You are on page 1of 56

ChE Thoughts 02 (01) ISSN 2218-5216 (Print) ISSN 2220-3389 (Online) www.chethoughts.

com
ChE Thoughts

Editorial
Volume 02, Issue 01
February 2011

This is the first issue of ChE Thoughts in 2011 and I welcome you all.
In the last few months we have experienced several natural calamities
in different parts of the world: series of floods in Australia, snow storm
in North-America and Europe, super cyclone in Australia and the recent
earth-quakes in New Zealand. These incidents have both long term and
short term impacts on local life, regional economy as well as global
economy. From the original estimates, the floods will cost the
Australian economy about $10 billion which can be even few times
higher when considering long term impacts. The floods hit
Queensland’s coal mines which produce 35 per cent of Australia’s
exportable coal. Many of these recent natural calamities have direct
correlation with climate change. The irregular behaviour of climate is
becoming more frequent and the impact is getting even more severe.
The United Nations is working with world leaders to increase global
concern on issues like greenhouse gas, global warming and climate
change. In the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference
(Cancun, Mexico), the world leaders recognized climate change as an
urgent and potentially irreversible threat to planet Earth (or our
planet). Scientists and engineers from different parts of the world are
also working on various aspects of these menacing issues.
This issue of ChE Thoughts features articles on the emission and
mitigation options of anthropogenic methane as a greenhouse gas and
low carbon economy options; other classic Chem Eng & Sci topics, such as
environmental engineering, unit operation, energy efficiency and
renewable energy, etc. are also featured in the regular sections. In future,
we aim to have special editions on important and cutting edge matters
like global warming, climate change, energy, bio-technology, etc.
Last but not the least, 21st February was the International Mother
Language Day by UNESCO which is originated to internationally
recognize the Bengali Language Movement in 1952. I commemorate
those who sacrificed their lives to establish Bengali (Bangla) as an
official language of Bangladesh, the then East Pakistan.

Sincerely,

Mohidus Samad Khan, PhD


(mohidus.khan@mcgill.ca)
Montreal, Canada

ChE Thoughts 02 (01) ISSN 2218-5216 (Print) ISSN 2220-3389 (Online) www.chethoughts.com
ChE Thoughts
Volume 02, Issue 01
February 2011

EDITORIAL ADMINISTRATION
Editor-in-Chief: Director:
Mohidus Samad Khan Mohidus Samad Khan
McGill University, Montreal, Canada
McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Editorial Assistant: Advertising Sales Coordinator:
Mohammad Mohiuddin Abid Hossain
Lafarge Surma Cement, Ltd., Bangladesh M. Mahfuzur Rahman
Kazi Bayzid Kabir Tasmia Tahsin Priyanka
Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Bangladesh Uni of Eng. & Tech. (BUET)
Australia, VIC 3800 Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Shoeb Ahmed PRODUCTION
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Web-Development:
Zohra Halim Masud Parves
Fauzia Sultana Abid Hossain
Bangladesh Uni of Eng. & Tech. (BUET) Mehmud Arif Iqbal
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh Bangladesh Uni of Eng. & Tech. (BUET)
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Assistant Managing Editor:
Abid Hossain Printing/Distribution:
Ahmed Faruque Tanjeen Sultana
M. Mahfuzur Rahman Afrina Samain
Bangladesh Uni of Eng. & Tech. (BUET) Kanta Kalam
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh Bangladesh Uni of Eng. & Tech. (BUET)
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Advisory Panel:
Kazi Mahmuda Tasneem Mimmi Graphic Design:
Carnegie Mellon University Hla Tun
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Ahmed Faruque
Monir Ahammad Priyom Mozumdar
Bangladesh Uni of Eng. & Tech. (BUET) Bangladesh Uni of Eng. & Tech. (BUET)
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Cover Page Design:
Masud Parves
Bangladesh Uni of Eng. & Tech. (BUET)
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
PUBLISHED BY
ChemicalBUET
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.
E-mail: mohidus.khan@mcgill.ca,
ChemicalBUET-owner@yahoogroups.com,
CheThoughts-owner@yahoogroups.com

ChE Thoughts 02 (01) ISSN 2218-5216 (Print) ISSN 2220-3389 (Online) www.chethoughts.com
Contents

Energy
Gasoline vs. Diesel Engines: Back and Forth 6
Solar Energy in Urban Bangladesh: An Untapped
Potential 8
Environmental Engineering Climate Change: Along with
coal mining, natural gas and
Energy: “what is the best fuel Capturing Fugitive Dust Using Bag Filter 13 petroleum sector,
that produces less CO2 Climate Change aanthropogenic emissions of
emissions with excellent Anthropogenic Methane: Emission Sources and methane also come from
performance?”: pp 6 animal, human and industrial
Mitigation Options 16 wastes, landfills, agricultural
Unit Operation: costs of Building Low Carbon Economy in Bangladesh: A cultivation as well as biomass
corrosion and corrosion Corporate Social Responsibility 23 burning: pp 14
protection is impossible to
calculate when the loss of
Industrial Case Study
life is considered, however, Corrosion in Boiler Feed Water Pump 26
from engineering point of Women in ChE
view it is estimated that in
Dr. Karen Hapgood – family, research and academic
industrialized countries these
costs amount up to 2 to 3.5% success on the unbeaten path 30
of the GNP: pp 40 University and Admission Climate Change:
Building low carbon
Carnegie Mellon University: Walking to the Sky 34 economy in Bangladesh: a
Graduate Study at the Dept of Chemical and Biochemical corporate social
Engineering, University of Houston 38 responsibility: pp 8

Talk to the Expert Talk to the Expert: Dr. Aziz


Dr. Muhammad Azizur Rahman: a Silent Expert in possesses a unique
Chemical and Petroleum Industries 40 combination of technical and
business experience in all
Women in ChE: Featured Industry aspects of Refinery,
Dr. Karen Hapgood: a highly Innovation in Chemical World: Dow Chemical Company Petrochemicals, Chemicals
successful Chemical
Engineer, Researcher and 46 and the Gas Processing
Industries: pp 40
Academic: pp 30 BUET Corner/ News and Features
Workshop on SIMULATION Software, HYSYS 47
Seminar on Biomedical Engineering 49
International Short Course on PROCESS SAFETY AND RISK
MANAGEMENT 50
BUET Corner/News &
University and Admission: Events: Dept of Chem Eng,
Post-graduate education in BUET organizes regular
Carnegie Mellon University workshops, short-courses
and University of Houson: and seminar for the
pp 34 & pp 38 practitioners and academics:
pp 47

ChE Thoughts 02 (01) ISSN 2218-5216 (Print) ISSN 2220-3389 (Online) www.chethoughts.com
ENERGY

