What is Chemical Engineering?

Chemical engineers are concerned with the design, construction, operation and management of industrial plants in which raw materials undergo physical and/or chemical change, e.g. oil refining or beer brewing

Chemical engineers learn to model the many common features of these processes mathematically, leading to alternative designs, optimal computer control, improved economics or the solution of processing problems

Curriculum

·         In the 4-year program, learning shifts progressively from fundamental science at the start to applied science and engineering at the end

·         2^nd and 3^rd year introduces Chemical Engineering science. E.g. the unifying concepts of heat, mass and momentum transfer.

·         4^th year includes reactor technology, distillation and biochemical engineering , as well as major laboratory and design projects

·         The use of computers is important throughout, in such courses as programming, modeling and process control

Career Prospects

There are many opportunities for Chemical Engineers in South Africa, ranging from software development to being a patent attorney. The increasing demand for commodities which the country has to offer will require further large-scale development of our fuel, mineral, and chemical industries. Chemical engineers are required to ''add value'' to these materials, and to optimize our process to make them competitive on a world-wide scale. Advancement is usually rapid and promotions to senior management is common

Traditional employers such as the mineral, chemical, plastic, fuel, pulp, sugar, fertilizer, cement, soap and water industries are being joined by manufactures of the fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, beverages and biochemical's.

There is a growing range of specialist activities:

Process development and design

Project management and construction

Production management

Quality assurance, health, safety and environmental control

Research and development

Technical sales. Services and marketing

Process optimization and control

Plant trouble-shooting