MSc Programme
Sustainable Process &
Energy Technology
Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime
and Materials Engineering
Track
Industrial process and energy systems are
sustainable if they meet the needs of the
present generation without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own
demands. Sustainable industrial production is
only possible if future technologies use energy
and resources substantially more efficiently
while drastically reducing waste streams – or
even reuse waste as new primary material
resources. However, achieving sustainability in
the industrial realm can only be accomplished
by overcoming tough technical & fundamental
challenges: It requires the re-invention of
many industrial processes. The Mechanical
Engineering Master Track Sustainable Process
& Energy Technology (SPET) provides you with
the knowledge and tools to overcome these
challenges.
In the Mechanical Engineering Master Track SPET
students acquire theoretical knowledge, numerical and
experimental skills, and practical hands-on experience
to develop sustainable, innovative & next‑generation
energy and process technologies.
Master’s programme
A science to
ensure Industrial
Sustainability
An initial series of compulsory courses (26 EC) trains
the student in key basic disciplines such as fluid
dynamics, process modelling & simulation and
process equipment design.
The course Gas Turbines gives the student the
fundamental aspects of the working principle of
turbines: The horsepower in today’s electric generating
systems comes from turbines (see picture), which are
promoting delivery of reliable, affordable, diverse, and
environmentally sound energy. Heat and mass transfer
are the basis of process technologies such as distillation
processes. The courses Heat and Mass Transfer
Equipment give the student the fundamental basis in
order to design equipment for innovative separation
technologies. Fluid dynamics play an important role
in both process and energy technologies. The course
Advanced Fluid Dynamics gives the student an advanced level
in the understanding of fluid dynamics.
The obligatory courses guarantee a sound theoretical basis in
both process and energy engineering as well as in
sustainability. Another set of courses (12 EC) allows the
student to choose one of the two SPET specialisations Energy
Technology (ET) and Process Technology (PT). SPET has an
elective part of 22 EC which gives the student the opportunity
to acquire additional knowledge within but also outside the
fields of Sustainable Process & Energy Technology. The second
year of the master consists of an internship of 15 EC and a
graduation project of 45 EC.
Specialisations
Energy Technology (ET)
The objective of the SPET specialisation in Energy Technologies
is to develop a thorough understanding of energy conversion
and utilisation technologies. Students learn about state-of-theart analysis tools and apply them to study highly efficient,
environmentally friendly, integrated processes for the
production and utilisation of heat, power and secondary fuels
like hydrogen. Starting at a systems analysis level, students will
gain skills to apply their knowledge in sustainable nextgeneration processes. Courses include Energy Conversion, Gas
Turbines and Thermal Power Plants.
Process Technology (PT)
Students within SPET specialising in Process Technology
develop the knowledge and skills to systematically define,
design and optimise a variety of sustainable processes and
equipment. The specialisation focuses on such topics as the
design of innovative sustainable processes for the exploitation
of synergetic process combinations and the benefits of
miniaturised equipment and external energy fields. Students
will learn about the very latest, most advanced approaches to
process intensification and control. Courses include Advanced
Reaction & Separation Systems and Process Plant Design.
Career prospects
Most graduates find employment in process and energy related
jobs, for instance as a Project Engineer at Nuon, Design
Engineer at Tata Steel, Application Engineer at ExxonMobil,
Process Engineer at the Shell Pernis Refinery, Energy
Consultant at DWA, Energy Engineer at Tebodin, Process
Development Engineer at AkzoNobel. Other companies that
employ former SPET students are Cargill, DSM, Eneco,
Gusto Engineering, Kema, LyondellBasell, NEM Leiden,
Pricewaterhouse Coopers, the Royal Dutch Navy, Stork,
TNO and Unilever. A career in academia is a popular alternative.
In a few cases students have started their own high tech
businesses.