Gasoline vs. Firas Ridha graduated from the Dept of Chemical


Engineering at the University of Baghdad in 1994. He

Diesel Engines: worked several years in Malaysia on the improvement of


natural gas fuel system for automotive industry, and on

Back and Forth


base oil recovery from spent lubricants. He obtained his
PhD from Monash University, Australia, where he
developed porous materials for CO2 capture from flue
FIRAS RIDHA gas. Currently, Firas Ridha is a research scientist in
Canmet ENERGY Technology Center, Natural Resources
Canada. During his career he authored several journal,
magazine and conference publications.
With the growing concern on Email address: ridha_09@yahoo.com
climate change, the common
question in today's automotive Properties Technical Aspects
industry is “what is the best fuel To understand the scenario in The design of diesel engine is
that produces less CO2 emissions better way, it is important to based on the concept of the
with excellent performance?” review some of the important high-compression ratios in the
Vehicle manufacturers spend properties of diesel and gasoline combustion cylinders. Therefore,
more and more time and money fuels. Gasoline fuel is lighter than they must be built to withstand
on research to answer the diesel, and hence it evaporates heavier task than gasoline
puzzling question: should we faster. Diesel contains more engines. Major parts of diesel
design vehicles with gasoline or carbon atoms in longer chains engine are made thicker and
diesel engines? For example than gasoline does (gasoline is stronger; increased weight of
Volkswagen cars produced with typically C9H20, while diesel fuel heavy-duty components is one of
gasoline and Diesel engines is typically C14H30). It takes the diesel engine disadvantages.
(Figure 1). However, the answer less refining to create diesel fuel, A diesel engine can weigh few
to this question is difficult which is why it used to be hundred kilograms more than a
because each of these two cheaper than gasoline. Due to its comparable gasoline model.
options has its very own heavy carbon chain, diesel fuel However, the higher thermal
advantages that may or may not has a higher energy density than energy of diesel, combined with
attract customers. For example, gasoline. On average, 1 litre of the improved efficiency of diesel
diesel engines have better fuel diesel fuel contains engines, explains why diesel
economy. On the other hand, approximately 40.8x106 Joules, engines get better mileage than
gasoline engines provide way while 1 litre of gasoline contains equivalent gasoline engines, and
more power than diesel engines. 34.7x106 Joules. why they are preferred in
vehicles where high torque is

(a) (b)
Figure 1: Volkswagen produced vehicles with different fuels.
engines.
(a) Gasoline; (b) Diesel
www.chethoughts.com Page | 6 February, 2011
required, such as trucks. The U.S. Government's
Environmental Protection
The last decade witnessed
Agency (EPA) lists the average
serious improvements in noise
CO2 emissions from 1 litre of
isolation and vibration in diesel
gasoline as 2.3 kg of carbon. The
engines. However, they are still
average carbon emission from 1
louder and shake more than
litre of diesel fuel is listed as 2.6
gasoline engines. Major
kg of carbon. Both gasoline and
difference in stability and noise
diesel give a net climate
is noticeable at low speed or
warming effect. However, diesel
even idle condition; on the
causes more warming than
highway, there's little difference
gasoline in the first decade after
between the two though.
emission into the atmosphere,
In diesel engine the high while gasoline causes most
compression ratio is used as the warming after that period.
source for spontaneous ignition Figure 2: Diesel fuel emissions. Therefore, the assessment of
once the fuel is injected into the impact on environment depends
cylinder. The high compression view. As diesel and gasoline fuels
on the emphasis whether it is on
creates enough heat to ignite the have different chemical
short-term or long-term basis. If
heavy fuel. Therefore, these composition, their emission
the emphasis is on short-term
engines don't have spark plugs composition comes different.
climate changes or the rate of
like gasoline engines. However, a Unfortunately, burned diesel fuel
warming, diesel comes out
problem appears when it's cold still smells much worse than
worse. On the other hand, when
(i.e. -30oC), the air isn't hot burned gasoline. Beyond the
the emphasis is on more long-
enough to ignite the fuel. An smelly tailpipe, diesel lags
term climate changes, diesel
improvement for this condition behind gasoline in the areas of
clearly comes out best due to
has been achieved by using a NOx and particulate matter
lower CO2 emissions per
computer that senses cylinder emissions. NOx is a greenhouse
kilometre driven.
temperature and injects the fuel gas and one of the components
of smog; it is one of the In final, it can be concluded that
later in the engine rotation. On
evaluation criteria for internal both diesel and gasoline are still
the other hand, the spark plug in
combustion engines. Meanwhile the main source of power for
gasoline engines does the job of
the particulate matter causes the more than 90% of today's
ignition even at low temperature
black soot seen emanating from vehicles, including here personal
conditions.
diesel-vehicle tailpipes (Figure cars, public transportation,
Emissions 2). On the contrary, it is well industrial and commercial
The progress in refining industry known that passenger vehicles vehicles. But even worse, public
technologies, together with with diesel engines emit, transportation produces almost
environmental regulations depending on their condition, a third of the overall CO2 output
imposed by governments about 20% less of CO2 per coming from gasoline- or diesel-
encouraged the improvement of kilometre than the same vehicle powered vehicles while personal
diesel and gasoline fuel quality type with gasoline engines. cars produced more than 60% of
from environmental point of all CO2 emissions.

“Public transportation produces almost a third of the overall CO2 output coming from gasoline- or diesel-
powered vehicles while personal cars produced more than 60% of all CO2 emissions.”

www.chethoughts.com Page | 7 February, 2011


ENERGY

RESEARCH NOTES

Solar Energy in Urban In summary the present power scenario of


Bangladesh is (Source: Rahman, M. M., 2009):
Bangladesh: An Key Facts:
Untapped Potential 80 Million People do not have access to
electricity
NAZMUL HASAN SHIBLEE Rest 60 Million are getting unreliable power
Dhaka, Bangladesh Load shed up to 1500 MW during hot
Email address: nhshiblee@yahoo.com summer days
Article received 26 December 2010; received in revised form Installed Capacity:
06 January 2011; accepted 13 January 2011
5450 MW (Jan 01, 2009)
BPDB: 3809 MW
Bangladesh experiences unmanageable gap IPP: 1641 MW
between supply and demand of electricity
especially in summer. As a major consumer of Demand and Supply:
electricity, Urban Households can use solar energy Peak Demand : 6000 MW (Summer 2009)
as an alternative source not only to get rid of Generation Capacity : 4500 MW (Summer 2009)
everyday load shedding miseries but also to reduce
the power shortage. But the use of solar energy in Load Shedding : 1000-1500 MW (Summer
2009)
urban area is yet not very popular. Solar energy is
best known for lighting rural households of Per Capita : 149 kWh / annum (FY 2008)
Bangladesh where electricity has not yet reached. Consumption of
Electricity
Electricity Crisis in Bangladesh
Access to Electricity : 45% (FY 2008)
In Bangladesh, the serious demand-supply gap of
electricity is one of the largest bottlenecks for A Possible Strategy for Reducing Urban Power
economic growth. As the capacity of power supply Crisis of Bangladesh: Harnessing Alternative
facilities is only around 4,000 MW compared to the Source
peak electricity demand of 6,100 MW, they have According to PDB “The Rural Electrification Board
no choice but to have scheduled load-shedding of (REB) needs 2500 MW, but is given less than half of
electricity supply during the peak time (JICA, 2010). that. Dhaka Electricity Supply Authority (DESA) and
Bangladesh is losing at least 3.5% of Gross Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO) need
Domestic product (GDP) due to the shortage of more than 2000 MW power and the PDB needs
Power supply according to a research report of another 2000 MW” (Saifullah, K., 2009). From the
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) (Ahmed, R., 2010) above statistics, we can see Dhaka and other urban
areas need around 4000 MW of electricity. So the
urban areas are the major consumers of electricity.
Nazmul Hasan Shiblee completed his Use of alternative sources of power supply in urban
BSc in Chemical Engineering from
BUET in November 2004. Then he areas will definitely reduce the gap between
joined Bangladesh office of SGS, demand and supply.
World’s leading Inspection,
Certification, Verification & Testing Solar Energy: The Most Feasible form of
Company. Currently he is in the final Renewable energy for Urban Bangladesh
stage of his MBA from IBA, University
of Dhaka. Solar Energy is the best renewable energy source
Email address:
other than the primary non renewable sources in
nhshiblee@yahoo.com
urban areas. Other form of renewable energies

