Chemistry of success

Usha Albuquerque

Chemical Engineering is all about changing raw materials into useful products you use everyday in a safe and cost effective way. Chemical engineers understand how to alter the chemical, biochemical or physical state of a substance, to create everything from face creams to fuels. For example petrol, plastics and synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon, all come from oil through a chemical process. Chemical engineers do all this, while working on projects as diverse as providing water to rural areas, helping create a pollution free environment and cutting edge tissue engineering research. It is one of the most diverse branches of engineering, which ranges from biotechnology and nanotechnology to mineral processing, and covers different segments of chemical technology in mineral based industries, petrochemical plants, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum refining plants.

Work profile

Most jobs in this sector fall into one of two groups: the design, manufacture, and operation of plants and machinery, or the development of new or adapted substances and materials. 

Chemical Engineers design, supervise, install and handle the operation of equipment, plants and works in which materials undergo chemical and physical changes. This could be in mineral-based industries, petrochemical plants, synthetic fibres, and even petroleum refining plants.

Chemical engineers are also handling biochemical and biotechnology research, which is revolutionising medicine. Providing cures for people suffering from long-term 'un-curable' diseases through advancement in fields such as stem cell research and tissue engineering. This means building block cells that can turn into any part of a body that is required, and literally growing new human body parts - anything from replacement skin to hearts.

Energy is another area for chemical engineers who work with oil and petroleum specialists in areas related to oil and gas production. They may also be required to study the chemical and geological conditions of the soil and the processing of various petroleum by-products. 

In addition chemical engineers also study alternatives to fossil fuels as a source of energy, such as ethanol, bio-refineries, wind farms, hydrogen cells, algae factories and fusion technology and so on. 

Pollution and waste management is another area of work for chemical engineers. The production of many industrial goods causes significant emissions to be released into the atmosphere each day. For every one tonne of steel we make, a staggering 1.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide is belched into the atmosphere - massively increasing global-warming. Chemical engineers work on systems and processes that reduce the emission levels and neutralise the damaging effects of the different polluting elements. 

Currently chemical engineers are working on a number of new technologies and processes  that could minimise pollution, use less hazardous materials and develop alternative reactions; developing  models that predict the outcomes of climate change and developing strategies to combat it, so as to intervene before an anticipated climatic disaster such as Hurricane Harvey, or the Mumbai cloud bursts, occur. 

They are also working in nuclear plants, converting  bomb-grade uranium from warheads into low-enriched uranium for use in nuclear power plants. Chemical engineers are also developing nano-fibres for making clothing for astronauts, experimenting with GM foods, designing new energy resources...   you name it, and chemical engineers are at work. 

Getting in

To get into this exciting field you need to have at least a BTech or BE degree in Chemical Engineering. Almost all engineering colleges and institutions offer this specialisation for which admission is on the basis of JEE, or another entrance test. There are also diploma courses for chemical engineering. One can opt for the three-year diploma course after Class X or XII. You can also get into some of the fields of chemical engineering with a BSc and MSc in chemistry, or biochemistry.

Chemical engineering is a growing field suitable for those who have a knack for investigative, laboratory and research work and an intrinsic ability of working with form and structure. They must also have a facility with numbers, and a logical mind, in addition to organising ability, practicality, clear headedness, and a capacity for hard work.

The possibilities in this field are almost endless for those who have enough interest in the subject and a passion to learn the fundamentals. So, if you are interested in how the physical world works and want to be involved in ground-breaking technologies that can enhance people's lives, consider taking a degree in chemical engineering.

Sectors ideal for chemical engineers

• Thermal power industry
• Atomic power
• Power conservation
• Defense establishment
• Healthcare and pharmaceutical industries
• Air conditioning and refrigeration industry
• Aerospace industry
• Petro-chemical plants 
• Food processing industries
• Textile industries
• Chemical factories

Where to work

• With the advancement in knowledge and technology, there are wide placement opportunities in the widest variety of process engineering units, such as organic and inorganic chemicals, plastics and rubbers, petroleum and petro-chemicals,  oil, fats and paints, textiles, papers, leather, solid fuels, drugs and pharmaceuticals, synthetic chemicals and  petro-chemicals. Most jobs are in manufacturing industries, food processing industries and chemical process industries such as fertilizer, pesticides, specialty chemicals, dyes, paints and lubricants and so on. 
• A BE/ BTech in chemical engineering can be followed up with an MTech/ MSc,  in energy engineering, nuclear engineering, petroleum engineering or product/process development science, or any other related specialization. If you're undecided about the area of chemical engineering you want to work in, try to get an industrial placement to find out what's available, either as a placement that's part of your degree course, or a summer internship in the pharmaceutical, petrochemical, food and drink industries or any other area of interest. 
• In addition chemical engineers are also sought after for research on alternate energy sources, defence establishments and atomic power plants.
• There are also opening with managerial and technical consultancy services with financial institutions, banks and development corporations where this field of specialisation and expertise is of value. Project management services involving construction, scheduling and quality monitoring for chemical projects from the start up to completion are also handled by chemical engineers. 
• What's more, chemical engineers can join a certifying agency and provide services as a safety Auditor or certified energy auditor for industries.