CH4516 The Future of Sustainable Chemicals Production

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

10

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Module coordinator

Dr P B Webb

Dr P B Webb
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Paul Webb, Dr Amit Kumar, Prof Venkataraman Thangadurai, Dr Julia Payne

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will explore the major challenges facing the chemical industry in the transition from fossil fuel dependence to sustainable alternatives. The module will examine the use of above ground sources of carbon (plastic waste, biomass, and carbon dioxide) as alternative, sustainable feedstocks and strategies for the electrification of chemical processes. The utilisation of plastic waste as a valuable source of carbon, the various strategies for recycling and the challenges associated with the creation of circular economies will be discussed. The module will also cover carbon capture technologies, the current uses of carbon dioxide as solvent and chemical feedstock, carbon dioxide-based routes to chemicals that are under development and concepts including Bioenergy with Carbon Capture Utilisation and Sequestration (BECCUS), Power-to-X, and the methanol economy. The section on electrification will focus on the production of green hydrogen, via the electrolysis of water.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS CH2501 AND PASS AT LEAST 1 MODULE FROM {CH2601, CH2603, CH2701}

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 20%, Examination = 80%

Re-assessment

Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 x 1 hr lectures per week plus 2-3 tutorials

Scheduled learning hours

20

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

80

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Describe the major challenges facing the chemical industry in transitioning from fossil-fuel-based production to sustainable alternatives
  • Evaluate various above-ground carbon sources, including plastic waste, biomass, and carbon dioxide, and assess their feasibility as sustainable chemical feedstocks
  • Explain key electrification strategies in chemical production
  • Critically assess the sustainability of different chemical processes and industrial practices
  • Engage in case-study-based discussions to propose innovative and practical solutions for achieving net-zero carbon targets within the chemical industry