www.chethoughts.com Page | 8 February, 2011


generated from wind, bio gas, ocean tide, hydro etc generated as electricity (Zaman M., Islam M.A., and
have very little feasibility in urban areas of Sarkar M.A.R, 2006). The monthly solar insolation
Bangladesh. Most of the cities are few meters up at different locations of Bangladesh is given in
from the sea level. So there is not that much Table 1.
feasibility for hydropower except Chittagong Hill A 2002 study by R. Khan of BUET found the daily
Tracts and few other places. Bangladesh has very sunlight hours in Bangladesh to range from 10 to 7
few potential locations for hydro electric projects. hours; they further reduced this by 54% (to 4.6
Wind and Ocean tide energy can be the sources, hours) to account for rainfall, cloud, fog and dust
but the exact potential is not clearly known due to over the solar panels (Bashar, S. A., 2009). Daily
lack of study and relevant information. So the solar average of bright sunshine hours at Dhaka city is
energy is the ultimate suitable form of renewable given in Table 2.
energy for urban region because of availability of
plenty of sunshine. Present Scenario of Solar Energy in Bangladesh
Potential of Solar Energy in Bangladesh The applications of small-scale photovoltaic
systems have been a very recent phenomenon in
Bangladesh is located between 200 30’ and 260 45’ rural areas of Bangladesh. Most of the small
north latitude and the climate is tropical, the very applications in rural areas are in the households to
location makes Bangladesh good recipient of solar meet the basic purposes of lighting and
energy (Zaman M., Islam M.A., and Sarkar M.A.R, entertainment by operating TV and Radio (Mondal
2006). Bangladesh has a total area of 1.49E+ 11 m2 M. A. H., 2005, p.35).
and an average of 5 kWh / m2 solar radiation falls
on this land over 300 days per annum (Huque, S. Infrastructure Development Company Ltd. (IDCOL),
and Mazumder, R. K., 2006). Figure 1 (Loster, M., a Bangladesh-Government-owned financing
2010) clearly shows that Bangladesh got on company, under Rural Electrification and
average around 200-250 W/m² of sunlight. Renewable Energy Development Project (REREDP)
through 15 partner organizations (POs). Among
Maximum amount of radiation is available on the
those partner organizations Grameen Shakti is in
month of March-April and minimum on December- the leading position. Starting its operation in 1996,
January (Mondal M. A. H., 2005, p.27). The total Grameen Shakti has sold a whopping 230,000 solar
solar energy reaching Bangladesh is 180×109 systems all in the heart of rural Bangladesh
MWhr/year which is 105 times the energy (Rahman N., 2009). So far in Bangladesh

Figure 1: Average Insolation showing land area. Insolation for most people is from 150 to 300 W/m²
or 3.5 to 7.0 kWh/m²/day. (Source: Loster, M., 2010)

www.chethoughts.com Page | 9 February, 2011


approximately 25 MW power (until July, 2009) includes space heating and cooling through solar
being produced form Solar PV panels (REEIN, architecture, potable water via distillation and
2010b). By the 2012 one million households will be disinfection, day lighting, solar hot water, solar
powered form solar PV panel and targeted to cooking, and high temperature process heat for
produce 50MW power (REEIN, 2010b). So it is clear industrial purposes. To harvest the solar energy,
that majority of solar power utilization is done in the most common way is to use solar panels
rural areas. Its potential in the urban areas is less (Wikipedia, 2010). In Bangladesh by using Solar PV
addressed issue. Panels solar energy is harvested as solar home
system, centralized (AC) system, centralized (AC)
Solar Energy can be used in diverse ways:
market electrification, water pumping, rural clinic,
Uses of solar energy are limited only by human roof top PV mini-grid system, telecommunications,
ingenuity. A partial list of solar applications railway signalling, refrigeration, cyclone shelters

Table 1: Monthly Solar Insolation at Different Locations of Bangladesh


(In kWh/m2.day, Recorded for 12 months from 1988 to 1998; Source: Mondal, M. A. H., 2005, p.29)

Month Dhaka Rajshahi Sylhet Bogra Barishal Jessore


January 4.03 3.96 4.00 4.01 4.17 4.25
February 4.78 4.47 4.63 4.69 4.81 4.85
March 5.33 5.88 5.20 5.68 5.30 4.50
April 5.71 6.24 5.24 5.87 5.94 6.23
May 5.71 6.17 5.37 6.02 5.75 6.09
June 4.80 5.25 4.53 5.26 4.39 5.12
July 4.41 4.79 4.14 4.34 4.20 4.81
August 4.82 5.16 4.56 4.84 4.42 4.93
September 4.41 4.96 4.07 4.67 4.48 4.57
October 4.61 4.88 4.61 4.65 4.71 4.68
November 4.27 4.42 4.32 4.35 4.35 4.24
December 3.92 3.82 3.85 3.87 3.95 3.97
Average 4.73 5.00 4.54 4.85 4.71 4.85

Table 2: Daily Average of Bright Sunshine Hours at Dhaka City


(Average period: 1961 to 1980; Source: REEIN, 2010a)

