By: Dr.R.W.Gaikwad
Department of Chemical Engineering
What is Chemical Engineering?
Chemical Engineering is a 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 & economics, to convert raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms. In addition to producing useful products, modern Chemical Engineering also focuses on developing new materials and techniques.
Chemical Engineering influences numerous areas of technology. In broad terms, Chemical Engineer is responsible from conception to designing of processes for production, transformation and transportation of materials. This activity begins with experimentation in the laboratory and is followed by implementation of the technology to full-scale production.
Role and Scope of Chemical Engineering:
Chemical Engineering deals with the designing, improvements in and maintenance of processes involved in chemical or biological transformations for large-scale manufacturing of products. A Chemical Engineer ensures that the processes are operated safely, sustainably and economically. She is responsible for the availability of modern, high-quality materials that are essential for running an industrial economy. All engineers employ mathematics, physics, and engineering to overcome technical problems in a safe and economical fashion. However, the Chemical Engineer draws upon the vast and powerful science of chemistry to solve a wide range of problems. The interconnectedness between Chemistry and Chemical Engineering benefit both sides for invention of new materials as well as development of innovative products and processes.
Chemical Engineer designs equipment and operates chemical plants as well contributes to the development of new and more efficient methods of production. She also determines their usefulness and applicability.
As a Process Safety Engineer, Chemical Engineer ensures safety of workers and communities by conducting safety analyses of equipment, and training the employees on how to operate an equipment. Chemical Engineer can work as an Environmental Engineer and help recover usable materials and reduce waste generation during production. A Chemical Engineer designs air pollution control system and wastewater treatment plants, waste storage and treatment facilities, and soil and groundwater conservation systems. Chemical Engineer monitors all systems in a facility for compliance with environmental regulations. In the field of quality control, Chemical Engineer ensures that quality standards are maintained to meet specific properties of a product.
The study of Chemical Engineering equips students with a vast amount of knowledge and skills that are significantly useful in different fields. The beauty of the subject is it derives knowledge from multiple sciences and uses it develop innovative products. Thus, enabling students for a rewarding career.
Future of Chemical Engineer:
Chemical Engineering affects our day to day life in various ways. It is involved in production of many of the products we use from the sunrise to the sunset such as toothpastes, hair oil, soaps, detergents, paints, edible oil, sugar, drinking mineral water, wines, medicines, papers, dyes, plastics, polymers as well as petrol, diesel, kerosene, CNG, LPG, etc.
The prices and availability of these products determine the quality and sometimes, possibility of lives in different parts of the world. Chemical Engineering plays in instrumental role in determining both. Thus, the importance of Chemical Engineer is only going rise in the future to improve the quality of human and other lives on the planet.
Following is the list of industries where Chemical Engineer can work
