Role of Chemical Engineer in Pharmaceutical Industry:

As the world is slowly recovering from the Pandemic of COVID crisis. We all know how much damage COVID 19 virus has done to humanity. Scientists are predicting that many new diseases and viruses are going to develop and become prevalent in society. We must be prepared to fight against them. To fight with these new viruses and diseases we must invent new drugs and vaccines. Down the line pharmacy and Biotechnology play a key role in developing new medicines.

Role of Chemical Engineer in Environment:

These days land, air, water & noise play a key role in Environmental pollution. We could sense the deteriorating air quality. The air quality in all Indian cities is above danger level. We have seen how poor air quality in Delhi affected infants, women and elders. With the rise in vehicles, rapid Industrialization, Increasing population and rampant deforestation posed a threat to our planet. More control measures must be proposed to control environmental pollution by applying Chemical Engineering Principles.

Role of Chemical Engineer in CO2 capture:

With increase in Carbon dioxide emissions our planet is getting warmer day by day leading to global warming. There is a need to limit Global warming to 1.5 deg C. As per UNO report, by the year 2050 if CO2 emissions are not controlled it is a big threat to the survival of humanity. There is a need to capture CO2 emissions before getting released to the atmosphere. Key solutions are shifting towards Hydrogen energy from Carbon based also encouraging renewable energy sources like wind, solar etc.

Role of Chemical Engineer in Water treatment:

These days we are not getting pure water. Fresh water sources are getting depleted. Rivers, ponds, lakes etc. are not suitable to use directly. Water needs to be treated with different reagents before we use it. Reagents alter the chemistry of water by removing impurities. 

Role of Chemical Engineer in Developing Biofuels:

The prices of Petrol, Diesel and gases are skyrocketing day by day. A country like India depends heavily on them to run daily activities like transportation, power generation, Cooking etc..There is a need to shift to Biofuels from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are high emitters of carbon dioxide gases. Biofuels are fuels produced from plant waste, molasses, biomass, animal waste, municipal solid waste etc.. Most common Biofuels are Ethanol, Methanol etc. Biofuels emit very less Carbon dioxide gases compared to Fossil fuel derived products. 

Role of Chemical Engineer in Safeguarding Ozone layer:

On 16th September the World celebrated Ozone day. Ozone layer acts as a barrier in protecting ultra violet rays emitting from the sun directly on the Earth. Ultraviolet rays on continuous exposure kills the red blood cells of our body leading to Cancer. Ozone layer depletion is caused by excess usage of chemicals like Chlorofluorocarbons, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, Freons, greenhouse gases etc. There is a need to develop alternate chemicals that won't cause ozone layer depletion.

Role of Chemical Engineer in disposal of waste plastic:

Another biggest threat humanity is facing is waste Plastic disposal. As plastics are non biodegradable, it takes thousands of years to get decomposed. Huge tons of plastics are piled in Oceans, Rivers etc. Due to piling up of plastics in Oceans aquatic life is getting affected. The need of the hour is to develop biodegradable plastics that decompose easily.

Chemical Engineers play a key role in eradicating all the above burning problems that the World is facing presently.

PIc credits: CSG Beach Gear Ltd

Passion for Chemical Engineering helps in working in areas like Bio-Technology, Pharmacy, Environmental engineering etc. To be successful in the above fields you need strong basics of Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics at Intermediate level.

 For any further guidance or query, please feel to contact undersigned.

About the Author

Sri Chaitanya Ayyagari

M. Tech Chemical Engineering,

Working in JSW Steel R&D centre.

Email: ayyagarisri@gmail.com

Note:Opinions expressed by authors are their own.

Pics Source:Pixabay