Process and Chemical Engineering Certificate

The Process and Chemical Engineering Certificate is a one-year, part-time course that teaches the fundamentals of process and chemical engineering. The course is designed for individuals who want to obtain a formal qualification in chemical engineering, use the course as a step towards a professional degree qualification, or gain a formal chemical engineering qualification as part of their continuing professional development.

Course Outline

The course covers key aspects of process and chemical engineering, including:

• Fundamental principles of process engineering (fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mass transfer, thermodynamics)
• Applications of these principles (pumps and piping systems, flow measurement and sampling systems, heat exchanger design, energy conservation and integration, thermal process engineering, refrigeration, combustion, steam generation, combined heat and power plants, and a range of separation processes involving heat and mass transfer)
• Powder technology (characterisation, storage, handling, dust control)
• Process instrumentation and control

Course Practicalities

• The course is delivered on campus, with asynchronous remote following possible
• The course is divided into two semesters, with 12 weeks of classes in each semester, followed by three weeks for examinations
• Classes take place on Tuesday evenings (6:15-9:15 pm) and Saturdays (10 am-4 pm)
• All classes are recorded and made available via the Canvas educational platform
• Assessment is through continuous assessment submissions and final invigilated examinations

Why Choose This Course

• Process and chemical engineering is the foundation discipline of manufacturing sectors critical to Irish economic success
• The course provides a foundation grounding in engineering tools for individuals who want to upskill or reskill towards engineering roles in the process industries
• The course is developed by the Department of Process and Chemical Engineering, with lectures provided by staff from the department and relevant industry personnel

Requirements

• Candidates must have a Level 6 NQAI qualification or equivalent and relevant experience through working in the process and related industries or other relevant professional activity
• There are 20 places on the program per annum for candidates who are eligible to receive Springboard funding, plus up to five for others on a self-funding basis
• Entry is on a competitive basis, with selection based on professional experience, reasons for entering the program, and qualifications

Fees and Costs

• The course fee is 3,000 per academic year
• There are a limited number of places available on the program funded by Springboard+

Modules

The modules for the certificate are:

• PE1811: Introduction to Chemical Processing Engineering
• PE1812: Material and Energy Balances
• PE1813: Fluid Mechanics and Particle Processing
• PE1814: Heat Transfer and Applied Thermodynamics
• PE1815: Mass Transfer and Separation Processes
• PE1816: Process Control and Equipment Integrity

Assessment

• Each module is assessed through continuous assessment submissions (30%) and a final invigilated examination (70%)
• The pass standard for each module is 40%

It appeals to people from a wide range of backgrounds, including those who would like to obtain a formal qualification in chemical engineering, who want to use the course as a step towards a professional degree qualification, who are interested in gaining a formal chemical engineering qualification as part of their continuing professional development and graduates of other disciplines whose work brings them into the sphere of chemical engineering. There is strong support from local and national employers in sectors such as bio/pharmaceuticals, food, drink, water, energy and environmental and technical services.

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Outline:

