What is Chemical engineering: Definition and 228 Discussions

Chemical engineering is a certain type of engineering which deals with the study of operation and design of chemical plants as well as methods of improving production. Chemical engineers develop economical commercial processes to convert raw material into useful products. Chemical engineering uses principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and economics to efficiently use, produce, design, transport and transform energy and materials. The work of chemical engineers can range from the utilization of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in the laboratory to large-scale industrial processes that convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells, microorganisms, and energy into useful forms and products. Chemical engineers are involved in many aspects of plant design and operation, including safety and hazard assessments, process design and analysis, modeling, control engineering, chemical reaction engineering, nuclear engineering, biological engineering, construction specification, and operating instructions.
Chemical engineers typically hold a degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering. Practicing engineers may have professional certification and be accredited members of a professional body. Such bodies include the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) or the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
A degree in chemical engineering is directly linked with all of the other engineering disciplines, to various extents.

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  1. E

    Material science v.s. chemical engineering?

    what's the difference? it looks like a chemical engineer and material scientist does the same thing
  2. E

    Engineering Chemical Engineering Vs. Electrical Engineering

    As you can tell from the title, I am curious to the advantages/disadvantages of majoring in Chemical engineering or Electrical engineering in regards to nanotechnology, as well as other job opportunities if nanotech doesn't fall through(currently a freshman in college). I recently read a thread...
  3. C

    Chemical engineering vs chemistry

    I'm just graduated from university. Now, I want to take graduate studies. But, I'm still confuse to choose major in my master degree. My undergraduate studies is chemistry (natural science), but some person told me that I must take chemical engineering to support my future. I don't understand...
  4. L

    Engineering Chemical Engineering or Chemistry?

    I will be attending college this fall as a freshman, so I'm trying to decide on a major. My first choice of a major was chemistry because I had planned on going to medschool, but now I am also considering majoring in chemical engineering. What are the major differences between the two...
  5. A

    U of Toronto v/s Waterloo v/s McMaster for chemical engineering

    I am confused in finalising which one is good for me. I know Toronto and waterloo have better reputation name wise than McMaster. But there are pros and cons for each. From what I understood, talking to people, reading various threads: Waterloo has better coop, good reputation, relatively...
  6. Q

    Is chemical engineering ridiculously hard?

    Is chemical engineering ridiculously hard? If i really enjoy chemistry would chem engineering be a good choice?
  7. G

    Chemical Engineering Mass Balance with matrix

    Homework Statement Ethane reacts with chlorine to make ethyl chloride and hydrogen chloride, and ethylene reacts with hydrogen chloride to form ethyl chloride. C2h6+ Cl2 > C2H5Cl + HCL C2H4 + HCl > C2H5Cl I post an image of flow chart and rest of description Based on my reading...
  8. E

    Engineering Bachelors in Chemistry and Masters in Chemical Engineering

    Hello I have a bachelors in chemistry and am planning to do a masters in chemical engineering. I was just wondering what the prospects would be of obtaining an engineering job without the bachelors in engineering? I am in Toronto if that matters. Thanks!
  9. D

    Chemical Engineering Program Accreditation and Curriculum: Is it Worth the Wait?

    Hey. I've just finished my first year of uni, and it is almost time to enrol in next years units. I have been kicking up between chemical and mechanical engineering for the past year, but after much research, i think ill go with chemical and process engineering. I was reading about the...
  10. H

    Looking into chemical engineering

    Interesting website you got here, found it by accident... looks like lots of smart peoples around here, maybe I can get smarter if I stick around. Little about me, just a young dude looking into chemical engineering, renewable energy and stuff like that, seems like the "in" thing nowadays, maybe...
  11. Wellesley

    Schools Best Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Schools

    I'm curious about what people consider is the best ChemE school. What schools do employers like to see applicants come from? This list excludes MIT, Cal Tech and other premier schools that are already rather obvious. Thanks for all suggestions.
  12. N

    Use of computers in chemical engineering

    I have a passion for computers/ electronics, but i am going for either chemical or petroleum engineering. I want to ask how much do chemical and petroleum engineers use computers and other electronic devices for their work ? I don't want to do something which involves most of mechanical...
  13. U

