Study an Energy and Power MSc at Cranfield

Rational and economic use of energy, with the least damage to the environment, is vital for the future of our planet. Achieving energy efficiency and reducing environmental pollution are increasingly important aspects of professional engineering. This course equips graduates and practicing engineers with an in-depth understanding of the fundamental issues of energy thrift in the industrial and commercial sectors, enabling a successful career as an environmentally aware energy professional. Why study Energy and Power at Cranfield? - hear from Dr Gill Drew.

Overview

  • Start dateFull-time: October. Part-time: October
  • DurationOne year full-time, two-three years part-time.
  • DeliveryTaught modules 40%, Group projects 20%, Individual project 40%
  • QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
  • Study typeFull-time / Part-time
  • CampusCranfield campus

Who is it for?

The course has been developed to provide up-to-date technical knowledge and skills required for achieving the better management of energy, designing of energy-efficient systems and processes, utilisation of renewable energy sources and the cost effective reduction and control of pollution. This knowledge can be directly applied to help various sectors of the economy in improving their competitiveness in the face of dwindling resources, probable substantial increases in unit energy costs and the urgent requirement to comply with the increasingly restrictive pollution control standards.

Your career

There is a considerable demand for environmentally aware energy specialists with in-depth technical knowledge and practical skills. Our industry-led education makes graduates of this program some of the most desirable in the world for recruitment by companies and organisations competing in the energy sector.

Graduates of the course have been successful in gaining employment in energy, environmental and engineering consultancies and design practices, research organisations and government departments. A number of our MSc graduates follow further research studies leading to PhD degrees at Cranfield and in other academic institutions.

Successful graduates have been able to pursue or enhance careers in a variety of key areas such as:

Business Development Manager, Research Associate, Project Manager, Senior Project Engineer, Solutions Development Engineer, Operational Planning Engineer, Customer Application Engineer; Battery Test Deliver Engineer, Process & Project Engineer, Junior Project Engineer, Product Manager, PhD Researcher, Engineering Graduate.

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.

Previous students have gone on to jobs within prestigious institutions including:

Alstom Power, British Gas, BELECTRIC UK,  Blue Circle Cement, Centrica, Coca Cola, Ceylon Electricity Board, Danfoss, DELPHI Automotive Systems, ENGIE Laborelec, Mexico, Electrolux, Denmark, Energy Saving Trust, Environmental Agency, Honeywell, Jaguar Land Rover, London Business School, Ministry of Energy (Botswana, Jordan, Tanzania, Uganda), Powergen, Petrofac, Scottish Power, Transport for London and Unilever.

Why this course?

The MSc in Energy Systems and Thermal Processes, established in 1972, was the first of its type to be instituted in Europe, and remains the most prestigious degree in technical energy management in the UK. The course has evolved over the past 40 years from discussions with industrial experts, employers, sponsors and previous students. The content of the study programme is updated regularly to reflect changes arising from technical advances, economic factors and changes in legislation, regulations and standards. 

In addition to management, communication, team work and research skills, each student will attain at least the following outcomes from this degree course:

  • Demonstrate competence in the current concepts and theories governing energy flows, heat transfer and energy conversions
  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the issues involved in the management of energy in industry and commerce, and the design of energy-efficient systems and processes
  • Effectively acquire and critically review information from various sources
  • Apply effectively learnt techniques and technologies to achieve cost-effective conservation of energy and reduction of environmental pollution in industrial/commercial applications
  • Assess the potential and viability of energy policies and projects and making informed judgement in the absence of complete data.

Informed by Industry

We have a world-class reputation for its industrial-scale research facilities and pilot-scale demonstration programmes in the energy area. Close engagement with the energy sector over the last 20 years has produced long-standing strategic partnerships with the sectors most prominent organisations including Alstom Power, BP, Cummins Power Generation, Doosan Babcock, E.ON, npower, Rolls Royce, Shell, Siemens and Total.