• Content: The course covers the fundamental principles of process engineering (fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mass transfer, thermodynamics) and also the applications of these principles (pumps and piping systems, flow measurement and sampling systems, heat exchanger design, energy conservation and integration, thermal process engineering, refrigeration, combustion, steam generation, combined heat and power plants, and a range of separation processes involving heat and mass transfer).
The important area of powder technology (characterisation, storage, handling, dust control) is also covered, as is process instrumentation and control.
• Structure: The Diploma is structured over two years.
• Course Schedule: The course takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.30 -9.30pm ( 6.00pm to 10.00pm when there is a tutorial being delivered).
Block Flow Diagrams (BFD), Process Flow Diagrams (PFD), Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID).
• PE1812: Material and Energy Balances (5 credits) Law of conservation of mass, open and closed systems, system boundary, batch and continuous processes, material balance equations, material recycle.
Law of conservation of energy, forms of energy, development of energy balance equations, process applications, reading and using steam tables.
• PE1813: Fluid Mechanics and Particle Processing (5 credits) Properties of fluids, compressible and incompressible, fluid statics, fluid dynamics.
Pumps, fans, compressors, piping systems, flow measurement, sampling systems, Bernoulli's equation, design of pump-pipeline systems. Particle and powder characterisation, dust fires and explosions, dust separation and air pollution control, powder storage and transport.
• PE1814: Heat Transfer and Applied Thermodynamics (5 credits) Energy, entropy, work, 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics.
Heat transfer principles, heat exchanger design, condensers. Refrigeration, cooling, chilled water systems, cooling towers, combustion, boilers, steam, CHP, generators. CO2 plant, N2 plant, HVAC.
• PE1815: Mass Transfer and Separation Processes (5 credits) Principles of mass transfer, phase equilibria, interphase mass transfer, distillation, absorption, solvent extraction, evaporation, drying, crystallization, adsorption, ion-exchange.
• PE1816: Process Control and Equipment Integrity (5 credits) Control theory, measurement and transducers, process control systems, automation in industry, S88 & Gamp4, advances in control systems.
Materials of construction, mechanical properties of metals, polymers & ceramic materials, corrosion, emergency pressure relief & venting, welding of process vessels, safety & process fluid leakage.
• Year 2:
• PE2802: Process Simulation and Optimisation and Occupational Health & Safety in the Process Industries (5 credits) Process optimisation and continuous process improvement.
Identification of the crucial factors that affect a system's response: use of appropriate Design of Experiments techniques, factorial analysis using ANoVA and Pareto analysis.
• PE2803: Environmental Engineering and Safety (5 credits) Environmental Engineering; Pollution and environmental impacts, legislation; Treatment & disposal of wastes: liquid and solid wastes treatment; landfill, incineration and other thermal treatments.
Waste minimisation. Sustainability. Engineering safety; plant layout, plant operation, containment, pressure system design, reactor stability, emergency venting, formation and dispersal of vapour clouds, fire, explosion, toxic release.
• PE2804: Reaction Engineering and Unit Operations (5 credits) Reaction Engineering; Introduction to chemistry, atoms molecules and how reactions work.
Reaction terminology and the types of different reactors used in industry. Overview of reaction order, reaction kinetics and reaction thermodynamics. The influence of temperature and pressure on chemical reactions. The design and assessment of simple reactor operation. Unit operations: particle characterization; particle dynamics; elutriation; sedimentation; filtration; charging, dispensing of solids and size reduction; size reduction equipment; membrane separation processes; mixing/blending of powders; oral solids dosage forms.
• PE2805: Process and Plant Design (5 credits) Process design and simulation (using SuperPro Designer/Dynochem) incorporating the concepts of sustainability and clean processing.
Development of plant design in order to generate data for a process piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID). Overview of plant location, layout, design and build. Engineering management, concepts of control, evaluation, budgeting and scheduling and closeout. Capital investment/running costs and the methods for their estimation. Profitability analysis (return on investment, pay-back time, discounted cash flow rate of return, net present value. Apart from the Design Project module, where there is no exam. Each unit is marked on the following basis; Assignment: 30%; End-of-course exam: 70%. The pass standard for each module is 40%.

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Teaching:

Lectures are provided by staff from the department, and by relevant industry personnel.

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Careers:

There is a growing requirement in the PharmaChem sector for people with engineering qualifications. A number of places will be reserved on the level 8 BE (Hons) Degree in Process and Chemical Engineering (CK601) for candidates who have successfully completed the diploma and satisfy the mathematical requirements for entry to the BE honours degree. This means having achieved a Grade C3 or better in Leaving Certificate Higher Mathematics or equivalent, i.e. you must be capable of showing a demonstrable knowledge of and aptitude for mathematics.

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Other:

This course will give you an understanding of the basic principles of process and chemical engineering and how they are applied in the process industries.

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€2,925 per academic year

University College Cork

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Overview:

University College Cork (UCC) is a public research university located in Cork, Ireland. It is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland (NUI). UCC offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.

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Services Offered:

Student Support:

UCC provides a range of support services for students, including academic advising, career counseling, and mental health services.

Library:

The Boole Library offers extensive resources, including books, journals, and online databases.

Campus Life:

UCC offers a vibrant campus life with numerous student clubs, societies, and sports teams.

Accommodation:

UCC provides on-campus accommodation options for students.

International Office:

The International Office supports international students with visa applications, cultural adjustment, and other services.

Adult Continuing Education:

UCC offers a variety of programs for adult learners, including evening classes and online courses.

Continuing Professional Development:

UCC provides professional development opportunities for working professionals.

Micro-credentials:

UCC offers micro-credentials in various fields, allowing students to gain specific skills and knowledge.

Scholarships and Prizes:

UCC offers a range of scholarships and prizes to support students financially.

Transition-In Programme:

UCC provides a transition-in program for students who are new to higher education.

Graduate Attributes:

UCC focuses on developing graduate attributes such as critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

UCC offers a vibrant campus experience with a strong sense of community. Students can participate in a wide range of activities, including sports, clubs, societies, and events. The campus is located in a beautiful setting, with easy access to the city of Cork.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

World-class Education:

UCC is renowned for its high-quality education and research.

Strong Academic Programs:

UCC offers a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines.

Vibrant Campus Life:

UCC provides a vibrant campus life with numerous opportunities for students to get involved.

Beautiful Location:

UCC is located in a beautiful setting, with easy access to the city of Cork.

International Reputation:

UCC is a globally recognized university with a strong international reputation.

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Academic Programs:

UCC offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

• Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
• Business and Law
• Engineering and Science
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Education
• Music

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Other:

• UCC is committed to sustainability and has been recognized as the world's first green campus.
• UCC is a member of the National University of Ireland (NUI).
• UCC has a strong research focus and is home to a number of research centers and institutes.
• UCC is a popular choice for international students, with a large international student population.