Carbon capture, storage and utilisation

Carbon capture, storage, and utilisation (CCSU) are critical components of the global effort to combat climate change, making them essential study areas. As stewards of industrial processes and technology, engineers play a pivotal role in developing and implementing innovative solutions to address the escalating challenge of carbon emissions.

In carbon capture, you will apply various chemical engineering techniques to capture CO2 emissions from sources, such as power plants and industrial facilities. The storage aspect of CCSU depends on geological and subsurface engineering. You will contribute to selecting suitable storage sites, assessing rock formations, and implementing secure injection and monitoring techniques. This interdisciplinary approach will have you collaborating with geologists, reservoir engineers, and environmental scientists to ensure the safe and effective storage of captured carbon.

Carbon utilisation involves transforming captured CO2 into valuable products. You can devise catalytic processes to convert CO2 into chemicals, fuels, and materials. By studying CCSU, you will gain insights into electrochemical processes, thermochemical reactions, and catalyst design, allowing you to contribute to sustainable technologies that transform CO2 from a pollutant into a valuable resource.

Addressing the challenges of carbon capture, storage, and utilisation requires a deep understanding of the underlying chemical and engineering principles, making it an essential field of study for those seeking to pioneer sustainable solutions and shape the future of industrial processes in a carbon-constrained world, aligning with the United Nations sustainable development goals, such SDG13: Climate Action.

Problem-based learning - This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you will engage in research, integrate theory and practice and apply knowledge and skills to develop viable solutions in response to a problem or set of problems.

Active learning - You will actively engage in applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.