Job Descriptions - Definitions - Career Fields: Chemical Engineer

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Chemical Engineer

WHAT IS CHEMICAL ENGINEERING?
Chemical Engineering is concerned with the manufacture of chemicals on an industrial scale. This involves taking a natural raw material such as coal, or salt, or air, and converting it into a more useful product such as fuel or plastic or fertilizer, by using processes which involve physical, thermal, chemical, biochemical or mechanical changes.
The following industries involve chemical engineering:

* minerals processing

* oil refining

* plastics

* explosives

* paper

* fertilisers

* food processing

* pharmaceuticals

Chemical engineering is also involved in activities associated with the above industries, such as power generation, water treatment, environmental protection.

Although the above industries provide employment for many different skills, trades and professions, these are the only industries which provide employment for chemical engineers, chemical engineering technicians, and chemical plant operators

WHAT DOES A CHEMICAL ENGINEER DO ?

A chemical engineer uses his knowledge of chemistry and engineering to design processes which will produce useful products from available raw materials in a way which is economic and does not harm the environment. When the plant is built the chemical engineer uses his knowledge of engineering and management to operate it in a way which is safe and profitable. When the product is made the chemical engineer uses his knowledge of the product to find applications where it can be usefully used.

A chemical engineering project involves many phases, of which the following are typical, and chemical engineers are involved in all of them, but generally in only one phase at a time.

** Research and Development:

In research and development chemical engineers work with other engineers and scientists to find new processing methods and to develop them into practical schemes. As an RD engineer you would organise tests on small scale pilot plants and use computer simulations to predict how the real plant should be built.

** Plant Design:

Chemical engineers design new process plants and modify existing ones. They use computers to calculate the quantities of raw materials and energy needed by the process to make the required amounts of final product. From this information they decide on the size of the many individual items of plant equipment pumps, vessels and so on).

** Plant Operation:

Chemical engineers manage the operation of process plants. As well as ensuring that flows, temperatures and pressures are as they should be, raw materials must be organised, staff must be recruited and trained, equipment must be maintained, product quality must be controlled. Many decisions must be made quickly using your technical knowledge and +thinking on your feet+.

** Product Marketing:

Activities range from the provision of technical information and advice to clients, to sales promotion and the development and implementation of marketing strategies in order to increase sales.

** Management:

Chemical engineers can reach high levels of management within the organisations structure. This includes factory management and executive roles in industry and commerce.

WHAT APTITUDE SHOULD YOU HAVE ?

To be an engineer you have to be the type of person who likes to know +how things work+. You will need an interest and ability in maths and science, and that is why universities which offer courses in chemical engineering require good matric symbols in these subjects D or better, at Higher Grade).

Engineers often deal with concepts and ideas, and so skill in communication, both written and verbal, is very important. That is why universities require a good matric symbols in languages.

Engineers usually work in a team, which includes many other jobs that are found in industry, and so teamwork, and leadership, and a professional approach to a career and a job is also part of what makes a good engineer.

A chemical engineer needs to have all of the above aptitudes, and also needs to have an interest and a flair for the world of chemistry.

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Career Fields


Engineering
Science and Technology

 
 

Courtesy: CareerExpo

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