Department of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering

The Department of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering currently runs programmes leading to the Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech.), Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master of Technology (M.Tech.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degrees. These programmes are concerned with transmission of knowledge and concepts in science and technology and are primarily aimed at producing Chemical and Petrochemical Engineers who would function immediately and effectively in government and industry in the planning, reactor design, construction, modeling, simulating, optimizing and management of facilities serving the needs of society.

The B.Tech. Programme runs for duration of five years, consisting of nine semesters of study in the University, one semester and two long vacation periods (12 months) of compulsory practical training in laboratory, workshop and industry. The programme was approved by the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) after the first visitation in 1984, and also had accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 1990. The first batch of the 30 students of the Bachelor Degree programme in Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering graduated in 1985; and to date over 1000 students have graduated from the B. Tech. Programme. An intermediate level technicians’ programme leading University Diploma (UD.) was phased out with the establishment of the River State Polytechnic, Bori in 1987.

Petroleum and Gas Engineering Programme was introduced into the Department in 1995. Consequently the name of the Department was modified to “Department of Chemical and Petrochemical and Petroleum Engineering”. In the year 2014, the department of Petroleum Engineering was separated from Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering by the Senate. The Petroleum Engineering Department is fully accredited by NUC and COREN and is operating on its own. The Department has five Laboratories namely: Unit Operations Laboratory, Analysis Laboratory, Petroleum General Laboratory, Chemical Kinetics Laboratory and Petroleum Engineering Laboratory. There is also a well equipped Mechanical Engineering Workshop servicing our Department, consisting of a Machine Shop, Foundry Section, Sheet Metal Section, Wood-Work Section, and Plant Maintenance/Automobile Section. The Workshop is run by 5 Technologists/Senior Technicians and Craftsmen.

Considerable effort has been made during the past 32 years to strengthen the Department in terms of the quality of programmes, number and quality of staff, facilities and equipment. The Department has been involved in a variety of research programmes. Individual research projects and collaborative research are mainly in the areas of Petroleum and Petrochemical Processing, Industrial Chemistry and Thermodynamics, Process Modelling, Control and Dynamics, Chemical Kinetics/Catalysis and Reactions and Reactor Design, Unit Operations and Process Design, General Engineering, Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Seminar and Project. The emphasis is to develop appropriate technology, aimed at finding solutions to problems of local interest. The number of research publications of staff has increased considerably over the years.  

The Department of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering is noted for providing outstanding consultancy services. The University has benefited from these services in many of her developmental efforts. Being located in a major industrial centre, the Department has enjoyed the patronage of many industrial organizations in and around River State, especially in the areas of environmental pollution control, crude oil testing and characterisation. Indeed, the department is unique in making enormous and enviable contributions towards the consultancy efforts of the University. 

Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering is a very diverse profession that finds application in many knowledge areas such as science, technology, finance, management and ICT. In Science, there are applications in areas from Biology to Chemistry and Mathematics and Engineering Science. The skills needed in process industries even in cutting edge ones such as Environment, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, etc. are found in chemical engineers. These industries depend on chemical engineers to make their products and processes a reality. From the foundation of the sciences, a core expertise in engineering is developed in areas such as thermodynamics, transfer and separation processes, chemical reaction, process modelling and simulation. To be equipped for the challenges of the 21st Century complex and real- national and world problems, chemical engineers must develop engineering problem-solving skills, strong synthetic and analytical skills. The modern-day chemical engineer must thus find relevance in the application of these knowledge and skills to create innovative solutions to the 21st Century industrial and societal problems in areas such as environmental responsibilities, clean energy sources, sustainable system, and discovery, processing and production of new materials and products. The vision and mission of the Department are as stated below:

• Vision

To produce graduates that will possess practical and theoretical Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering knowledge to design, operate, control, transform material and manage resources excellently. 

• Mission

To provide high quality Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering education and research with a strong practical content and sound engineering base and to equip graduates with global best practices.

Programme Educational Objectives (PEOs)

The Programme Educational Objectives (PEOs) for the Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering programme define the long-term career and professional achievements that graduates of the program are expected to attain within a few years of graduation (3-5 years). These objectives align with industry needs, technological advancements, and societal expectations. Therefore, in 3 – 5 years after graduation, the graduates of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering should have consistently:

PEO 1 – provide the students with fundamental understanding of the basic principles underlying the operations of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering plants and processes;

PEO 2 – model, analyze, simulate, optimize, design and control Chemical and Petrochemical processes

PEO 3 – instill in the students the capacity for entrepreneurship to establish and operate independent micro-enterprises

PEO 4 – operate, maintain and service Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering plants

PEO 5 – develop in the student the spirit of enquiry, teamwork and management of human and material resources;

PEO 6 – apply safety measures, hazard analysis and pollution control in Chemical and Petrochemical plants and the environment of the operating systems.

