Environmental Sustainability and the Chemical Engineering Profession

Abstract

J Chem Proc Eng 2014 | Vol 1: e101 The discipline of chemical engineering has changed remarkably since its early days. Extensive process automation on the large scale and molecular scale understanding of chemical kinetics has led to process modifications and innovations in chemical process engineering. Chemical engineering has more recently embraced biomolecular engineering concepts to widen its scope. In all of this there is one underlying theme that has pervaded all of the developments in chemical engineering as a profession. That area is environmental sustainability. Whether it has to do with minimizing the overall footprints of chemical processes, conserving or modifying the feed stocks, or improving product selectivity the primary aim of all chemical engineers is to design processes with minimal environmental impacts. From feedstock selection to product manufacturing, recovery and waste recycling, chemical engineers are involved in every large scale operations in the chemical and petrochemical industrial processes. Chemical engineers bear the burden of making sure that their activities are environmentally acceptable even while improving the health and well being of all citizens.