Chemical Engineering

In the present scenario of scientific innovations, there are several fields wherein we can get acquainted. Engineering one of the most sought career fields which are owing to man’s innate nature of discovering new and fixing old objects. The engineering field is the application of math as well as science to bring innovations in design, operation and other aspects of the technology. There are a variety of branches of engineering. These are mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science engineering and chemical engineering and many more. Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering dealing with the study of the design and operation of chemical plants as well as methods of improving their production. Thus, chemical engineers are developing economical commercial processes for converting raw material into useful products.

About Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering is a popular branch of engineering in which the principles of chemistry, applied mathematics as well as applied physics are efficiently utilized to transform chemicals, matter, and energy. This also involves the biotechnology and microbiology fields of science. The major role of a chemical engineer is to design and maintain the projects by which raw materials and organic matter will be easily converted to other useful chemical products.

Actually, chemical engineers can conceive and design the processes for producing, transforming and transporting the materials. They are beginning with the experimentation in the laboratory and further followed by the implementation of the technology in full-scale production. In the current era of industrialization, chemical engineers are in great demand. This is due to the large number of industries which are depending on the synthesis and processing of chemicals and materials.

Due to fields like chemical, energy and oil industries, chemical engineers are enjoying increasing opportunities in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals as well as in environmental engineering. There the specific training of the chemical engineer is very essential in the areas where processes involve the chemical or physical transformation of matter.

There is no doubt that chemical engineers work to improve the quality of people’s lives. Many items of our daily life are requiring chemical engineers to produce them. Also, chemical engineers help to end starvation, disease and poverty.

Must Skill for Chemical Engineering

To become a successful chemical engineer, certain skills are a must for the ideal candidate. These are as follows:

1. The candidate needs to have a proper understanding of Mass Transfer. This is the core part of Chemical engineering. If someone wants to become a design engineer in this field, then it is mandatory to know the basics of equipment design.
2. The candidate needs to have the proper understanding of topics of mathematics such as Laplace Transforms etc. These concepts will come in handy while working on the designing and functioning of the control systems.
3. If a candidate is willing to get into operations, then they have to learn the topics like Chemical Process Technology, Fertilizer Technology.
4. Through an understanding of the periodic table and the concepts of chemical valencies of elements are a must for the candidates.
5. They must have a thorough understanding of Distillation, Drying, and Diffusion.
6. A typical chemical engineer must be well equipped with the units of the different physical quantities which come under several topics. Some of these are Heat Transfer. Mass Transfer, Fluid Flow and Thermodynamics.
7. In the present era of computers, all the above knowledge, some knowledge of programming will be the added qualification and skill.

Job Prospects

With chemical engineering in diverse field, there are many options for the candidate to find out which exact job would suit their fancy. Jobs that are directly relevant to a chemical engineering degree are as follows:

1. Product/process development scientist
2. Petroleum engineer
3. Nuclear engineer
4. Chemical engineer
5. Energy engineer

Also, there are many other fields where a candidate may apply knowledge. Some of these are as follows:

1. Quality manager
2. Production manager
3. Mining engineer
4. Materials engineer
5. Manufacturing engineer
6. Energy manager
7. Analytical chemist

Scope and Future of Chemical Engineering

With issues of global warming and pollution, the chemical engineering scope has never been higher. The world as well as society are awaiting chemical engineers who can bring forth new environment-friendly materials to reduce the impact of those actions on the planet. Also, there is always competition which is giving race on to improve the standard of living and technological innovations. These can always be aided by the chemical engineer.

Chemical engineers are working in various chemical industries. There they are investigating the creation of new polymeric materials with important electrical, optical or mechanical properties. It needs attention not only to the synthesis of the polymer but also to the flow and forming processes. These processes are necessary to create a final product.

Thus, a chemical engineer must have a comprehensive and quantitative understanding of both engineering and scientific principles. Due to this reason, the curriculum is being structured in such a way that it includes the study of applied mathematics, material and energy. It also balances the areas of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, energy and mass transfer, chemical reaction kinetics, reactor design etc with other branches of engineering. Thus chemical engineering is giving a solid foundation in the sciences of chemistry, physics and biology.

FAQs about Chemical Engineering

Q.1: What are some good institutes in India for chemical engineering course?

Answer: Some prestigious and popular institutes in India for chemical engineering courses are the Indian Institute of Technology i.e. IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati, IIT Varanasi; Birla Institute of Technology and Science; and Delhi Technological University.

Q.2: Is chemical engineering a hard branch of engineering?

Answer: Chemical engineering branch is undeniably challenging. As it involves a lot of physics and maths and hence it is likely to involve a high number of exams at the degree level. Thus, whether someone is studying for a BE or ME degree, they must start the degree with core chemical engineering courses. Thus we may say that this branch of engineering is well in demand for talent and skill.

Q.3: Chemical engineers work in the Energy sector only. Is it true?

Answer: Chemical engineers work in the Energy sector on the major level. But, it is not the only domain. Actually, it is true that a lot of chemical engineers are working in the area of energy such as oil and gas, nuclear power, renewables, etc. Also, the energy challenge is one of the biggest challenges facing mankind so it is only natural that its need and impact must be reflected in areas of employment. But there are many other key domains impacting our world today, like health & well-being, food & drink and water-based sectors where chemical engineering is proving its need and base.

Q.4: What are the career aspects of chemical engineering?

Answer: Chemical engineers are having many career opportunities. A graduate might perform ground-breaking scientific research as well as a field engineer. Also, they may occupy a senior management position. Graduates employed by MNCs often travel all over the world. Chemical engineering graduates can go on to successful careers in finance, consultancy or scientific journalism also.