(426a) Chemical Engineering in India: Challenges and Opportunities

Chemical Engineering has a very interesting history in India and has evolved from an applied chemistry perspective to a highly science based engineering profession, typically modelled on the ideas promoted by George Davies in England. When officially, the species of ‘chemical engineer’ did not exist in British industries until 1957 and the IChemE (UK) did not get charter from the government there, India had already well established chemical engineering programmes and jobs in industry. Several universities and now well known institutes were established and Chemical Engineering was much sought after degree programme over the year and lost its sheen after early 1990s due to the onslaught of ‘computer’ related courses. However, Chemical Engineering education being highly versatile and all-encompassing, its scope has increased in the context of current global challenges.

Production and supply of energy, without harming the environment, in tune with the demand is critical to sustainable development and poverty alleviation endeavours by India. Energy sector influences social, economic, geo-political and environmental aspects of development, including employment, accessibility to potable, agricultural and industrial water, agricultural productivity, food supply and preservation, transport, health, population profile, education, and industrial growth. India’s burgeoning population, diverse culture and varied income groups are a very big challenge to make  sustainable and equitable  development. To provide for basic needs on one hand and ‘entertain’ the middle class, whose size in on the rising curve, will always be problematic since the material and energy needs will grow tremendously. In relation to sustainable development, including apprehensions of global warming, environmental effects and the problem of wastes, need to be addressed while trying to meet the energy aspirations. Safety in operation is also a matter of great concern even with proven technologies, as well as the broad and indefinite aspect of maximising the options available to future generations. Another aspect is the geographical location and availability of land in putting mega projects is a contagious issues which have several social and political ramifications. While continuing to use old technologies, the biggest new sector will be carbon management; in particular, carbon dioxide capture from fossil energy production facilities and its ultimate sequestration.  Most likely, efficient carbon management will depend significantly on chemical processing technology and expertise.

The technologies related to producing  advanced materials, clean energy generation and storage, medicines, high-end drugs, neutraceuticals, food products, fertilizers, agrochemicals,  polymers, surface coating materials, laser dyes, colorants, pigments, adhesives, textiles, fibres, oleochemicals, surfactants, lubricants, water treatment and purification,  air pollution abatement, bio-processing, downstream processing and a myriad of related issues involve high degree of science and engineering.  How are we going to feed billions of people, remain in harmony with nature, and develop sustainable processes and technology? What will be their energy and material needs? Life expectancy is getting extended.  Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted effort that traverses the fields of chemistry, engineering, biotechnology, information technology and nanotechnology, engineering mathematics, environmental engineering and the curriculum and thus Chemical Engineering needs to widen its content without losing on the traditional areas.