Chemical Engineer

Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing, plan and test production methods and by products treatment, and direct facility operations.

Chemical Engineering is linked to fundamental subjects like Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Physics. Fuel combustion and energy systems are prominent areas that employ chemical engineering. Chemical Engineers also play a very important roles in fields like medicine, biotechnology, microelectronics, advance materials, energy, consumer products, manufacturing and environmental solutions.

Chemical engineering is all about changing raw materials into useful products such as clothes, food and drink, and energy. Chemical engineers focus on processes and products – they develop and design processes to create products; either focusing on improving existing processes or creating new ones. This means that they are also concerned with managing resources, protecting the environment and health and safety. Chemical engineers are sometimes called ‘universal engineers’ because it is such a broad discipline - they are essentially concerned with transforming one thing into another.

Chemical engineering fields

A chemical engineer could use skills in science and math’s to work in many different industries and doing many different things. Here’s a start:

Bio-processes – Working in pharmaceuticals and the food and drink industries.

Chemical processes – Involving the fertilizer industry, including pesticides and herbicides, caustic soda, glass and specialty chemicals.

Combustion – Large industrial furnaces such as those for steel manufacture or for power generation from coal or gas, or the recovery of valuable energy from waste.

Environmental – Waste and water treatment, environmental regulations and recycling. Recovering and reusing valuable materials instead of dumping them.

Minerals – Major minerals industries such as alumina/aluminum, steel, copper, lead and gold.

Petrochemicals – Converting oil and gas into plastics, synthetic rubber and other things.

Process control – Instrumentation and control systems which make a manufacturing process run smoothly, safely and efficiently.

Petroleum – Producing oil, gas and LPG from onshore and offshore fields.

Project delivery – Converting the design of a process plant into an efficient, safe operating plant.

Work descriptions

Develop safety standards for workers in the industry

Evaluate the installed equipment to follow safety regulations and environmental guidelines

Project costs of production to the management

Chemical Engineers work in the energy, food, clothing, petroleum, healthcare, biotechnology etc. sectors

Specialize in Nano-materials, Polymerization, Oxidation etc.

Conduct research to develop new and improved production processes

Establish safety procedures for those working with dangerous chemicals

Develop processes for separating components of liquids and gases, or for generating electrical currents, by using controlled chemical processes

Plan, manage and troubleshoot the running of an installation.

Conduct tests and monitor the performance of processes throughout production

Evaluate equipment and processes to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations

Estimate production costs for management

Eligibility

In India, courses in chemical engineering are offered at both the undergraduate and the postgraduate levels. The basic eligibility criteria for BE/B.Tech programme in chemical engineering is 10+2 with science subjects, (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics), or equivalent examination, with at least 60% marks in aggregate. It is also mandatory to qualify in the Joint Entrance Examinations (IIT JEE). Diploma courses are also available in chemical engineering. 

The duration for the BE/B.Tech courses is four years while diploma programmes take 2-3 years.

Opportunities

Chemicals manufacturing industries

Petroleum industry

Food industry

Electronics industry

Rubber industry

Textiles industry

Paper & Pulp industry

Aerospace industry

Plastic industry

Cement industry

Public sector units

Fertilizer industry

Skills Required

Analytical skills. Chemical engineers must troubleshoot designs that do not work as planned. They must ask the right questions and then find answers that work.

Creativity. Chemical engineers must explore new ways of applying engineering principles. They work to invent new materials, advanced manufacturing techniques, and new applications in chemical and biomedical engineering.

Ingenuity. Chemical engineers learn the broad concepts of chemical engineering, but their work requires them to apply those concepts to specific production problems.

Interpersonal skills. Because their role is to put scientific principles into practice in manufacturing industries, chemical engineers must develop good working relationships with other workers involved in production processes.

Math skills. Chemical engineers use the principles of advanced math topics such as calculus for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.

Problem-solving skills. In designing equipment and processes for manufacturing, these engineers must be able to anticipate and identify problems, including such issues as workers' safety and problems related to manufacturing and environmental protection.

Pay Scale

1.8 lakh to 7 lakh annual salary in INR above 8 lakh depends on working

Job Profile

Energy engineer - produce energy with different energy sources like biofuels, hydropower, solar power.

Architectural and Engineering Managers - Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies.

Biomedical Engineers - This field combines engineering principles with medical sciences to design and create equipment, computer software, computer systems etc. used in the healthcare industries.

Chemical Technicians - They use special instruments and techniques to help chemists and chemical researchers to develop, produce and test chemical products and processes.

Chemical Material Scientists - The chemical and material scientists study substances at the atomic and molecular levels to analyze the ways in which the substance interact with one another. They use the knowledge to develop new products and to test the quality of the manufactured goods.

Nuclear Engineers - Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments and systems used to derive the benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. Like for example the equipment used in medical diagnosis and treatment.

Future and scope

pursue an M.S., M.Tech. or M.E.

promoted to managerial positions, an MBA is a good idea

Pros & Cons

Pros:

High Salary Packages

Good reputation

Regular inflow of knowledge, about technologies

High end perks

Travel opportunities

Cons:

High responsibility

Excessive research

Longer study years

Proximity to hazardous chemicals

Longer working hours