Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering of engineeringthat that deals with the application of physical of physical science(e.g., science(e.g., chemistry and physics physics), ), and life sciences (e.g.,biology (e.g.,biology,, microbiology and biochemistry biochemistry)) withmathematics withmathematics , to the process of converting rawmaterials rawmaterials or chemicals 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 [1] as nanotechnology nanotechnology,, fuel cells and biomedical engineering. engineering. Chemical engineering largely involves the design, improvement and maintenance of processes involving chemical or biological or biologicaltransformations transformations for largescale manufacture 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 process engineer . A related term with a wider definition is chemical technology. A person employed in this field is called a chemical engineer . Chemical engineering, as the name suggests, deals with the task of finding more efficient efficient and economical techniques to make the total cost of production production of the ende ndproduct financially viable. Its origin can be attributed to the need for making various intermediate intermediate processes in the mechanical engineering sector cost-effective
Chemical engineering - The Past In the early years of its inception, chemical engineering had little or minor part to play in the production processes. During this time, it was mainly concerned with inspection of a sample of the product by putting it through different operations of the procedure and observing the quality of the end-product attained. In other words, the chemical engineers engineers of those times were not any different from chemists. Their involvement was less because the volume of production was less due to low demand for products. The term µChemical Engineering¶ gained real significance during the time of industrial revolution, when the need for people who not only were aware of the chemical processes processes but also the factors needed to enhance the efficiency of the process was highlighted. Hence, the modern chemical engineer is mainly concerned
with the application of various scientific principles to the design and maintenance of different chemical processes for large scale manufacturing procedures.
Chemical engineering - The Present The main task of a chemical engineer is to apply either newly researched or wellestablished methods to the production processes so as to yield high savings. This means he is in charge of all the individual processes that make up the procedure and must ensure the cost-effectiveness of each and ev ery process. He is supposed to combine a few processes or separate them as required to attain costeffectiveness for the entire procedure.
Read on As it was mentioned earlier that chemical engineering was derived from mechanical engineering, the three main laws which govern chemical engineering were also derived from mechanical engineering. These three laws, the law of conservation of mass, the law of conservation of momentum and the law of conservation of energy have their roots in mechanical engineering.
Chemical engineering - The Future Though chemical engineering started out as a field of study related to various processes in the operation of industries and large scale manufacturing companies, it later spread out to many other areas of human importance. Today, chemical engineers are providing high quality services to aerospace, military, pharmaceuticals, and many other areas. They are also concerned with determining the right composition of fuel to be used in spacecrafts and missiles. Chemical engineering is however only one branch of engineering. Concise details about other branches of engineering can be found here.
The Duties and Responsibilities of a Chemical Engineer Category: Career Tracks Comments (0)
The Duties and Responsibilities of a Chemical Engineer The role that a chemical engineer plays in today¶s world is an important one to put it quite simply. There are many responsibilities which a chemical engineer must undertake on a daily basis and various specific duties which must be carried out as well. It is important to look at these items to determine why the role of chemical engineer is so important and whether one is suited for a job of this type.
What Is a Chemical Engineer? An individual who works as a chemical engineer is responsible for manufacturing chemicals and developing processes for doing so. The chemical engineer will also design chemical plant equipment as well. Some of the products which the chemical engineer is involved with developing may include rubber, plastic, gasoline, cement and paper, just to name a few.
General Responsibilities of a Chemical Engineer The chemical engineer is a person who has multiple job responsibilities under their charge. One who works as a chemical engineer must do a lot of research in the beginning to determine the best way of producing certain products. Along with researching the issues, the chemical engineer must design programs, machinery and processes which will allow the products to be manufactured. The chemicalengineer must also perform a multitude of tests along the way to ensure that everything is going
according to plan. Lastly, one who is a chemical engineer must consult with numerous individuals to ensure that their job is done to the best of their ability and the desired outcome is reached.
S pecific
Duties of a Chemical Engineer
Beneath all of the general responsibilities listed above, a chemical engineer must engage in numerous specific duties on a daily basis. The first duty which the chemical engineer is responsible for completing is research. The chemical engineer must take careful steps to ensure that what they are looking to manufacture and how they are looking to manufacture a product is the right avenue to pursue. The way to resolve this issue is by doing a lot of research on a variety of topics relating to chemical engineering. The chemical engineer is also responsible for designing a variety of items and this is a very important duty which they must complete. A chemical engineer must design various items such as measurement and control systems, chemical manufacturing equipment and chemical manufacturing processes. This is a major duty on the part of the chemical engineer and one which must be carried out with preciseness at all levels and stages. A chemical engineer must also engage in a wide array of analyses. The things which the chemicalengineer must analyze include test data, engineering design, design problems and research findings. The chemical engineer must take painstaking measures to adequately analyze these items as the outcome of the project could very well depend on the analysis which is undertaken by the chemical engineer. One who is an engineer must develop certain procedures and policies as well so that there will be smooth operations all the way around the board. Various procedures and policies such as safety procedures, data tables and employment policies may all be in the hands of the chemical engineer. A senior level chemical engineer will have more to do with regard to developing policies and procedures within the company or corporation.
The preparation of multiple reports is also in the hands of the chemical engineer. The chemical engineermust prepare data which specifically details the findings of certain tests and evaluations. These reports can be text or tables depending on the type of report which is needed. A chemical engineer will also deal with other individuals a great deal. The reason for doing so is to relay the results and findings as well as oversee other chemical engineers and related workers in their field. From time to time, chemical engineers must lecture to their peers and the general public regarding their job and role in society.
Beneficial
Attributes S hould Possess
Which
All
Chemical
Engineers
There are many positive attributes which chemical engineers should have in order to make their job role progress more smoothly. First and foremost, a chemical engineer must have a keen scientific mind. As chemistry, physics and engineering are all part of the daily job role of a chemical engineer, it is imperative that an individual who has this profession possesses a keen scientific mind. Superb analysis skills are necessary for a chemical engineer to possess if he/she wants to be the best in their field. There are so many documents, processes, diagrams, tables and equations which a chemicalengineer must analyze on a daily basis that it should be no shock that wonderful analysis skills are a must. A chemical engineer will also find it beneficial to have good research skills. Frequently a chemicalengineer will need to find out certain information regarding their projects and will have to perform quite a good deal of research in order to obtain the results that they need. This is why valid research skills are handy for a chemical engineer to possess. Another attribute which a chemical engineer should have is a precise nature. Anything that is scientific warrants preciseness by those working in this field. A chemical engineer is no different. Since
the chemical engineer is using various types of sciences to complete their job, it is important that they are precise. Not only will this make their job easier but it will also make it less likely that they make a mistake in the calculations and the final product as a result thereof. One who is a chemical engineer should be able to pay attention to detail. They need to be able to pick up on certain aspects of the engineering process and determine if something is working and if not, how they will fix it. By paying attention to detail and having this quality, a chemical engineer will find it easier to pick up on any potential problems which may occur along the way.
Conclusion One who is a chemical engineer will find that the role which they play is important and their work needs to be done as correctly as possible. If one is interested in pursuing a chemical engineer profession, they will find it valuable to consult the aforementioned items to see if this job is for them. In addition, if the interested party is good with details, precise in nature and has an excellent scientific mind, then obtaining a job as a chemical engineer might just be the best bet.