Our strategic links with industry ensure that all of the materials taught on the course are relevant, timely and meet the needs of organisations competing within the energy sector. This industry-led education makes our graduates some of the most desirable in the world for energy companies to recruit.


Accreditation

This MSc degree is accredited by Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

 

Course details

The taught programme for the Energy Systems and Thermal Processes MSc is delivered from October to February and is comprised of six compulsory taught modules and two elective modules to select from a choice of three. A typical module consists of five days of intensive postgraduate level structured lectures, tutorials or workshops covering advanced aspects of each subject. Students on the part-time programme will complete all of the compulsory modules based on a flexible schedule that will be agreed with the Course Director.




Group project

The group project, undertaken between February and April, enables you to put the skills and knowledge developed during the taught 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:


Individual project

The individual research project allows you to delve deeper into a specific area of interest. As our academic research is so closely related to industry, it is common for our industrial partners to put forward real practical problems or areas of development as potential research topics. The individual research project component takes place between April and August.

For part-time students, it is common that their research project is undertaken in collaboration with their place of work. 

Research projects will involve designs, computer simulations, techno-economic, feasibility assessments, reviews, practical evaluations and experimental investigations.

Typical areas of research include:

  • Techno-economic feasibility assessment of clean energy systems
  • Modelling of energy-conversion systems and thermal processes
  • Renewable energy utilisation schemes
  • Control of environmental pollution
  • Combustion and heat transfer processes.
Recent individual research projects Include:

  • Feasibility study for a mini hydropower plant in Peru
  • Evaluation of flexible layouts of coal-fired power plant with calcium looping
  • Feasibility assessment of Installing photovoltaic systems in a house in Alicante, Spain
  • Biomass gasification plants for decentralised small scale rural electrification in Northern Ghana: Assessing the economic viability of its utilisation
  • Investigation of jet pump performance under multiphase flow conditions.

Assessment

Taught modules 40%, Group projects 20%, Individual project 40%

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 modules and (where applicable) some elective modules affiliated with this programme which ran in the academic year 2018–2019. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2019 entry. All modules are subject to change depending on your year of entry.


Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course

Heat Transfer

Aim
    An in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of heat transfer and practical tools for solving heat-transfer problems and design of heat-transfer equipment.
Syllabus
    • Modes of heat transfer. Conduction: Thermal conductivity. The differential heat-conduction equation. One-dimensional, steady‑state conduction. Two-dimensional, steady‑state conduction. Transient heat conduction.
    • Convection: Forced and free convection. The convective heat‑transfer coefficient. Fluid flow and the boundary‑layer concept. Turbulence. Boundary‑layer equations. The conservation equations. Boundary-layer equations. Analytical and integral solutions of boundary-layer equations. Analogy between heat and momentum transfer. Dimensional analyses of convective heat transfer.
    • Empirical and practical relations for forced convection: Flows over flat plates. A cylinder and a sphere in cross flow. Tube bundles in cross flow. Forced convection in packed beds. Forced convection inside tubes and ducts.
    • Empirical relations for Natural convection: Vertical planes and cylinders. Horizontal cylinders. Horizontal plates. Inclined surfaces. Spheres. Enclosures. Channels between parallel plates. Combined natural and forced convection.
    • Thermal radiation: Physical mechanism. Intensity of radiation and emissive power. Irradiation. Blackbody radiation. Radiation properties of surfaces. Radiation exchange between surfaces. Radiant energy transfer through absorbing and emitting media.
    • Boiling heat transfer: Fundamentals of boiling heat transfer. Pool boiling. External forced-convection boiling. Internal forced-convection boiling. Pressure drop in forced-convection boiling systems.
    • Condensation heat transfer: Mechanisms of condensation. Film condensation. Dropwise condensation.
    • Case studies:  Application of numerical techniques for solving a one‑dimensional, transient conduction problem with radiative and convective boundary conditions. Steady‑state analysis of a combined conduction, convection and radiation Heat transfer problem.
Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:

