发信人: ringbom (i am coming), 信区: Chem
标 题: what is chemical engineering?
发信站: BBS 大话西游站 (Sat Apr 23 22:19:27 2005), 站内
Chemical engineers are involved in so many different aspects of technology that this is not an easy question to answer. In the broadest sense, the chemical engineer takes our most basic natural resources, such as petroleum, natural gas, and minerals, as well as basic agricultural products, and through the use of chemistry converts these basic resources into a very large number of products, ranging from computer chips to paper towels, from gasoline to corn syrup, from penicillin to paint, from batteries to shampoo, etc. Some of the many problems chemical engineers are currently working on include:
developing stronger and more durable plastics, perhaps for use in airplanes and automobiles
refining petroleum into gasoline and other fuels more efficiently
development of cheaper scrubbing processes so that high sulfur Illinois coal will be a more environmentally attractive fuel
improving processes for the fabrication of semiconductor chips for use in computers and other electronic devices
producing gasoline that burns more cleanly and efficiently, reducing environmental problems related to automobiles
developing new synthetic fibers from which more comfortable, durable, stain-resistant, and wrinkle-free fabrics can be made
developing new computer hardware and software for better controlling chemical production processes, making them safer, cleaner, and more economic
producing cheaper fertilizers and pesticides for enhancing agricultural production
studying new catalysts, perhaps for eliminating environmentally objectionable substances from chemical plant effluents or automobile exhausts
making pharmaceuticals more cheaply, perhaps using processes based on genetic engineering
recycling metals, glass, and plastic in a more cost-effective manner
producing paper products that are cheaper and require the consumption of less of our forest resources
development of new batteries, lighter in weight and higher in capacity, perhaps to power electric cars
studying new materials for use in various areas, perhaps a new material for biological implants, or a new material for use in nuclear power plants
improving the qualities of personal products such as shampoos, soaps, hair sprays, cosmetics, etc.
writing new computer programs for designing and optimizing production facilities
producing basic food products such as flour, corn syrup, sugar, etc. more efficiently from our agricultural resources
studying techniques for recovering more petroleum from oil fields
producing basic chemical products used in solvents, bleaches, cleaning agents, etc. without anadverse impact on our environment
developing new synthetic elastomers for improving the tread life and other performance characteristics of tires
Basically a chemical engineer combines the science of chemistry with the disciplines of engineering, physics, and computer science to solve these problems and a multitude of others, and in general to find better ways of doing things.
Just as the chemical engineer is involved in producing so many different things and in solving such a variety of contemporary technological problems, he also plays a number of different roles in doing this. Among these are:
research and development
process design and optimization
plant construction and start-up
quality assurance, safety, and environmental control
technical sales, service, and marketing
management
university teaching
In fulfilling these various roles, the working chemical engineer must rely on his college preparation in chemistry, mathematics, computer science, physics, and other related technical areas. He must be a skilled communicator: thus in the chemical engineer's undergraduate training there is a considerable emphasis on the preparation of technical reports. The chemical engineer wanting to pursue a career in research and development or in high-level management will often find it useful to continue his education beyond the undergraduate level and obtain M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering. The Ph.D. degree is a necessity for the chemical engineer who wants to become a university professor.
Clearly, the chemical engineer must have modern and thorough technical training in basic science, engineering, and computer science, as well as a foundation necessary to deal with the needs of people. He must have the background and the ability to make important decisions on technical, economic, and ethical basis: What products should be made? How? For what will they be used? And, most important, how should we seek new materials and better methods for their production?
Chemical engineers are now working on a new generation of problems which, when solved, will transform tomorrow's world. They are deeply involved in the so-called "high-tech" industries, in the development of new processes for the production and packaging of integrated circuit chips, and in the programming and application of computers for many purposes. They are seeking new sources of energy and better ways to use our limited natural resources. They are vitally concerned with problems of health, not only in the abatement of pollutions, but also in the development and production of new wonder drugs, artificial organs, and improved health care delivery. Perhaps some day you will travel to a manned space station which orbits around the earth, where as a chemical engineer you will be in charge of producing substantial quantities of ultrapure pharmaceuticals, and other products that can only be made in the near weightlessness of outer space. This is only the beginning; today's students—tomorrow's chemical engineers—will be faced with yet another set of problems, even more exciting and more vital.
Will you succeed in Chemical Engineering? A high school student who likes chemistry, mathematics, physics, and computer science, and who gets good grades in these subjects, has the necessary aptitudes. A student who dislikes these subjects is not likely to do well in the field.
message from UIUC Dept. of Ch.E.
※ 修改:·ringbom 於 Apr 24 00:37:06 2005 修改本文·[FROM: 221.226.129.*]
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