The History of Chemical Engineering: Crash Course Engineering #5

Today we’ll cover the fourth and final of our core disciplines of engineering: chemical engineering. We’ll talk about its history and evolution going from soda ash competitions to oil refineries and renewable energies. We’ll also discuss some newer and emerging fields like biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

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RESOURCES:
“Basic Principles and Calculations in Chemical Engineering” by David Mautner Himmelblau, James B. Riggs

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Thanks to the following Patrons for their generous monthly contributions that help keep Crash Course free for everyone forever:

Mark Brouwer, Glenn Elliott, Justin Zingsheim, Jessica Wode, Eric Prestemon, Kathrin Benoit, Tom Trval, Jason Saslow, Nathan Taylor, Divonne Holmes à Court, Brian Thomas Gossett, Khaled El Shalakany, Indika Siriwardena, SR Foxley, Sam Ferguson, Yasenia Cruz, Eric Koslow, Caleb Weeks, Tim Curwick, Evren Türkmenoğlu, D.A. Noe, Shawn Arnold, Ruth Perez, Malcolm Callis, Ken Penttinen, Advait Shinde, Cody Carpenter, Annamaria Herrera, William McGraw, Bader AlGhamdi, Vaso, Melissa Briski, Joey Quek, Andrei Krishkevich, Rachel Bright, Alex S, Mayumi Maeda, Kathy & Tim Philip, Montather, Jirat, Eric Kitchen, Moritz Schmidt, Ian Dundore, Chris Peters, Sandra Aft
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Want to find Crash Course elsewhere on the internet?

[crashcourse]

This is, indeed, a reupload – there was an error in the graphic at 2:00 that we tried to address with a pinned comment, but it was a little too much to clarify that way, so the graphic has been fixed!

[mcdrums]

...and it’s back!

For those looking at careers, chemistry vs. chemical engineering (IMO) is the best example of how a science degree differs from an engineering one.

Chemists can tell you everything about a chemical, while chemical engineers will figure out how to produce a chemical in usable quantities. This is especially true for pharmaceutical companies employing chemists to develop the right drug formulas and chemical engineers to handle production.

Obviously, both are related—you can’t really do engineering without the science—but as far as careers are concerned, a “science” degree will prepare you for more research, development, and lab work. An engineering degree will give you the design and production background for products and manufacturing.

[joeybroda]

I'm glad my field got mentioned. As a ChemE you can have a wonderful career making methane gas from landfills, manure pits, and sewage! This isn't sarcasm, I actually love my job.

[jlhillmann]

Surprised you didn't mention Mass and Energy Balances. In my experience, that's one of the key fundamentals that differentiates ChE from other engineering disciplines. I work with all different types of engineers (they have that I don't), and it's always interesting to see how ChE's always seem to approach a problem thinking about black boxes with inputs/outputs, while other engineers don't.

[austinjackson]

Chemical engineer intern at an explosives plant! I love what I do. For me it’s perfect, I get to be creative with my projects, do calculations to solve problems, go out in the plant to get out of the office, work in teams and collaborate to achieve a common goal, and I get to see the work I do save the company money by making things more efficient. It’s challenging but very rewarding when you complete a project and realize you made that improvement. Be aware, not every company is fun to work for though. Make sure the people you work with are happy, motivated, and collaborative.

[notevennelson]

I'm a Chemistry with Chemical Engineering student at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. I found this pretty much useful. Thanks!

[pankajkhushalani]

English is not my first language and I usually use captions but the narrator in this video had such brilliant diction that I didn't need them. Apart from that, this video gave me a good insight on Chemical Engineering. I am a Junior Science College in India where we study Physics, Chemistry, Math/Biology, a language and a vocational subject such as Electrical Maintenance or Computer Science or Psychology or IT. In about 2 months, I have to decide which branch of engineering I should choose. This video helped a lot.

[davidsweeney]

Warning - chemical engineering degrees are VERY mathematical!!!

[saidzaid-alkailani]

How is the Haber-Bosch process not mentioned? It is literally the most important chemical engineering process and the first thing most chemical engineering professors mention.

[Billionaire_B]

food science is a branch off chemical engineering and is making a new revolutionary development not only within the food themselves but also looks at new packaging materials and ways to extend shelf. just got to love chemical engineering

[SkywalkerAni]

Chemical engineering is a primary reason I have a job- I work in an office dealing with hazardous waste, and someone has to make and mix all those chemicals! For the record, I am not a Chemical engineer, the chemical engineering processes is a huge reason I have the job I do.

[ss]

Mistake in diagram 4:26. Petrol is an alkane (single C bonds), not alkene (double C bonds).

[mohammedbinjassar]

I think there is a mistake in 4:30 it is not polymerization it is actually Alkylation
Polymerization is when we repeat the same molecule a certain quantity

[JunSian]

I am thrilled to hear that CrashCourse mentions "Biomass" in introducing Chemical Engineering. I always have doubts about what I am working on as a chemical engineer who works on biomass energy research.

[Blowdown]

Finally, it is getting interesting. Especially, when a mechanical engineer is talking about chemical engineering.

Nothing to correct though. Things that we study years in uni, you are condensing in a few short videos. Applause!

Your passion for teaching is incredible!

[CloroxBleach.]

someone motivate me to continue this goddamn course

[DIOGO]

I m a Chemical Engineer and thisnis one of the best vídeos about Chemical Engineering i vê ever seen

[christopherakot]

Woow, thanks for sharing. Chemistry is life and life is Chemistry, everything needs Chemistry for better explanation and exploitation.

[RheinielRDR]

I had a little case of PTSD watching this hahaha

[lolaeliza]

History of Biomedical Engineering?? It is what I want to do with my life and having a video like this to explain what it is would be so much easier😁😁