Introduction to

Chemical Engineering
Dr. Neetu Singh
Department of Chemical Engineering
Thapar University, Patiala

Introduction to Chemical Engineering

1/9/2015

Chemical engineering is the profession in which

a knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, and

other

natural

experience,

sciences

and

practice

gained
is

by

applied

study,
with

judgment to develop economic ways of using

materials and energy for the benefit of mankind.

Introduction to Chemical Engineering

1/9/2015

What is Chemical Engineering?

Our modern society relies on the work of Chemical Engineers they help
manage resources, protect the environment and control health and safety
procedures, while developing the processes that make the products we desire
or depend on
Chemical Engineering is all about
changing raw materials into useful
products you use everyday in a
safe and cost effective way. For
example petrol, plastics and
synthetic fibres such as
polyester and nylon,
all come from oil.

Introduction to Chemical Engineering

1/9/2015

Biochemical Engineering, a more recent offshoot of

Chemical Engineering, uses the very latest
technology to produce pharmaceuticals and foods.

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Introduction to Chemical Engineering

1/9/2015

What do Chemical Engineers do?

Chemical Engineers play a crucial role in everyday life.
Chemical Engineers are involved in the design, modification and operation of
processes to produce desirable products. They are employed across a huge
variety of sectors including:
Chemical and allied products

Materials

Energy

Water

Oil & Gas

Process Plant &Equipment

Biotechnology

Food & Drink pharmaceuticals

Business and Management

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Introduction to Chemical Engineering

1/9/2015

What makes a good Chemical

Engineer?
Chemical Engineers need to be problem solvers, who enjoy science and
maths. They must be looking for a challenge and be excited by a
degree choice that will help them develop a wide range of skills
including
Specialist scientific
knowledge
Project management
Resource management
Health & Safety
Team Work

Communication skills
Leadership skills
IT
Business & legal
knowledge

All skills which are highly valued by employers, even outside the
chemical engineering industry
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Introduction to Chemical Engineering

1/9/2015

Chemical Engineers must make decisions concerning:

Which reaction pathway should be used to make the

product?

How to purify the desired product?

How to control the process and ensure it is safe?

How to make the process cost effective?

What should be done with any by-products formed?

How to reduce the amounts of unwanted by-products

formed?

What to do with un-reacted raw materials?

How to recycle energy within the process?

Introduction to Chemical Engineering

1/9/2015

Projects

Engineer

Project

engineers

organise and run projects for engineering

companies,

this

can

be

anything

from

managing a small modification to an existing

pharmaceutical facility to building a multibillion dollar petrochemicals complex.
Introduction to Chemical Engineering

1/9/2015

Operations Engineer - Operations engineers work

"on site". This means that they spend their time

ensuring that the plant is producing the right

amount of product to the correct specification.

Introduction to Chemical Engineering

1/9/2015

Research and Development Engineer (R&D) The

R&D

engineer

is

innovative

and

creative. They develop the ideas for future

plants, improving efficiency, environmental
performance

and

even

developing

new

products.

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1/9/2015

10

Food processing engineer

Senior Consultant in the pharmaceutical industry

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11

The role that a chemical engineer plays in todays

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.

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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.
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The chemical engineer 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.

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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.

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chemical

measurement

engineer
and

must

control

design
systems,

various

items

chemical

such

as

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 chemical engineer 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.

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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 engineer must prepare data which specifically details

the findings of certain tests and evaluations.

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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.

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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.
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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
chemical engineer must analyze on a daily
basis that it should be no shock that
wonderful analysis skills are a must.

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A chemical engineer will also find it beneficial to

have good research skills.

Frequently a chemical engineer 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.

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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.

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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.
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