Introduction to Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering and role of Chemical Engineers
Dr. Ayantika Sett 2025-01-27 1
History of Chemical Engineering
• In 1880, George E. Davis proposed the formation of a Society of Chemical Engineers which proved unsuccessful
• Following his notion, Professor Lewis M. Norton of the Chemistry Department of MIT started teaching a course in
chemical engineering which was the first 4-year bachelor program in chemical engineering in 1888
• Soon other colleges such as the University of Pennsylvania and Tulane University followed MIT’s lead starting their own
4-year program
• In 1898 the first textbook in chemical engineering was published by Professor Frank H Thrope entitled ‘Outlines of
Industrial Chemistry’
• In 1901 in England, Professor Davi proceeds with the publication of his ‘Handbook Of Chemical Engineering’. He also
adopted the idea of ‘unit operations’ in the second edition of his book
• In the early 20th century, Chemical Engineering began gaining professional acceptance.
• To survive, chemical engineers had to claim industrial territory by defining themselves and demonstrating their
uniqueness and worthWith this goal in mind, the AIChE was formed in June 1908.
•
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What is Chemical Engineering?
• Definition given by AIChE:
[Chemical engineers] use science and mathematics, especially chemistry, biochemistry,
applied mathematics, and engineering principles, to take laboratory or conceptual ideas
and turn them into value-added products in a cost-effective, safe (including
environmental) and cutting-edge process. From the development of smaller, faster
computer chips to innovations in recycling, treating disease, cleaning water, and
generating energy, the processes and products that chemical engineers have helped
create touch every aspect of our lives
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Chemical engineering in India
• In India, Dr. Hira Lal Roy introduced chemical engineering in the curriculum of the then Bengal Technical
Institute, the nucleus of the present Jadavpur University, as early as 1921 when chemical engineering was still
at its infancy in the West
• It started with a 4 year diploma in chemical engineering full-fledged degree course and master programme
were introduced in the mid 40's and early 50s respectively
• The University Department of Chemical Technology of the Bombay University,UDCT, which came into being
in 1934 had a full-fledged chemical engineering section offering a 2-year post-BSc. course in textile chemistry
and chemical engineering
• The chemical engineering section at the UDCT has modernised the earlier courses and in 1951, the 4-year post
inter sciences course offering B.Chem. Engg was introduced
• Andhra University College of engineering established in 1933, offered graduate and postgraduate courses in
sugar technology and chemical technology and in 1958 the B.Tech degree course in chemical engineering with
different electives was offered
• In the 50s, the Indian Institute of Technology was established in different parts of the country all offering
degree courses in chemical engineering.
• The Indian institute of Chemical engineer came into being in 1947
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Dr. Ayantika Sett Intro to Chem Engg- IMTech Sem II 2025-01-27 5
Few notable chemical Engineering achievements
Semiconductor Fabrication: Developed and refined semiconductor fabrication processes - smaller and more powerful
semiconductor systems - powerful personal computers, cell phones, portable music players, and other “smart” electronic
devices.
Medicine: worked hand in hand with physicians to develop medicines, replacement parts, and physiologic
support products. The resulting biomedical technology has led to improved clinical care, high-tech
diagnostic and therapeutic devices, new “wonder drugs,” and artificial organs.
Crude Oil Processing: Chemical engineers discovered ways to use crude oil by breaking down (“cracking”)
long carbon molecules into smaller ethylenes, propylenes, and so on. These advancements opened the way
for the development of many of the petrochemical products used today, including fuels, plastics,
pharmaceuticals, and the like.
Plastics - Developed nylon, polyvinylchloride, acrylics, polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene,
followed more recently by aerospace plastics, composites, and laminates.
Synthetic Fibers: evelop and manufacture many synthetic fibers, from blankets, to clothing, to upholstery, to
carpets, to very strong (even bulletproof) fabric. Today, some eighty billion pounds of synthetic fibers are
produced each year.
Synthetic Rubber: Developed synthetic rubber (styrene-butadiene
Dr. Ayantika Sett
rubber, or SBR) during WorldWar 2025-01-27
Intro to Chem Engg- IMTech Sem II
II, when natural
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rubber was hard to obtain. Today, approximately two-thirds of the 40 billion pounds of rubber produced annually is
synthetic, and SBR still accounts for half of all synthetic rubber produced. Synthetic rubber is used in tires, gaskets and
hoses, and in many consumer products, such as running shoes.
