UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG

Career Information on Chemical Engineering

For the young person considering a career in a scientific direction, Chemical Engineering is a profession that offers variety and challenge.

What is Chemical Engineering?

Chemical Engineering is the branch of engineering which deals with large-scale industrial processes that convert, by physical or chemical change, raw materials into products with a higher economic and social value. Examples of activities that depend on the application of chemical engineering principles are:

Production of plastics and synthetic fibres
Processing of minerals
Production of hydrocarbon oils from coal, and refining of crude oil
Biomedical and Biotechnological processes
Pulp and Paper manufacture
Fertiliser manufacturing
Cement making
Food processing Technology
Water and effluent (sewage) treatment.
Solid waste management

South Africa, because of its tremendous natural resources, has a very active and growing chemical and mineral processing industry. The chemical engineers also play a key role in areas such as food production, energy conservation and environmental protection.

What kind of Work Does a Chemical Engineer Do?

A chemical engineer can be involved at any stage of a materials-processing project, from the conception of an idea through the research into the new process, to the sale of final product as outlined below:

Research and development: Developing a new process from the laboratory experimental stage to a practical industrial application; Economic evaluation of the proposed project before proceeding from the development stage to the commercial project (or not proceeding, if the outcome of the economic evaluation is unfavourable).
Design of chemical or metallurgical plant, which usually requires working with a team of other engineers from various disciplines such as mechanical and civil engineers. The design process will often make use of computer-aided design facilities for calculation, but still requires common sense, experience and judgement in evaluation of the output from the computer.
Design and manufacture of equipment for the chemical process industries, such as reactors, distillation columns and heat exchangers, etc.
Plant construction and commissioning of the new plant, including training of staff to operate the new plant, which may require a computer simulation of the plant for the operating staff to practice on.
Operation of the completed plant in a safe and economical way, possibly requiring the supervision and continued training of staff working in a number of different disciplines.
Sales and servicing of chemical-engineering-related products, requiring people who have a sound technical background so that they can match the product to the customer s needs and discuss the customer s problems and give advice.
Management of any of the above stages - which is usually only possible after a number of years of varied and relevant experience.

It is not unusual, in a given project, for chemical engineers to progress through involvement in several of the above stages over a period of time.

What Kind of Person is a Chemical Engineer?

A chemical engineer is a creative person who enjoys working with mathematical, physical and chemical concepts. In particular, a chemical engineer must be able to apply a scientific understanding in an integrated manner to solve real problems. An appreciation of economic factors and a concern for the environment are important. Communication skills are important as chemical engineers should have the ability to lead and to work as a member of a team. Chemical engineering offers a high degree of job satisfaction to both men and women in the field.

Where Does a Chemical Engineer Work?

Very good employment opportunities are available for chemical engineers in South Africa and abroad. The salary packages of chemical engineers are very competitive.

Chemical engineers could work on a chemical or mineral processing plant, where they may be in charge of the day-to-day running of the plant. Alternatively, they may be involved in improving the functioning of the plant by modelling and optimising its operation, usually with the aid of computers. From time to time the chemical engineer might be involved in redesigning one or more sections of the plant to remove a "bottleneck" or restriction on the capacity of the plant. This redesign process would go through many of the stages listed in the previous section.

Consulting firms also employ chemical engineers, where they may specialise in the design and construction of chemical plants or of particular types of equipment. They may also specialise in technical sales and marketing, and be involved in the marketing of new chemicals or chemical processes.

Those who are more interested in research and development might work at a research laboratory or at an educational institution such as a University or Technikon.

Chemical Engineering in the University of the Witwatersrand

To qualify as a chemical engineer in South Africa, it is necessary to complete a four year degree course in the university. In the university of the Witwatersrand, the first year of study is devoted to pure and applied mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering graphics and an introductory course in Chemical Engineering. The scientific grounding is further strengthened in the second year where courses offered present fundamental concepts of chemical engineering. In the third year, emphasis is placed on chemical engineering fundamental such as heat, mass and momentum transfer in addition to thermodynamics, experimental engineering laboratory projects, plants design and chemical reactor theory. In the final year, in addition to five core courses, students may choose four out of a number of elective courses depending on their particular interest. These elective courses include diverse subjects as : Biochemical Engineering, Hydrometallurgy, Pyrometallurgy and Multi-component Distillation.

The degree in chemical engineering at Wits emphasizes mathematical fundamentals but the student also spends a balanced amount of time in the laboratory and on more practical topics. In addition, students are required to complete a minimum period of practical training during vacations in their third year.

Details of available bursaries can be obtained from:

Undergraduate Administrative Officer
School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering
University of the Witwatersrand
Private Bag 3
Wits 2050
South Africa
Tel : 27 (0)11 717 7529
Fax : 27 (0)11 717 7591
e-mail : maria.modiba@wits.ac.za

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