Chemical Engineering

The standard of chemical engineering research at Heriot-Watt was rated the highest (4A) among the Scottish chemical engineering departments in the latest (2001) Research Assessment Exercise. This excellent reputation is gained through the hard work and innovation of our research community of 35 staff and students.

Our research has a strong experimental thrust, complemented by considerable expertise in computation and modelling. This work, in the main, falls under the heading of multiphase and process engineering, incorporating five specific topics:
  • biochemical engineering
  • molecular and interface engineering
  • multiphase process engineering
  • offshore oil and gas processing
  • particle technology
While committed to a wide range of process engineering issues, we recognise that sustainability is crucial to the continued success and viability of the chemical process industry. Consequently sustainable processing is a theme that underlies this broad range of research interests.

Our laboratory resources, instrumentation and computing equipment are excellent, and housed in purpose built facilities. We have strong links with industry and many projects have particular industrial relevance. Research funding is provided by the private sector, the UK research councils and the EU, while University scholarships and Overseas Research Students (ORS) funding are also available on a competitive basis.