  • Critically evaluate the principles governing the transfer of heat and apply a range of techniques, tools and skills to analyse and solve typical engineering problems
  • Formulate appropriate procedures/strategies for solving complex problems and making sound judgements in the absence of complete data
  • Critically evaluate and analyse energy flows in complicated systems and design heat-transfer equipment

Heat and Power Generation Systems

Module Leader
  • Dr Kumar Patchigolla
Aim
    This module provides an understanding of the fundamentals of operation, configuration and characteristics of thermal systems. Students will also learn how to apply these for design of energy-efficient furnaces and boilers and key implementation issues of various types of power plant.
Syllabus
    • Fuels and thermal conversion processes: primary solid and liquid fuels. Carbonisation of solid fuels. Thermodynamic equations. Dissociation and chemical equilibrium. Process efficiency, emission control and standards
    • Furnaces and boilers: types of furnaces and classification. Heat transfer in furnaces, efficient furnace and boiler design. Boiler efficiency and part-load operation and its maintenance.
    • Overview: World electricity demand and generation. Fuels. Environmental impacts.
    • Steam power plants: Thermodynamic principles. Fuels. Steam power generation cycles.
    • Gas turbine and combined-cycle power plants: Gas turbine engines and performance. Gas turbine cycles. Combined-cycle power plants.
    • Diesel- and gas-engine power plants: Diesel engines. Fuels. Emission control. Heat recovery systems.
    • Nuclear power generation: Basic nuclear physical processes (fission and fusion). Nuclear fuels. Types of reactors. Safety considerations in the nuclear industry. Developments in nuclear fusion. Decommissioning problems of nuclear sites. Nuclear‑waste disposal systems.
    • Fuel cells: Definition and principles of operation. Losses and efficiency. Possible fuels. Fuel-cell technologies and applications (alkaline fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, and regenerative fuel cells).
    • CHP systems: CHP schemes (micro-scale CHP systems, small‑scale CHP systems, large‑scale CHP systems including district heating schemes). Application of CHP systems for the provision of heating, cooling and electric power. Selection criteria of CHP prime-movers. Integration of CHP systems into site services. Feasibility analysis of CHP schemes using spreadsheets/software tools. Case study (site appraisal for CHP scheme and evaluation of economic and environmental viability).
    • Advanced power plants: geothermal plants and its applications. Solar thermal enhanced designs and new materials. Innovative SCO2 cycles to operate at higher temperatures, bringing higher energy output.
Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:

  • Critically evaluate the fundamentals and laws governing energy conversion and appraise various fuels and their characteristics.
  • Assess the operation of furnaces and boilers based on a fundamental understanding of the governing laws, and debate issues influencing the design/selection of furnaces and boilers and future trends
  • Debate  issues related to the performance of conventional power-generation plants
  • Propose appropriate  technologies  for improving energy-utilisation efficiency of power-generation plants
  • Assess the need of a particular industrial/commercial site for a CHP system, identify the appropriate systems and undertake design, sizing and economic analyses
  • Review critically technologies employed for advanced power generation systems (Geo-thermal, solar thermal, SCO2 cycle) and it's applications.

Thermal Systems Operation and Design

Module Leader
  • Dr Ali Nabavi
Aim
    Design of optimum thermal and energy storage systems is one of the key prerequisites to enhance the performance and efficiency of conventional and future energy systems. This module aims to enable students to combine and apply the principles of heat transfer, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics in the design and optimisation of commercial thermal systems. In addition, the module introduces students to a wide range of challenges and opportunities in waste heat recovery and energy storage, and provides them with practical approaches and solutions to enhance the system efficiency.
Syllabus

    Heat exchanger Design and Operation

    1. Heat exchangers: Classification. Theoretical principles and design of recuperative systems (effectiveness, NTU and capacity ratio approach for parallel-, counter- and cross-flow configurations). Series cross‑flow arrangements. Regenerative heat exchangers (intermittent and continuous systems). Pressure‑loss assessment. Heat‑exchanger optimisation (optimal pressure drop and surface area to maximise economic returns.
    2. Process integration: Heat-exchanger network. Utility systems. Fundamentals of pinch analysis and Energy Analysis.

