What is Chemical and Process Engineering?

Chemical and Process Engineers are in the business of turning raw materials into finished products utilising stage-to-stage processes in a cost effective manner.

These finished products end up in pharmacies, supermarkets, petrol stations, etc. The design, operation and management of the processes by which these finished products are produced is the domain of the Chemical and Process Engineer.

What does a Chemical and Process Engineer do?

A process can be viewed as a large jigsaw where the jigsaw pieces are as known unit operations. Typical unit operations include reactors, distillation columns, fermenters, driers, heat exchangers and pumps. The Chemical Engineer selects, designs and integrates unit operations into a process which will achieve the desired conversion of raw materials into a profitable and useful finished product.

Chemical and Prcess Engineers design, build and run process plants such as those involved in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, oil refineries and breweries. They may also work in such areas as the manufacture of electronic equipment where many liquid chemicals and gases are utilized during processing.

Where do Chemical and Process Engineers work?

A Chemical Engineer may

- Become a consultant engineer where he/she is involved in designing, building and commissioning a process to produce a particular product.
- Work in an existing process plant where they may be responsible for all aspects of ensuring that the process runs smoothly and optimally.
- Bring about improvements to unit operations, as a Research Engineer, which will result in more efficient, environmentally friendly and more cost effective processes.
- Work in non Chemical Engineering roles where their analytical thinking skills are utilised e.g. stock broking and management consultancy.