What is chemical engineering?

Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the application of physical science (e.g. chemistry and physics), with mathematics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms. As well as producing useful materials, chemical engineering is also concerned with pioneering valuable new materials and techniques; an important form of research and development. A person employed in this field is called a chemical engineer.

Chemical engineering largely involves the design and maintenance of chemical processes for large-scale manufacture. Chemical engineers in this branch are usually employed under the title of process engineer. The development of the large-scale processes characteristic of industrialized economies is a feat of chemical engineering, not chemistry. Indeed, chemical engineers are responsible for the availability of the modern high-quality materials that are essential for running an industrial economy.


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Following is an example that illustrates the engineering aspect of chemical engineering:

"The difference between chemical engineering and chemistry can be illustrated by considering the example of producing orange juice. A chemist working in the laboratory investigates and discovers a multitude of pathways to extract the juice of an orange. The simplest mechanism found is to cut the orange in half and squeeze the orange using a manual juicer. A more complicated approach that is found is to peel and then crush the orange and collect the juice.

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Modern chemical engineering

The modern discipline of chemical engineering encompasses much more than just process engineering. Chemical engineers are now engaged in the development and production of a diverse range of products, as well as in commodity and specialty chemicals. These products include high performance materials needed for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, electronic, environmental and space and military applications. Examples include ultra-strong fibers, fabrics, adhesives and composites for vehicles, bio-compatible materials for implants and prosthetics, gels for medical applications, pharmaceuticals, and films with special dielectric, optical or spectroscopic properties for opto-electronic devices. Additionally, chemical engineering is often intertwined with biology and biomedical engineering. Many chemical engineers work on biological projects such as understanding biopolymers (proteins) and mapping the human genome.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_engineering

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Future for chemical engineering:


Future chemical engineers have a vast array of choices when it comes to the industry and type of position they desire. "The job outlook for chemical engineers is promising because of the wide range of industries that they can contribute to, such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and environmental and agricultural engineering," says Dr. Saliba.



http://www.graduatingengineer.com/futuredisc/chemical3.html

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Please also refer to :

http://www.bergen.org/Engineering/Chemical_Engineering/chemfuture.html


which is a comprehensive essay about the Future of chemical engineering
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Chemical engineering focuses on the processes necessary to change raw materials or chemicals into useful products or useful forms. On these days, chemical engineers are much more than processes, most of them are now engaged in development and production.

Chemical engineers can be found in mineral processing, separation, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, nanotechnology, biomedical, food and drink processing, water treatments, petrochemicals, construction, design and consultants, banking, insurance, patent law, space exploration….etc