Table of Contents
What Is Chemical Engineering?
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering. This is related with process design, construction and operation of the chemical plants. Major processes involved in chemical plants for example are Reaction, Absorption, Distillation, Extraction, Filtration and Drying etc.
Chemical engineering is all about transforming cheaper or waste raw materials into valuable and useful products. For example alcohol, plastics, paint, food item, medicines, synthetic clothes and petroleum products etc.
Chemical engineering is a challenging branch among other engineering branches. It involves lots of physics, chemistry, mathematics. In addition to that other subjects are life sciences (biology, microbiology and biochemistry), economics and industrial management to solve practical problems.
History of Chemical Engineering
Industrial chemicals manufacturing before 18th century was mostly through batch plants. Around between 1700 – 1800 industrial revolution took place. Subsequently, this revolution transformed chemical production plants from batch mode to continuous mode operation. Afterwards, from continuous processing, manufacturing cost reduced and product quality consistency increased.
Which subjects Chemical Engineers Study?
Chemical engineering is not about the chemistry only, it is a small portion of complete course. However, when we are working on some reaction kinetics we need to know about that specific reaction. So, in chemical engineering, we study mathematics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, chemical reaction engineering, process systems analysis & process control, material and energy balance etc.
Moreover, process designing of various equipment like reactors, distillation columns, absorption column, heat exchangers, extraction columns, pumps & compressors etc.
In addition to above, chemical engineers study about pollution control, industrial management, process economics, project management etc.
What are Further areas of Specialization in Chemical Engineering?
Before staring of formal course in Chemical Engineering, mechanical engineers managed & operated the chemical factories. Afterwards, separate course in chemical engineering was started. Subsequently, understanding the vast area of scope of chemical engineering, specialization courses started. There are lot of options for a B.E/B.Tech Chemical Engineering student to take up specialization courses in M.S. as below:
- Petroleum Engineering
- Polymer Technology/ Engineering
- Bio Chemical Engineering
- Water & Waste Water Technology
- Environmental Engineering
- Material Science & Technology
- Process Engineering/ Technology
- Food Technology / Dairy Technology
- Oil & Gas Engineering
- Geothermal Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Natural Gas Technology
- Offshore Technology, etc.
Top Chemical Engineering Institutes in India
Below is the list of top institutes in India, which provides the Degrees in Chemical Engineering branch. Based on your rank in relevant entrance exam you can select the college.
How to get Admission in Chemical Engineering?
You are eligible to pursue Chemical Engineering after completion of your 10+2 or equivalent class in science mathematics subject. Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Chemical Engineering is a four year undergraduate degree in engineering. So, to get admission in engineering colleges in India you have to qualify entrance exams and based on the ranking in exams you can select your college. If your rank is higher, then you can select best college of your choice and place. Below are the various entrance exams for your references.
- Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main, It is a common entrance test conducted to screen candidates into for Admission in B. E./B. Tech. It is also the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced.
- JEE Advanced is the exam in which candidates qualifying in JEE Main can only appear. Moreover, this is for admission to UG engineering programs in the prestigious IITs, IISc, ISM Dhanbad and a few other institutes.
- BITSAT is entrance exam to select candidates for admission to engineering and other science programs in BITS Pilani, BITS Goa, and BITS Hyderabad.
- State-Level Engineering Colleges also conduct entrance exams for engineering courses at the state level.
What are the career opportunities in Chemical Engineering?
After completion of chemical engineering degree, you have generally two options. Either go for the job or pursue for higher level of education. If you wish to make your carrier in chemical industries then, bachelors degree is more than sufficient. In case, you are interested in research and want to go in academics line. You need to do further studies to complete the master’s degree and doctorate.
There are different types of industries, where chemical engineers can work. These includes Oil & Gas, Fertilizers, Chemical, Petrochemical, Pharmaceutical, Biochemical, Distillery, Energy and Information Technology. In these you start your professional career as a GET (Graduate Engineer Trainee). If you work smartly and with dedication, one day you can reach to top of the organization also.
Top Companies for Chemical Engineers in India
In India there are lots of large, medium and small size industries, where chemical engineers can work. Below are the top chemical companies for your reference.
