Tracing the Historic

Footprints and
Innovations of Chemical
Engineering
Legacy and Innovation: A Dive into Chemical
Engineering's Impactful Journey

Team: ChemEvo
Discoverers
INTRODUCTION
• Chemical engineering is a field that involves
the design and development of chemical
processes and equipment for large-scale
production .Ensuring they're safe, efficient,
and environmentally friendly.
• Chemical engineering is vital for industrial
development as it converts raw materials
into valuable products like pharmaceuticals,
fuels, and materials. It drives innovation,
economic growth, and sustainability across
industries globally, making it a cornerstone of
modern industrial progress.
 Historical Roots of
Chemical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering field owes its
existence to Democretus a
Greek Philosopher who proposed the
concept of atom around 440BC.
• This technically relates to
chemistry,eventually culminating in the
advent of industrial chemistry.
• Industrial chemistry is where the story of
chemical engineering truly begins
 • Role of Chemical Engineering:
• Integration of scientific principles with industrial processes.
Industrial • Systematic analysis, design, and optimization of manufacturing processes.

Revolution and • Impact on Manufacturing and Industry:

• Development of innovative processes for mass production.
Chemical • Scaling up production from laboratory to industrial scale.
• Expansion of industries like petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food
Engineering processing.
• Emphasis on safety, pollution control, and sustainable practices.
• Chemical Engineering as a separate discipline emerged
during the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th and
early 19th centuries, integrating scientific principles of
chemistry with industrial processes.
• In 1888 influenced by various devolopments in
chemical process industries George E.Davis and Lewis
M.Norton created course X in MIT, the
worlds first four-year engineering curriculum.
• In 1907 MIT became the first school to award Ph.D.
degrees in chemical engineering
• In 1920 separate Department of Chemical Engineering
was formed with Warren K.Lewis

ORIGINS OF CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING
INNOVATION V/S
INVENTION
• There is a key difference between invention and
innovation
• An invention is a new product,a new process, or a
new technology
• While innovation involves generating value for the
customer by understanding and satisfying their
needs
• Therefore innovation dosen't require an invention
INNOVATIONS IN VARIOUS FIELDS
OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Chemical Engineers are in an ideal position to develop Some specific examples of chemical engineering
solutions for some of today's most important problems, solutions that have great potential for wider applications
such as providing food , potable water , goods and like
energy to growing population

Process intensification i.e., substantially smaller ,cleaner and more energy-

efficient technology
Alternative/Clean energy systems
Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials
Advanced pharmaceuticals
More sustainable building & construction materials
PIE CHART

• Inner most Purple color

denotes Job functions of a
chemical engineer
• The next Green color denotes
innovation opportunities
• The outermost Lime Green
color gives more specific
examples about innovations.
 INNOVATIONS IN VARIOUS FIELDS
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

The chemical industry had played a

major role in food production & FOR EXAMPLE: Haber-Bosch
food conservation for more than a Process
century .

Haber-Bosch Process is a
groundbreaking innovation by Fritz
Haber and Carl Bosch in the early
20th century.
The Haber-Bosch Process:
Revolutionizing Agriculture
 PROCESS & CONSEQUENCES
N2(g) + 3H2(g) → 2NH3(g)

CH4(g) + H2O → H2(g) + CO(g)

Agricultural uses: Production of ammonia is important as it is one of

the main components in making fertilizers.

Explosives: Ammonia produced is used in making nitro-based

explosives including TNT, RDX, etc.

Pharma: It is used in manufacturing certain types of drugs such as

sulfonamide, antimalarials, and vitamins such as thiamine and
nicotinamide.

Refrigeration: It is also used in large-scale refrigeration plants, air-

conditioning units in Buildings, etc.

Consumer Products: Ammonia is used in various cleaning products

and acts as an effective cleaning agent
 Polymer Science
and Plastics
Plastic is a synthetic material made from polymers, which are large
molecules composed of repeating subunits called monomers.

Polymers are chains of monomers linked together, forming the basis of

various materials like plastics, rubber, and fibers.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA. Chemical engineers have contributed significantly to polymer engineering
by developing advanced processing techniques, such as extrusion, injection
molding, and blow molding, enabling the production of a wide range of
plastic products.

Plastics have become indispensable in various sectors, including packaging,

automotive, electronics, construction, and healthcare, owing to their
versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
Penicillin: Mass Production Revolution
Chemical engineers played a pivotal role in developing mass production
techniques for penicillin during World War II, addressing key challenges such as
scalability, yield improvement, and purification methods.

Chemical engineers introduced innovative fermentation processes using large-

scale bioreactors to cultivate penicillin-producing strains of mold, leading to
higher yields and lower production costs.

The development of mass production techniques for penicillin by chemical

engineers marked a turning point in pharmaceutical manufacturing, paving the
way for continuous advancements in antibiotic production and drug
development. This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.
Green Chemistry: Sustainable Innovations

Green Chemistry: Green chemistry

Environmental Protection: principles, introduced in the 1990s,
Chemical engineers design aim to design chemical processes
processes with reduced and products that minimize
environmental footprint, such as environmental impact, promote
using safer chemicals, optimizing sustainability, and prioritize safety.
reaction conditions, and
implementing efficient waste
management strategies.

One of the biggest trends in chemical

engineering is the move toward green
chemistry. This involves designing and
developing processes and equipment that
minimize waste and environmental impact while
still producing the desired output. This includes
reducing energy consumption, increasing the
use of renewable energy sources, and
developing processes that use fewer hazardous
chemicals.
OTHER FAMOUS INNOVATION......
• Bioprocessing and Biotechnology
• Process Safety and Regulations
• Conservation of Renewable Energy

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

 INNOVATIONS BEYOND EARTH ~ SPACE
• Chemical engineering plays a crucial role in enabling space exploration, colonization, and the
utilization of extraterrestrial resources through innovative technologies and process.
• Main Functions like :
• Propulsion Systems
• Life Support Systems
• Materials Science
• Environmental Control
• Collaboration and Future Outlook
Industrial Revolution 4.0 ~ Chem
Engg
Automation and Robotics
Digital Twins for Process Smart Manufacturing in
in Hazardous
Simulation Chemical Plants
Environments

Advanced Process Control Supply Chain Optimization

(APC) Systems Using IoT and Blockchain
Global Issues & Chemical Engineering Solutions

1. ENERGY AND 2.WATER AND

CLIMATE CHANGE SANITATION

3.HEALTH CARE AND 4.SUSTAINABILITY

BIOTECHNOLOGY AND CIRCULAR
ECONOMY
"Unleashing Potential: Chemical Engineering's
Enduring Impact and Future Horizons"

Consumers, society, and regulatory bodies will demand better carbon efficiency

The ever-increasing demand for food

Limited access to water

Consequences of previous and current waste generation

Renewal of civic infrastructure

The increasing economic power and the rise of the middle class
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.
Pioneering the Next Era of Chemical Engineering

• This conclusion title merges the historical roots of chemical engineering with the
transformative journey it has undergone, likening it to the mystical art of alchemy that has
evolved into a scientific discipline. It captures the essence of innovation, evolution, and the
blending of art and science that defines chemical engineering's past, present, and future.
• Our Chemical Forefathers shaped, moulded the Medival Alchemy in to as a separate
discipline. Now the Future of Chemical Engineering in our Hands
• Chemical engineering is not only a profession but a passion to innovate, create, and solve
challenges that shape the world
• As a chemical engineer, I am inspired by challenges, driven by passion, and committed to
making a meaningful impact on the world.