What is a chemical engineer?

Chemical engineering is the 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, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms. In addition to producing useful materials, modern chemical engineering is also concerned with pioneering valuable new materials and techniques - such as nanotechnology, fuel cells and biomedical engineering.

Chemical engineering largely involves the design, improvement and maintenance of processes involving chemical or biological transformations for large-scale manufacture. Chemical engineers ensure the processes are operated safely, sustainably and economically. Chemical engineers in this branch are usually employed under the title of process engineer. A related term with a wider definition is chemical technology. A person employed in this field is called a chemical engineer.

Chemical engineering basically is applied chemistry. It is the branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction, and operation of machines and plants that perform chemical reactions to solve practical problems or make useful products.

Like all engineers, chemical engineers use math, physics, and economics to solve technical problems. The difference between chemical engineers and other types of engineers is that they apply a knowledge of chemistry in addition to other engineering disciplines. Chemical engineers sometimes are called 'universal engineers' because their scientific and technical mastery is so broad.

What do chemical engineers do for a living?

Some chemical engineers make designs and invent new processes. Some construct instruments and facilities. Some plan and operate facilities. Chemical engineers have helped develop atomic science, polymers, paper, dyes, drugs, plastics, fertilizers, foods, petrochemicals... pretty much everything.

They devise ways to make products from raw materials and ways to convert one material into another useful form. Chemical engineers can make processes more cost effective or more environmentally friendly or more efficient. As you can see, a chemical engineer can find a niche in any scientific or engineering field.

Chemical Engineers use three physical laws to their advantage: Conservation of mass, momentum and energy. These are the basis for all calculations done in chemical engineering. The dynamics of mass and energy around a chemical process are evaluated using mass and energy balances. These fundamentals are found in the fields of thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, transport and other mathematical subjects.

Chemical Engineers are highly active in the following industries:

• Plastics
• Fuels
• Petrochemicals
• Agrochemical (fertilizers etc)
• Elastomers
• Explosives
• Detergents (Cleaning chemicals)
• Fragrances
• Food Processing
• Wood processing
• Environmental Technology
• Industrial Chemical (paints, inks, adhesives etc)
• Mining Industry
• Metal and Material works
• Water processing

Chemical Engineering in the modern era

In modern times, the old perception of chemical engineers that only designs processes are over and done! Today chemical engineers are affianced in the development and production of high performance materials needed for military, electronic, automotive, aerospace and biomedical applications.

For example, gels for medical purposes, pharmaceuticals, fabrics, fibers, biomedical engineering, biology, biochemistry and solar cells are all applications for chemical engineers.