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'''Chemical engineering''' is one of the broadest fields of engineering. That stems from the fact that the discipline of chemical engineering is founded on mathematics and ''all'' of the basic sciences such as chemistry, physics and biology.


The ''disciplinary definition'' would be that chemical engineering is the profession in which knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, gained by study, experience and practice, is applied with judgement to develop economic and safe ways of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful products to benefit mankind.<ref>[http://www.aiche.org/About/WhoWeAre/Governance/Constitution.aspx  Article III of the Constitution of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers]</ref><ref name=Worcester>[http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Depts/CHE/About/definition.html  Definition of Chemical Engineering] (from the website of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute</ref>
The ''occupational definition'' would be that chemical engineering is a field that deals with industrial and natural processes that involve the chemical, physical or biological transformation of matter or energy into forms useful for mankind, economically and safely without compromising the environment.<ref name=Worcester/>
Perhaps, the simplist definition is that chemical engineering is the design, development and management of a wide and varied spectrum of industrial and other endeavors.<ref>[http://cms.icheme.org/MainWebSite/General4db3aa09.aspx?Map=91AF110AAAB3F55916DB0491364CBE99 What is Chemical Engineering?] (From the website of the Institution of Chemical Engineers)</ref>
==Chemical engineering applications==
*[[Petroleum refining processes]]: Process design, operation and management of refineries producing LPG, gasoline, diesel oil, fuel oils, asphalt, lubricants, waxes, etc.
*Natural gas processing: The process design, operation and management of plants that process raw natural gas to become suitable for consumer use by removing impurities and by-product natural gas liquids (NGL).
*Chemical and petrochemical plants: Process design, operation and management of plants producing plastics, synthetic fibers, elastomers, agricultural chemicals (fertilisers, insecticides, herbicides), detergents (soap, shampoo, cleaning solutions), fragrances, explosives, widely used industrial chemicals (such as sulfuric acid and ammonia) and many others.
*Pulp and paper mills: Design, operation and management of plants producing paper and paper products.
*Food and drink processing: Design, operation and management of plants that process foodstuffs and drinks of all kinds.
*Pharmaceuticals: Design and production of new drugs.<ref name=CEP1>[http://bio.aiche.org/pdfs/Articles/Biotechnology%20and%20ChEs.pdf Increasing Involvement in Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals] (Editorial in Chemical Engineering Progress (CEP) published by AIChE, March 2002)</ref>
*Biochemical and biological process industries: Design and operation of facilities involving fermentation, enzyme technology, and biological waste treatment.<ref name=CEP1/>
*Fossil fuel power plants: Design, operation and management of power plants fueled by natural gas, oil or coal.
*Nuclear engineering: Design, operation and management of nuclear power plants.
*Paints and coatings: Design and operation of plants producing all types of paints and coatings.
*Adhesives and composites: The production of all manner of adhesives and composite materials for automobiles as well as the space industries.
*Glass and ceramics: Design and operation of plants producing glass and ceramics.
*[[Environmental engineering]]: Design of air pollution and water pollution control and mitigation facilities. Performing environmental impact studies. Selection or design of facilities to comply with governmental environmental protection regulations.
*Safety engineering: Performing hazardous operation studies (Hazops), risk analyses, and establishing and implementing safe operating procedures for industrial facilities.
*Research and development: Fuel cells, nanotechnology down to the cellular level, computer chips, and other leading edge technologies.
In all of the above industries, chemical engineers may also function as consultants, lawyers reviewing new technology patents, sales engineers, instrumentation and control engineers, and equipment manufacturers.
==Professional societies and organization==
*United States: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
*United Kingdom: Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
*Europe: European Federation of Chemical Engineering
*Germany: Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (DECHEMA)
*Canada: Canadian Society for Chemical Engineers
*Australia: The Royal Australian Chemical Institute
*Japan: The Society of Chemical Engineers
*India: Indian Institute of Chemical Engineering (IIChe)
*South Africa: South African Society of Chemical Engineers
*Korea: Korean Institute of Chemical Engineers (KIChE)
*Mexico: Mexican Insititute of Chemical Engineers
*Argentina: Argentinian Association for Chemical Engineers
*Brazil: Brazilian Association of Chemical Engineering
*Puerto Rico: Institute of Chemical Engineers
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:CZ Live]]
[[Category:Engineering Workgroup]]

Revision as of 00:00, 24 January 2008

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