There are many different types of engineering; Chemical engineering is just one of them. But the question is… what is Chemical engineering?
Here’s a little bit about this aspect of engineering, as well as a look into its past.
Well, Chemical engineering deals with the application of physical science (in other words, the application of chemistry and physics), and life sciences (such as biology, microbiology and biochemistry) with, of course, mathematics. The whole purpose of this is to covert raw materials (or chemicals) into more useful or valuable materials (such as oil into plastic).
As well as producing very useful materials – most of which we use in our everyday lives – chemical engineering (in modern times) is also focused on finding ways to create new materials by trying out new techniques – such as nanotechnology, fuel cells and biomedical engineering.
Chemical engineers are driven to operate in a safe and economically positive manner. Following recent man-caused disasters (oil spills, for example), this ethic is becoming increasing important.
Chemical engineering is more commonly being labelled as chemical technology – simply because of the methods that are being used in modern-day workplaces.
Ever since French physicist Sadi Carnot studied the thermodynamics of combustion reactions in steam engines back in 1824, chemical engineering has done nothing but grown. Carnot’s principles and values were developed and applied by German physicist Rudolf Clausius in about 30 years later.
From then on, more and more people took interest in chemical engineering, realising its importance in our everyday lives and more importantly, our future. American mathematical physicist Josiah Willward Gibbs was to first person to be awarded a Ph.D in engineering in the United States (in 1876).
By the time 1885 came around, John Dalton had published a paper allowing chemical equations to be balanced, and a course in chemical engineering was being offered at University College London and Central College (to be renamed Imperial College) London.
The uptake of chemical engineering was clear to see, as more and more institutions began to offer courses (including evening classes) on the subject to increase the number of qualified chemical engineers.
At the break of the 20th Century, George E. Davis published his book – The Handbook of Chemical Engineering… which proved to be an essential reference for many people – even today.
By 1922, both the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and the UK Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) were both founded