A chemical process engineer is responsible for the design, development, and optimization of chemical processes used in industrial settings. The engineer is a chemist with a working knowledge of machinery, equipment, and instrumentation. Chemical process engineering combines elements of chemical and process engineering.
A process engineer is in charge of a wide range of industrial processes. Mechanical, electrical, chemical, and biological processes are among them. A chemical process engineer is interested in chemical engineering processes such as distillation, fluidization, and combustion.
Chemical process engineers are employed in a wide range of industries. Chemical, metal, plastic, fertilizer, pesticide, and food and beverage manufacturing plants employ a large number of people. Another major employer is the petrochemicals industry, which refines petroleum into gasoline and other products. Mineral processing, biotechnology, and environmental industries all employ chemical process engineers.
In order to be used in industry, chemical processes must first be tested in a laboratory. If the laboratory tests go well, a pilot plant could be built and used for more testing. A pilot plant is a scaled-down version of a process that can be used to design a larger version. This is referred to as scaling-up. Scaling up laboratory and pilot plant systems for use in industrial facilities is a specialty of chemical process engineers.
In engineering, there are two design levels: conceptual design and detailed design. A conceptual design is created a chemical process engineer who creates drawings that show the general equipment layout as well as the main material and energy flows. The engineer completes the layout and provides detailed flow estimates during a detailed design.
Chemical process engineers assess current industrial processes and look for ways to make them better. They strive to improve efficiency and yield, reduce waste and pollution, and optimize material and energy usage. Cost-cutting improvements that don’t jeopardize operational performance or safety are especially coveted.
Many chemical processes are monitored automated control systems that gather operational data on a regular basis. Engineers use statistical software programs to analyze the data to see if the processes are running at their best. They use computer simulations to predict how changes in certain parameters, such as temperature, will affect the processes.
To improve operations, a chemical process engineer may recommend that a facility implement a new process or install new machinery. These projects can be very costly. The engineer prepares project cost estimates and recommends vendors who can provide the required goods and services.
Written standards often govern how technical operations are to be carried out in industrial facilities. These guidelines could cover issues such as quality, performance, safety, and the environment. Chemical process engineers make sure that chemical processes follow the company’s guidelines.