Module Catalogue 2026/27

Pre Requisite Comment

All students are expected to have a first degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry, or closely related subject. Non-native speakers of English whose current level of attainment is less than UELA 70 or IELTS 7.0 (or recognised equivalent) in all four aspects of communication (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) should be attending the non- credit-bearing in-sessional English language support classes provided by the University.

Co Requisite Comment

All students are expected to have a first degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry, or closely related subjected. Non-native speakers of English whose current level of attainment is less than UELA 70 or IELTS 7.0 (or recognised equivalent) in all four aspects of communication (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) should be attending the non- credit-bearing in-sessional English language support classes provided by the University.

Aims

• To provide students with an in-depth knowledge of Electrochemical Energy conversion and storage (EECS) technologies including fuel cells, electrolysers and batteries and their important role in sustainable and decarbonised energy and transport systems.
• To provide students with understanding of materials used in EECS, how various EECS systems function, how they are designed and manufactured, and their figures of merit from a commercial and sustainable perspective.
• To provide students with training in engineering and design of electrochemical energy converge and storage systems

Outline Of Syllabus

Fundamentals and principles of electrochemical engineering:
•       Introduction to Electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies and their role in sustainable energy and transport systems
•       Introduction to Electrochemistry (History, definitions, redox reactions, electromotive force)
•       Thermodynamics of Electrochemical systems (Electrolytic and galvanic cells, Electrical work, Equilibrium potential and Nernst equation, standard electrode potentials, Pourbaix diagram)
•       Kinetics of Electrochemical reactions (Activation energy, exchange current density/ rate equation (heterogenous catalyst), Galvani potential (Electrode-electrolyte), Butler Volmer and Tafel equations)
•       Mass transport in Electrochemical system (Fick’s law of diffusion, transport in porous media and in solids, energy losses caused by mass transport: concentration loss, cross-over, mixed potential)
•       Mole, Mass and Charge balances in Electrochemical systems/reactors (Faraday law of Electrolysis, conversion, Columbic efficiency, concentration/pressures at inlets/outlets, impact of reaction rate/current distribution)
•       Energy losses, and Efficiency in Electrochemical system (reversible and irreversible losses: ohmic, kinetics, concentration, 1st law, 2nd law and practical efficiency)

Devices and system design and engineering
•       Hydrogen fuel cell technologies (Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, alkaline fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, Molten carbonate fuel cells, Solid oxide fuel cells).
•       Hydrogen fuel cell system design (cell stacking, components, Fuel processing, Fuel choice, Fuel purity, bottoming or topping cycle, process flow diagram)
•       Direct Alcohol fuel cells and their systems process flow diagram
•       Electrolysis: Electrochemical Hydrogen production and CO2 reduction (PEM, alkaline and SOFC electrolysis, system design and components, scale-up, integration with renewables, cost and efficiency).
•       Electrochemical Energy storage technologies (Li-ion batteries system from materials to pack, Redox flow batteries, Metal-air batteries, Lead-acid batteries)

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to:
1.       Demonstrate the understanding of the role of electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies within a sustainable energy future (M1)
2.       Demonstrate the understanding of the principle of operation of electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices, their materials, their system Process flow diagram, their advantage and limitations and evaluate their effective use in suitable applications (M4)
3.       Analyse the phenomena occurring in electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices and calculate their impact on energy loss and efficiency (M2, )
4.       Create a design of Electrochemical energy conversion or storage systems and evaluate and critic it for a particular application, meeting design brief requirements in terms of performance, sustainability and cost by creating mathematical equations /models taking into account the conservation of energy and mass and charge, reaction kinetics, mass transport, various energy losses, integrations of cells into stack/pack and system balance of plant/process flow diagram. Students will communicate and defend their design in an oral examination(M4, M17)

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to develop their skills in:

•       Science and math by developing equations to represent various processes;
•       Engineering analysis by evaluating performance of systems against several criteria
•       Design and innovation skills development by creating new design of electrochemical system using design principles to meet specific targets.
•       Engineering practice to carry out critical analysis of Electrochemical systems design with sustainability and cost considerations.
•       Writing by producing technical design assessed report
•       Time management and project by working to deadline to complete design and reporting assessment task

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module is broken down to discrete units as described in syllabus outline above. Students will be directed to reading lecture materials, followed by tutorials/answering questions before moving to next unit. All lectures will be delivered as present in person sessions. Tutorial questions will be attempted by students during in person small teaching sessions where lecturer will be moving between students getting feedback on their learning and prompting the students. Students will follow-up and are able to see the solutions and video recordings of the solution methods.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The design project enables students to demonstrate their achievement of the module outcomes. This summative assessment is open ended coursework. Student have the opportunity for ongoing formative feedback as a result of engagement with the tutorials.
Assessment covers AHEP4 learning outcomes:M1,M2,M4,M17 .

General Notes

N/A