Month Daily Mean Maximum Minimum


January 8.7 9.9 7.5
February 9.1 10.7 7.7
March 8.8 10.1 7.5
April 8.9 10.2 7.8
May 8.2 9.7 5.7
June 4.9 7.3 3.8
July 5.1 6.7 2.6
August 5.8 7.1 4.1
September 6.0 8.5 4.8
October 7.6 9.2 6.5
November 8.6 9.9 7.0
December 8.9 10.2 7.4
Average 7.55 9.13 6.03

www.chethoughts.com Page | 10 February, 2011


etc, ICT training centers, community places etc. 2. Bashar, S. A. (2009). “Solar power as a prime
(REEIN, 2010b). Solar energy is also used to charge energy source in Bangladesh?”, The Daily Star
IPS batteries as single or dual source. (thedailystar.net), December 26, 2009. Retrieved
from World Wide Web:
Various problems hinder the growth of Solar
(http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_ne
Energy:
ws.php?nid=119244) (Accessed on August 18,
In most of the cases, the solar energy sector is 2010).
facing problems with sub standard solar panels and
3. Huque, S. and Mazumder, R. K. (2006). “A
batteries. There are complains that the battery
concentrator PV power system in water pumping”.
quality is not up to mark to achieve satisfying
National Seminar on Renewable Energy:
performance. Insufficient warranty period of
Biomass/Bio Energy, Dhaka, 24th March, 2006.
batteries & inverters is another problem.
Bangladesh is currently importing almost all the 4. JICA (2010). “Ex-ante Evaluation (for Japanese
solar panels; low cost sub standard panels are ODA Loan), Bheramara Combined Cycle Power
inundating the market. Instead of using high quality Plant Development Project (Engineering Service)”.
premium priced solar panels, most of the people Retrieved from World Wide Web:
are using cheap sub standard brands and facing http://www.jica.go.jp/english/operations/evaluatio
numerous troubles. In that process they are losing n/oda_loan/economic_cooperation/pdf/ban10032
their interest in using solar energy. Moreover, 4_02.pdf (Accessed on August 22, 2010).
Information regarding use of solar energy is not 5. Loster, M. (2010). “Total Primary Energy Supply-
readily available in the market. From Sunlight”. Retrieved from World Wide Web:
Conclusion: http://www.ez2c.de/ml/solar_land_area/
(Accessed on August 26, 2010).
There is serious lack of proper campaign and
branding to popularize the solar energy in Urban 6. Mondal M. A. H. (2005). “Technical and Socio-
Bangladesh. Solar energy can be a complimentary economical Aspects of Selected Village Based Solar
environment friendly source of power and can play Home Systems in Gazipur District, Bangladesh”,
a significant role in reducing current urban power (M.Sc.- Thesis), SESAM - Sustainable Energy
crisis. Government and Private sectors should work Systems and Management, International Institute
hand in hand to harness the immense potential of of Management, University of Flensburg, Germany,
solar energy of Bangladesh. March 2005.
Acknowledgment: 7. Rahman, M. M. (2009). “Power Crisis: Issues
and Challenges”. Retrieved from World Wide Web:
The author would like to express his gratitude to
http://www.scribd.com/doc/16777100/Power-
Dr. Saiful Huque, Professor and Technical Advisor,
Crisis-in-Bangladesh (Accessed on August 21,
RERC (Renewable Energy Research Centre),
2010).
University of Dhaka and Secretary Bangladesh Solar
Energy Society; Professor Dr. M Kamal Hossain, 8. Rahman, N. (2009). “A Solar Dream”, Star
Director (Head), Institute of Appropriate Magazine, The Daily Star (thedailystar.net), 2009.
Technology, BUET; for providing valuable insights Retrieved from World Wide Web:
and relevant information about solar energy in (http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2009/05/0
Bangladesh. 3/cover.htm) (Accessed on August 22, 2010).
References: 9. REEIN (2010a). “Solar Energy Resources
Potentials in Bangladesh”. Renewable Energy and
1. Ahmed, R. (2010). “Power crisis In Bangladesh”.
Environmental Information Network (REEIN).
Retrieved from World Wide Web:
Retrieved from World Wide Web:
(http://hubpages.com/hub/Power-crisis-In-
(http://www.reein.org/solar/resource/index.htm)
Bangladesh) (Accessed on August 22, 2010).
(Accessed on August 23, 2010).

www.chethoughts.com Page | 11 February, 2011


10. REEIN (2010b). “Solar Energy Programme”. shedding-of-electricity-in-bangladesh/ (Accessed
Renewable Energy and Environmental Information on August 26, 2010).
Network (REEIN). Retrieved from World Wide Web: 12. Wikipedia (2010). “Solar Energy”. Wikipedia,
(http://www.reein.org/) (Accessed on August 23, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved from World Wide
2010). Web: (http://www.wikipedia.org) (Accessed on
11. Saifullah, K. (2009, April 16). “Load Shedding of August 22, 2010).
Electricity in Bangladesh”. Retrieved from World 13. Zaman M., Islam M. A., and Sarkar M. A. R.
Wide Web: (2006). “Two Phase Heat Transfer in Solar Water
http://freshclick.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/load- Heater”. National Seminar on Renewable Energy:
Biomass/Bio Energy, Dhaka, 24th March, 2006.

www.chethoughts.com Page | 12 February, 2011


ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Capturing Mohammad Mohiuddin completed his BSc in


Chemical Engineering from BUET (2002) and MS

Fugitive Dust
in Environmental Science from State University
of Bangladesh (2008). After graduating from
BUET, he built-up his career as an Environment
Using Bag Filter Engineer; currently he is working in BD
industrial sector.
Email address:
MOHAMMAD MOHIUDDIN
mohin27@yahoo.com

separation of Compressed air (for jet


In various industries such as
particles happens on the pulse)
cement plants, ore / stone
external surface of filters. Rotary air lock
crushing units, mining industries,
dust is generated and thrown to The bag filter system, often Working principle of bag house
general atmosphere. To control called bag house, has three
Fugitive dusts from various
the fugitive dust generated, a sections.
locations are drawn into bag
common arrangement bag filter Plenum/ Clean air chamber house through duct lines. The
(fabric) type dust collector is Housing chamber where the dust bearing
used. A dust bearing gas is Hopper common duct enters is called
intercepted by a permeable dusty chamber and the (dust
fabric in such a manner that the Other related components, for
free) clean air chamber is called
gas passes through the fabric operating a bag filter type dust
as clean chamber. The clean air
whilst the dust particles are collector, are
is pulled out by draft generating
restrained on the fabric. The Fan

Compressed air

Clean air is taken


away by Fan

Dusty air enters


from various points
through ducts

Rotary air lock

Figure 1: Basic components of a bag filter.

