Module Catalogue 2026/27

Pre 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.

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

This module will provide the knowledge and understanding required to critically analyse, evaluate, and design processes and technologies associated with a future net-zero carbon emissions economy, e.g. carbon dioxide capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), and biorefining.

Biomass is one of the most valuable resources in the planet, rich in carbon, and with a multiplicity of chemical compositions present in existing by-products and residues from multiple sectors readily available for valorisation. Biomass utilisation cycles provide us with a sustainable way to capture and store carbon. Biomass is a sustainable and essential feedstock for replacement of fossil fuels towards fuels, chemicals, and materials where carbon needs to be used in a circular way. This module aims to equip students to develop, design and implement novel biorefining processes that can efficiently tackle the complexity of biomass streams to fractionate biomass, and to convert and purify biomass fractions into platform molecules and final biorenewable products that will enable the circular bioeconomy of the future.

Carbon dioxide is the primary contributor to climate change, accumulating in the atmosphere due to emissions from the energy, industrial, transport and other sectors. To mitigate climate change, and achieve net zero, widespread deployment of CCUS technologies will be required. CCUS technologies may be targeted at point source emitters (e.g. power generation, cement, steel, chemicals) to slow the rate of release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Alternatively, CCUS can be used to capture carbon dioxide directly from the air, thus physically removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Once captured, the carbon dioxide may be utilised in the production of chemicals, fuels, and other consumer products (i.e. CCU), or stored in deep geological formations (i.e. CCS).

Outline Of Syllabus

Biorefining:
-Biomass feedstocks;
-Biorefining concepts, pathways and platforms;
-Pre-treatment and fractionation technologies;
-Conversion technologies;
-Purification technologies;
-Biotechnology;
-Biorenewable products;
-Case Studies.

CCUS:
-CCS processes: pre-, post-, and oxyfuel-combustion carbon capture and storage (CCS), bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS).
-Carbon dioxide capture technologies: liquid absorption, solid adsorption, and membrane processes, and application to CO2 sources: point sources and direct air-capture.
-Carbon dioxide utilisation technologies: direct methods (i.e. not chemically changed) in consumer products and indirect methods (i.e. chemically transformed) in the synthesis of chemicals and fuels.
-Carbon dioxide storage: the transport and storage of captured CO2 in pipelines, saline aquifers, depleted oil & gas reservoirs, and other deep geological formations.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of this module, students are expected to be able to:
•       Assess biomass potential and derive pathways for valorisation;(AHEP4 M2, M4, M7);
•       Specify biomass feedstocks and compositions required for specific end products or processes; (AHEP4 M4
, M7);
•       Relate biomass composition with final products needs and specifications, to recommend selected technologies and produce a process specification;(AHEP4 M2, M4, M7);
•       Apply basic knowledge of chemical engineering to design biorefining processes and equipment; (AHEP4 M2, M4);
•       Appraise, compare, and critique the role of different CCUS processes and technologies in the context of
climate change mitigation and net zero, including policy and public perception;(AHEP4 M2, M4, M7);
•       Specify, contrast, and discriminate different CCUS processes and technologies in terms of their operating principle(s).(AHEP4 M2, M4).

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of this module, students are expected to be able to: Conceptualise sustainable Process designs for conversion of biomass feedstocks into bio renewable chemicals, fuels and materials (AHEP4 M2, M4, M7);

•       Appraise and evaluate the performance of CCUS processes for a range of CO2 sources in terms of e.g.,
capture efficiency, energy demand, materials requirements, and cost per ton of CO2 captured. (AHEP4 M2, M4, M7)
•       Develop teamwork and communication skills to research and present scientific information on novel
processes and chemistries. (AHEP4 M16-M17).

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will deliver the theory content of the module and will allow students to engage in classroom discussions. Tutorials will be used to practice problem solving and for group discussions, jointly with online discussions. Research site and industrial visits, jointly with guided literature reading and articles research will allow students to become familiar with information sources for novel technology developments, which are critical in this field. Guided independent study will allow students to solidify and strength their knowledge and skills and prepare for assessment.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The exam will test a broad range of knowledge and skills in terms of process development for CCSU and biorefining (AHEP4, M2, M7). The Journal Club presentation will allow students to develop their research skills, awareness of research state of the art, and presentation skills(AHEP4 M2, M4, M7, M16-M17). Formative online informal quizzes will test students acquisition of learning throughout the module (AHEP4 M2, M4, M7).

General Notes

N/A