Guide Note:Chemical Engineering is a branch of engineering applying mathematics, physics and chemistry to convert chemical into a more useful form. Many Chemical Engineers assume the title of "process engineers". Chemical Engineering involves designing and maintenance of chemical processes for manufacturing. Sadi Carnot was the first to study the thermodynamics of combustion reactions in 1824. From the 1850's through the 1880's contributions to the field were made by Rudolf Clausius, Josiah Willard Gibbs and Hermann von Helmholtz. Chemical Engineering as a discpline evolved from Mechanical Engineering in the late 19th century because of the need for chemical processors. The first bachelors of science degree in Chemical Engineering in the United States was awarded by Rose Polytechnic Institute in 1889. In 1901 George E. Davis produced the Handbook of Engineering. Many productions are manufactered by the chemical industry. Such products include organic industrial chemicals, ceramics, fuels, fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, plastics, explosives, detergents and detergent products. There are 3 primary physical laws that are the basis of Chemical Engineering design. Those are the conservation of mass, conservation of momentum and conservation of energy. In modern Chemical Engineering there are a wide range of products developed, such as fibers, fabrics and adhesives for vehicles, bio-compatible materials for implants and gels for pharmaceuticals.
Fast Facts:
- Early education: George E. Davis lectures in 1887
- First 4 year program: Massechusetts Institute of Technology
- First Ph.D. awarded: University of Wisconsin to Oliver Patterson Watts in 1904
- First professional organization: American Institute of Chemical Engineers
- Unit operations: chemical reaction, mass transfer, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics
- Modern applications: aerospace, automotive, biomedical, electronic, environmental, military applications
- Related topics: biotechnology, nanotechnology, mineral processing