www.chethoughts.com Page | 13 February, 2011


fan (induced draft fan). The dust (the requirement is estimated manufacture for filtration are
retained in the outer surface of by air to cloth ratio) almost exclusively synthetic and
filter bag is pulsed by they are either woven or needle
BAG FILTER SYSTEM SIZING
compressed air (Jet Pulse Type felted (Figure 2). Woven fabrics
Bag Filter) from inside and the Air to cloth ratio are smoother, easier to clean
disposed dust material is passed than the needle felts and at
through rotary air lock system “The efficacy of the system is largely low load condition hardly any
where dust can pass and entry governed by suction capacity, cleaning device is needed due
of air is restricted. The efficacy dimension and layout of ducts and to the self-cleaning property of
of the system is largely engineering thereof, type of filter the fabric. Woven fabrics are
governed by suction capacity, cloths, cleaning mechanism, and not suitable for vigorous
dimension and layout of ducts location of the installation which cleaning as this would break
and engineering thereof, type may vary from plant to plant.” down the entire dust cake and
of filter cloths, cleaning force the dust between the
mechanism, and location of the Air to cloth ratio, or filtration fibres so that the dust
installation which may vary from velocity, is the value of the gas emission would be high. Needle
plant to plant. Some common flow rate divided by the area of felts are less permeable than
operational control factors are as filter cloth surface through which woven fabrics, but they can be
follows – the gas passes. operated at considerably higher
filtration velocities. The pores in
a) Suction pressure at de- The surface area of a single filter
needle felts are very small
dusting point is controlled by bag = a, m2
compared to the woven fabrics,
using damper in the de-
Total no. of filter bag = n so dust penetration is low.
dusting line. If the suction
pressure is high, it may collect Total filtration area = (n x a), m2 Generally, the filter elements,
process materials along with Air volume rate drawn by fan = whether of woven or felted
fugitive dust which results b, m3/min fabric, are cylindrical, but some
material loss. If the suction manufacturers have adopted flat
pressure is less, it will not Air to cloth ratio = b/ (n x a), panel, or envelope elements.
capture fugitive dust properly m/min [m3/min/m2]
TROUBLESHOOTING
resulting dust emission SELECTION OF FABRIC
nuisance at workplace. Any sort of problems with bag
Fibres used in fabric filter ultimately leads to visible
b) The jet pulse pressure dust emission either
should be well through stack of the
maintained. If the bag house or at
compressed air fugitive dust collecting
pressure is high point itself. However,
enough, it may cause the common problems
filter bag bursting, on with bag filters can be
the other hand if the identified as broken
pressure is low, it will filter bags, blockage of
not dislodge the dust filter bags, leakage or
from filter bag gap in the area where
surface properly filter bag hanged, etc.
which can cause High pressure of jet
clogging of filter bag pulse air, sharp edge of
soon. metallic cage can cause
c) Creating sufficient Figure 2: Cross section of woven and felted filter breaking of filter bag.
draft by induced fan fabric. Once the filter bag is

www.chethoughts.com Page | 14 February, 2011


burst, the manometer reading common inlet duct can cause optimized, the ribs of metallic
(differential pressure between practically no suction in the de- cages should be smooth to avoid
clean chamber and dusty dusting lines to collect fugitive bursting of filter bags. Hopper
chamber) will show lower value. dust from collecting points, level should be monitored
On the other hand, blockage of hence allowing fugitive dust periodically to avoid blocking the
filter fabric shows high emission from areas of collecting common inlet de-dusting line.
differential value. Hopper full points. So, time setting of jet
with disposed dust blocking the pulse and its pressure should be

www.chethoughts.com Page | 15 February, 2011


CLIMATE CHANGE

RESEARCH NOTES

Anthropogenic Methane: like Bangladesh. Such mitigation techniques involve


modified methods of cultivation and usage of
Emission Sources and improved plant varieties, proper livestock
management, landfill developments and better
Mitigation Options wastewater handling. Reduction of methane
emission can not only reduce the greenhouse
KAZI BAYZID KABIR1,2, SYEDA ZOHRA HALIM1 effect, but its collection and utilization can also
1
Department of Chemical Engineering, Bangladesh University replace the fossil fuels to some extent.
of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka-1000,
INTRODUCTION
Bangladesh
2
Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Climate change is defined as long-term significant
Clayton, VIC-3800, Australia change in the average weather, including
Email addresses: bayzid.kazi@monash.edu (KBK), temperature, amount of precipitation, days of
zohrahalim@che.buet.ac.bd (SZH) sunlight, and other relevant variables that can be
measured at any given site, of a region or the earth
Article received 12 December 2010; received in revised form as a whole. Climate change may occur because of
10 January 2011; accepted 17 January 2011 internal changes within the climate system (e.g.
glaciation, ocean variability, etc.), in the interaction
ABSTRACT between its components, because of changes in
external forcing either for natural reasons (e.g.
Recent times have shown an increased awareness increase in solar irradiance, volcanic dust, etc.) or
on climate changes and global warming. Rapid rise because of human activities (Crowley, 2000; IPCC,
of temperature of the earth’s surface and 1995; Keller, 2004; Robock, 1978; Stott et al., 2001;
atmosphere are partly due to continual increase in van Geel et al., 1999). Intergovernmental Panel on
emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon Climate Change defines climate change as any
dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide etc. This report change in the weather due to natural variability or
focuses on methane as a greenhouse gas. It first human activity; United Nations Framework
identifies the various sources of methane Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) usage of
emissions. Anthropogenic emission of methane climate change refers to changes that is attributed
comes from sources such as coal mining and the directly or indirectly to human activity and in
natural gas and petroleum sector; animal, human addition to natural climate variability observed
and industrial wastes, landfills, agricultural over comparable time periods (IPCC, 2007a).
cultivation as well as biomass burning. The paper
also discusses the various techniques that are Global warming refers to increase in earth’s
available to reduce the emission of methane, average temperature due to greenhouse effect.
particularly with reference to developing countries Water vapor (H2O) is the most important GHG;
other important gases are carbon dioxide (CO2),
Kazi Bayzid Kabir graduated from Syeda Zohra Halim is currently
Chemical Engineering Department, working as a lecturer in the
BUET in November 2004 and received Department of Chemical Engineering
MSc from the same institution in Bangladesh University of Engineering
2009. Currently he is doing his PhD and Technology. She received her
research on Dimethyl ether synthesis B.Sc. in chemical engineering from the
from coal at Monash University, same institute in 2006. She is also a
Australia. Mr Kabir has worked as a part-time M.Sc. student in the
faculty in BUET from 2005 to 2010. department.
Email address: Email address:
bayzid.kazi@monash.edu zohrahalim@che.buet.ac.bd

