chemical-engineering

Department of Chemical Engineering

About the department

There's a good chance you'll find the products of our research in your wallets and bags - the magnetic ink printed on the back of train and event tickets was developed here in Hull. This is just one example of the real-world applications that stems from our vibrant, inclusive department.

We're at the heart of one of the top four chemical industry clusters in the UK, working closely with companies to create innovative solutions to the challenges they face.

This strong focus on industry is directly channeled into the high-quality teaching and practical experience we deliver for our students. As a result, our students graduate as trained Chemical Engineers who are ready to work in industries ranging from foods to pharmaceuticals – and are prepared for careers in sectors such as research, education, and management.

Our academics and students join forces to create an energetic research and teaching environment. Together we tackle major global challenges ranging from clean energy, low carbon industrial processes and industrial scale green chemistry.

Head of department

mark-lorch

Professor Mark Lorch

Accreditations

Research in the Department of Chemical Engineering

The Department of Chemical Engineering specialises in translational research aimed at solving industrial problems for the benefit of society.

Our approach supports commercialisation of research by developing close working relationships with industry, including our partnerships with Siemens gas turbines, Ideal Boilers, Johnson-Matthey and Schlumberger.

As a result we directly impact the operations of companies, including Centrica (water treatment); Ansell (chemical resistant personal protective equipment); and Paragon ID - whose tickets are now used on transit networks around the world, including London, Paris and New York's transport systems.

These and our other contributions to society are made possible through our expertise in electrochemistry, microfluidics, process modelling, process engineering and catalysis. This diversity in expertise combines to deliver research that ranges from plant-scale simulations, through unit operations and bench-scale testing, down to molecular-level understanding of chemical processes.

Research strengths

Process engineering and catalysis

  • Natural gas and oil tail utilisation, hydrogen production
  • Process control and instrumentation in chemical and petroleum engineering
  • Heterogeneous catalysis, catalytic reactors, process intensification, fine chemicals synthesis and advanced nanoporous materials
  • Process systems engineering approach for energy systems design, analysis and development

Our people

The department is a vibrant community of extremely talented staff and students, who collaborate to craft some incredibly creative work.

staff members in the Department of Chemical Engineering, arranged alphabetically by last name

PhD students

PhD students in the Department of Chemical Engineering
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Hassan A. Aalabdrabalameer

Residues pre-treatment for a better performance as feed stock in advanced thermal treatments under a circular waste-to- bio-economy scenario

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Hannah Marsden

From waste textiles to nanocarbon materials for wind turbine blades

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Elis Davies

Novel methods for the production of biodiesel from palm oil mill effluent (POME) and other waste feedstocks

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Axl Farr

Development of pervaporation membranes for separation of mixed solvents and water

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Sam Leighton

Design and optimisation of fish-safe venturi jet pumps

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Favad Mobahriz

Wind to hydrogen and ePTA: chemical manufacture through electrolysis

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John Olusoji Owolabi

Design and analysis of a novel liquid ammonia energy storage technology for intermittent renewable energy sources

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Jamie Southouse

The chemoselective hydrogenation of nitroarenes for active pharmaceuticals

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Kubiat Umoh

Investigating cost reduction pathways in floating offshore wind technology

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Rhys Ward

Knowledge Transfer Partnership at Centrica Storage Limited, MSc by Research Chemical Engineering

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Osman Yasnaneh

Generation of power and petrochemical products using wastes (plastics, used oils and/or biomass)

Chemical Engineering Virtual Control Room

Take a tour of the facilities

Our state of the art Virtual Control Room bridges the gap between theory and practice, allowing you to experience a real-world control environment in a 3D VR environment.

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