Chemical Engineering – The Course That Teaches Sustainability

Chemical Engineering, as the name suggests, is a discipline within mechanical engineering that teaches life sciences (e.g. microbiology, biochemistry, biology) along with the right blend of physical sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry) and mathematics. It details the process of converting raw materials into processed or valuable forms for it largely involves designing, improving and maintenance of procedures that involve chemical or biological transformations for large-scale manufacturing. Chemical engineers make sure that all the processes are operated with safety, sustainability and economically. Engineers in this branch are largely employed under the title of process engineer. Sustainability largely focuses on meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising on the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It stands on three major pillars: a. Economic – (also informally known as profits) b. Environmental – (known as planet) c. Social - (also known as people). Sustainability is known to have emerged as an element of corporate ethics in an answer to the perceived public discontent over the long-term damage caused by a focus solely made on attaining short-term profits. Chemical engineering has recently embraced bimolecular engineering concepts to broaden its scope. Here, there is one underlying theme that has pervaded all of the developments in chemical engineering as a profession, that area is environmental sustainability. Be it minimizing the overall footprints of chemical processes, conservation or modifications in the feed stocks, or improvising on the product selection, the main aim of every chemical engineer is to design such procedures that provide minimal environmental impacts. From feedstock selection to the product manufacturing, recovery and recycling of wastes; chemical engineers are involved in every large scale operation that takes place in the chemical as well as petrochemical industrial processes. They are active participators who indulge in the modern developments taking place in extracting extract natural gas from the shale formations which have basically transformed the oil and gas industry to a large extent. There are many questions that push environmental sustainability that requires a careful analysis involving them to maintain their professional forefront. Though they do generate profit for the companies they work for, chemical engineers make considerable contributions in many areas of life. Chemical engineering helps them to advance in skin and health care, which includes technological as well as medicinal fronts. They also help in developing systems that process more efficiently in terms of waste management. Chemical engineering thus plays an important role in the food processing, helping companies that make food consumable in an affordable as well as a healthy manner. Also, chemical engineers are major players in national defense services with their involvement majorly in the development of high-technology weapons as well as ammunition. Thus, chemical engineers play a very important role in the sustainability of the society in every manner. In order to grow as a sustainable society, we need to have more efficient as well as thoughtful chemical engineers who can change the face of the world in a greener, cleaner and beautiful manner.