Hands-on learning in the ABB control room.
Welcome to the Carbon Capture Pilot Plant
In today’s rapidly changing global industrial environment there is an increasing demand for high calibre chemical engineers with a deep understanding of process engineering, an appreciation of real world plant operations and the passion to engage in the global challenges of the 21st century such as energy and climate change.
Here at Imperial, in our ChemEng educational facility, we strive to address the increasing global demand for talented IChemE award-winning chemical engineers by developing dynamic young engineers using our new world-class teaching and research facilities, including one of the world's most advanced carbon capture pilot plants.
Carbon capture widget
Pilot Plant
Stretching over four floors, the carbon capture pilot plant is at the centre of the Department of Chemical Engineering, providing a fully hands-on discovery experience for students and researchers alike.
Built to the highest industrial standards, our plant is a core part of the training we provide to all our young chemical engineers. It typifies many of the features that graduates will encounter in the ‘real world’, and gives them skills that will be essential in their future careers.
Our futuristic carbon capture pilot plant is also a vital resource in the fight against climate change, demonstrating best practice in capturing and storing harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) before it can be released into the atmosphere.
We actively encourage leading industrial organisations to use our facility for research purposes, with the hope that one day the technology will be adopted on a much larger scale at power stations across the world, capturing CO2 emissions before they harm the planet.
ABB control room
The show-stopping ABB control room is the centre of the carbon capture pilot plant, giving students the opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge that will be crucial in their future careers.
Created as part of a new ten year strategic alliance with ABB, the state-of-the-art facility gives undergraduates the chance to control our industrial-standard Pilot Plant, learning key skills such as how to start up the facility, shut it down as well as operate it safely and efficiently.
As a result of this training, our students graduate from university with an unrivalled expertise, making them more employable in an increasingly competitive sector.
Tomorrow's technology...today
Advanced technology plays an important role in the ABB control room, and over two hundred ABB industrial instruments are installed in the pilot plant so that students can measure process critical variables such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, pH, liquid level, pump speed and motor speeds.
Several web cams are installed around the facility, with the feeds from these displayed on screens in the ABB control room alongside the main graphical process interface.
Students are encouraged to use Apple iPads® in the Pilot Plant, and with each device linked to the central console screens, they can refer to the plant’s schematics at the touch of a screen, as well as remotely control or monitor its operation in real time.
We host two exciting Summer schools, supported by an engaging and dynamic team. Visit our summer school page for more information.
The team
Dr Colin Hale
Course Leader
Colin also oversees all activities, commercial and non-commercial, in the Pilot Plant.
Email: c.hale@imperial.ac.uk
Clive Rodgers
Summer school lead
Email: c.rodgers@imperial.ac.uk
Telephone: +44(0) 7966 211916
Hannah Davy
Summer school administrator
Works closely with Clive to ensure the most effective experience.
Email: hannah.davy@imperial.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 6053
Dr Colin Hale
Colin also oversees all activities, commercial and non-commercial, in the Pilot Plant. Reach out in the first instance.
Email: c.hale@imperial.ac.uk