| Core
technology groups |
Key
research activities |
Catalysis/
Catalytic Processes
top |
Research
Focus
- Catalysts design
and synthesis
- Catalytic process chemistry
- Enhanced yield and product selectivities
- Characterisation,
modelling and surface-structure correlation studies
- Characterisation of novel catalysts
- Simulation and modelling of
catalytic processes
- Clearer structure/function
relationships
- Catalytic process
development and chemical recovery
- Advanced reactor design, reactor
modelling and optimisation
- Novel process for pharmaceutical homochiral
drugs
- Chemical
recovery
|
Upstream
programme/collaboration
- Homogeneous catalysis (Metallocene
catalysis) - under formulation
- Heterogeneous catalysis (Nanosized
catalytic materials) - under formulation
|
Industry
collaboration projects
-
Synthesis of novel catalysts
-
Development of methane upgrading
-
Optimisation of catalyst efficiency
|
Process
Systems Engineering
top |
Research
Focus
- Optimisation
tools and techniques
- Modelling,
simulation and application
- Logistics,
planning and scheduling
- Performance
monitoring
- Alarm management
- Abnormal event detection and
operator decision support
- Data mining approach to develop
process knowledge
- Modelling and
inferential control
- Information and
data handling
- Batch process systems
- Process
reengineering
|
Upstream
programme/collaboration
- Alarm management
- Hybrid models and fault diagnosis
- Batch process systems
|
Industry
collaboration projects
-
Computer-aided Master Planner for chemical batch operations
-
Improving the performance of air-coolers in a refinery
-
Improving the management of process transitions and multiple plant
operating modes in process operations
-
Process simulation of Dibasic Esters distillation
-
Efficiency analysis of steam system
-
Optimisation of chemical manufacturing process through identification of
critical parameters
|
Safety,
Health and Environmental Science & Technology
top |
Research
Focus
- Process and reliability
studies
- Process safety & reliability
fundamentals
- Process safety technology
- Process safety assessment service
- Industrial hygiene and
environmental study
- Health and environment risk
assessment
- Ergonomics, chemical hazard and
epidemiology
- Waste minimisation and treatment
technology
- Computerisation and
modelling of risk analysis
- Development and improvement of risk
analysis technology
- Computerisation of risk analysis
technology
|
Upstream
programme/collaboration
- Process safety assessment lab
- High pressure complex
|
Industry
collaboration projects
- Development of an integrated SHE (safety, health and
and environment) methodology
-
Development of an expert system to manage alarms generated in a DCS
(Distributed Control System)
- Wastewater denitrification process
studies
|
Separation
and Particulate Science & Technology
top |
Research
Focus
- Separation and
purification
- Improved process performance and
yield
- Development of novel separation and
purification processes
- Particulate
characteristic
- Particulate characterisation, eg
particle size distribution, density & concentration
- Powder conveying, eg pneumatic
transport
- Particulate
systems modelling
- Powder mixing
- Fluid/ particle separation eg
filtration, centrifugation
- Fluidisation
- Crystallisation
|
Upstream
programme/collaboration
- Chiral separation of racemic drugs:
Processes and Development
- Pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals:
Innovation and Development
- Integrated liquid chromatography -
electrophoresis technique for chiral separation
|
Industry
collaboration projects
-
New separation process using membranes
-
Improvements of Solids Mixing Processes in chemical plant
|
