CME3034 : Design for Process Safety
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Maria Vicevic
- Lecturer: Dr Eni Oko, Dr Dana Ofiteru, Dr Evangelos Papaioannou
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module takes the students' theoretical knowledge of the concepts of safety (taught in Stage 2; CME2031) and provides a more advanced insight into aspects related to the Chemical Engineering Industry. This will include appreciation and understanding of statutory Design Standards and best industrial practice in relation to the design, operation and control of a plant.
Outline Of Syllabus
The main subject headings, which outline the syllabus of this module, are:
- Design Standards: specific design standards related to the design of pressure vessels.
- Thermal safety and thermal runaway (Exothermic Reaction Hazards)
- Venting and relief valve sizing using standards, including the DIERS method.
- Plant Layout
- Maintenance and safe systems at work.
- Management of change.
- Safe design for maintenance and operation.
- Instrumented Protective Systems.
- Target Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Assessment.
- Achieved SIL Assessment.
- Occupied building assessment.
- Bio safety.
- Cybersecurity.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Online teaching materials including recorded lectures, notes and tutorials |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 15:00 | 15:00 | Exam revision |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 25 | 1:00 | 25:00 | Timetabled lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 15:00 | 15:00 | Preparation of thermal assignment |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 23:30 | 23:30 | Review lecture material. Solving questions for tutorial sessions |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
More advanced aspects of safety are introduced in lectures and linked to and developed from the theoretical safety subjects (i.e. hazard analysis topics) the student will have covered in Stage 1 and Stage 2.
Lectures will be supported by tutorials for subject follow up and clarification of lecture material and to give the students exposure to aspects of topics not necessarily covered in lectures, i.e. application of theory to practical industrial examples.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 75 | All advanced safety topics covered in the lectures, including Bio safety, apart from Thermal Runway |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 1 | M | 25 | Thermal Runaway Oral assessment (Group activity) on a Process Safety related subject |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | Formative report element. (Report will be approx. 5 pages, including calculations, charts and tables) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
This module takes a more advanced look at aspects of safety within the Chemical Engineering industry. These topics involve a thorough knowledge of the topics and the ability to confidently carry out a number of related calculations.
Therefore, the most significant part of the assessment will be a 1.5 hour examination, which will account for 75% of the mark. This assessment will cover the following AHEP4 learning outcomes: C2, M1, M2, M3, M6, M9 and M15.
The individual assignment reinforces the subject material with an extended set of tasks that require in depth research, and self-study to achieve a successful outcome. This will be worth 25% of the total mark. This assessment will cover the following AHEP4 learning outcomes: M4 and M5.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CME3034's Timetable