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Counseling for IIT/ NIT AspirantsChemical Engineering

by Mr. N S Walimbe

Presented by Gajendra Circle Initiative (GCI) from IIT Madras Alumni Association

andThe Hindu Group

15 May 2010, Hyderabad

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• Applies scientific principles creatively to design or develop structures /machines /apparatus /processes

• Utilizes them singly or in combination• Constructs or operates them with full knowledge of their

design• Forecasts their behavior under specific operating

conditions

His final aim is to fulfill the intended function with economics of operation and safety to life and property

Who is an engineer and what does he do?

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Application of engg principles in chemical industry to convert basic raw materials into variety of products and dealing with the design and operation of plants and equipments to perform such work.

What is Chemical Engineering ?

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• Developed in 19th century (around 1880)• Industrial scale manufacturing demanded new

materials and new processes.• New industrial plants were required to

manufacture chemicals on a large scale.• Role of chemical engineers was to design and

operate these chemical plants and processes.

Chemical engineering History

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Development and production of diverse range of products like,

• Materials for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, electronic, environmental and military applications.

• Ultra strong fibers, fabrics, adhesives and composites for vehicles

• Biocompatible materials for implants and prosthetics

• Gels for medical applications• Pharmaceuticals• Films with special dielectric• Biopolymers (Proteins)

Modern chemical engineering

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• Petrochemicals• Pollution control• Fine chemicals/Pharmaceuticals• Fertilizers• Agrochemicals/Pesticides• Natural extracts processing• Food processing• Plastics/Polymers• Cosmetics• Dyes/Detergents• Waste treatment and recycle

Application Areas of Chemical Engg

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• Clear concepts on physical, organic and inorganic chemistry, math's and physics.

• Liking of allied disciplines like chemistry, mechanical engineering, biochemistry etc.

• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams (e.g. R&D , Operations, Maintenance and other branches).

• Ability to design and conduct experiments and interpret data.

• Quick understanding of physical processes and ability to derive quantitative results and apply the same to new processes.

Skills Required

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• Biochemical Engineering• Biomedical Engineering• Environmental Engineering• Process Control/Automation/Instrumentation

Engineering• Food Technology• Petrochemical Engineering• Polymers/Plastics Technology• Electrochemical engineering• Process Modeling and Simulation

Further Specializations

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• Production Engineer Production Manager Factory Manager

• Project Engineer Project Manager• Design Engineer Consultant• Research and Development Engineer

Research and Development Manager• After 10 years of service, become

Specialists in pharma, pesticides, foods, sugar etc.

Types of roles 5 - 15 yrs after graduation

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• Born on April 19, 1957 in Mumbai• Did his Bachelors in Chemical Engineering from

University of Bombay and Masters in Business Administration from Stanford University, USA.

• Joined Reliance in 1981 and was the brain behind Reliance's backward integration from textiles into polyester fibers and further into petrochemicals / oil refining and then to oil exploration.

• During the process of backward integration, Mukesh Ambani led the creation of 51 new, world-class manufacturing facilities involving diverse technologies that raised Reliance's manufacturing capacities manifold.

Inspiration – Mr. Mukesh Ambani

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Chemical engrs who became notable for other activities

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• Graduated from IIT Bombay (1978)• First Job: Gharda Chemicals Pvt Ltd (Near

Mumbai)• Second Job: Hoechst India Ltd (Ankleshwar and

Mumbai)• Third Job: Lupin Laboratories Ltd, Mumbai• Fourth Job: SOL Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Hyderabad• Worked in close coordination with R&D and

production departments and learnt multidisciplinary skills.

My Path to Zen

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• Started Zen Consultants in 1995 to cater to chemical engineering requirement of the industry. Today, Zen is one of the top chemical engineering consultants.

• Converted a sick unit in to a 150 crore public listed company today, manufacturing fine chemicals.

• Guiding other companies like Galaxy Laboratories (A fine chemicals manufacturing Co) to achieve greater heights through technical expertise.

• Zen has been a large contributor in pollution control (Air and water).

• Zen has got a grant from MSME foundation, New Delhi for developing a prototype equipment for solvent recovery from fugitive emissions.

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Water Recycling Waste Recycling Generation of power from renewable

resources like solar, biomass, biofuel etc

Key opportunities for chemical engg in 2035

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Name of the Personality

Profession and Achievement

Harsha BhogleCricket commentator

Garry BettyDesign of the original personal computer

Dolph LundgrenActor, director, martial artist

Frank Capra Movie directorSeyi Olofinjana Football player

Chemical engrs who became notable for other activities

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FAQ:

Q. What is the amount of chemistry in a chemical

engineering Course?

A. Quite a bit because chemical engineer has to

understand chemistry to apply it to engineering problem solving.

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Q.What does a chemical engineer really do?A. A chemical engineer understands chemistry and

applies it for solving industrial engineering problems. He works with chemicals in an engineering sense

Q. What are services offered by chemical engineering consultants?

A. They can do process design, size a heat exchanger, size a pressure vessel, size a compressor, design a distillation column, size a relief valve, optimize a chemical process, answer environmental questions, troubleshoot plant problems and write operating manuals

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Q.Where are the job opportunities for chemical engineers?

• Oil refineries• Petrochemical plants• Pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals• Food processing• Agrochemicals/Pesticides• Plastics/Fibers/Textiles• Sugar• Fermentation plants• Paints/Corrosion engineering• Biomedical engineering• consultancy

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Which are the best chemical engineering colleges in India?

• IIT’S• NIT’S• UICT, Mumbai• Jadhavpur University • LIT, Nagpur