Definition

1. Noun:
   • The branch of engineering: This field is concerned with the design, construction, and operation of plants and machinery used in industrial chemical processes. It applies principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and economics to solve problems involving the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products.
   • The activity: The work or profession of applying chemistry and engineering principles to solve practical problems on an industrial scale.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • She studied chemical engineering at university.
  • Advances in chemical engineering have made this manufacturing process more efficient.
  • His job in chemical engineering involves designing safer reactors.

Advanced Usage

• "To go into chemical engineering": To choose it as a field of study or career.
  • After her chemistry class, she decided to go into chemical engineering.
• Conceptual usage referring to the discipline's principles:
  • The solution required a blend of chemical engineering and materials science.

Variants and Related Words

• Chemical engineer (n): A professional who practices chemical engineering.
  • The chemical engineer optimized the plant's production line.
• Biochemical engineering (n): A sub-discipline applying chemical engineering principles to biological systems.
• Process engineering (n): A closely related field focusing on the design, operation, and optimization of chemical processes.

Synonyms

• Process engineering (in specific contexts)
• Industrial chemistry (though this emphasizes the chemistry more than the engineering design and operation)

Related Phrases

• Chemical engineering principles: The fundamental concepts of the field.
  • The design was based on core chemical engineering principles.
• Chemical engineering plant: An industrial facility designed and operated by chemical engineers.
  • They toured the chemical engineering plant to see the processes in action.

Noun

1. the activity of applying chemistry to the solution of practical problems
2. the branch of engineering that is concerned with the design and construction and operation of the plants and machinery used in industrial chemical processes