Deveres de um engenheiro químico

What is a Chemical Engineer? Richard L. Stover, Ph.D.

a) An Engineer who knows chemistry,

b) A Chemist who can build things, or

c) A Glorified Plumber?

The correct answer is d) "All of the above."

The term "Chemical Engineer" does not describe the type of work a Chemical Engineer performs so much as it reveals what makes the field different from other fields. All engineers (and plumbers!) employ mathematics, physics, and the engineering art to overcome technical problems in a safe and economical fashion. Yet, it is the Chemical Engineer alone that draws upon the vast and powerful science of chemistry to solve problems. The strong technical and social ties that bind Chemistry and Chemical Engineering are like nothing seen in the other branches of engineering. This marriage between Chemists and Chemical Engineers has been beneficial to all concerned and has rightfully brought the envy of the other engineering fields. Chemical Engineers are versatile and innovative people able to handle a wide range of technical problems.

Today there are about 70,000 practicing Chemical Engineers in the United States. In the history of the profession (including those alive today) there have been only about 135,000 American Chemical Engineers. This means that over one half of all the Chemical Engineers who have ever lived are alive and contributing to society right now! Chemical Engineering is not a profession that has to dwell on the achievements of the past for comfort, for its greatest accomplishments are yet to come.

Here are some answers to typical questions that I have been asked about my work as a Chemical Engineer:

1) What do Chemical Engineers do?

Chemical Engineers design and implement projects. Many of these projects involve processes with chemicals or chemical reactions. Let's say, for example, that a company needs to install a water treatment system because they have contaminants in their wastewater. A Chemical Engineer would do the following:

Take initial measurements to understand the properties of the wastewater (flow rate, composition, pH., etc.).

Research the different water treatment technologies available to do the job (precipitation, filtration, membrane separation, ion exchange, etc.).

Do bench-top experiments using samples of the wastewater and one or more of the water treatment technologies.

Identify a solution that is practical, economical and elegant. This may involve removing the source of the contaminants rather than waiting until the contaminants are already in the water to remove them.

Propose your project to your colleagues and your boss and convince them that your solution is the best possible solution.

Design a full-scale system and create a shopping list of the components (pipes, pumps, concrete, etc.).

Hire subcontractors.

Oversee construction.

Manage the project budget.

Write the operating procedures and maintenance manuals.

Train operators on how to run the system.

Take final measurements to make sure the system works like it is supposed to.

In performing these activities, a Chemical Engineer might get help from other professionals such as other scientists, draftspeople, editors, equipment sales people, and construction contractors. This is an example of just one of many types of projects a Chemical Engineer might do.

2) What are your responsibilities on the job?

I am currently the engineer for an equipment company in the seawater desalination business. I am responsible for research and development of new products, improvement of existing products, and many aspects of manufacturing process control for a new kind of pump used in my industry.

3) What kind of skills, education, or training did you need to get for the job?

I have a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, although most engineers in my industry have bachelor’s degrees and/or are mechanical engineers. To get this job, I needed to have good grades and recommendations, experience working for a manufacturing company, basic mechanical capabilities, and an outgoing, optimistic personality.

4) What work experience did you have to get your job?

I recommend getting a job in a manufacturing facility for at least part of your career. You may have to live in an undesirable location for a couple of years while you work in manufacturing, but in the end it will be worth it. It will give you a practical perspective that will make you very valuable, even if you end up spending most of your career at a desk.

5) What do you do on a day-to-day basis?

Every Chemical Engineer has different "typical" days. What you would actually do on a given day on the job would depend on many factors, including what you WANT to do. Here are some typical activities.

When I get to work, I check in with my colleagues to see what’s going on and discuss goals for the day. These can be face-to-face meetings, phone calls or emails. To help manage my workload, I usually keep one to-do list for the day