    Waste Heat Recovery and Thermal Storage

    1. Waste‑heat recovery: Sources of waste heat. Heat recovery for industrial applications. Energy density considerations. Economics of waste-heat recovery.
    2. Thermal storage: Principles and application to hot and cold systems. Storage duration and scale. Sensible and latent heat systems.Phase-change storage materials. Application to source and load matching.

    Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

    1. Application of refrigeration and air conditioning.
    2. Vapour-compression refrigeration systems: Simple systems. Multi-stage compressor systems. Multi-evaporator systems.
    3. Refrigerants:Halocarbon refrigerants. CFC alternatives. Refrigerant-selection criteria.
    4. Refrigeration compressors: Reciprocating compressors. Rotary screw compressors. Scroll compressors. Vane compressors. Centrifugal compressors.
    5. Absorption refrigeration: The absorption process. Properties of fluid-pair solutions. The basic absorption cycle. Double-effect systems.Advances in absorption-refrigeration technology.
    6. Psychrometry and principle Air-conditioning processes: Psychrometry. Heating, cooling, humidification and dehumidification processes.
Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:

  • Analyse and design heat exchangers, competently applying the principles of heat transfer, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics
  • Construct optimised heat exchanger networks by applying principles of process integration
  • Recognise and debate  the issues related to the efficient use of thermal energy and appraise  techniques and technologies employed
  • Design and analyse the performance of refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Computational Fluid Dynamics for Industrial Processes

Module Leader
  • Dr Patrick Verdin
Aim
    To introduce the CFD techniques and tools for modelling, simulating and analysing practical engineering problems with hands on experience using commercial software packages used in industry.
Syllabus
    • Introduction to CFD & thermo-fluids: Introduction to the physics of thermo-fluids, governing equations (continuity, momentum, energy and species conservation) and state of the art Computational Fluid Dynamics including modelling, grid generation, simulation, and high performance computing.  Case study of industrial problems related to energy, process systems, offshore engineering, and the physical processes where CFD can be used.
    • Computational Engineering Exercise: specification for a CFD simulation. Requirements for accurate analysis and validation for multi scale problems. Introduction to Turbulence & practical applications of Turbulence Models: Introduction to Turbulence and turbulent flows. Traditional turbulence modelling. 
    • Advanced Turbulence Modelling: Introduction to Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) simulations and large-eddy simulation (LES).
    • Practical sessions: Fluid process problems are solved employing the widely-used industrial flow solver software FLUENT. Lectures are followed by practical sessions on single/multiphase flows, heat transfer, to set up and simulate a problem incrementally.  Practical sessions cover the entire CFD process including geometric modelling, grid generation, flow solver, analysis, validation and visualisation.
Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:

  • Assemble and evaluate the different components of the CFD process.
  • Explain the governing equations for fluid flows and how to solve them computationally.
  • Compare and contrast various methods for simulating turbulent flows applicable to mechanical and process engineering.
  • Set up simulations and evaluate a practical problem using a commercial CFD package.
  • Design CFD modelling studies for use in industrial design of complex systems.

