Author: admin
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Summary
Chemical and allied industries play an important role in a nation’s economy and are a major constituent of the manufacturing sector. Although the largest fraction of the output of chemical industry goes as a feedstock to other industries, the industry also produces many consumer products vital to society. The global nature of the chemical industry…
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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…
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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…
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Other Related Industries
Apart from these three most closely related industries, chemical engineering principles and operations are also encountered in many other industries and processes, providing employment opportunities to chemical engineers. These industries include ceramic and glass industries, semiconductor industries, food products and processing, energy and nuclear industries, environmental and pollution control undertakings, and many others.
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Plastics and Rubber Products
Chemical engineers find employment not only in the industries that manufacture polymers but also in those that convert these polymers into finished products ranging from grocery bags, plastic bottles, and films to tires, hoses and tubing, and rubber belts. These industries are classified under NAICS code 326, unlike the polymer products described in section 2.2.5 that are…
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Petroleum and Coal Products
Petroleum, the result of transformations of organic matter over millions of years, is a mixture of a large number of compounds. This crude material has to be refined and separated into valuable products such as transportation fuels, basic organics, and other chemicals. Petroleum-derived products listed under NAICS code 324 include gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel…
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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 mills that consume this pulp to manufacture various types of paper, newsprint, paperboard, and consumer products such as cardboard boxes, paper bags, sanitary paper, and many others. These…