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Future Fuels and Petroleum (CHEN90027)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Dr Colin Scholes
Email: cascho@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Online |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
This subject will give an overview of petroleum and energy resources engineering, the technology and the economics.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
The subject will present details on the types of fossil fuels available (coal, oil, natural gas), the geology involved in their formation and the underlying chemistry for power generation. Aspects of petroleum reservoir engineering will be detailed, including exploration, well drilling and reservoir control. The subsequent petroleum product processing will be explained, including refinery and subsequent chemical processing, including the various usages of petroleum products. The combustion of fossil fuels for power generation will be described, with detailed analysis of carbon emissions and reduction strategies, including carbon capture and storage. This will also involve details on enhanced oil recovery. Future fuels that replace petroleum, including hydrogen and methanol, will also be presented in terms of their potential, chemical synthesis and usage. In addition, economics of power generation will be covered, in terms of cost of electricity and carbon accounting, along with health and safety, risk assessment and management and legal issues of petroleum engineering.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Assess the impacts of petroleum resource depletion, alternative fuels and carbon emissions, as well as analyse the range of measures that can be taken to reduce carbon emissions
- Design a preliminary process for petroleum extraction and subsequent refining, including evaluating available technology
- Estimate the cost of petroleum and fossil fuels, their impact on energy pricing and the environment
- Evaluate different petroleum and alternative fuel options and assess their viability into the future.
Generic skills
- In-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline
- Ability to use a systems approach to design and operational performance
- Understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the professional engineer and the need for sustainable development
- Understanding of the principles of sustainable design and development.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
CHEN30001 | Reactors and Catalysis | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
CHEN30005 | Heat and Mass Transport Processes | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
CHEN40003 Reactor Engineering (Prior to 2010)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Laboratory based assignment, time commitment of approximately 13-15 hours. Intended learning outcomes (ILOs) 2 to 4 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 7 | 15% |
Computer based assignment, time commitment of approximately 13-15 hours. Intended learning outcomes (ILOs) 2 to 4 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 10 | 15% |
Exam, closed book, 3 hours. Intended learning outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 4 are addressed in this assessment.
| End of semester | 70% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Online
Principal coordinator Colin Scholes Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 3 x 1 hour lectures + 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week + 1 x 6 hours of laboratory work per semester Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Dr Colin Scholes
Email: cascho@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Estimated 200 hours
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
Recommended texts and other resources
Rackley, S.A., 2010, Carbon Capture and Storage, Elsevier
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject will be delivered through a combination of lectures and tutorials.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Students will have access to lecture notes and lecture slides.
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
Speakers from industry are regular contributors to this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Engineering Course Ph.D.- Engineering Course Master of Energy Systems Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Specialisation (formal) Biochemical Specialisation (formal) Chemical with Business Specialisation (formal) Chemical - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024