www.chethoughts.com Page | 16 February, 2011


methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and been substantial increase in heavy precipitation
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Without the GHGs the events, drought and intense tropical cyclone
earth would be uninhabitable as these gases warm activities since 1970 (Trenberth et al., 2007). Global
the earth’s atmosphere by trapping infra-red ocean temperature has risen by 0.10°C in the last
emissions from the surface; the average 40 years. For the 20th century rise in sea level was
temperature of the earth (14°C) could be as low as 1.7±0.5 mm/yr due the volume expansion as well
-19°C without this effect (Le Treut et al., 2007). as melting of the ice cap; for the period 1993 to
However, the problem lies with the anthropogenic 2003 this rate was much higher; 3.1±0.7 mm/yr
global warming (AGW) caused by the enhanced (Bindoff et al., 2007).
greenhouse effect due to various human activities. Bangladesh shares relatively low GHG emission:
In the last 250 years, the atmospheric 0.36% of global GHG emission (WRI, 2005).
concentrations of CO2, CH4 and N2O have increased However, Bangladesh is one of the countries more
approximately by 36, 148 and 18%, respectively susceptible to climate change caused by global
(Figure 1). Fossil fuel burning, natural gas warming. Estimates by different models predict a
distribution, landfilling, activities related to sea level rise of 0.18 to 0.59 m by the end of the
agriculture, deforestation etc. are causing century (Meehl et al., 2007). Such increase would
increased concentration of these gases in the displace many residents of the Ganges delta from
atmosphere. The net radiative forcing has their home and livelihood. A 1-m rise in the sea
increased by 0.5-2.5 W/m2 since the start of the level could submerge 11.5 percent of the land of
industrial era (about 1750), and leading to warming Bangladesh (Philander, 2008). Again, higher sea
of the earth’s atmosphere (Figure 2). levels could increase seasonal flooding by
decreasing the drainage rate. Increased salinity,
Over the last 100 years, mean surface temperature
increased incidence of heat-related illness could be
of the earth has risen by 0.74°C±0.18°C. However,
some other possibilities.
this rate of warming has not been steady; the rate
of warming over the last 50 years has almost So it is of great importance for us to identify the
doubled than that was in last 100 years. There has GHG sources and minimize their emission. In

Figure 1: Atmospheric concentration of the Figure 2: Principal components of radiative


GHGs forcing of climate change (Forster et al., 2007)
for the last 2000 years (Forster et al., 2007)
www.chethoughts.com Page | 17 February, 2011
addition to that significant amount of monetary relative aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
gain can be realized by participating in the carbon Methanogenic bacteria work under anaerobic
trading market. The global carbon market has conditions to produce methane. If aerobic
increased from $145 million to $2.3 billion since conditions prevail above the anaerobic
2009 (CFU, 2010). Currently, there are few ongoing environment, the methane may be oxidized as it
carbon trading projects in Bangladesh. However, moves up through this region. If wetlands are
possibilities and opportunities for better economic drained for agricultural purposes, then prevailing
benefits are still there (Aziz and Chowdhury, 2009). aerobic conditions can allow the site to act as a sink
for methane (Amstel and Swart, 1994).
Use of nuclear and renewable energy sources (e.g.
hydroelectricity, wind, solar etc.), switching from Anthropogenic emissions of methane can occur
coal to gas, improved electricity supply and from the use of fossil fuels or can be generated
distribution systems, use of more fuel efficient from biogenic origin. Emissions from fossil fuel
vehicles, improved rice cultivation and livestock include those that are released from coal mining
and manure management, afforestation, and from exploration of natural gas and petroleum.
reforestation, reduced deforestation, carbon Of the biogenic sources, enteric fermentation that
capture and storage, and better waste occurs in the stomach of ruminants as they digest
management can mitigate GHG emissions and high-cellulose food is one of the largest
subsequent impacts on the global environment contributors to methane emission. Lerner et al.
(IPCC, 2007b). (1988) showed that as the number of herds of
domesticated animals increased worldwide, so did
This paper focuses on one particular GHG
the methane generation. According to this study
(methane, CH4) in Bangladesh context. Formation
more than 5000kg/km2/yr of methane was
and emission of CH4, with respect to Bangladesh,
released from ruminants in Bangladesh.
are discussed here. Recommendations have been
made regarding CH4 emission mitigation and Animal, human and industrial wastes and landfills
subsequent reduction of the associated problems. are large sources of methane emission. The
amount released depends on the type of waste,
METHANE AS A GHG
surrounding temperature and time.
Methane is one of the important trace gases in the
Similar to the wetlands, flooded rice fields act as
atmosphere. It has an atmospheric life of about 12
anthropogenic sources of methane due to
years. It is a GHG with a high global warming
prevailing anaerobic conditions. Information about
potential (GWP) of 72 (averaged over 20 years) or
the amount of methane released from paddies vary
25 (averaged over 100 years) relative to CO2
widely since it depends on the method adopted for
(Forster et al., 2007). 70% of the global CH4
cultivation, the climate, soil type and the amount
emissions are from anthropogenic sources and 30%
and type of fertilizers applied (Amstel and Swart,
from the natural sources (El-Fadel and Massoud,
1994).
2001). A recent study shows that methane
emission rose by 27 million tons after nearly a The other large source of methane emission is
decade of little or no increase (ESRL, 2008). biomass burning. Burning fuel wood can produce
large amount of methane due to incomplete
SOURCES OF METHANE EMISSION
combustion. Initially, when a fire is started,
The total amount of methane emission into the pyrolysis begins which generates fuel gases,
atmosphere by various sources globally are including methane. In the next smouldering phase
estimated to be approximately 500±100 Tg/yr (El- of the burning, charcoal is produced and methane
Fadel and Massoud, 2001). Emissions can occur is not oxidized and is eventually released into the
naturally from oceans, fresh waters and even from atmosphere (Amstel and Swart, 1994).
insect activities, but the largest natural contributor
is the wetlands. Any particular site in the wetland
acts as a source of methane depending on the

www.chethoughts.com Page | 18 February, 2011


National Methane Inventory of Bangladesh Using the chemical fertilizer only have a mitigation
effect of 22-78% with a median of 46% (Zheng et
Major sources of the methane emission in
al., 2000). Inhibitory effect of sulfate in CH4
Bangladesh are natural gas sector (natural gas
formation causes 10-67% reduction in methane
venting and flaring, transmission and distribution
emission when ammonium sulfate is used instead
losses) agriculture and livestock sector biomass
of urea (Wassmann et al., 2000). However, all these
burning landfills: municipal and industrial solid
studies on chemical fertilizers had excluded the
wastes, and industrial and municipal wastewater.
release of the GHG encountered in their production
Ahmed et al. (1996) estimated greenhouse gas processes.
emissions in Bangladesh for the year 1990.
Livestock Management
According to the study, methane emissions from
flooded rice cultivation were in between 257 and Livestock are one of the major sources of methane
622 Gg/yr. Methane emissions from livestock emission since Bangladesh has one of the highest-
sector, gas sector and landfills were 453, 5.92 and density livestock population in the world (Fao,
74 Gg/yr respectively. 2005; Lerner et al., 1988). So far there are three
possible options for reducing CH4 emissions from
METHANE EMISSION MANAGEMENT
this source: improved feeding practices (e.g.
Managing Rice Cultivation replacing forages with concentrates, addition of
Emission from rice cultivation can be significantly oil/oilseeds to the diet, improving pasture quality,
reduced without any detrimental effect on quality optimizing protein intake), use of specific dietary
or yield. Intermittent irrigation can be effective additives for suppressing methanogenesis, and
compared to continuous flooding in reducing CH4 longer-term changes in farm management and
emission (Smith and Conen, 2004). However, animal breeding (Smith et al., 2007); none of these
availability of irrigation water is a major constraint solutions are currently feasible for Bangladesh due
for this practice. to various socio-economic factors.