Process Design and Simulation 

Module Leader
  • Dr Dawid Hanak
Aim
    Process design, simulation and modelling are industrially-relevant tools to assess the techno-economic feasibility of complex engineering processes. These enable assessing the project feasibility and optimising the process plant design before the actual process plant is build. These tools are widely applied in the industry to assess a number of process variants and to select the most efficient and cost-effective option. This module aims to introduce the students to the modern techniques and computer aided engineering tools for the design, simulation and optimisation of process systems. Via a large share of process simulation and optimisation case studies, the module will enable the students to gather the hands-on experience of using the commercial software.
Syllabus
    Process Design
    • Overview: Conceptual process design. Process flow-sheeting.
    • Process synthesis: Overview of a process system. Recycle structure of the flowsheet. Design of reaction and separation systems.
    • Process integration: Basic concepts of process integration for heat exchanger network design.
    • Process economic analysis: Equipment capital cost estimation. Process profitability analysis.
    Process Modelling, Simulation and Optimisation
    • Modelling and simulation: Basic concepts of process modelling. General concepts of simulation. Introduction to steady and dynamic process simulation. Introduction to commercial simulation software packages (i.e, Aspen HYSYS) for process flow-sheeting, design and analysis.
    • Process optimisation techniques: Basic principles of optimisation. Presentation of a number of industrial case studies. (e.g., heat exchanges network synthesis).
    Case Studies (PC Lab and Demonstration Sessions)
    • A number of process simulation and optimisation case studies will be carried out using Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus. 

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:

  • Formulate strategies to carry out a process design and critically appraise the techniques and major commercial simulation tools for steady and dynamic process simulation. 
  • Apply competently the basic principles of process optimisation.
  • Design and analyse the performance of a process plant using simulation or optimisation tools.

Management for Technology

Aim
    The importance of technology leadership in driving the technical aspects of an organisations products, innovation, programmes, operations and strategy is paramount, especially in today’s turbulent commercial environment with its unprecedented pace of technological development. Demand for ever more complex products and services has become the norm.  The challenge for today’s manager is to deal with uncertainty, to allow technological innovation and change to flourish but also to remain within planned parameters of performance.  Many organisations engaged with technological innovation struggle to find engineers with the right skills.  Specifically, engineers have extensive subject/discipline knowledge but do not understand management processes in organisational context.  In addition, STEM graduates often lack interpersonal skills.
Syllabus
    • Engineers and Technologists in organisations: The role of organisations and the challenges facing engineers and technologies.
    • People management: Understanding you. Understanding other people. Working in teams. Dealing with conflicts.
    • The Business Environment: Understanding the business environment; identifying key trends and their implications for the organisation.
    • Strategy and Marketing: Developing effective strategies; Focusing on the customer; building competitive advantage; The role of strategic assets.
    • Finance: Profit and loss accounts. Balance sheets. Cash flow forecasting.Project appraisal.
    • New product development: Commercialising technology. Market drivers. Time to market. Focusing technology. Concerns.
    • Business game: Working in teams (companies), students will set up and run a technology company and make decisions on investment, R&D funding, operations, marketing and sales strategy.
    • Negotiation: Preparation for Negotiations. Negotiation process. Win-Win solutions.
    • Presentation skills: Understanding your audience. Focusing your message. Successful presentations. Getting your message across.
Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:

  • Recognise the importance of teamwork in the performance and success of organisations with particular reference to commercialising technological innovation.
  • Operate as an effective team member, recognising the contribution of individuals within the team, and capable of developing team working skills in themselves and others to improve the overall performance of a team.
  • Compare and evaluate the impact of the key functional areas (strategy, marketing and finance) on the commercial performance of an organisation, relevant to the manufacture of a product or provision of a technical service.
  • Design and deliver an effective presentation that justifies and supports any decisions or recommendations made
  • Argue and defend their judgements through constructive communication and negotiating skills.

