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Study an Energy and Power MSc at Cranfield
Chemical Engineering is key in addressing global challenges relating to sustainable supply of clean energy, food and water, through the production of chemicals, functionalised products and fuels. The MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering provides technical and management training that employers increasingly demand from chemical engineers. The programme offers two elective study routes: The general chemical engineering route covers core chemical engineering subjects with a focus on theoretical and practical elements in operation, design and control of a wide range of chemical processes. The biorefining route provides advanced understanding of the production of bioenergy and biofuels while strengthening the knowledge on chemical engineering discipline. Cranfield’s strong reputation and links with industry provide outstanding opportunities to secure interesting jobs and develop successful careers.Overview
- Start dateFull-time: October. Part-time: October
- DurationOne year full-time, two-three years part-time
- DeliveryTaught Modules 40%, Group Project 20%, Individual Research Project 40%
- QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
- Study typeFull-time / Part-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
The course is suitable for engineering and applied science graduates who wish to embark on successful careers as chemical engineering professionals.
Our general chemical engineering route equips you with diversified skills in advanced engineering, which includes theoretical and practical elements in operation, design, and control of a wide range of chemical processes.
The biorefining route (formerly the Biofuels Process Engineering MSc) equips you with fundamental understanding of chemical engineering and solid skills to address the challenges of the rapidly growing and dynamic bioenergy sector. This option covers the sustainable production of heat, power and fuels from biomass within the biorefining framework.
Both routes include training in management applied to the energy sector which enables engineers to effectively fulfil a wider role in a business organisation.
Your career
Industry driven research makes our graduates some of the most desirable in the world for recruitment by companies competing in a range of industries, including chemicals, petrochemicals, biochemicals, conventional energy and bioenergy, food, materials, consultancy and management.
Those wishing to continue their education via PhD or MBA studies in the chemical or energy sectors will be greatly facilitated by the interdisciplinary, project-oriented profile that they will have acquired through this course.
Cranfield Careers Service
Our Careers Service can help you find the job you want after leaving Cranfield. We will work with you to identify suitable opportunities and support you in the job application process for up to three years after graduation.We have been providing Masters level training for over 20 years. Our strong reputation and links with potential employers provide you with outstanding opportunities to secure interesting jobs and develop successful careers. The increasing interest in sustainability and corporate and social responsibility has also enhanced the career prospects of our graduates.
Why this course?
Chemical engineering is a continuously evolving discipline linked to a variety of industries. Chemical engineers lead the design of large-scale facilities in the chemical, petrochemical, and industrial biotechnology sectors.
A distinguished feature of this course is that it is not directed exclusively at chemical engineering graduates. This MSc will provide you with the training and knowledge skill set that employers actively seek in a desirable engineering graduate. We recognise the importance of an interdisciplinary approach; as such the core and optional modules and course contents have been carefully developed to meet the engineering skill shortage currently faced within industry. In particular, no other university in the UK offers a MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering with a dedicated option in Biorefining. You will develop the professional profile required by the growing biobased sector (more than 480,000 jobs and annual turnover of about €50 million only in the European Union), with a high level of skills' transferability across the chemical and energy sectors.
Cranfield is an exclusively postgraduate university with distinctive expertise in technology and management. There are also numerous benefits associated with undertaking a postgraduate programme of study in here. These include:
- Teaching activities involving bespoke pilot plant facilities
- Undertaking projects in consultation with industry, government and its agencies, local authorities and consultants
- Lecturing from leading academics and industrial practitioners
- Dedicated support for off-campus learners including extensive information resources managed by our library.
- Very well located for part-time students which enables students from all over the world to complete their qualification whilst balancing work/life commitments.
- A Career Development Service, which is an accredited member of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) and provides a personalised service to Cranfield students and alumni, working to enhance careers and increase opportunities.
Course details
The taught programme is delivered from October to February and is comprised of eight modules.
There are five one-week modules that are mostly delivered in the early part of the year and cover the essential information to complete the degree. These are intensive weeks with lectures typically all day. During this period, there are some weeks without modules, and these are largely free of structured teaching to allow time for more independent learning and reflection, completion of assignments or exam preparation.
There are three two-week modules that take place later in the academic year and involve more active problem-based learning and typically include practical or laboratory sessions, case studies or group work. These are an opportunity for you to apply and integrate your knowledge. These modules are all assessed by assignments that are completed during the two-week period. The focus on group work and application within these modules provides a valuable transition into the Group Project.
