1st Edition
Careers in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
The scope of opportunities in chemical and biomolecular engineering has grown tremendously in recent years. Careers in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering conveys the breadth and depth of today’s chemical and biomolecular engineering practice, and describes the intellectually enriching, socially conscious and financially lucrative opportunities available for such graduates in an ever-widening array of industries and applications. This book aims to help students interested in studying chemical engineering and biomolecular engineering to understand the many potential career pathways that are available in these dynamic fields — and is an indispensable resource for the parents, teachers, advisors and guidance counselors who support them,
In addition to 10 chapters that discuss the roles such graduates play in many diverse industries, this book also features 25 Profile articles that share in-depth, first-person insight from industry-leading chemical and biomolecular engineers. These technical professionals discuss their work and educational experiences (in terms of both triumphs and challenges), and share wisdom and recommendations for students pursuing these two dynamic engineering disciplines.
Profiles of Working Engineers
Preface for Students, Guidance Counselors, Mentors, and Teachers
About the Authors
Chapter 1 What Are Chemical Engineering and Biomolecular Engineering?
Chapter 2 Historical Adventures in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Chapter 3 Where Do Most Chemical and Biomolecular Engineers Work? How Much Are They Paid?
Chapter 4 Basic Concepts: Chemical Processes and Unit Operations
Chapter 5 Basic Concepts: Equilibrium and Rate Processes
Chapter 6 Basic Concepts: Separation Processes and Other Unit Operations
Chapter 7 Basic Concepts: Dynamics and Control of Chemical Reactions and Processes
Chapter 8 Basic Concepts: Creation and Stewardship of the Sustainable Process Plant
Chapter 9 Roles Chemical and Biomolecular Engineers Play
Chapter 10 Future Directions in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: A Few Examples
Index
Profiles of Working Engineers
Name | Company | Industry Sector | Title of the Profile Article | Chapter 1 |
John Florez | ExxonMobil | Petroleum Refining | Involved in All Aspects of Petroleum Refining “From the Shop Floor to the Top Floor” |
---|---|---|---|
Jill Rogers | DuPont Performance Materials | Performance Chemicals Sector | Connecting the Dots to Procure Process Plant Equipment and Systems | Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 |
Kristine Chin | American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) | Chemical Engineering— Professional Development | Helping to Shape the Entire “Lively and Invigorating” Chemical Engineering Profession |
Tom McGowan, PE | TMTS Associates | Environmental Management and Control | A Self-Proclaimed “Jack of All Trades, Thanks to My Chemical Engineering Training and Expertise” |
Mark Rosenzweig | Chemical Processing magazine (Putman Media) | Engineering Trade Press | Technical Editing and Editorial Development Provides Variety and Intellectual Satisfaction |
Chapter 4 |
Henry Kister, ChE | Fluor Corp. | Distillation | Applying Engineering Analysis to Solve Challenging Distillation Problems |
Kathy Shell, PE | TApplied Engineering Solutions, Inc. (aeSolutions) | Engineering Management and Process Safety Consulting | Emphasizing Process Safety Throughout the Entire Organization |
Shrikant Dhodapkar, PhD | The Dow Chemical Company | Particle Technology and Solids Processing | Applying Fundamentals of Particle Technology and Innovative Approaches to Solve Challenging Industrial Problems, from Conception to Scaleup |
Chapter 5 |
Freeman Self, PE | Bechtel Oil, Gas, and Chemicals Business Unit | Oil, Gas, and Chemicals Sector | Combining the Fundamentals with Continuing Education to Ensure Optimal Process Design |
Valerie Florez, PE | Chemical Engineer/Volunteer | Diverse Process Operations and Information Management | Using My Flexible Chemical Engineering Degree in Both Traditional and Non-Traditional Roles |
David Dankworth, PhD | ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co. | Chemical Process Research & Development | Chemical Engineers: Pressed into Service to Solve Society’s Most Pressing Problems |
Chapter 6 |
Cindy Mascone | Chemical Engineering Progress (CEP) Magazine | Professional Development and Technical Publishing | Bringing Engineering Precision to Professional Writing and Editing |
Soni Olufemi Oyekan, PhD | Prafis Energy Solutions | Petroleum Refining and Catalysis | Applying Catalysis Expertise to a Range of Petroleum-Refining Challenges |
Chapter 7 |
