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Career In Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering : Introduction
Over the years with the great expansion of scientific knowledge, the basis of applying science particularly chemistry to develop technology has increased tremendously. This has lead to the development of the profession of chemical Engineering.
 Chemical Engineering involves the design and maintenance of chemical plants and the development of chemical processes for converting raw materials or chemicals into valuable forms including those to remove chemicals from waste materials, to enable large-scale manufacture. It combines knowledge of Chemistry and Engineering for the production of chemicals and related by-products. This branch of engineering is a varied field, covering areas from biotechnology and nanotechnology to mineral processing. It covers various fields of chemical technology in mineral based industries, petrochemical plants, pharmaceuticals, synthetic fibres, petroleum refining plants etc. Chemical engineers design and operate chemical plants and improve methods of production.
Chemical Engineering is the apt career for those who have an aptitude and interest to work with chemicals. However Chemical Engineering is different from chemical technology. The former is concerned with the designing, supervision, construction, installation and operation of plants and equipments for manufacturing chemical products and developing new methods of production while the latter deals with the actual production of substances with new properties which require new methods of production in the fields of petroleum refining, fertilizer technology, processing of food and agricultural products, paints and dyes; recycling metals, glass and plastics; cosmetics, mineral based industries and prevention and control of environmental hazards. 
The work of Chemical Engineers, the most versatile of all engineers, involve the invention, development, design, operation and management of processes in industries. So they combine the work of several fields such as those of chemists, industrial engineers, materials engineers as well as electrical engineers. Chemical engineers are responsible for the availability of modern high-quality materials that are essential for running an industrial economy. They design equipments and operate chemical plants as well as determine the problems and find the best methods of production.
The scope for chemical engineers is tend to grow in future due to industrial expansion and the related scarcity of resources needed. They may be demand as they work to create synthetic replacements for those natural materials and resources that are in short supply. Overall chemical engineers could make very important contributions for the improvement and maintenance of the quality of life.


Chemical Engineering : Job Prospects & Career Options
Since Chemical engineering is a vast field, the job prospectus and career options of a chemical engineer is varied and different. Chemical engineers play a key role in industries, mostly in the manufacturing field. Their work area varies from petroleum and petrochemicals to food, materials, specialty chemicals, plastics, power production, environmental control, waste management and biotechnology. 
As it is a varied field Chemical engineers could specialise in a particular chemical processess such as oxidation or polymerisation or in a specific product such as plastic or rubber. Besides designing equipments and plants, testing manufacturing processes and supervising production; they also study the properties and effects of dangerous chemicals, device process of neutralising them and also on the development acceptable substitutes. As such their work can be dangerous. 
Wide employment opportunities await chemical engineers both in the public sector as well as the private sector. They can seek jobs in areas such as processing, operations or manufacturing, research and development, design and construction, finance and teaching. They may also pursue a management degree after B.Tech and take on marketing jobs. Candidates with an additional management degree are sought by private industries. In process industries they could work in positions such as a supervisor or manager, technical specialist, project manager or project engineers.
Among the manufacturing industries, pharmaceuticals provide the best opportunities for chemical engineers. In the government sector, chemical engineers are employed to solve environmental problems such as waste and water treatment, environmental regulations and recycling; on energy sector such as energy conservation and research on alternate energy sources and health-related research projects, defense establishments and atomic power plants. They are also employed in service industries such as scientific research and development services, particularly in energy and the developing fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology.
Other work areas of chemical engineers include food processing, coal preparation and mineral processing, explosives manufacturing, chemical process industries such as fertiliser industry, including pesticides and herbicides, caustic soda, glass and specialty chemicals, dyes and dyestuff, paint, lubricants, steel and aluminum production. They are also employed in a variety of manufacturing industries other than chemical manufacturing, such as those producing electronics, photographic equipment, clothing, pulp and paper and even in the development of aircrafts


Chemical Engineering : Remuneration & salary




Due to rapid industrialisation, chemical engineers have gained a position among the top money makers. The earnings depend on the industries employing chemical 
engineers such as Central or State government departments or private concerns. Working experience, qualifications, ability are important factors in determining the pay level. Those who are working in the private sector are well paid. Fresher's can get a starting salary of Rs 29,000 to Rs 53,000 per month excluding other allowances. In the government sector, the salary range of diploma holders is Rs 27,000 to Rs 40,000 per month. Lecturers in colleges get a starting salary of Rs 25,000-Rs 30000 a month. With more experience or as an established independent consultant one could earn more. Senior engineers can earn anywhere in between Rs 60,000 and Rs 100,000 a month.

Chemical Engineering : Institutes
IIT's  or Indian institute of Technology in New Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur are the most prestigious Engineering institutions in India.  Other main Engineering colleges include Birla Institute of Technology (BITS) - (Pilani and Ranchi.), Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi.,UICET,Panjab University,Mumbai University, University of Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttar Pradesh etc and the various NIT's (Formerly Regional engineering colleges) in different states.






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