AECH 1103 - Topic 1 PDF

Topic 1 The discipline of chemical engineering AECH 1103 Industrial Process Overview  What is Chemical Engineering? “Chemical engineers” use math, physical sciences (physics, chemistry), life sciences (biology, microbiology and biochemistry), and economics to solve prac...

Topic 1 The discipline of chemical engineering AECH 1103 Industrial Process Overview  What is Chemical Engineering? “Chemical engineers” use math, physical sciences (physics, chemistry), life sciences (biology, microbiology and biochemistry), and economics to solve practical problems. The difference between chemical engineers and other types of engineers is that they apply a knowledge of chemistry in addition to other engineering disciplines. The use of all three basic sciences and mathematics makes chemical engineering extremely versatile, since nearly all physical phenomena can be described by the combination of these four sciences. 2 The Impact of Chemical Engineering 3  History of Chemical Engineering Before 18th Century: Industrial chemicals were mainly produced through batch processing. Industrial Revolution (1700-1800): Industrial production shifted from batch to continuous processing. 4  Chemical Engineering Education 1882 – a course in "Chemical Technology" is offered at University College London. 1885 –a course in "chemical engineering" is offered at Central College (later Imperial College), London. 1888 –a new curriculum at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) started: Course X, Chemical Engineering. Course X at MIT: "to meet the needs of students who desire a general training in mechanical engineering, and at the same time to devote a portion of their time to the study of the applications of chemistry to the arts, especially to those engineering problems which relate to the use and manufacture of chemical products." https://cheme.mit.edu/about/history/ 5  Chemical Engineering Achievements Crude Oil Processing: Chemical engineers discovered ways to use crude oil by breaking down (“cracking”) long carbon molecules into smaller ethylenes, propylenes, and so on. Plastics: During the awakening of the plastics age in the 1930s, chemical engineers helped to develop nylon, polyvinylchloride, acrylics, polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene, followed more recently by aerospace plastics, composites, and laminates. Synthetic Fibers: Beginning with the first extrusion of rayon fibers in 1910 and nylon in 1939, chemical engineers have helped to develop and manufacture many synthetic fibers, from blankets, to clothing, to upholstery, to carpets, to very strong (even bulletproof) fabric. Synthetic Rubber: Chemical engineers helped to develop synthetic rubber. Gases from Air: Chemical engineers pioneered ways to process and use purified oxygen and nitrogen. 6  Chemical Engineering Achievements Semiconductor Fabrication: Chemical engineers have played a key role in the flourishing of the electronic and computer age. Medicine: Because the body is essentially a chemical plant, chemical engineers have worked hand in hand with physicians to develop medicines, replacement parts, and physiologic support products. Environmental Protection: Chemical engineers are seriously involved in environmental technology to clean up existing problems and to prevent future pollution. Food: Chemical engineers have helped to produce fertilizers, like phosphates and urea, and pesticides that protect crops. Antibiotics: Chemical engineers have developed ways to mass produce antibiotic drugs. penicillin production (discovered in 1929). 7  Grand Challenges Make Solar Energy Economical Provide Energy from Fusion Develop Carbon Sequestration Methods Provide Access to Clean Water Advance Health Informatics Engineer Better Medicines Reverse-Engineer the Brain 8  Professional Activities in Chemical Engineering Process Development Research Technical Chemical Sales Process Engineering Plant Design and Construction Environmental Engineering Fundamental Research 9  The Chemical Engineering Discipline 1. Material balances 6. Reaction engineering 2. Thermodynamics 7. Separation Processes 3. Fluid mechanics 8. Process control 4. Heat transfer 9. Materials 5. Mass transfer 10. Economics 10 The History of Chemical Engineering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRKyJRAxjpM&ab_channel=CrashCourse What is chemical engineering? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E21KUPi2sMI&ab_channel=ScienceAnimated 11