Gases from Air: Chemical engineers pioneered ways to process and use purified oxygen and nitrogen. Air is separated
into these gases through cryogenics (liquefying the gases at very low temperatures). Nitrogen is used as an inert gas in
many applications, while oxygen is used in many industrial processes and in hospitals. Chemical engineers also developed
vacuum-insulated tank trucks for delivering liquefied gases.
Food: Chemical engineers have helped to produce fertilizers, like phosphates and urea, and pesticides that protect crops.
They are also at the forefront of efforts to improve food processing technology, such as freeze-drying and microwave
processing.
Separation and Use of Isotopes: Chemical engineers developed the processes that separate isotopes from one another.
Chemical engineers also played a major role in developing and using isotopes from fission in nuclear medicine as
advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques. Radioisotopes are also useful in medical imaging and monitoring,
biochemical research, archaeological dating, and production of nuclear energy.
Separation and Use of Isotopes: Chemical engineers developed the processes that separate isotopes from one another.
Chemical engineers also played a major role in developing and using isotopes from fission in nuclear medicine as
advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques. Radioisotopes are also useful in medical imaging and monitoring,
Dr.biochemical
Ayantika Sett research, archaeological dating, and production ofIMTech
Intro to Chem Engg- nuclear
Sem II energy. 2025-01-27 7
Major Chemical Process Industries
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Dr. Ayantika Sett Intro to Chem Engg- IMTech Sem II 2025-01-27 9
Introduction to Chemical Engineering
The Role of Chemical Processing
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Laboratory to Industry Scale up
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Process Categories
• Batch process: an allotment of starting material is introduced into the process, and a sequence of
steps to treat that material is started and finished within a certain period of time, often within the
same piece of equipment. The process is then interrupted, the processed material is removed,
another allotment of the starting material is introduced, and the sequence of steps is repeated.
• Example: materials are loaded into a reactor, a reaction is carried out in the reactor, and then the
final materials are removed. (Start Up/ Shut Down process)
• Continuous process: operates without interruption in the flows and reactions of the process. The
starting material enters continuously, is usually subjected to various steps by moving from one
piece of equipment to another, and exits the process continuously.
• Example: materials continually flow into and out of a reactor, while the reaction proceeds as the
material moves through the reactor.
• Steady-state process: is one in which none of the process characteristics (temperatures, flow rates,
pressures, and so forth) change with time. A process that is not steady-state is termed unsteady-
state or transient.
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Dr. Ayantika Sett Intro to Chem Engg- IMTech Sem II 2025-01-27 13
Engineering Flow sheet
The visual way that chemical engineers show how a process is intended to run
the connections between the various unit operations
the connections with raw material and utility supplies.
an effective training and safety tool.
Main challenge: keeping it up to date. 27-01-2025
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How to represent?
• Block Diagram
• PFD (Process flow diagram) or PFS (Process flow scheme)
• P&ID (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) or PFES (Process Flow
Engineering Scheme)
• BS 5070, ISO10628, ISA S5.1
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Block Diagram
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Process Flow Diagram
• A simple drawing that shows the relationships between major equipment in a
process plant
• It uses equipment symbols and shows the primary process flow path of a unit.
• Quick overview of entire operation of a process/system
• Trace of primary flow of chemical in a unit
• You can visualize the flow of material within the plant with the help of this
drawing.
• Core document to prepare P&ID
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What information PFD gives?
• All major equipment – dimensions, capacity, operational conditions individual
numbering
• Process flow streams of interconnected pipelines- identification number, Pressure,
temperature, density, mass, energy balance displayed (directly on the PFD or in a
flow summary table)
• Process flow direction of all process lines
• Control valves and process critical valves
• Major bypass and recirculating system
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What is NOT covered in PFD
• Pipe classes and pipe line numbers
• Process control instruments
• Minor bypass valve
• Shut off valves
• Maintenance vent and drains
• Relief valve and safety valve
• Code class information
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Pumps Static equipment
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Heat exchangers
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