Elective modules
A selection of modules from the following list need to be taken as part of this course

Advanced Control Systems

Module Leader
  • Dr Liyun Lao
Aim
    To introduce fundamental concepts, principles, methodologies, and application for the design of advanced control systems for industrial applications.
Syllabus
    • System dynamics: Modelling of typical physical systems. Operating point. Linearization. Differential equation representation. State space representation of systems. Laplace transforms. Transfer functions. Block diagrams. SISO and MIMO systems. Time and frequency domain responses of systems.
    • Feedback control: Positive and negative feedback. Stability. Methods for stability analysis. Closed loop performance specification. PID controllers. Ziegler-Nichols. Self-tuning methods.
    • Enhanced controllers: Cascade control. Feedforward control. Control of non-linear systems. Control of systems with delay.
    • Digital controllers: Effects of sampling. Implementation of PID controller. Stability and tuning.
    • Advanced control topics: Hierarchical control. Kalman filter. System Identification. Model predictive control. Statistical process control. The use of expert systems and neural networks in industrial control.
    • Design packages for process control systems: Examples including Simulink and MATLAB.
    • Case studies: Examples will be chosen from a range of industrial systems including mechanical, chemical and fluid systems.
Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:

  • Evaluate and select appropriate modelling techniques for dynamic systems
  • Formulate control methodologies in feedback, feedforward and cascade loops
  • Recognise and critically appraise the key design tools and procedures for continuous and discrete controllers of dynamic systems.

Energy Systems Case Studies

Module Leader
  • Dr Stuart Wagland
Aim
    The module aims to provide the students with a deep understanding of the truly multidisciplinary nature of a real industrial project.  Using a relevant case study, the scientific and technical concepts learned during the previous modules will be brought together and used to execute the analysis of the case study.
Syllabus
    • Work flow definition: setting up the single aspects to be considered, the logical order, and the interfaces.
    • Design of an appropriate analysis toolkit specific to the case study
    • Development of a management or maintenance framework for the case study
    • Multi-criteria decision analysis [MDCA] applied to energy technologies to identify the best available technology. 
    • Energy technologies and systems: understanding the development and scaling/design of the technologies by applying an understanding of the available resources in the assigned location;
    • Public engagement strategies and the planning process involved in developing energy technologies.
Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:

  • Critically evaluate available technological options, and select the most appropriate method for determining the best available technology [BAT] for the specific case study;
  • Demonstrate the ability to work as part of a group to achieve the stated requirements of the module brief;
  • Demonstrate the ability to organise the single-discipline activities in a logical workflow, and to define the interfaces between them, designing an overall multidisciplinary approach for the specific case study.

Process Measurement Systems

Module Leader
  • Dr Liyun Lao
Aim
    To introduce a systematic approach to the design of measurement systems for industrial process applications The fundamental concepts, key requirements, typical principles and key applications of the industrial process measurement technology and systems will be highlighted.
Syllabus
    Principles of Measurement System
    • Process monitoring requirements: operating conditions, range, static performance, dynamic performance.
    • Sensor technologies: resistive, capacitive, electromagnetic, ultrasonic, radiation, resonance.
    • Signal conditioning and conversion: amplifiers, filters, bridges, load effects, sampling theory, quantisation theory, A/D, D/A.
    • Data transmission and telemetry: analogue signal transmission, digital transmission, communication media, coding, modulation, multiplexing, communication strategies, communication topologies, communication standards, HART, Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus.
    • Smart and intelligent instrumentation. Soft sensors. Measurement error and uncertainty: systematic and random errors, estimating the uncertainty, effect of each uncertainty, combining uncertainties, use of Monte Carlo methods.
    • Calibration: importance of standards, traceability.
    • Safety aspects: intrinsic safety, zone definitions, isolation barriers. 
    • Selection and maintenance of instrumentation.