Angela Summers, PhD, PE | SIS-TECH | Safety-Related Instrumentation and Control | Deploying the Latest Risk-Analysis Techniques and System Design to Ensure Plant Safety |
Irvin Osborne-Lee, PhD | Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University | Academia—Chemical Engineerings | Memo to Students: Education is the Only Thing They Can Never Take Away from You |
Chapter 8 |
Otis Shelton | Praxair, Inc./Union Carbide Corp. (Retired) | Chemical Operations and Safety | Supporting Safety Excellence throughout a Network of Industrial Facilities |
Susan Weiher, PhD | Global Foundries | Semiconductor Industry | Using Chemical Engineering to Advance the Frontiers in Semiconductor Performance |
Frederick Gregory | The Lubrizol Corp. | Chemicals Sector/Performance Additives | Applying Engineering Principles to Ensure Safety and Reduce Risk |
Chapter 9 |
Sheila (Yongxin) Yang | Genentech/Roche | Bioprocessing/Pharmaceutical Development | Building a Career in the Biopharmacuetical Industry with a Solid Chemical Engineering Foundation |
James Turner, PE | Fluor Corp. | Engineering & Construction (E&C), Process Technology | Doing What You Love…Loving What You Do |
Anita E. Osborne-Lee, JD | Attorney-at-Law (Private Practice) | Legal/Law | Exploring the Natural Synergy Between Engineering and the Legal Profession |
Steve D. Emerson, PhD, PE | Emerson Technical Analysis, LLC | Process Safety Consulting | Using a Lifetime of Metallurgical and Chemical Engineering Expertise to Prevent Catastrophic Events |
Chapter 10 |
Christopher Bowles | Texas Instruments | Semiconductor Industry | Combining Chemical and Electrical Engineering Expertise to Optimize Semiconductor Fabrication |
Roy E. Sanders, PE, EE | PPG Industries (Retired) and Current Process Safety Consultant | Chemical Plant Operations | Stick with Your Chemical Engineering Degree and Open Up a World of Experiences |
Joseph B. Powell, PhD | Shell | Chemical Plant Operations | Harnessing “Vision and Adaptability” in the Pursuit of Clean, Sustainable Processes for Fuels and Chemicals |
Biography
Dr. Vic Edwards is a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. with 50 years of chemical engineering experience, including the last 30 years with IHI Engineering and Construction International. Vic retired from IHI as Director of Process Safety in 2013, and he now consults. His experience includes bioengineering research, chemical process design, process safety management, liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemicals, offshore projects, and process and environmental technologies.
Suzanne Shelley is a freelance technical writer and editor with nearly 30 years of experience in the global chemical process industries (CPI). She holds a B.S. and an M.S. in Geology, and has been an Editor at Chemical Engineering magazine since 1989 (first serving 17 years as a full-time Editor, including 5 years as Managing Editor, and as a regular freelance Contributing Editor since 2005). Through her consultancy, Precision Prose, Inc., Suzanne also provides freelance technical writing, editing and ghostwriting services to numerous technical magazines, technical websites and corporate clients. She is also a regular freelance Contributing Editor at Pharmaceutical Commerce magazine (since 2005).
"This book is a combination of
a) an introduction to the discipline of chemical engineering (with biological applications), and
b) career guidance through the stories, experiences and words of 25 engineers educated in the discipline. Most are practicing or teaching the profession, and a few have used their undergraduate education to launch into other areas (e.g. law, medicine).
The text content is integrated with simple introductions to specific concepts, descriptive pictures and portraits. It is a beautiful, articulate, persuasive way to sell our profession to young people exploring career paths….the book is truly inspiring. I would have jumped into this discipline with greater anticipation and confidence if I had read it as a 15-17 year old student!"
- Marylee Z. Southard, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas
"Careers in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering provides an excellent introduction to chemical engineering that will be highly valuable... The book highlights the significant contributions and achievements of the profession and grand challenges for the future, which is inspiring for both future and current chemical engineers. As such, it will be a welcome addition to the libraries of both. I would have loved to have seen a book such as this earlier in my career, as the perspectives and breadth of opportunities presented can be quite helpful in making career choices! Certainly, the book fills a need in describing careers and career opportunities for the chemical engineering profession."
- Joseph B. Powell, Ph.D., Shell