Centre for Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Engineering, UniPort

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemical Operations

  • 24 Calendar Months (Full Time)
  • 48 Calendar Months (Part Time)
Aim
Programme Aim

The aim of this PhD programme in Gas, Refining and Petrochemicals Operations is to provide graduates with broad-based training required for sound knowledge, skills and expertise in gas processing, crude oil refining and petrochemical production operations.

Programme Objectives

The objectives of this programme are to develop students’ abilities to:

a. Develop different energy strategies and plans to sustainably utilise fossil fuels in the global energy mix, and apply adequate economic and contractual knowledge to address technical challenges in the petrochemical and natural gas industry.

b. Analyse and evaluate hydrocarbon chemistry and the sequence of crude oil processing operations, including crude oil distillation, refinery equipment and flow sheets. Also, co-create energy recovery networks for case studies on refinery and petrochemical operations.

c. Conduct technical and economic evaluations of catalytic reforming processes and units for improved product yield. Apply in-depth knowledge of process unit operations to design, analyse and evaluate heat exchangers. Develop an in-depth understanding of reaction systems, including process flow and control, corrosion and equipment maintenance, for technical improvement. Also, apply knowledge of process modelling and simulation to improve refinery and petrochemical systems.

d. Develop advanced skills and competencies in project management, process system optimisation, energy economics and supply chain management, entrepreneurship, and business theories and models.

 
Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the PhD programme in Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Engineering Operations, applicants must fulfil the following requirements:

i. Satisfy the general University requirements for admission into PhD programmes.

ii. Possess a Master’s degree in Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Engineering or related disciplines acceptable to the Centre, such as Chemical Engineering, Gas Engineering, Petrochemical Engineering or Petroleum Engineering, with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale or a minimum score of 60% (B) from a recognised university.

iii. Successfully complete a proposal presentation and admission interview conducted by the Centre.

Programme Duration

The programme shall last for a minimum of 24-calendar months (2 years) and maximum of 48-calendar months (4 years) of full-time study, or a minimum of 48-calendar months (4 years) and a maximum of 72-calendar months (6 years) of part-time study.

Graduate Requirements:

The PhD programme in Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Engineering consists of coursework and a thesis. The degree is awarded primarily on the basis of research conducted by the student, after fulfilling the general University requirements for programmes leading to the PhD degree. The following specific conditions apply:

a. Coursework Requirements

Upon provisional admission, candidates are required to pass the prescribed taught courses to continue in the PhD programme. All candidates must take the compulsory general courses and other courses relevant to their areas of specialisation. Where necessary, the Centre may advise candidates to audit additional relevant courses.

b. Completion of Academic Requirements

To qualify for the award of the PhD degree, candidates must successfully complete and pass all prescribed courses, submit and defend their thesis, and fulfil other requirements of the School of Graduate Studies (SGS).

c. Seminar Participation

Every PhD student is expected to participate in seminars and present at least three seminar papers to the Centre during the course of their research.

d. Publications and Conference Attendance

Candidates must publish at least two technical papers, with at least one published in the Unique Graduate Journal of SGS. Candidates are also required to attend at least two conferences.

e. Thesis Presentation and Defence

Upon completion of the research work, candidates are required to submit and present a thesis based on their research findings. The thesis must be presented in the following order:

i. Academic Board of the Centre;

ii. Faculty Graduate Board; and

iii. School of Graduate Studies.

Following the seminar presentations and successful completion of the required academic reviews, candidates must undergo an oral external defence before a Board of Examiners constituted in accordance with the regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.

f. Award of Degree

The PhD degree is awarded upon satisfactory performance in the oral examination and fulfilment of all University and Centre requirements.

 
Table 1: List of Courses
S/N Course Code Course Title Unit
1 RPE 901 Research Methods 3
2 RPE 902 Energy/Environmental/Project & Safety Policy 3
3 RPE 903 Advanced Oil and Gas Industry Management 3
4 RPE 904 Advanced Gas Processing / Advanced Refining Operation / Advanced Petrochemical Operation 3
5 RPE 905 Seminar I 3
6 RPE 906 Seminar II 3
7 RPE 907 Seminar III 3
8 RPE 908 PhD Thesis 6
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Begin your PhD academic journey in Gas, Refining and Petrochemicals at the University of Port Harcourt.

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