.5 Have knowledge of and understanding of the engineering use of materials, such as in the selection of materials of construction, corrosion protection, and design of novel products. Students must use relevant equations to calculate mechanical stresses, corrosion rates and heat transfer rates in materials of construction. Students learn how to select the correct materials of construction to prevent or minimise mechanical failure and corrosion. Assessment: by final exam and coursework, through several questions and the real-world case study.  

A2 Chemical Engineering Principles: 
A2.6.1 Be able to identify the principal hazard sources in chemical and related processes (including biological hazards);  
 

A2.6.2 Understand the principles of safety and loss prevention, and their application to inherently safe design. As evidenced by students becoming aware of the UK risk assessment framework and how to apply conceptual models to waste management. Assessment: by final exam and coursework, through several questions and the real-world case study. 

A2.6.5 Be aware of specialist aspects of safety and environmental issues, such as noise, hazardous area classification, relief and blowdown, fault tree analysis. Knowledge of the Waste Framework Directive and other relevant legislation and their application in the classification, handling, reuse and disposal of wastes and materials. Assessment: through coursework using the real-world case study. 

A2.6.8 Have some understanding of the limits of available technology and of the potential of new and emerging technology. Assessment: through coursework using the real-world case study. 

A2.7.1 Understand and be able to apply the principles of sustainability (environmental, social, economic) and the ability to apply techniques for analysing the interaction of process, product and plant with the environment and minimising adverse impacts. Knowledge of the Waste Framework Directive and other relevant legislation and their application in the classification, handling, reuse and disposal of wastes and materials. Knowledge of the range of waste treatment technologies currently in use in Europe and the ability to select an appropriate process based on a range of social, economic and technical factors over the lifetime of an operation. Assessment: by final exam and coursework, through several questions and the real-world case study. 

A2.7.2 Be able to apply the principles of process, plant and project economics. Assessment: by final exam and coursework, through several questions and the real-world case study. 

A2.7.6 Be able to apply principles of sustainability, economics and ethics to novel and complex situations with conflicting requirements. Assessment: by final exam and coursework, through several questions and the real-world case study.

A3 Chemical Engineering Practice: 
A3.2.4 Be aware of relevant legal requirements, codes or practice, and industry standards governing engineering activities, including personnel, health and safety, contracts, intellectual property rights, product safety and liability issues, and be aware that these may differ international. Assessment: through coursework using the real-world case study. 

A4 Chemical Engineering Design: 
A4.2.2 Understand that design is an open-ended process, lacking a pre-determined solution, which requires: synthesis, innovation and creativity; choices on the basis of incomplete and contradictory information; decision making; working with constraints and multiple objectives; justification of the choices and decisions taken. Awareness that waste management inherently has a lot of uncertainty due to variability in feedstock

Conveners

• Dr Karen Robertson