CH4 emissions from rice varieties depend on plant Animal manures can release significant amount of
physiology, gas diffusivity of the plant tissue and CH4 when stored and applied in the fields as
release of oxygen into the root environment. fertilizer. Composting manures can reduce CH4
Studies among 10 high-yielding rice varieties emission but may increase N2O formation.
showed that the differences in emission among Retrieval of CH4 as a renewable energy from
them can be upto fourfold and the variety with anaerobic digestion of manure is now widely used
highest yield produced lowest CH4 among them throughout the country (Islam et al., 2006; Islam et
(Satpathy et al., 1998). Similar differences in al., 2008). The digester residue has higher fertilizer
emission had also been observed by some other value than the feedstock (Sørensen, 2004), while
studies (Huang et al., 1997; Shin and Yun, 2000). the produced CH4 replaces traditional fossil fuel
However extensive study on the seasonal and thereby reducing GHG emission to the
variability, effect of soil textures, irrigation and atmosphere.
fertilizer management is needed. Landfill Management
Straw and other organic residue additions in rice All landfill sites in Bangladeshi cities are non-
field are highly potent for methane emission. regulated. Significant amount of CH4 produced
Composting before use has found to reduce from anaerobic decomposition of organic fraction
emission by 58-63% while anaerobic digestion of municipal solid wastes (OFMSW) are lost to the
reduces emission by 10-16% (Wassmann et al., atmosphere.
2000). However, feeding agricultural residues to
There are about 1000 landfill biogas plants around
anaerobic digesters for biogas production and
using discharge from the digester as fertilizer is the world (Themelis and Ulloa, 2007). Landfill gas
extraction systems use vertical wells or horizontal
now a common practice in many countries across
collectors. With appropriate extraction systems
Europe (IEA, 2008).

www.chethoughts.com Page | 19 February, 2011


more than 90% of the produced gas can be utilized associated with the production, processing,
(Spokas et al., 2006). The recovered gas has transportation and utilization of fossil fuels.
applications similar to biogas and is being used for REFERENCES
variety of purposes (Themelis and Ulloa, 2005).
Ahmed, A. U. et al. (1996), "An inventory of
Total solid waste generation in urban areas of greenhouse gas emissions in Bangladesh: initial
Bangladesh was estimated to be 13,330 tonnes/day results." Ambio, 25,4, 300-303.
which is equivalent to 2.19 million tonnes of CO2-
equivalnet GHG emission per year (Enayetullah and Amstel, A. R. and R. J. Swart (1994), "Methane and
Hashmi, 2006). Large portions (79% in Dhaka city) nitrous oxide emissions: an introduction." Nutrient
of the generated wastes are organic. Therefore, Cycling in Agroecosystems, 37,3, 213-225.
landfilling sites are suitable for landfill biogas Aziz, S. and Chowdhury, S. A. (2009), “Carbon
capture and utilization. Gas collected from the trading and the Clean Development Mechanism: An
landfill sites can have applications similar to opportunity for Bangladesh”, in International
manure biogas. Conference on the Development in Renewable
Managing Industrial Wastewater Energy Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 17-19
December, 2009.
Wastewater discharged from the industries in
Bangladesh is hardly treated before being Bindoff, N. L. et al. (2007), "Observations: Oceanic
discharged to the surface water (Karn and Harada, Climate Change and Sea Level", in Climate Change
2001). Like other waste treatment techniques 2007:The Physical Science Basis, Solomon, S. et al,
wastewater can be treated under both aerobic and Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
anaerobic conditions. Industries prefer anaerobic Crowley, T. J. (2000), "Causes of Climate Change
digestion in lagoons because of lower operating Over the Past 1000 Years." Science, 289,5477, 270-
costs. These lagoons produce significant amount of 277.
CH4. Now-a-days, developed countries treat the
industrial or municipal wastes in a central CFU (2010), “Carbon Funds & Facilities at the World
anaerobic treatment plants by converting the Bank”, Retrieved 10 January 2011, from World
organic content to methane and using the gas as a Bank CFU website
source of energy or flaring where methane El-Fadel, M. and M. Massoud (2001), "Methane
recovery is not feasible (El-Fadel and Massoud, emissions from wastewater management."
2001). The methane burned in the flares produce Environmental Pollution, 114,2, 177-185.
CO2 which has lower global warming potential
Enayetullah, I. and Hashmi, Q. S. I., “Community
(GWP) compared to CH4. Construction of
based solid waste management through public-
centralized treatment plants in Bangladesh can
private community partnerships: experience of
therefore be effective for methane emission
Waste Concern in Bangladesh”, in Asia 3R
reduction from wastewater and could serve as a
Conference, Tokyo, Japan, 30 October-1 November
potential energy source.
2006.
CONCLUSION
ESRL (2008). "Annual Greenhouse Gas Index (AGGI)
Methane emissions from different anthropogenic Indicates Sharp Rise in Carbon Dioxide and
sources are briefly discussed here with emphasis Methane in 2007 ". Retrieved 17 January, 2009,
on Bangladesh. Manipulating traditional rice from
cultivation techniques, better agricultural and http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/news/2008/aggi.html.
manure management, use of sanitary landfill sites
FAO (2005), “Livestock Sector Brief: Bangladesh”,
and proper wastewater treatment can significantly
Retrieved 5 January 2011, from
decrease CH4 emission. In addition, extraction and
http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/resources/en/publi
recovery of methane and using the recovered gas
cations/sector_briefs/lsb-BGD.pdf
as energy source can replace fossil fuels and
therefore can also reduce the GHG emission

