Chemical engineering is an engineering branch which entails the study of life science, physical science, economics and mathematics. It deals with the conversion of chemical and other materials into valuable forms. It is a broad field which is composed of Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology and Biochemistry. Chemical engineering also deals with wide range of new materials which are important in various processes of production.
Chemical engineering is divided into two major branches namely chemical product engineering and chemical processes engineering (Ondrey 12). Chemical processes engineering deals with designing, manufacturing and operation of plant and machinery in industries. Chemical products engineering specializes in the use of substances to come up with different products such as pharmaceuticals, cleaning reagents, cosmetics, beverages and certain food products.
This field of study applies several principles and concepts. These include chemical reactions engineering, plant and industry designs, processes designs and transport media engineering (Guo 226). Chemical reactions engineering refers to basic management of plant conditions and processes.
This is done to ensure that optimal plant operation is attained. Engineers in this field often come up with designs for analyzing reactors. They use special physical and laboratory data parameters. In chemical engineering reactions, heat depended dynamics are applied in solving problems and prediction of reactor performances.
On the other hand, plant designing deals with development of specifications and plans. It ensures that there is a stable base for engineering operations. Designs are generated according to the preferences of clients. Other major factors which influence this process are levels of safety, legal requirements and the availability of funds. These are known for their high influence on choice of equipment and other materials (Lozowski 64).
Process designing is the most basic and physical step in the whole process of chemical engineering. It entails the establishment of unit operations. These units are used to control energy in reactors, recycle all unused reactants and prepare reactants by separation and purification. The process units make the whole process of operation. Unit operations include evaporation, drying and crystallization. Process engineers have a responsibility of ensuring that all these processes are carried out accordingly.
This part of transport phenomena is mainly undertaken when there are industrial problems (Noris 84). It deals with transportation of chemicals, transfer of energy, momentum, mass, heat and fluid dynamics (Noris 84). It is described using mathematical equations that represent the transport agents. This process is mainly done through the use of both molecular and macroscopic agents.
Chemical engineers develop special economic ways to use energy and materials. In addition, Chemistry is applied to change raw materials into final, finished and important products such as plastics, petrochemicals and medicine. Chemical engineering is also applied in research as well as the management of waste materials.
In research, extensive use of computers is made use of in all facets (Norris 84). It is also worth to mention that Chemical engineers in industries are expected to performance experiments in the due course of their work. They design projects with the aim of creating better ways of developing vital chemical processes that can yield valuable end products.
They also give essential advice on conservation of resources, control of pollution and the general production process. They are equally project engineers who are instrumental in selecting suitable plant equipment that minimize cost and optimize profitability in industrial businesses (Lozowski 63).
Works Cited
Guo, Lifang. “Research on the Elimination of the Foam of Leachate in Recycled Landfill.” Journal of Sustainable Development4.6 (2011): 225-229. Print.
Lozowski, Dorothy. “Business news.” Chemical Engineering119.5 (2012): 63-64. Print.
Norris, Terrie. “SNURs for Chemical Substances.” Professional Safety 57.5 (2012): 84- 85. Print.
Ondrey, Gerald. “A more sensitive sensor for ions in solution.” Chemical Engineering119.5 (2012): 12-13. Print.