Chemical Engineering
Introduction
Chemical engineering is a branch of engineering that uses principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and economics to efficiently use, produce, design, transport and transform energy and materials. The work of chemical engineers can range from the utilization of nano-technology and nano-materials in the laboratory to large-scale industrial processes that convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells, microorganisms, and energy into useful forms and products.
History
Chemical engineering emerged upon the development of unit operations, a fundamental concept of the discipline of chemical engineering. Most authors agree that Davis invented unit operations if not substantially developed it. He gave a series of lectures on unit operations at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1887, enhancing an emerging discipline.
Principles
Chemical engineering involves the design and maintenance of chemical processes for large-scale manufacture. It involves the use of chemical reactors, control systems, and understanding of industrial processes to optimize production.
Thermodynamics
Chemical engineers use the principles of thermodynamics to analyze the energy efficiency of chemical reactions and processes. They use these principles to design energy-efficient systems and to predict the behavior of chemicals under different temperature and pressure conditions.
Fluid Mechanics
Fluid mechanics is the study of fluid flow and its effects on physical systems. Chemical engineers use fluid mechanics to design equipment and processes for the mass transfer of materials.
Heat Transfer
Heat transfer is the study of energy transfer due to temperature differences. Chemical engineers use the principles of heat transfer to design equipment for heating and cooling processes.
Mass Transfer
Mass transfer involves the movement of physical quantities from one area to another. Chemical engineers use the principles of mass transfer to design equipment and processes for the separation of chemicals.
Applications
Chemical engineering finds application in various industries such as chemical, pharmaceutical, food processing, petrochemical, and more.
Chemical Industry
In the chemical industry, chemical engineers work to design processes to produce, transform, and transport chemicals to the market.
Pharmaceutical Industry
In the pharmaceutical industry, chemical engineers are involved in drug production and development. They apply the principles of chemical engineering to design drug delivery systems, optimize production, and improve drug formulations.
Food Processing Industry
In the food processing industry, chemical engineers are involved in the production and development of food products and processes. They apply the principles of chemical engineering to improve food quality, optimize production, and develop innovative food products.
Education and Training
Chemical engineers typically hold a degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering. Practicing engineers may have professional certification and be members of a professional body. Such bodies include the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) or the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). A degree in chemical engineering is directly linked with all of the other engineering disciplines, to various extents.
Future Directions
Chemical engineering remains a vibrant and evolving discipline. The future of chemical engineering will involve novel applications and methodologies, such as nano-technology, alternative energies, and new materials.