Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the application of physical science (e.g., chemistry and physics), and life sciences (e.g., biology, microbiology and biochemistry) with mathematics , to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms. In addition to producing useful materials, modern chemical engineering is also concerned with pioneering valuable new materials and techniques - such as nanotechnology, fuel cells and biomedical engineering. Chemical engineering largely involves the design, improvement and maintenance of processes involving chemical or biological transformations for large-scale manufacture. Chemical engineers ensure the processes are operated safely, sustainably and economically. Chemical engineers in this branch are usually employed under the title of process engineer. A related term with a wider definition is chemical technology. A person employed in this field is called a chemical engineer.
Applications
Chemical engineering is applied in the manufacture of a wide variety of products. The chemical industry has a large scope, manufacturing inorganic and organic industrial chemicals, ceramics, fuels and petrochemicals, agrochemicals (fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides), plastics and elastomers, oleochemicals, explosives, detergents and detergent products (soap, shampoo, cleaning fluids), fragrances and flavors, additives, dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals. Closely allied or overlapping disciplines include wood processing, food processing, environmental technology, and the engineering of petroleum, glass, paints and other coatings, inks, sealants and adhesives. Other applications of a chemical engineers knowledge include the vital Bosch-Haber process. This falls under the term ‘process engineer’ mentioned before and the process yields chemical ammonia used in fertilizers, explosive, nylon, and plastics. A variety of substances found in everyday life have been made under the supervision of a chemical engineer.
Modern chemical engineering
The modern discipline of chemical engineering encompasses much more than just process engineering. Chemical engineers are now engaged in the development and production of a diverse range of products, as well as in commodity and specialty chemicals. These products include high performance materials needed for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, electronic, environmental, space and military applications. Examples include ultra-strong fibers, fabrics, dye-sensitized solar cells, adhesives and composites for vehicles, bio-compatible materials for implants and prosthetics, gels for medical applications, pharmaceuticals, and films with special dielectric, optical or spectroscopic properties for opto-electronic devices. Additionally, chemical engineering is often intertwined with biology and biomedical engineering. Many chemical engineers work on biological projects such as understanding biopolymers (proteins) and mapping the human genome. The line between chemists and chemical engineers is growing ever more thin as more and more chemical engineers begin to start their own innovation using their knowledge of chemistry, physics and mathematics to create, implement and mass produce their ideas.
Personal Skills : A successful chemical engineer must posses strong technical ability and high motivation. Excellent analytical, communication and teamwork skills is a necessity and the candidate should be hardworking, good at organizing and solving problems. It is also necessary to like working with tools, drawing sketches of complex things and operations, and conceptualising forms and structures. Good computer skill is also essential as they use computer technology to optimize all phases of research and production. As the knowledge and duties of chemical engineers overlap many fields, they must be aware of all aspects of chemicals manufacturing and how it affects the environment, the safety of workers and customers.
Job Prospects & Career Options
Since Chemical engineering is a vast field, the job prospectus and career options of a chemical engineer is varied and different. Chemical engineers play a key role in industries, mostly in the manufacturing field. Their work area varies from petroleum and petrochemicals to food, materials, specialty chemicals, plastics, power production, environmental control, waste management and biotechnology.
As it is a varied field Chemical engineers could specialise in a particular chemical processess such as oxidation or polymerisation or in a specific product such as plastic or rubber. Besides designing equipments and plants, testing manufacturing processes and supervising production; they also study the properties and effects of dangerous chemicals, device process of neutralising them and also on the development acceptable substitutes. As such their work can be dangerous.
Wide employment opportunities await chemical engineers both in the public sector as well as the private sector. They can seek jobs in areas such as processing, operations or manufacturing, research and development
, design and construction, finance and teaching. They may also pursue a management degree after B.Tech and take on marketing jobs. Candidates with an additional management degree are sought by private industries. In process industries they could work in positions such as a supervisor or manager, technical specialist, project manager or project engineers.
Among the manufacturing industries, pharmaceuticals provide the best opportunities for chemical engineers. In the government sector, chemical engineers are employed to solve environmental problems such as waste and water treatment, environmental regulations and recycling; on energy sector such as energy conservation and research on alternate energy sources and health-related research projects, defense establishments and atomic power plants. They are also employed in service industries such as scientific research and development services, particularly in energy and the developing fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology.
Other work areas of chemical engineers include food processing, coal preparation and mineral processing, explosives manufacturing, chemical process industries such as fertiliser industry, including pesticides and herbicides, caustic soda, glass and specialty chemicals, dyes and dyestuff, paint, lubricants, steel and aluminum production. They are also employed in a variety of manufacturing industries other than chemical manufacturing, such as those producing electronics, photographic equipment, clothing, pulp and paper and even in the development of aircrafts.
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