Chemical Engineering: What is it?

Chemical processing is the focus of the engineering discipline known as chemical engineering. Chemical processing is essential to many sectors, hence chemical engineers are in demand. A career in chemical engineering can be of interest to you if you appreciate learning about and using engineering and scientific principles.

This blog discusses the principles of chemical engineering, the work that chemical engineers do, and how to become one.

What is chemical engineering?

Chemical engineering is the use of chemical processes to create products and materials. It includes designing and developing the equipment and systems needed to refine materials, as well as compounding and processing those materials and chemicals to make usable products. Chemical engineering encompasses everything from problem-solving and creating ideas to experimenting in the lab, to producing and transporting a final product.

Chemical engineering combines a variety of concepts, including chemistry, biology, physics, math, technology and economics. The results contribute to every industry and many parts of people's lives. A few examples of products and processes that involve chemical engineering include:

• Computer chips
• Soaps and lotions
• Recycling
• Water purification
• Food processing
• Fertilizers
• Medications
• Petroleum refinement
• Energy sources
• Synthetics
• Plastics
• Paint
• Batteries

What do chemical engineers do?

Chemical engineers use their math and science skills to problem solve and develop materials and products that involve chemical processing. They help produce fuel, medications, food and countless other products. Any chemical, environmental, biologic or industrial process requires chemical engineers to create and develop the equipment, systems and materials used. Chemical engineers are also important for making sure chemical processes are safe, environmentally friendly, efficient and within budget.

Chemical engineers typically work in either a laboratory or an office or on-site at a production facility or refinery. They often work closely with mechanics, technicians, scientists and other engineers. They might have normal work hours, with some long shifts to meet deadlines. Or, they might work shifts or be on-call during certain times—particularly those who work at processing plants. Chemical engineers also rely increasingly on computer-aided design (CAD) software to develop products and materials. Thus, they often need to be skilled in technology and computer science, as well the applied sciences.

Industries that hire chemical engineers include:

• Petroleum
• Textiles
• Food processing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Health care
• Paper products
• Construction
• Electronics
• Plastics and polymers
• Environmental
• Biotechnology
• Manufacturing
• Consumer products

Chemical engineers' job duties vary depending on the industry and product, but often include:

• Studying new ways to manufacture items
• Creating safe systems for handling and working with chemicals
• Developing ways to generate energy and electricity
• Designing equipment
• Testing products and processes for efficacy and consumer safety
• Solving problems that occur during manufacturing
• Making sure products and processes follow safety and environmental codes
• Overseeing operations at industrial plants
• Determining production costs

Because of the wide range of processes and products they work on, many chemical engineers choose to specialize in a certain area. These subsets include:

• Bioprocessing: Producing pharmaceuticals, food, agriculture products and many other physical products.
• Biotechnology: Using living organisms and enzymes to make products and medications.
• Materials synthesis: Developing new materials, from plastics and polymers to metals and ceramics, out of chemicals or chemical processes.
• Materials processing: Knowing how materials such as oil and gas behave to develop ways to make and handle them more effectively and safely.
• Environmental engineering: Developing processes that reduce pollution, are sustainable or help the environment, including recycling and water treatment.
• Alternative energy: Creating sustainable and renewable energy sources such as solar or wind energy and biofuels.
• Food engineering: Finding ways to enrich food for health purposes and to increase food production.
• Nanomaterials: Working with extremely small materials and substances on a microscopic or molecular level.
• Chemical processing: Producing special chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides.
• Combustion: Designing and working with combustion equipment and energy-burning systems to produce energy from fuel by heating it.
• Minerals: Processing mined minerals such as aluminum, steel, copper and gold.
• Petrochemicals: Turning oil and petroleum into products such as plastics, clothes, rubber and more.
• Process control: Managing the equipment and systems that allow processing plants to work safely and effectively.

Because chemical engineers have a deep understanding of multiple complex topics, such as engineering, scientific principles and technological processes, they are in high demand and often earn high salaries.

How to become a chemical engineer

Chemical engineers need to have at least a bachelor's degree, plus optional certification and experience, to have a career in this industry. To become a chemical engineer, follow these common steps:

1. Have applied science skills. Chemical engineers typically have an interest in subjects such as chemistry, biology, math and physics. Taking and getting good grades in these classes in high school can provide you with a good foundation for an engineering degree in college.

2. Get a bachelor's degree. Chemical engineers must earn a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a similar field. While earning this four-year degree, they will spend time learning in the classroom, lab and field. Chemical engineering programs include courses on energy transfer, energy balance, chemical reactions, thermodynamics, separation technology, fluid mechanics, process design and applied mathematics, among others.

3. Complete an internship. Chemical engineers can gain valuable experience by interning during their junior and senior years of college. University programs and professional organizations such as the American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) can help connect students with internship opportunities.

4. Earn a master's degree. While not required, a master's in chemical engineering can help chemical engineers specialize in a certain area and provide them with more job opportunities. This program typically takes 18 months to two years to complete, although some universities have five-year programs that allow students to earn both their bachelor's and master's at once.

5. Get certified. Chemical engineers do not need a license to get hired. However, many employers look for engineers with certification from an organization approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Chemical engineers can also join professional organizations such as AIChE for networking and continuing education opportunities.

6. Pursuing a doctoral degree. Chemical engineers who want to do research or teach might also earn their PhDs.

Chemical engineers can apply for jobs in a variety of industries, including food production, product manufacturing, biotechnology, petrochemicals and many more.

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