Food Process Engineering MSc

Students undertaking this module will complete a group design project with a large individual component. The module is student-lead under the guidance of a group of academics.

Method and Frequency of Class:

Activities may take place every teaching week of the Semester or only in specified weeks. It is usually specified above if an activity only takes place in some weeks of a Semester.

Method of Assessment:

This module will introduce students to the flow properties of complex fluids. It will cover rheological models, outline characterisation techniques and explore selected applications.

Method and Frequency of Class:

Case study supervisions are carried out in groups of 3-5 students and are intended to support the research into the allocated case study into an industrial application of rheology and/or materials.  Case study presentations take place in Week 12.

Method of Assessment: one exam (100%).

The aims of this module are to:

• familiarise students with the complex food matrices, their formulation, and performance.
• provide a level of understanding on a range of food process technologies to enable them to design process methodologies and comprehend current problems and their potential solutions.

Method and Frequency of Class:

Method of Assessment: one 2-hour exam (100%) 

The module develops the skills required to design, plan, implement and manage a research project.

Students will be given instruction and practice in:

• problem definition
• collection and synthesis of information from a range of traditional and electronic sources
• critical review of information
• definition of scope, aims and objectives
• development of a project plan and schedule
• management of project progress

Particular emphasis of the module is towards quality control and quality assurance and how these underpin measurement activities. The use of statistics for the assessment of data quality in measurement is also emphasised. Students will also develop their writing and practical skills through exercises and coursework.

Method and Frequency of Class:

The module will comprise a series of lectures, tutorials and practicals. Students will undertake, under supervision, develop an appreciation and an ability plan and evaluate the requirements for a research project. Directed study to include the preparation of a research plan, individual presentation and a laboratory report.

Method of Assessment:

This module will identify the industrial occurrence of the simultaneous flow of more than one phase and highlight the implications for design. It will establish the principles of flow and heat transfer in gas/liquid systems and the principles of design methods.

Method and Frequency of Class:

 Method of Assessment:

This module provides the student with an opportunity to undertake a substantial personal project appropriate to their interests.

It will normally take the form of a scientific investigation, whether it involves experimentation or an extensive review of work already completed by others.

Typically (but not exclusively) it will include the following:

• Project definition and aim (choice of subject is at the discretion of the convenor).
• Literature review
• Practical experimentation/investigation
• Critical analysis of findings
• Presentation of results

Method and Frequency of Class: Tutorial sessions as appropriate throughout the summer period. A typical average period of two weeks between tutorials is expected. Tutorials may be for individuals or small groups locally arranged with supervisor.

Method of Assessment: Dissertation, typically 10,000-20,000 words (100%).

The project area is flexible and will be supervised by an academic member of staff. MSc Students chose a theme from the following:

• Energy Engineering 
• Environmental Engineering
• Sustainable Process Engineering
• Biochemical Engineering

Projects are then allocated within these themes.

Previous projects have included:

• Heavy metals removal from drinking water
• Microbial fuel cells
• Carbon dioxide capture technologies
• Removal of pharmaceuticals during wastewater treatment
• Nanobots for contaminated land remediation
• Advanced measurement techniques for bubble columns

This module introduces students to a range of knowledge and skills applicable to water and wastewater treatment. Students will gain an understanding in water availability, sources of pollution and the legislative framework for water quality from an EU perspective.

Municipal water and wastewater treatment processes will be covered, focusing on key unit processes including sedimentation, filtration and disinfection. Example sheets and case studies on unit operations and processes will support the lecture delivery and provide an appreciation of the benefits of different plant specifications. The module will also be supported by 2 site visits.

Method and Frequency of Class:

The 2 site visits (field trips) will replace 2 of the 2 hour lectures.

Method of Assessment: one 2-hour examination (100%).

This module covers underpinning aspects for bio-processing technologies including: an overview of microbes, including structure, function, kinetics and components; metabolism and biomolecules; microbial technology including industrial biosafety and reactor systems; and industrial enzyme biocatalyst technologies with applications.

 Method and Frequency of Class:

Method of Assessment: one 2-hour exam (100%).

This module includes an introduction to Matlab Programming: writing code for modelling engineering systems; script files, arrays, loops, if statements, functions, plotting; application to Finite Difference and Monte Carlo modelling methods.

Advanced features of HYSYS:

• using the dynamics package to simulate (a) fluid flow in tanks in series (b) the control of a separator drum;
• students devising their own steady-state question.

Method and Frequency of Class:

Method of Assessment:

The module will explore decision making in the presence of uncertainty. Risks of particular interest are those associated with large engineering projects such as the development of innovative new products and processes. The module will present and interpret some of the frameworks helpful for balancing risks and benefits in situations that typically involve:

• human safety
• potential environmental effects
• large financial and technological uncertainties

Case studies will be used to illustrate key points and these will centre on the use and recovery of plastics, metals, industrial minerals and energy. You’ll spend three hours in tutorials per week.

Delivery

Assessment method

This module will concentrate on water treatment technologies covering those applicable to both the treatment of wastewater and the treatment of water for potable (drinking water) use. The beginning of the module will review current practice and scientific principles in water treatment.

Case Studies across the water industry will be utilised to demonstrate problems and potential solutions and gain an understanding of design considerations and operation of water treatment processes. Emerging issues in water treatment and the developing technologies to address these issues will be presented. Guest speakers from industry and 2 site visits will support the module delivery. 

