Human life is influenced by presence of many chemicals from the food we prepare, cars we drive and fertilisers that boost our agricultural system. Each chemical is different in nature that also requires different raw material inputs and specialised equipment required to produce them. Common example chemical companies include ethanol producers, oil refineries, chemicals for human consumption and agricultural chemical producers.
On the other hand, primary role of chemical engineer is to study atoms and molecules along with their interaction on macro or microscopic level. Chemical engineers may observe molecules of molten metals’ flowing over each other, effects of acidic rain on environment and other such things. Let’s have a detailed look at different facts.
Oil Refineries
Oil refineries produce a vast array of chemicals by distilling crude oil. Crude oil is a combination of dozens of organic compounds which are boiled in a fractionating column until vaporised. The moment vapours started rising and begin to re-condense, they’re collected over different levels inside the column. Most common type of refinery chemicals includes gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, petroleum sludge and propane. Out of these, petroleum sludge is among the primary raw materials used to manufacture plastics.
Agricultural Chemicals
Agriculture chemical industries manufacture a wide variety of products like herbicides, pesticides, liquid or granular fertilisers. Few of these products have formulations exclusively designed for application on particular plants like turf grass over golf courses. Other combinations are safely applied to food crops like potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus.
Ethanol Manufacturers
Ever since mandate is given to use ethanol in automotive gasoline blends, numerous plants are developed to increase production of this fuel stabilizer. Ethanol is typically distilled from corn while most of these facilities are found in U.S. Midwest, commonly recognised as “corn belt”. Ethanol is quite identical from chemical composition perspective to that of alcohol in vodka or gin. However, it’s produced at much higher purity level while containing a denaturing agent.
Common Household Chemicals
Many chemical industries in Saudi Arabia produce household chemical compounds s well for human consumption. Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) is widely produced, an ingredient found in antacids and a natural deodoriser.
This wraps up the discussion for chemical industries; let’s move on with classification for chemical engineers.
Chemical & Agricultural Engineers
Individuals having specialisation in chemical engineering apply sophisticated mathematics and physics to design and operate industrial equipment. Production of various chemical products like soaps, detergents and clothing are looked upon as well. Chemical engineers are engaged in development of impermeable plastic for game controls and cell phone covers, fade resistant dyes for trousers while ensuring factories don’t pollute valuable soil and water resources.
Agricultural engineers on the other hand are responsible to find proactive solutions for plants, animals and environment alike. They work to improve production of crop, livestock, land, resource management and bio-energy development. Amplify operating mechanism of crop harvesting machinery, irrigation systems are other tasks along with planning and designing of animals, crops and plants storage structures.
Food & Plastic Engineers
Transforming raw food into consumable food, handling, processing and distribution are some duties performed by food engineers. Meanwhile, devising preservative techniques, improvise cooking technologies so on are also carried out. Another category is that of plastic engineers where individuals manufacture and design plastics used in automobiles, wearable goods, moulds, bottles, cartridges and more.
So we’ve discussed a few chemical industries and engineers. The information is quite useful for science students as well as for general knowledge.
