Environmental Engineering Design

Overview

DETAILED SYLLABUS – LECTURES (32 hours):

1. Photocatalytic Technologies.
Lecturers: Prof. P. Robertson – Room No. 0G.124 – Email: p.robertson@qub.ac.uk
1.1. Basic photocatalytic processes. 1.2. Selection and evaluation of photocatalyst materials. 1.3. Introduction to the design principles of photocatalytic reactors. 1.4. Design and construction of immobilised film, fluidised bed and suspended catalyst photoreactors. 1.5. Mass transport and kinetic modelling and control in photocatalytic reactors. 1.6. Irradiation sources and light distribution in photocatalytic reactors. 1.7. Determination of conversion efficiencies, quantum yields and economic evaluation of photocatalytic reactors 1.8. Applications of photocatalytic technology for energy conversion/storage and .treatment of contaminated water and air

2. Carbon capture and utilisation.
Lecturers: Prof Chunfei Wu - Room No. 0G.109 - Email: c.wu@qub.ac.uk
2.1. Carbon capture and adsorbents. 2.2. Catalysts for converting the captured CO2. 2.3. Optimisation of process conditions for carbon capture and the conversion of captured CO2. 2.4. Kinetics and reactor system design. 2.5. Materials characterisation. 2.6. System analysis of a selected CCU process.

Learning Objectives

General learning outcomes:
Students will build on and further develop the learning and skills from Level 3 through the design and critical appraisal of current and emerging technologies in environmental engineering and bioengineering
.
Specific learning outcomes:
• Knowledge, evaluation, design and critical appraisal of current and emerging technologies in carbon capture and utilisation.
• Knowledge and understanding of adsorbents and catalysts for carbon capture and utilisation;
• Knowledge, evaluation and design of photocatalytic technologies for environmental remediation and sustainable energy applications.
• Knowledge, evaluation, design and critical appraisal of current and emerging technologies in catalytic conversion.

At the end of the module the students are expected to be able to:

• Describe and critically evaluate photocatalyst materials and processes for both energy conversion/storage and environmental applications;
• Carry out kinetic and light modelling of photoreactors and critically appraise the outputs;
• Evaluate and critically appraise the technical and economic feasibility of photocatalytic technologies for both environmental remediation and solar energy conversion and storage;
• Design, evaluate and critically appraise the photocatalytic reactor configurations for sustainable energy and environmental remediation applications.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles of Carbon Capture and Utilisation processes and systems;
• Understand adsorbent development for carbon capture and catalyst development for CO2 utilisation;
• Optimise process conditions for carbon capture and utilisation;
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of system integration to deliver efficient CCU.

Alignment with AHEP4 learning outcomes:
Relevant learning outcomes for meeting Engineering Council (EngC) requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng) for this course are provided below.
• M1. Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. Much of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study and informed by a critical awareness of new developments and the wider context of engineering
• M2. Formulate and analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions. This will involve evaluating available data using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles, and using engineering judgment to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed.
• M4. Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to solve complex problems.
• M5. Design solutions for complex problems that evidence some originality and meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health & safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards.
• M15. Apply knowledge of engineering management principles, commercial context; project and change management and relevant legal matters including intellectual property rights.
• M16. Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team. Evaluate effectiveness of own and team performance.
• M17. Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used

Skills

Skills acquired with module:
Knowledge and understanding of current and emerging technologies in environmental engineering and bioengineering.

Assessment

Assessment: Continuous Assessment 100 %.

Continual Assessment comprises 2 Projects, each worth 50% of the module.

Project 1. Photocatalytic technologies: Design and evaluation of photocatalytic reactor configurations for sustainable energy and environmental remediation applications.

Project 2. Carbon capture and utilisation: Design and evaluation of materials and systems for efficient CO2 capture and utilisation.