Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Chemical engineering
open-in-new
<p>Chemical engineering is an <a href="/facts/Engineering/RFVg8H3I">engineering</a> field which deals with the study of the operation and design of <a href="/facts/Chemical_plant/swCB2mEH">chemical plants</a> as well as methods of improving production. Chemical engineers develop economical commercial processes to convert raw materials into useful products. Chemical engineering uses principles of <a href="/facts/Chemistry/SrNqkGVm">chemistry</a>, <a href="/facts/Physics/a7aH2y08">physics</a>, <a href="/facts/Mathematics/pxTouaz4">mathematics</a>, <a href="/facts/Biology/1M1ee3pB">biology</a>, and <a href="/facts/Economics/HYctA2Dn">economics</a> to efficiently use, produce, design, transport and transform energy and materials. The work of chemical engineers can range from the utilization of <a href="/facts/Nanotechnology/Co4FFNfY">nanotechnology</a> and <a href="/facts/Nanomaterials/BthrFILJ">nanomaterials</a> in the laboratory to large-scale industrial processes that convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells, microorganisms, and energy into useful forms and products. Chemical engineers are involved in many aspects of plant design and operation, including safety and hazard assessments, <a href="/facts/Process_engineering/tgNFNxwD">process design</a> and analysis, <a href="/facts/Modeling_and_simulation/cx2QVflW">modeling</a>, <a href="/facts/Control_engineering/5ckfXmB8">control engineering</a>, <a href="/facts/Chemical_reaction_engineering/clYVpSXI">chemical reaction engineering</a>, <a href="/facts/Nuclear_engineering/wu26D25C">nuclear engineering</a>, <a href="/facts/Biological_engineering/N8WPz0P7">biological engineering</a>, construction specification, and operating instructions. </p><p>Chemical engineers typically hold a degree in Chemical Engineering or <a href="/facts/Process_engineering/tgNFNxwD">Process Engineering</a>. Practicing engineers may have professional certification and be accredited members of a professional body. Such bodies include the <a href="/facts/Institution_of_Chemical_Engineers/Ut7uXtfI">Institution of Chemical Engineers</a> (IChemE) or the <a href="/facts/American_Institute_of_Chemical_Engineers/A0byWusX">American Institute of Chemical Engineers</a> (AIChE). A degree in chemical engineering is directly linked with all of the other engineering disciplines, to various extents. </p>