CHE5833 · Carbon capture, storage and utilisation

Overview

Carbon capture, storage, and utilisation (CCSU) are at the heart of the global fight against climate change, which means studying them is essential. As an engineer, you’ll be designing and implementing cutting-edge solutions to tackle rising carbon emissions. Carbon capture uses chemical engineering techniques to trap CO₂ emissions from sources like power plants and factories. Storage focuses on the geology and subsurface engineering needed to safely lock away that CO₂ underground. You’ll work alongside geologists, reservoir engineers, and environmental scientists to pick the right sites, evaluate rock formations, and apply secure injection and monitoring methods. Carbon utilisation turns captured CO₂ into valuable products. You’ll explore catalytic processes that convert CO₂ into chemicals, fuels, and materials, diving into electrochemical and thermochemical reactions, and catalyst design. This lets you help develop sustainable tech that flips CO₂ from a climate problem into a valuable resource. Mastering CCSU means understanding the core chemical and engineering principles behind these processes. It’s a must-know field if you want to lead the transition to cleaner, more sustainable industrial systems and contribute to global goals like the United Nations’ SDG 13: Climate Action.

Areas of study: E6013 Master of Applied Engineering - Specialisation: Sustainable energy engineering E6013 Master of Applied Engineering - Specialisation: Decarbonisation and net zero

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Continuous assessment: 100% The assessments in this unit are designed to demonstrate the achievement of the advanced learning outcomes and standards expected of Master’s level coursework.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Evaluate carbon emission and capture technologies based on their impacts on society and the environment, while balancing legal, health, government policy and safety considerations.
2. Design innovative carbon utilisation processes by developing catalytic processes for converting CO2 into valuable products with a holistic consideration of economic factors, regulatory environment, health and safety.
3. Evaluate storage sites for securely storing captured carbon based on geological factors and capabilities in reservoir engineering, while considering environmental, legal, health and safety and government policy.

Workload

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.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.