Author: workhouse123
-
Chemical Engineering Curriculum
The essential components of a chemical engineering curriculum are presented in the sections that follow. The courses corresponding to each one of the four responsibilities are described first, followed by the description of engineering science and specialized fundamental chemical engineering courses and the basic science and mathematics courses that serve as the foundation for engineering…
-
Responsibilities and Functions of a Chemical Engineer
The major responsibilities and functions of a chemical engineer in a chemical process plant can be identified on the basis of the previous discussion: • Design and operation of the reactor: The chemical reactor is the key unit of the process where the raw materials are converted into desired products. The success of the process is dependent…
-
A Chemical Process Plant: Synthesis of Ammonia
Synthesis of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen is often considered the most important chemical process for mankind, and rightfully so [1]. The element nitrogen is involved in every level of biological function in all living organisms. Despite the inexhaustible reservoir of diatomic molecular nitrogen in the atmosphere, the major limitation to growth of living beings…
-
Characteristics of Chemical Industries
The plants and processes in chemical process industries possess the following major characteristics: • Large production capacity: The average production capacities of plants engaged in the manufacture of bulk chemicals such as sulfuric acid, ammonia, and ethylene can easily reach into thousands of tons per day (tpd). The largest sulfuric acid plant in the United States has…
-
Important Chemical Products
The United States occupies the top position among chemical manufacturers, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the chemicals produced worldwide [5]. The total value of the chemical goods produced in the United States in 2010 was $701 billion, and the chemical manufacturing sector contributed the largest fraction to the U.S. exports. Table 2.4 shows the 2010 production volumes…
-
Top 50 Chemical Companies
Table 2.2 shows the global top 50 chemical companies based on the most recent C&E News data [3]. The top 50 U.S. chemical companies are shown in Table 2.3 [4]. Table 2.2 Global Top 50 Chemical Companies* Table 2.3 Top 50 U.S. Chemical Companies* *Based on data from C&E News [4]. The following important observations can be made regarding the chemical industry…
-
Related Industries
Chemical engineers perform critical roles in many other industries, including those listed in Table 2.1. These industries and their products are described in the following subsections. 2.3.1 Paper Products Industries classified under NAICS code 322 are involved in the manufacture of paper products. These industries include pulp mills that convert wood and biomass to pulp and paper…
-
Basic Inorganic Chemicals
Chemicals produced in bulk quantities and used primarily in subsequent industrial processes are termed as basic chemicals. Basic inorganic chemicals are, as the name indicates, non-carbon-based compounds, though carbon dioxide and inorganic carbonates are included under this category. Nearly 40% of the top 50 chemicals are basic inorganic chemicals [1]. Typically, seven of the top…
-
The Chemical Industry
The Chemical Industry: Chemical engineers have traditionally found employment in the chemical and allied industries, and these industries continue to be the major employers of chemical engineers. The chemical and allied industries comprise one of the most important manufacturing sectors of a nation’s economy. However, despite their significance, these industries are not well understood by…
-
Employment of Chemical Engineers
The U.S. Department of Labor maintains an extensive database of labor and economic statistics through its Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). The career information about duties, education, training, pay, and current and future prospects for practically any occupation can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh) published by the Bureau. The handbook lists the myriad industries—chemicals,…