    Exploring REUs for Chemical Engineering Majors: What to Know

    Sorry if this sounds stupid, but I will be a freshman next year and I have no clue what it is. I understand that it's research experience for undergraduates, but how exactly do you enter one of these programs, and what exactly do you do in them? Btw, I will be majoring in Chemical...
  14. S

    Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics

    One mole of supercooled liquid tin (Sn) is adiabatically contained at 495K. Given: the melting temperature of Sn, Tm, Sn = 505 [K] the enthalpy of fusion of Sn, hfus, Sn = 7070 [J/mol] the heat capacity of liquid Sn, Cp, Sn(l) = 34.7 – 9.2 x10-3 T [J / (mol K)] the heat capacity of solid...
  15. A

    Florida Insititute of Technology Chemical Engineering

    I'm about 70% certain of going to this university in order to do my chemical engineering course. Is there anyone who's been to the university, or knows anyone who has been and can tell me what the institution is like, how much work they had to do to get through and any other things which might...
  16. L

    New Develtopments In Chemical Engineering

    Need some help here. I'm going for an interview for Chemical Engineering and I'd like to get some detailed info on what's happening in Chemical Engineering. I've looked at Chem Eng journals for developments and here's where the problem is. I have to subscribe since I'm not actually an...
  17. V

    A chemical engineering example for lagurre equation

    Is there anybody here can give me a chemical engineering example that the final differential equation will be LAGUERRE ?
  18. D

    Chemical Engineering: Benefits of Double Degree & Further Study

    Hey. There are currently two degrees i am strongly considering taking next year, and chemical engineering is one of them. Reasons for my choice: I love maths I like chemistry Physics is alright =P The income is decent Now, if i did go for this, id make it a double degree and also do a...
  19. A

    Schools Good University for Chemical Engineering

    I'm a Caribbean student in my final year of high school and want to go to a University in the United States. Could anyone give me an idea of how good the engineering programs, notably chemical are at these schools: Florida Institute of Technology Howard University Georgia Institute of...
  20. P

    Chemical engineering employment oppurtunities in the pacific northwest?

    I live in seattle, and right now i am heavily considering chemical engineering. I would really love to stay in the seattle area, but I am not sure if i will be able to, as it seems like most of the good chemical engineering jobs are out east. Does anyone know of any chemical engineering...
  21. R

    Beginner books on chemical engineering?

    Hello. Does anyone know of some good beginner books on chemical engineering? Anything would be very helpful. Thank you. :shy:
  22. B

    Prospects of Chemical Engineering

    Hi I've recently applied for Chemical engineering at UMIST (Or Manchester university) to, in my mind at the moment, research properties of materials relating to its physical properties, and conductivity. So I would like to ask: What are the current main 'outstanding' problems in...
  23. J

    What is the difference between chemical engineering and chemistry?

    I've been really trying to grasp the differences between the two. Do Chemists mainly stay in labs and do quality controll/reasearch? While Chemical engineers put allready obtained knowledge into use? I'm really confused on this and can't decide which is more of the direction I'd like to...
  24. A

    Courses Chemical Engineering Student needs opinions on course usefulness please.

    I can take one of the following 3 courses as a technical elective. I need to know which would be the most useful to me. My Math background: I have taken a year of Calculus, linear algebra, and diff eq (no partials.) Thermal Physics [text: Kittel "Thermal Physics"]...
  25. B

    Admissions Applying for chemical engineering

    I am currently thinking of applying to the university of manchester and imperial college in my Ucas form. However, i didn't take physics in my AS or A-levels. Although they offer ABB/AAB for Chemical engineering without mention of physics, i am concerned. I currently take Maths, Chem...
  26. cronxeh

    Cost of Chemical Engineering vs Applied Physics Books

    Why are all Chemical Engineering books at least a $100 or more, while Applied Physics books go for around 20-30 bucks a piece?
  27. G

    Undergraduate chemical engineering

    i'm applying to take undergraduate chemical engineering and i was wondering if there was anything i needed to know to prepare for it. Chemistry is a very interesting topic to me. I'm currently reading "History of Analytical Chemistry" by Ferenc Szabadvary. Does anyone know of any other good...
  28. M

    Chemical engineering sounds interesting

    This is a simple question that may have a long answer, but here goes. If any of you are chemical engineers, I'd like to know a little bit about your job. What tasks are you normally assigned and what kind of environment do you work in? I appreciate any and all feedback! -Muon12 (the guy...
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