Master of Engineering (MEng)

MEng Chemical Engineering with Industrial Experience

Gain invaluable industrial experience while completing your chemical engineering master's degree.
  • Duration: 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: H803 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Industrial experience
  • Scholarships available
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £36,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

At The University of Manchester we're committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please see our undergraduate fees pages and check the Department's funding pages .

Course unit details:
Solids Processing

Course unit fact file
Unit code CHEN20061
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The unit consist of six main topics:

  1. Particle characterization and the motion of a single particle in a fluid: in this topic the methods used to describe particle size and shape are introduced and linked to how these particles move in a fluid. The focus will be on how to describe and evaluate the motion of particles through a fluid.
  2. Sedimentation – settlers and thickeners: in this topic the concepts of particles settling under gravity are explored. The focus will be on how to design industrial settlers and thickeners using knowledge of particle motion in a fluid.
  3. Centrifuges and Cyclones: in this topic the methods to enhance particle settling are explored. The focus will be on how to design centrifuges and cyclones for industrial processes using key design methodologies including Sigma theory and Stairmand’s design procedure.
  4. Fluid flow through packed beds: in this topic the basic principles of fluid flow through granular and packed beds of particles are introduced. The focus will be on how to describe, evaluate and analyse fluid flow through a bed of stationary particles using Darcy’s law and other empirical equations such as Ergun, Blake-Kozeny, Kozeny-Carmen, etc. 
  5. Fluid flow through fluidized beds: in this topic the main principles of fluidization and flow through fluidized beds are presented. The focus will be on how to describe the process of fluidization, the different fluidization regimes, Gerdart’s classification and fluidized bed. Furthermore, analyses and evaluation of how to estimate the minimum and maximum fluidization velocity and the benefit of pneumatic conveying will be presented.
  6. Filtration: in this topic the basic concepts of filtration is introduced. The focus will be on how to describe from fundamental principles fluid flow through a cake and medium filter system and how to design this unit operation.

Aims

The unit aims to:

Develop an understanding of various industrial solid processing units, their applications, and the fundamental principles where solid-fluid interactions are important in these units.

 

Learning outcomes

ILO 1: Use methods to characterise solid particle sizes and shapes.

ILO 2: Describe the motion of solid particles in a fluid-solid system.

ILO 3: Design solid separating units such as settlers, thickeners, centrifuges, cyclones, and filters.

ILO 4: Design force enhanced solid separating units such as centrifuges and cyclones.

ILO 5: Develop mathematical expressions to describe, evaluate, and analyse fluid flow through a bed of stationary and fluidized particles.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching Activities

Lecture - 24 hours
Assessment (Exam) - 25 hours
Assessment (Coursework) - 21 hours
Independent Study - 30 hours

Assessment methods

Assessment Types

Total Weighting

January Exam

50%

Design Report – Group design of gravity settling and filtration process

30%

Presentation – Group design of gravity settling and filtration process

20%

Recommended reading

Reading lists are accessible through the Blackboard system linked to the library catalogue.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 24
Independent study hours
Independent study 30

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Mauro Luberti Unit coordinator
Thomas Rodgers Unit coordinator

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