Course delivery
Taught Modules 40%, Group Project 20%, Individual Research Project 40%
Group project
The Group Project, undertaken between February and May, enables you to put the skills and knowledge developed during the course modules into practice in an applied context, while gaining transferable skills in project management, teamwork and independent research. Projects are often supported by industry and potential future employers value this experience. The group project is normally multidisciplinary and shared across the Energy MSc programme, giving the added benefit of working with students with other backgrounds.
Each group is given an industrially relevant problem to solve. During the project you will develop a range of skills including learning how to establish team member roles and responsibilities, project management, and delivering technical presentations. At the end of the project, all groups submit a written report and deliver a poster presentation to industry partners. This presentation provides the opportunity to develop presentation skills and effectively handle questions about complex issues in a professional manner.
Part-time students are encouraged to participate in a Group Project as it provides a wealth of learning opportunities. However, an option of an individual dissertation is available if agreed with the Course Director.
Recent Group Projects include:
- Design appraisal for a large scale anaerobic digestion plant for treatment of organic residue from municipal waste,
- Study of bio-conversion processes for biofuel production from Algae biomass,
- Fuel cell technology coupled with dry reforming of biogas,
- Performance Analysis and Technical Evaluation of Micro Combined Heat and Power (mCHP) Systems for Domestic Applications,
- Utilising biomass-derived fuels for CHP generation,
- Improving the quality of products generated from Mixed Plastic Waste,
- Conversion of consumer waste plastic into new plastics,
- Engineering Assessment of Alternative Greenhouse Gas Removal Technologies,
- Optimal Design for Hydrogen Combustion Burners in a Domestic Setting,
- Design specification of pilot scale 142 kWth air/rock.
Individual project
The individual research project allows students to investigate deeper into an area of specific interest. It is very common for industrial partners to put forward real world problems or areas of development as potential research project topics. The individual research project component takes place between May and September.
If agreed with the Course Director, part-time students have the opportunity to undertake projects in collaboration with their place of work, which would be supported by academic supervision.
Individual research projects undertaken may involve feasibility assessments, reviews, practical evaluations, designs, simulations, and experimental investigations.
Previous individual research projects include:
- Microwave-assisted hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae,
- Co-pyrolysis of biomass and oil sand bitumen,
- Production of a H2-rich gas from steam gasification of biomass with CO2 removal,
- Techno-economic analysis of hydrogen production from steam gasification of fast pyrolysis bio-oil,
- Co-upgrading of heavy oil and bio-oil: synergies and challenges of the technology,
- Design and simulation of a process plant to obtain jet fuel from microalgae biomass,
- Design of a lab scale setup for Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) of Isochorysis and Pavlova, algae species and analysis of the products obtained from the process,
- Comparison of microalgae biomass production using organic manure and anaerobic digestate organic fertilisers as nutrient sources,
- Algem™ - Developing multi-parametric simulations of global microalgae productivity,
- Developing a technology platform for large scale ultrasonic-assisted extraction of chemicals from olive mill waste.
Modules
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
Course modules
Biorefining route compulsory modules
Advanced Reaction Kinetics
Module Leader |
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Aim |
The module provides an understanding of the principles of chemical reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and heat and mass transfer phenomena governing chemical reactions. A particular emphasis will be placed on multiphase catalytic flow reactions with applications in the energy industry that are likely to be faced by Chemical Engineers. The principles covered in the module are key to the design and optimisation of all industrial chemical processes. |
Syllabus |
Differential calculus refresher Set workshop problems, integration and differentiation, algebraic manipulation. Kinetic theory and thermodynamics Rate laws, Arrhenius equation, reaction order and stoichiometry, collision integrals, kinetic models - shrinking core model, random pore model, Computer modelling – FactSage, Thermovader, Eureqa, Fenics (Dolphin), Density Function Theory. Mass transfer phenomena Fick’s law, diffusion/convection, steady and unsteady state, transient conditions through a material in fluid flow, effectiveness factors, diffusion effects in porous catalysts, diffusion effects in heterogeneous reactions, effective diffusivity, adsorption models – Langmuir Hinshelwood model. Heat transfer phenomena Steady and unsteady state via conduction, convection, radiation, transient conditions through a material in fluid flow. Catalytic reactions Examples from industry, predominately heterogeneous - steam methane reforming, cat cracking, Catalytic processes, and catalyst development, Catalyst deactivation. Numerical modelling Finite differences, volumes and elements methods, MATLAB ODE solvers, building transient models in MATLAB. Reaction kinetics derivation from experimental data Signal processing and deconvolution, residence time distributions, Experimental kinetics data analysis tutorial. |
Intended learning outcomes |
The intended learning outcomes of this module are:
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Energy from Biomass and Waste: Thermochemical Processes
Module Leader |
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Aim |
The module focuses on the opportunities and potential for biomass and waste to contribute to the production of renewable heat and electricity. The aim of the module is to provide students with an advanced knowledge of the sources of biomass and waste, and the range of technologies available for their conversion into bioenergy, particularly focused on thermochemical conversion. |
Syllabus |
