This module develops the foundational design perspective required of chemical and biochemical engineers by connecting core scientific principles with practical process design and decision-making. Students build the ability to analyse and communicate chemical processes, integrate energy efficiently, and select and size key process equipment within realistic engineering constraints. The module introduces systematic approaches to process optimisation, including heat integration and quantitative decision tools, while emphasising reliability, safety, and professional responsibility. By combining technical design methods with engineering ethics and risk awareness, the module strengthens graduate readiness for later design projects and professional practice in the chemical, biochemical, and energy industries.

The module will inform students on a wide range of topics pertinent to heat exchanger integration, heat exchanger network design, linear programming, engineering ethics, and chemical process unit design and sizing. Indicative examples are as follows: - Flow-sheeting and process flow diagrams for chemical process communication. - Chemical process reliability and innovation. - Heat exchanger design and integration for chemical processes. - Algorithmic and graphic approaches for pinch point analysis. - Heat exchanger network design and optimisation approaches. - Algebraic, graphical and simplex approaches to linear programming, - Personal, professional and legal ethics in engineering. - Ethical theories and their utilisation in engineering ethics. - Role of risk, safety and accidents in engineering ethics. - Engineering materials and reliability in mechanical design. - Selection, design and sizing of utility and core units in chemical processes. - Corrosion mechanisms, failure prevention, and unit failure analysis.

On successful completion of this module students should be able to: • Apply pinch analysis and heat-integration methods to determine energy targets and inform heat exchanger network design in chemical processes. • Formulate linear programming models for optimisation problems relevant to chemical engineering systems. • Analyse the selection, design and sizing of chemical process units with consideration of materials performance, reliability and failure prevention. • Evaluate engineering decisions using established ethical frameworks in the context of professional practice, risk and safety.

On successful completion of this module students should be able to: • Defend ethical positions in chemical engineering scenarios by referencing professional responsibilities, safety considerations, and recognised ethical frameworks. • Value the role of ethical judgement, risk awareness, and societal responsibility in chemical engineering design and decision-making.

N/A

This module is delivered through a student-centred approach combining lectures, prerecorded content, tutorials, and team-based problem-solving workshops alongside asynchronous self-learning and collaborative activities. Teaching is structured to develop both the analytical skills and professional awareness required of chemical and biochemical engineers. Lectures introduce principles related to heat exchanger integration, heat exchanger network design, linear programming, engineering ethics, while tutorials and workshops emphasise applying these methods to simplified and industrial engineering problems alike. Collaborative learning is central to the module. Students participate in group work, and dialogue, case-study analysis and debate, and justify their positions using theory and professional frameworks. This encourages active engagement and critical reflection on engineering practice. The resulting learning environment is interactive, inclusive, and challenge-driven, supporting students in communicating ideas clearly (Articulate), exploring complex engineering problems (Curious), and recognising the professional responsibilities of engineers in relation to safety, risk, and society (Responsible). Recent developments are incorporated through updated industrial examples, contemporary case studies, and evolving practices in energy integration, optimisation, materials reliability, and engineering ethics.