Chemical Engineering : Introduction
Over the years with the great expansion of scientific knowledge, the
basis of applying science particularly chemistry to develop technology
has increased tremendously. This has lead to the development of the profession
of chemical Engineering.
Chemical Engineering involves the design and maintenance of chemical
plants and the development of chemical processes for converting raw materials
or chemicals into valuable forms including those to remove chemicals from
waste materials, to enable large-scale manufacture. It combines knowledge
of Chemistry and Engineering for the production of chemicals and related
by-products. This branch of engineering is a varied field, covering areas
from biotechnology and nanotechnology to mineral processing. It covers
various fields of chemical technology in mineral based industries, petrochemical
plants, pharmaceuticals, synthetic fibres, petroleum refining plants etc.
Chemical engineers design and operate chemical plants and improve methods
of production.
Chemical Engineering is the apt career for those who have an aptitude
and interest to work with chemicals. However Chemical Engineering
is different from chemical technology. The former is concerned with the
designing, supervision, construction, installation and operation of plants
and equipments for manufacturing chemical products and developing new
methods of production while the latter deals with the actual production
of substances with new properties which require new methods of production
in the fields of petroleum refining, fertilizer technology, processing
of food and agricultural products, paints and dyes; recycling metals,
glass and plastics; cosmetics, mineral based industries and prevention
and control of environmental hazards.
The work of Chemical Engineers, the most versatile of all engineers,
involve the invention, development, design, operation and management of
processes in industries. So they combine the work of several fields such
as those of chemists, industrial engineers, materials engineers as well
as electrical engineers. Chemical engineers are responsible for the availability
of modern high-quality materials that are essential for running an industrial
economy. They design equipments and operate chemical plants as well
as determine the problems and find the best methods of production.
The scope for chemical engineers is tend to grow in future due to industrial
expansion and the related scarcity of resources needed. They may be demand
as they work to create synthetic replacements for those natural materials
and resources that are in short supply. Overall chemical engineers could
make very important contributions for the improvement and maintenance
of the quality of life.
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