Programme Outcomes (POs)

The Programme Outcomes (POs) represent the goals that students are expected to achieve upon graduating from the Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering Programme at Rivers State University. Upon completion of the programme, graduates are expected to demonstrate the following POs as an engineering programme accredited by COREN;

The specific outcomes of the programme are to:

PO 1 – Engineering Knowledge

proficiently apply principles of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering alongside core knowledge in mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering fundamentals—to the design, operation, and maintenance of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering systems and facilities;

PO 2 – Problem Analysis

critically identify, model, and analyse complex engineering problems encountered in Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering  systems using fundamental principles of mathematics, physics, and engineering, supported by computer-aided tools and experimental data, with the aim of generating optimal and durable engineering solutions;

PO 3 – Design/Development of Solutions

produce innovative and economically viable design solutions tailored to the needs of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering and oil and gas industries, security agencies, and governmental institutions—while preparing and interpreting detailed designs, manufacturing, and assembly procedures in line with environmental, regulatory, societal, and operational considerations;

PO 4 – Investigation

conduct comprehensive investigations into Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering challenges by integrating experimental design, data acquisition, and synthesis of technical information—while equipping students to develop critical reasoning, sound judgement, and the responsibility required for informed engineering decisions;

PO 5 – Modern Tool Usage

enable the selection and application of modern engineering tools—including computer-aided design HYSYS simulation, and analysis software—for solving complex problems in Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering, while recognising the strengths and limitations of such tools in real-world Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering operations;

PO 6 – The Engineer and Society

apply interdisciplinary knowledge, including legal, cultural, health, safety, and social perspectives, to assess the implications of engineering practices within the Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering sector, fostering a responsible and community-oriented approach to engineering problem-solving and policy implementation;

PO 7 – Environment and Sustainability

foster a deep understanding of the environmental impact of engineering decisions in Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering contexts, encouraging sustainable design, energy efficiency, and responsible use of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering resources, in alignment with national development goals and global climate commitments;

PO 8 – Ethics

instil ethical conduct, professional integrity, and compliance with regulatory frameworks, including national codes and standards by COREN, and NSCHE while promoting the advancement of indigenous technologies for improved local problem-solving and resource optimisation;

PO 9 – Individual and Team Work

develop the ability to function effectively as both a team leader and a contributing member in multidisciplinary teams, particularly in collaborative Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering projects, while demonstrating initiative, accountability, and the capacity to manage personnel and technical assets efficiently;

PO 10 – Communication

train students to clearly and professionally communicate engineering ideas and complex technical concepts through oral presentations, engineering documentation, and technical reports, enabling effective collaboration with stakeholders, professionals, and non-technical audiences in the Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering industry;

PO 11 – Project Management and Finance

build capacity in managing financial resources, hardware, software, and personnel in Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering projects, while applying sound project management principles for the planning, execution, and leadership of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering operations, including maintenance and lifecycle support for Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering systems; and

PO 12 – Lifelong Learning

cultivate the habit of continuous self-development and lifelong learning, empowering students with entrepreneurial and human capacity-building skills necessary for adaptive leadership, professional growth, and sustainable socioeconomic development in an evolving global Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering industry.

Departmental Courses

Additional Departmental Courses

Emmanuel Odianyegbuhua Ehirim is a distinguished scholar and professional engineer in the field of Chemical Engineering Processes. He obtained his Engineering degrees both from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) now Rivers State University (RSU) and the Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil where he obtained his Masters and Doctor of Philosophy both in Chemical and Petrochemical  Engineering.

Professor E. O. Ehirim is currently the Head of Department of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering and at the Post Graduate level, he teaches Numerical Methods and Analysis and Research Methods and Skills. At the undergraduate level, he lectures: Introduction to Chemical Engineering and Chemical Engineering Technology.

He has served the Faculty of Engineering and the Department in several Administrative capacities including: secretary of the Faculty of Engineering Postgraduate Programme (a role he held for over five years) and Postgraduate Cordinator of the Department of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering.

With over fifteen years of industrial experience, Professor E. O. Ehirim worked as a Process Engineer at the then National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON) Limited now Notore Chemical Industries Plc where he contributed significantly to the startup of the Urea plant following advanced training with Stami-Carbon BV in Netherlands.

Professor E. O. Ehirim is a registered Professional Engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). He is also a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE), Rivers/Bayelsa Chapter where he currently serve as the Vice Chairman. His research interest include:

• Mathematical modelling of Chemical Processes
• Electrochemical reactors for industrial effluent treatment
• Bioremediation of hydrocarbon-polluted environments
• Design and optimization of chemical engineering processes

Professor E. O. Ehirim is committed to advancing knowledge in Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering, mentoring young engineers and contributing to industrial and environmental sustainability through research and innovation. He has Numerous Publications. He is happily married and blessed with three children.