Chemical Engineering?What is this?

Richard. E. Smalley 

Nobel in Chemistry 1996

2

Τop 10 problems for the next 50 years

1. ENERGY2. WATER3. FOOD4. ENVIRONMENT 5. POVERTY6. WAR-TERRORISM7. DISEASES8. EDUCATION9. DEMOCRACY10. POPULATION

2003 6.3 Billion2050 10 Billion

Πληθυσμός της γης

3

• Energy demands increase rapidly– Population increase– Economic growth

• Fossil fules dominate– Abundant and low cost in

comparison with alternative solutions

• Energy without carbon involvement is needed and CO2 capture is essential to avoid stresses on environment and for climate change management

EnergySecurity

Environmental

Economic

Energy

Chemical transformations are of key importance

EnergySafety

Economy

Environment

4

Different definitions for engineering. A typicορισl is that it is «application of science" because engineers take abstract ideas which they use for the construction and production of products used in everyday life.

The profession in which Math and natural sciences knowledge gained either through study or practical applications is applied critically for the development of economic resources for the valorization of both the materials and of nature’s forces for the sake of the good of humanity

What is Engineering and what Chemical Engineers do ?

5

Traditionally, chemical engineers are responsible for the design and the control of large scale chemical plats producing essential chemicals, plastics, fibers etc.

Today’s chemical engineers are involved in the production of food and fertilizers, the synthesis of electronic materials, the development of chemical and biochemical sensors, recycling of all sorts wastes, the development of energy and alternative energy sources (e.g. fuel cells). Develop new products (ceramics, composites and novel electronic materials) and biochemical and pharmaceutical goods.

Chemical Engineering

6

7

Chemical Engineering is Central

Chemical Engineering possesses a unique place at the interface between molecular science and Engineering

BiochemistryBiomedicine

TransportEnergy

Environmental engineering

Ceramics and polymers

Applied Chemistry

Fluids

MicroelectronicsMEMS

Biology

Electrical Eng.

MechanicalEngineering

Civil Engineering sciences

Materials Science

Chemistry

Physics

Chemical Engineering

Computer ScienceMathematics

8

J. Wei, Chemical Engineering Science, 59, 1641(2004).

Chemical Engineers at different scales..

Chemical engineers are Global Engineers. Why?

During the last century, chemical engineers contributed significantly to the improvement of the living standards. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, AIChE made a list with the "10 most important achievements of chemical engineering:

10

The astonishing developments in the fields of Medice,Biology, metallurgy and energy production have been promoted from the discovery of the atom fission and the isolation of isotopes. Chemical Engineers had a leading role in these achievements. Medical doctors use nowadays isotopes to follow up functions of our organism : Identification of clogged arteries, Biologists obtain valuable information for fundamental mechanisms of life and archaeologists can very precisely date their historic findings, geologists can trace water transport, etc.

The atom..Great as life!

11

The age of plastics

During 19th century enormous progress was achieved in polymer chemistry. However, the vision of chemical engineers was that during the 20th century made polymer production sustainable reality.

Chemical engineers study complex processes by analyzing them to smaller unit operations.

Heat exchangers, filters, chemical reactors etc. This concept has been successfully applied for the human body.

Results: Better clinical care, new and improved diagnostics

Top achievements : Artificial organs. Medical doctors work together with chemical engineers to increase both life expectancy and quality of life!

The Human Reactor..

13

Use engineering to solve biological problems

Use biology to solve engineering problems

14

Artificial pancreas in the struggle against diabetes

Problem: Pancreas implants are rejected by the body.

Solution: Encapsulate insulin-producing cells within an artificial pancreas

15

16

Chemical engineers managed to maximize the production of substances like antibiotics, discovered by scientists : Sir Arthur Fleming (penicillin 1929). The production was increased by thousand of times by the development of incubation methods and transformations. The fact that today medicines are available in large quantities and low prices thanks to the work of chemical engineers.

The possibility of making widely available materials which at some point they were rare, is an important achievement of chemical engineering.

Drugs and pharmaceuticals –mass production

…millions were saved with penicillin mass production

Water

Cells

Filtrate

FILTER

Spent Solvent Solvent

EXTRACTION

Activated Carbon

ADSORPTION

Solvent

Spent Solvent

FILTER

Solvent

Spent Carbon

FILTER

Solvent

CRYSTALLIZATION

SolventAir

Penicillin Product

DRYER

Broth

FERMENTATION

17

18

Synthetic fibres. The sheep’s friend...

Synthetic fibres from which blankets, bedsheets, pillows and other everyday commodities which ensure a good sleep!

Liquified Air

Air is liquefied upon cooling (-196 C). At this temperature, chemical engineers separated the various air components.

pure nitrogen is used for oil recovery, frozen food, semiconductors production, ensuring inert atmosphere to avoid undesirable chemical reactions.

Oxygen is used in steel and copper production, metals welding and to support life in hospitals.

19

20

Our Environment:We all live in it!

Chemical engineers provide economically feasible solutions for the cleanup of wastes from earlier times and for the prevention of pollution today and for tomorrow. Catalytic converters, modified gasoline, flue gas purification installations, contribute in keeping a clean world. Chemical engineers, help in the reduction of stresses in raw materials with synthetic substitutes, more efficient treatment methods and recycling technologies.

Plants need large quantities of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus so that they may grow in sufficient quantities. Ferilizers ensure that sufficient nutrients reach the plants which pay back with a balanced and sufficient food. Advances in biotechnology make possible the increased production of food globally. Chemical engineers are leaders in food treatment contributing in the development of more tasty and nutricious food.

Food:What do we have for today???

21

22

Petrochemicals Black gold ή Texas Tea

Chemical Engineers developed processes like catalytic pyrolysis in which complex molecules, present in crude oil are decomposed in simpler compounds. These compounds separated and then combined appropriately so that useful products are obtained including : gasoline, lubrication oils, plastics, synthetic rubber, and synthetic fibres.

Petroleum treatment is recognized as a technology of fundamental importance, that has shaped our modern life .

Replacement of petrochemicals with modern biocatalytic methods (biorefineries 3rd generation)

Problem: Difficult to convert agricultural waste to useful materialsSolution: Use novel enzymes to break down agricultural waste.

23

24

Bioproducts:

Controlled drug-release: dosage and rate of

supply

Aerosol drugs design : They reach their target

through the appropriate aerodynamic design

and sustained supply

Other examples of development of novel products

Cussler, E. L. and Wei J. AIChE J., 49(5), 1072-1075 (2003)

25

Chemical Engineering is the key for new discoveries for the future which starts today!