Method and Frequency of Class:

The 2 site visits (field trips) will replace 2 of the scheduled 2 hour lecture sessions.

Method of Assessment:

This module introduces students to a range of knowledge and skills applicable to water and wastewater treatment. Students will gain an understanding in water availability, sources of pollution and the legislative framework for water quality from an EU perspective.

Municipal water and wastewater treatment processes will be covered, focusing on key unit processes including sedimentation, filtration and disinfection. Example sheets and case studies on unit operations and processes will support the lecture delivery and provide an appreciation of the benefits of different plant specifications. The module will also be supported by 2 site visits.

Method and Frequency of Class:

The 2 site visits (field trips) will replace 2 of the 2 hour lectures.

Method of Assessment: one 2-hour examination (100%).

This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of air pollution problems. It includes a categorisation of the types of natural and anthropogenic air pollution sources, sinks, and the effects that air pollutants may produce within natural and manmade environments.

You’ll learn about the processes of selection and design of pollutant monitoring and control technologies that may be applied to control atmospheric emissions from industrial processes.

Delivery

Assessment method

This module includes an introduction to Matlab Programming: writing code for modelling engineering systems; script files, arrays, loops, if statements, functions, plotting; application to Finite Difference and Monte Carlo modelling methods.

Advanced features of HYSYS:

• using the dynamics package to simulate (a) fluid flow in tanks in series (b) the control of a separator drum;
• students devising their own steady-state question.

Method and Frequency of Class:

Method of Assessment:

The module will explore decision making in the presence of uncertainty. Risks of particular interest are those associated with large engineering projects such as the development of innovative new products and processes. The module will present and interpret some of the frameworks helpful for balancing risks and benefits in situations that typically involve:

• human safety
• potential environmental effects
• large financial and technological uncertainties

Case studies will be used to illustrate key points and these will centre on the use and recovery of plastics, metals, industrial minerals and energy. You’ll spend three hours in tutorials per week.

Delivery

Assessment method

This module will concentrate on water treatment technologies covering those applicable to both the treatment of wastewater and the treatment of water for potable (drinking water) use. The beginning of the module will review current practice and scientific principles in water treatment.

Case Studies across the water industry will be utilised to demonstrate problems and potential solutions and gain an understanding of design considerations and operation of water treatment processes. Emerging issues in water treatment and the developing technologies to address these issues will be presented. Guest speakers from industry and 2 site visits will support the module delivery. 

Method and Frequency of Class:

The 2 site visits (field trips) will replace 2 of the scheduled 2 hour lecture sessions.

Method of Assessment:

This module covers underpinning aspects for bio-processing technologies including: an overview of microbes, including structure, function, kinetics and components; metabolism and biomolecules; microbial technology including industrial biosafety and reactor systems; and industrial enzyme biocatalyst technologies with applications.

 Method and Frequency of Class:

Method of Assessment: one 2-hour exam (100%).

This module aims to provide you with a thorough understanding of how process, hygiene and material characteristics influence the total transformation design of chemical process plants via the reverse / forensic engineering based analysis of examplar plant designs. You'll learn how to:

• assess the physical-chemical basis for safe process design, including handling of extremely hazardous materials, appropriate safety and control measures and the effect that such considerations have upon influence of scale-up
• evaluate the basis for selection of construction material based on the characteristics of the materials being processed, conditions required to achieve the transformation, etc.
• critically evaluate physical-chemical basis for application of novel/alternative processes and plant designs (e.g. green chemistry/process intensification/process integration)
• explain the physical-chemical and practical factors which influence process economics, for example achievable yields, economies of scale of process, work-up and purification, sue stages
• demonstrate what influence whole system thinking, total life-cycle and critical analysis have upon the physical-chemical basis of process designs
• explain control choices with respect to the material, physical and chemical properties of the process relating them to product specifications and legislation requirements etc.
• evaluate interactive risk within a complex system
• understand the potential influence of that environmental impact and societal opinion has upon process design

Every week you'll have two hours of lectures and a one hour tutorial.

The module is designed to give you experience of advanced software applications in chemical engineering, and their potential application to research projects. You will learn how to use advanced features of HYSYS, including:

• the optimiser for (a) a two-stage compressor (b) an economic assessment of a refrigeration process
• the dynamics package to simulate (a) fluid flow in tanks in series (b) the control of a separator drum

You’ll spend three hours per week in computing sessions.

The module will explore decision making in the presence of uncertainty. Risks of particular interest are those associated with large engineering projects such as the development of innovative new products and processes. The module will present and interpret some of the frameworks helpful for balancing risks and benefits in situations that typically involve:

• human safety
• potential environmental effects
• large financial and technological uncertainties

Case studies will be used to illustrate key points and these will centre on the use and recovery of plastics, metals, industrial minerals and energy. You’ll spend three hours in tutorials per week.

Delivery

Assessment method

This module will concentrate on water treatment technologies covering those applicable to both the treatment of wastewater and the treatment of water for potable (drinking water) use. The beginning of the module will review current practice and scientific principles in water treatment.

Case Studies across the water industry will be utilised to demonstrate problems and potential solutions and gain an understanding of design considerations and operation of water treatment processes. Emerging issues in water treatment and the developing technologies to address these issues will be presented. Guest speakers from industry and 2 site visits will support the module delivery. 

Method and Frequency of Class:

The 2 site visits (field trips) will replace 2 of the scheduled 2 hour lecture sessions.

Method of Assessment: