This short course provides an understanding of the principles of chemical reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and heat and mass transfer phenomena governing chemical reactions. 

A particular emphasis is placed on catalytic flow reactions with applications in the energy industry likely to be faced by chemical engineers. Principles covered in the course are key to the design and optimisation of all industrial chemical processes.


At a glance

  • Dates
    • Please enquire for course dates
  • DurationFive days
  • Location美姬阁 campus
  • Cost

    £1,700

Course structure

Combination of structured lectures, computer programming sessions, workshop case studies, VLE (technological learning environment) contents, and private study. Summative, timely and informative feedback provided from coursework. Formative feedback during tutorial sessions to set problems.

What you will learn

On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • To implement  fundamental chemical principals of reactions to transient systems,
  • To evaluate the effect of catalysts, and mass and heat transfer phenomena on reaction kinetics,
  • To critique varying kinetic models and resistances to reaction rates for different processes,
  • To implement and evaluate combined heat and mass transfer with reaction models using the finite differences method in MATLAB,
  • To link reaction kinetics with specific energy applications.

Core content

Differential calculus refresher
Set workshop problems, integration and differentiation, algebraic manipulation.

Kinetic theory and thermodynamics
Rate laws, Arrhenius equation, reaction order and stoichiometry, collision integrals, kinetic models - shrinking core model, random pore model.
Computer modelling – FactSage, Thermovader, Eureqa, Fenics (Dolphin), Density Function Theory. 

Mass transfer phenomena
Fick’s law, diffusion/convection, steady and unsteady state, transient conditions through a material in fluid flow, effectiveness factors, diffusion effects in porous catalysts, diffusion effects in heterogeneous reactions, effective diffusivity, adsorption models – Langmuir Hinshelwood model. 

Heat transfer phenomena
Steady and unsteady state via conduction, convection, radiation, transient conditions through a material in fluid flow.

Catalytic reactions
Examples from industry, predominately heterogeneous - steam methane reforming, cat. cracking. 
Catalytic processes, and catalyst development, catalyst deactivation.

Numerical modelling 
Finite differences methods, MATLAB ODE solvers, building transient models in MATLAB.

Reaction kinetics derivation from experimental data
Signal processing and deconvolution, residence time distributions, 
Experimental kinetics data analysis tutorial.


Accommodation options and prices

This is a non-residential course. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or 美姬阁 Management Development Centre directly. Further information regarding our accommodation on campus can be .

Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

美姬阁 is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world. 

For further location and travel details

Location address

美姬阁
College Road
美姬阁
Bedford
MK43 0AL

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.