Tata Chemicals
Tata Chemicals is a leading chemical company in India having presence in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. The company is a subsidiary of giant Tata group and 2nd largest soda Ash producer in the world. It manufacturers various types of chemicals for human, industries and agriculture needs such as Salt, Pesticides, fertilizers etc.
ONGC
ONGC is the largest crude oil and natural gas Company in India, it is contributing around 75 per cent to Indian domestic production. Crude oil is the raw material used by downstream companies like IOC, BPCL, and HPCL (subsidiary of ONGC) to produce petroleum products such as Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene, Naphtha, and Cooking Gas-LPG.
UPL Limited
UPL formerly known as united phosphorus limited. It is a chemical and crop seeds Company, based in Mumbai organization and has existence in more than 15 countries worldwide. The company has total 5 manufacturing facilities four located in Gujarat and one in Haldia in West Bengal. It is ranked among the top 5 Chemical companies in India.
India Glycols Limited
IGL is a green petrochemical company in India which manufacturer glycols, natural gums and Ethoxylates. The company started India business in year 1983, setting up a single mono-ethylene glycol manufacturing plant. Moreover, other areas of significant presence in pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals industry.
BASF India
BASF India is one among the top chemical companies in India based in Mumbai. It offers various chemical products required in various sectors such as chemicals, agriculture and oil & gas industry.
Pidilite Industries limited
Pidilite is one of the leading adhesive manufacturer in the country and caters the global market in chemical, industrial chemical and art products category. The company’s most well-known brands are Dr. Fixit, fevicol, M Seal, Fevi kwik etc.
Grasim Grasim Industries Limited
Grasim is flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, ranks amongst the top publicly listed companies in India. Incorporated in 1947, it started as a textile’s manufacturer in India. Today, it has evolved into a leading diversified player with leadership presence across many sectors. It is a leading global producer of products such as Viscose Staple Fibre, the largest Chlor-Alkali, Linen and Insulators player in India.
SRF
SRF started with a nylon tyre cord plant in Manali in India in 1970. In subsequent years SRF expanded product range under the Technical Textiles. SRF business profile constitutes other major products Fluorochemicals, Specialty Chemicals and Packaging Films.
Lupin
Lupin was founded in 1968 by Dr. Desh Bandhu Gupta. Lupin is recognised as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of Tuberculosis drugs. Lupin has significant market share across multiple therapy areas. This includes Cardiovascular (prils and statins), Diabetology, Asthma, Paediatric, Central Nervous System (CNS), Gastro Intestinal (GI), Anti-Infective (AI) and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
ITC Limited
ITC is an Indian multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal. Established in 1910. ITC has a diversified presence in FMCG, Hotels, Packaging, Paperboards & Specialty Papers and Agri-Business.
Chemical Engineering Contribution to Society
In a short span of history contribution of Chemical Engineering to the society is remarkable. And, we can see the use of chemical products in our everyday life. It is really hard to visualize modern life without the large-scale production of various useful products, for example antibiotics and other drugs, fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, physiological-compatible polymers for biomedical devices.
- Chemical engineers have provided fuel to world economics by producing products, such as gasoline, diesel, jet oil, etc. from fossil fuels.
- Chemical engineering is continuously working in the field to produce greener and cleaner energy. This includes other unconventional sources of energy such as nuclear power plant, NiMH battery, wind energy, hydrogen, solar energy etc.
- Working in the field to provide clean water and clean environment to growing world population. Technologies such as for water purification, generating water form sea water, sewage treatment and effluent treatment facilities are important contribution for our healthy life.
- Technologies to control air pollution, catalytic converter for car’s exhaust gas. Chemical engineers have made useful polymers, for example plastics, rubber, bio-plastic, synthetic fibres, which made our life easy and comfortable.
- Ready to eat food, such as canned food, processed food, powder coffee, powder milk, sterilized food. Thanks to chemical engineering for providing all this.
- Chemical engineering’s one of the great contribution is in the field of healing diseases, extending life and nutritional products. Which has improved our quality of life and also saved millions of life.
- Germanium based silicon chips used in our laptops and gadgets. In addition to that Liquid crystal display used in our TV, cell phone, and other screens.
Thank you very much for reading, looking forwards for your inputs and comments.