    Principles of Process Measurement
    • Flow measurement: flow meter performance, flow profile, flow meter calibration; differential pressure flow meters, positive displacement flow meters, turbine, ultrasonic, electromagnetic, vortex, Coriolis flow meters.
    • Pressure measurement: pressure standards, Bourdon tubes, diaphragm gauges, bellows, strain gauges, capacitance, resonant gauges.
    • Temperature measurement: liquid-in-glass, liquid-in-metal, gas filled, thermocouple, resistance temperature detector, thermistor.
    • Level measurement: conductivity methods, capacitance methods, float switches, ultrasonic, microwave, radiation method.
    • Multiphase flow measurement: general features of vertical and horizontal multiphase flow, definition of parameters in multiphase flow, multiphase flow measurement strategies, water cut and composition measurement, velocity measurement, commercial multiphase flow meters, developments in multiphase flow metering.
    • Density and viscosity measurement.
    • Case study: flow assurance instrumentation/ environmental measurement/ measurement issues and challenges in CO2 transportation.
Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:

  • Critically assess the factors affecting the operation of a process sensor and the types and technologies of modern process sensors.
  • Examine the factors which have to be considered when designing a process measurement system.
  • Propose the most appropriate measurement system for a given process application.

Teaching team

You will be taught by our multidisciplinary team of leading technology experts including: Dr Dawid Hanak – Lecturer in Clean Energy. (Course Director for MSc in Energy Systems and Thermal Processes and MSc in Process Systems Engineering) Our teaching team work closely with business and have academic and industrial experience. The course also includes inputs from industry that will relate the theory to current best practice. Knowledge gained working with our clients is continually fed back into the teaching programme to ensure that you benefit from the very latest knowledge and techniques affecting industry.

Dawid Hanak

Dr Dawid Hanak

Lecturer in Clean Energy
Liyun Lao

Dr Liyun Lao

Senior Research Fellow
Patrick Verdin

Dr Patrick Verdin

Lecturer in Energy Fluid Dynamics
Ali Nabavi

Dr Ali Nabavi

Lecturer in Energy Systems
Kumar Patchigolla

Dr Kumar Patchigolla

Senior Lecturer in Low Carbon Energy Systems

Fees and funding

European Union students applying for university places in the 2018 to 2019 academic year will still have access to student funding support. Please see the UK Government’s announcement (21 April 2017).

Cranfield University welcomes applications from students from all over the world for our postgraduate programmes. The Home/EU student fees listed continue to apply to EU students.

MSc Full-time £10,250
MSc Part-time £1,635 *
PgDip Full-time £8,200
PgDip Part-time £1,635 *
PgCert Full-time £4,510
PgCert Part-time £1,635 *
  • * This course has an annual registration fee and a fee per taught module. The fee quoted above is the annual registration fee and this amount will be invoiced annually. The fee for each taught module is £1,340 and this amount will be payable on attendance. The course consists of a number of taught modules with each module usually worth 10 credits. MSc and PgDip awards consist of 8 taught modules and PgCert awards consist of 6 taught modules. Where a module is worth either 5 credits or 20 credits then the module fee will be adjusted accordingly (so a 5 credit module fee will be halved and a 20 credit module fee will be doubled).
  • ** Fees can be paid in full up front, or in equal annual instalments. Students who complete their course before the initial end date will be invoiced the outstanding fee balance and must pay in full prior to graduation.

Fee notes:

  • The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2019 and 31 July 2020.
  • All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
  • A deposit may be payable, depending on your course.
  • Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged.
  • Fee eligibility at the Home/EU rate is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle, EU nationals (including UK) who are ordinarily resident in the EU pay Home/EU tuition fees, all other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.

MSc Full-time £20,500
MSc Part-time £20,500 **
PgDip Full-time £16,605
PgDip Part-time £16,605 **
PgCert Full-time £8,300
PgCert Part-time £8,300 **
  • * This course has an annual registration fee and a fee per taught module. The fee quoted above is the annual registration fee and this amount will be invoiced annually. The fee for each taught module is £1,340 and this amount will be payable on attendance. The course consists of a number of taught modules with each module usually worth 10 credits. MSc and PgDip awards consist of 8 taught modules and PgCert awards consist of 6 taught modules. Where a module is worth either 5 credits or 20 credits then the module fee will be adjusted accordingly (so a 5 credit module fee will be halved and a 20 credit module fee will be doubled).
  • ** Fees can be paid in full up front, or in equal annual instalments. Students who complete their course before the initial end date will be invoiced the outstanding fee balance and must pay in full prior to graduation.