Biomass and Waste Resources: Principles of thermochemical conversion processes Combustion Technology Gasification Technology Pyrolysis Technology Fundamentals of hydrogen production and fuel cells |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Evaluating Environmental Sustainability
Module Leader |
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Aim |
Several methods exist to assess the environmental sustainability and impacts of products, services, businesses, projects, policies and economic systems. Each was conceived and developed for specific environmental objectives (see indicative content). A sustainability manager or sustainability consultant must be able to assess critically each of these methods and identify their strengths and weaknesses, and hence to choose which method to adopt when faced with the need to address an environmental issue. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Process Design and Simulation
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Pilot Plant Operations
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
Policies and legislation regarding the environmental, health and safety responsibilities of operating at pilot to commercial-scale; |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Biofuels and Biorefining Processes
Module Leader |
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Aim |
The Biofuels and Biorefining module focuses on liquid biofuels as a current opportunity to decrease greenhouse gasses emissions when used to replace fossil fuels in motor engines, and as a route to fulfil the European goals on the use of renewable energy. The aim of the module is to provide students with advanced knowledge of the sources of biomass available for liquid biofuels production and the range of technologies used for conversion of the biomass into biofuels. The module covers characteristics of biomass and biofuels, conversion processes and existing technologies, and applications of biofuels including their use in alternative engines. In addition, an introduction to the biorefining concept will be provided. |
Syllabus |
Raw materials for liquid biofuels production, characterisation and assessment: First generation of biofuels: Bioethanol and ETBE production Biodiesel production Second generation of biofuels: Third generation of biofuels: Biofuels and their application in engines High-value products from biomass feedstock Biorefining |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Management for Technology
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Computational Fluid Dynamics for Industrial Processes
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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General route compulsory modules
Advanced Reaction Kinetics
Module Leader |
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Aim |
The module provides an understanding of the principles of chemical reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and heat and mass transfer phenomena governing chemical reactions. A particular emphasis will be placed on multiphase catalytic flow reactions with applications in the energy industry that are likely to be faced by Chemical Engineers. The principles covered in the module are key to the design and optimisation of all industrial chemical processes. |
Syllabus |
Differential calculus refresher Set workshop problems, integration and differentiation, algebraic manipulation. Kinetic theory and thermodynamics Rate laws, Arrhenius equation, reaction order and stoichiometry, collision integrals, kinetic models - shrinking core model, random pore model, Computer modelling – FactSage, Thermovader, Eureqa, Fenics (Dolphin), Density Function Theory. Mass transfer phenomena Fick’s law, diffusion/convection, steady and unsteady state, transient conditions through a material in fluid flow, effectiveness factors, diffusion effects in porous catalysts, diffusion effects in heterogeneous reactions, effective diffusivity, adsorption models – Langmuir Hinshelwood model. Heat transfer phenomena Steady and unsteady state via conduction, convection, radiation, transient conditions through a material in fluid flow. Catalytic reactions Examples from industry, predominately heterogeneous - steam methane reforming, cat cracking, Catalytic processes, and catalyst development, Catalyst deactivation. Numerical modelling Finite differences, volumes and elements methods, MATLAB ODE solvers, building transient models in MATLAB. Reaction kinetics derivation from experimental data Signal processing and deconvolution, residence time distributions, Experimental kinetics data analysis tutorial. |
Intended learning outcomes |
The intended learning outcomes of this module are:
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Advanced Control Systems
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Process Plant Operations
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Aim |
To provide an overview of the fundamental principles of typical unit operations in process plants. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Thermal Systems Operation and Design
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
Heat exchanger Design and Operation Waste Heat Recovery and Thermal Storage Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Process Design and Simulation
Module Leader |
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Pilot Plant Operations
Module Leader |
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
Policies and legislation regarding the environmental, health and safety responsibilities of operating at pilot to commercial-scale; |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Management for Technology
Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Computational Fluid Dynamics for Industrial Processes
Module Leader |
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Teaching team
You will be taught by our internationally renowned research and academic staff:
How to apply
Online application form. UK students are normally expected to attend an interview and financial support is best discussed at this time. Overseas and EU students may be interviewed by telephone.
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The whole course was ideal for me. Getting involved with something you desire is enjoyable and inspiring. The individual projects, group projects and educational trips helped me comprehend practical matters of the modules and learn how to collaborate efficiently. In general it was utterly exciting and a source of experiences.
Christina Andreadou,