Curriculum Sustainable Process & Energy Technology
First year
1st semester
2nd semester
Advanced Fluid Dynamics (6EC)
Technology and Sustainability (3EC)
Gas Turbines (3EC)
Modeling of Process and Energy Systems (4EC)
Equipment for Heat Transfer (3EC)
World of SPET (1EC)
Equipment for Mass Transfer (3EC)
Process Plant Design (6EC)
Thermodynamics for Process & Energy (3EC)
Advanced Reaction & Separation processes (6EC)
Refrigeration (3EC)
Fluid Machinery (3EC)
Energy Conversion (3EC)
Computational Fluid Dynamics (3EC)
Thermal power plants (6EC)*
Second year
1st semester
Internship (15 EC)
Compulsory Courses
2nd semester
Master thesis project (45 EC)
Process Technology Specialisation
Energy Technology Specialisation
* Thermal power plants is an obligatory course for the specialization ET, from the other specialization courses at least 2 should be chosen.
For more information on all courses: www.studyguide.tudelft.nl.
Great ambiance within SPET
After my bachelor in Mechanical Engineering I chose for the master
track SPET. This is a decision with which I am still very pleased. The
first thing I noticed was the great ambience within SPET. The “SPET
Dispuut” has a huge share in this, with monthly activities and traditions
that go way back in time. They make sure that the SPET students get to
know each other, the professors and PhD’s within the Process & Energy
Department, but also the companies in the process & energy field.
From the beginning I have always worked together with my fellow master
students. The courses are challenging, but since everybody within the
department knows each other and works in the same building, it is easy
to find the right people when you have a problem. For me, the great
international reputation of the Process & Energy Department and its
staff was also a plus; thanks to this I had the chance to do my
internship at a highly innovative project in Italy. My task focussed on
the development of an air -conditioning system driven by the heat of the
sun. This system has the potential to provide the world with sustainable
air conditioning, how “cool” is that? Currently I am finishing up my
studies with a very interesting graduation project: I work on the design
of a plant in which harmful emission gas can be cleaned and reused in a
very efficient way. If it is successful, it can significantly contribute to a
cleaner process industry. In an environment where the demand for
sustainable process and energy technologies is continuously increasing,
I could not wish for a more relevant and challenging master than SPET.
Irene de Sera
Admissions requirements
For further information
BSc degree from a Dutch university
In most cases, if you hold a BSc degree and the Master’s
programme is closely related to your Bachelor’s
programme, you will be admitted directly into the
programme. However, if the Master’s programme does
not follow directly from your undergraduate
programme, you will be required to take additional
courses in what is called a bridging programme.
This may be a standard programme, or it may be
tailored to your specific situation. To see which
Master’s programmes are open to you on completion
of your Bachelor’s degree Dutch university, go to
www.doorstroommatrix.nl.
Application goes through Studielink: tudelft.studielink.nl
Degree from a Dutch university of
applied sciences (Dutch HBO)
An HBO Bachelor’s degree does not qualify you for
direct admission to a TU Delft Master’s degree
programme. To start a Master’s degree programme,
you will first need to complete a supplementary
programme in order to bring your knowledge to the
required level. You can do this during your HBO
programme by completing a bridging minor
(advantage: no study delay!), or by means of a
bridging programme after securing your HBO diploma.
Entrance requirements for mathematics and
English (some exceptions) apply for both the
bridging minor and the bridging programme.
See www.hbodoorstroom.tudelft.nl for detailed
information. Application goes through Studielink:
tudelft.studielink.nl
International applicants
To be considered for admission to a MSc Programme
you’ll need to meet TU Delft’s general admission
requirements.
1.A BSc degree (or a proof that you have nearly
completed a BSc programme) in a field closely
related to the MSc programme
2.A BSc Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of
at least 75% of the scale maximum
3.Proof of English language proficiency
A TOEFL score of at least 90 (internet-based test).
or IELTS (academic version) overall Band score of at
least 6.5.
For international students, the application period starts
in September and closes on 1 April. To start an MSc
application, fill in the online application and pay the
non-refundable application fee of €50. Then send hard
copies of the application documents to TU Delft’s
International Office. Please note that you should apply
early when you want to apply for a scholarship as well!
For more information about the application procedure
go to www.admissions.tudelft.nl.
Please visit the webpage for all details,
complete requirements, deadlines and
contactinformation: www.master.tudelft.nl.
Dr. Ir. J.H. ter Horst, Master Track Coordinator
E [email protected]
Further information for international applicants
International office 3mE
T +31 (0)15 27 82222
E [email protected]
Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials
Engineering
Mekelweg 2
2628 CD Delft
The Netherlands
www.facebook.com/TUDelft
@DelftUniversity