Fee notes:

  • The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2019 and 31 July 2020.
  • All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
  • A deposit may be payable, depending on your course.
  • Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged.
  • Fee eligibility at the Home/EU rate is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle, EU nationals (including UK) who are ordinarily resident in the EU pay Home/EU tuition fees, all other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.

Funding Opportunities

To help students in finding and securing appropriate funding we have created a funding finder where you can search for suitable sources of funding by filtering the results to suit your needs. Visit the funding finder.

GREAT China Scholarship
The GREAT Cranfield University Scholarship China is jointly funded by Cranfield University and the British Council. Two scholarships of £11,000 each for Chinese students are available.

The Cranfield Scholarship

We have a limited number of scholarships available for candidates from around the world. Scholarships are awarded to applicants who show both aptitude and ability for the subject they are applying. Find out more about the Cranfield Scholarship

 

Masters Loan from Student Finance England

A Masters Loan is now available for UK and EU applicants to help you pay for your Master’s course. You can apply for a loan at GOV.UK

 

Santander Scholarship

The Santander Scholarship at Cranfield University is worth £4,000 towards tuition fees for full-time master's courses. The scholarship is open to female students from the UK.

 

Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing Countries

Students from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK can apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship which includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study.

 

Future Finance Student Loans

Cranfield University has partnered with Future Finance as an alternative source of funding for our students with loans of up to £40,000 available.

 

Chevening Scholarships

Chevening Scholarships are awarded to outstanding emerging leaders to pursue a one-year master’s at Cranfield university. The scholarship includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study.

 

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

Students from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK can apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship which includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study, jointly supported by Cranfield University.

 

Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS)

The Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS) is a funding programme providing affordable tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time UK/EU students studying technology-based Masters courses.

 

Institution of Mechanical Engineers Postgraduate Masters Scholarship

IMechE is offering a number of postgraduate research Scholarships worth up to £6,500 to graduates with a 2:1 honours IMechE accredited BEng(Hons) degree to allow them to undertake an IMechE accredited Masters degree.

IGEM Postgraduate Masters Scholarship
The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) is offering postgraduate Masters Scholarships worth £6,500 to those studying an Engineering Council accredited degree.

GREAT India Scholarship
The GREAT Cranfield University Scholarship India is jointly funded by Cranfield University and the British Council. The scholarship covers full tuition fees for outstanding Indian students.

Lendwise Postgraduate Student Loan
The Lendwise Postgraduate Student Loan provides tuition fee and maintenance loans of between £5,000 and £100,000 for eligible applicants studying at Cranfield University.

Scottish Power Masters Scholarship
The scholarship covers tuition fees and living costs for postgraduate students in engineering, renewable energy, environmental science, cyber security and related fields.

Entry requirements

A first or second class UK Honours degree in mathematics, physics or an engineering discipline. Other recognised professional qualifications or several years relevant industrial experience may be accepted as equivalent; subject to approval by the Course Director.

Applicants who do not fulfil the standard entry requirements can apply for the Pre-Masters programme, successful completion of which will qualify them for entry to this course for a second year of study.


English Language

If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. Our minimum requirements are as follows:

In addition to these minimum scores you are also expected to achieve a balanced score across all elements of the test. We reserve the right to reject any test score if any one element of the test score is too low.

We can only accept tests taken within two years of your registration date (with the exception of Cambridge English tests which have no expiry date).

Students requiring a Tier 4 (General) visa must ensure they can meet the English language requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and we recommend booking a IELTS for UKVI test.

Applicants who do not already meet the English language entry requirement for their chosen Cranfield course can apply to attend one of our Presessional English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses. We offer Winter/Spring and Summer programmes each year to offer holders.

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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