www.chethoughts.com Page | 20 February, 2011


Forster, P. et al. (2007), "Changes in Atmospheric Philander, S. G., Ed. Encyclopedia of Global
Constituents and in Radiative Forcing", in Climate Warming and Climate Change, SAGE Publications,
Change 2007:The Physical Science Basis, Solomon, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA, USA.
S. et al, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, Robock, A. (1978), "Internally and Externally
UK. Caused Climate Change." Journal of the
Huang, Y. et al. (1997), "Methane emission from Atmospheric Sciences, 35,6, 1111-1122.
Texas rice paddy soils. 1. Quantitative multi-year Satpathy, S. N. et al. (1998), "Cultivar variation in
dependence of CH4 emission on soil, cultivar and methane efflux from tropical rice." Plant and Soil,
grain yield." Global Change Biology, 3,6, 479-489. 202,2, 223-229.
IEA (2008). "Country Reports." Retrieved 11 Shin, Y. K. and S. H. Yun (2000), "Varietal
November, 2008, from http://www.iea- Differences in Methane Emission from Korean Rice
biogas.net/publicationsreports.htm. Cultivars." Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems,
IPCC (1995). "Climate change : a glossary by the 58,1, 315-319.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change." Smith, K. A. and F. Conen (2004), "Impacts of land
Retrieved 15 January, 2009, from management on fluxes of trace greenhouse gases."
http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/glossary/ipcc-glossary.pdf. Soil Use and Management, 20,2, 255-263.
IPCC (2007a), Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Smith, P. et al. (2007), "Agriculture", in Climate
Report, Geneva, Switzerland. Change 2007: Mitigation, Metz, B. et al, Cambridge
IPCC (2007b), "Summary for Policymakers ", in University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Climate Change 2007: Mitigation, Metz, B. et al, Sørensen, B. (2004), Renewable Energy: Its Physics,
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. Engineering, Use, Environmental Impacts,
Islam, A. K. M. S. et al. (2006), "Effective renewable Economy, and Planning Aspects, Academic Press.
energy activities in Bangladesh." Renewable Spokas, K. et al. (2006), "Methane mass balance at
Energy, 31,5, 677-688.
three landfill sites: What is the efficiency of capture
Islam, M. R. et al. (2008), "Renewable energy by gas collection systems?" Waste Management,
resources and technologies practice in 26,5, 516-525.
Bangladesh." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Stott, P. A. et al. (2001), "Attribution of twentieth
Reviews, 12,2, 299-343.
century temperature change to natural and
Karn, S. K. and Harada, H. (2001), “Surface Water anthropogenic causes." Climate Dynamics, 17,1, 1-
Pollution in Three Urban Territories of Nepal, India, 21.
and Bangladesh”, Environmental Management, 28, Themelis, N. and P. Ulloa (2005). "Capture and
4, 483-496 Utilisation of Landfill Gas." Retrieved 19 January,
Le Tretu, H. et al (2007), “Historical overview of 2009, from
climate change”, in Climate Change 2007:The http://www.seas.columbia.edu/earth/wtert/sofos/
Physical Science Basis, Solomon, S. et al, Cambridge Themelis_Capture%20and%20Utilisation%20of%20
University Press, Cambridge, UK. Landfill%20Gas.pdf.
Lerner, J. et al. (1988), "Methane Emission From Themelis, N. J. and P. A. Ulloa (2007), "Methane
Animals: A Global High-Resolution Data Base." generation in landfills." Renewable Energy, 32,7,
Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 2. 1243-1257.
Meehl, G. A. et al. (2007), "Global Climate Trenberth, K. E. et al. (2007), "Observations:
Projections", in Climate Change 2007:The Physical Surface and Atmospheric Climate Change", in
Science Basis, Solomon, S. et al, Cambridge Climate Change 2007:The Physical Science Basis,
University Press, Cambridge, UK. Solomon, S. et al, Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge, UK.

www.chethoughts.com Page | 21 February, 2011


van Geel, B. et al. (1999), "The role of solar forcing WRI (2005). "Climate Analysis Indicator Tool
upon climate change." Quaternary Science Reviews, (CAIT)." Retrieved 17 January 2009, from
18,3, 331-338. http://cait.wri.org/.
Wassmann, R. et al. (2000), "Characterization of Zheng, X. et al. (2000), "Mitigation Options for
Methane Emissions from Rice Fields in Asia. III. Methane, Nitrous Oxide and Nitric Oxide Emissions
Mitigation Options and Future Research Needs." from Agricultural Ecosystems." Advances in
Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 58,1, 23-36. Atmospheric Sciences, 17,1, 83-92.

www.chethoughts.com Page | 22 February, 2011


CLIMATE CHANGE

Building Low M. Masum Jujuly Nuvan completed his B.Sc. in


Chemical Engineering from BUET (2008) and M.Sc. from

Carbon PSDC lab at Yeungnam University (2010), South Korea.


His research topics are based on Process System Design

Economy in
and Control, precisely on IMC-PID controller,
constrained optimal control and VOC minimization of
crude oil. Currently he is working as a Chemical
Bangladesh: A Engineer Consultant in Reed Consulting (BD) Ltd.
Email address:

Corporate mj.nuvan@yahoo.com

Social sustainable and inclusive growth. help regarding the issue.


Responsibility The environmental impact of any However, constructing a low
carbon economy will be a
developing country is harsh.
M. MASUM JUJULY NUVAN challenge itself, a challenge that
Change is inevitable! As
can only be surmounted with
conscious people we have two
true talent. With the integration
Corporate Social Responsibility, choices to make: either wait
of skills, creativity,
CSR, is a concept whereby until the adverse effect of the
entrepreneurism and capacity to
companies integrate social and environmental changes are
innovate the firms, workforce
environmental concerns in their forced upon us, or prepare
and communities, will evolve the
business operations and ourselves for those already in
economic and social solutions to
interactions with their existence and take advantage of
the issue in question. As
stakeholders on a voluntary the new upcoming
mentioned in Stern report,
basis, contributing to sustainable opportunities. According to Stern
countries that are capable of
development goals. Essentially it report [3], failure to act to the
successfully reducing carbon
is about how business takes adversities would now cost 5 -
may be benefitted, for low
account of its economic, social 20% of the world’s GDP, as
carbon level means greater
and environmental impacts in experienced during the
energy efficiency and thereby
the way it operates – maximizing catastrophic impact of climate
improving economic
the benefits and minimizing the change. As a remedy
productivity. Demand for
downsides. Sustainable Government should step forward
environmental goods and
development recognizes the to build up a low carbon
products will create new jobs
need to preserve natural economy and seek commitment
and business opportunities. The
resources for future generations. from corporations voluntary to
development of new green
Environmental pollution technologies will create
resulting from economic export markets worldwide.
development imposes UK may be considered an
significant losses on the ideal illustration for the
public as natural resources issue: committing to reduce
grow increasingly scarce. greenhouse gases by 34%
Corporations which by 2020. Ex-British Prime
contribute to the scarcity of Minister Gordon Brown
these resources have a says: “A greener Britain
responsibility to the future where a new green
generations and CSR is one economy provides greater
way of doing so. CSR is now a prosperity and high quality
part of the Europe 2020 jobs even as it protects the
strategy for smart, We want a green world [1] environment and provides a

www.chethoughts.com Page | 23 February, 2011


better quality of life for vehicles may also be
all”. Although ISO 14001 innovated to reduce
remains the preferred carbon level in the
environmental environment. Thus in
management system every stage of
(EMS) in the UK, production,
regulators and policy environmental impact
makers are increasingly is to be considered.
showing preference for Recently, a step is
the EU’s Eco- taken to promote
Management and Audit cleaner production in
Scheme (EMAS), as it Bangladesh textile
offers more transparency, wet processing sector
credibility and reliability. by few international
organizations like
In Bangladesh too,
Solidaridad and
companies should be Sustainability and Corporate social responsibility [2]. International
encouraged to
Finance
invest in
Corporation
environmental
(IFC) in
issues and
collaboration
should be
with local
assured that
and
there are
international
concrete
consultancy
financial
firms like
benefits to
NEC, AECL
participating in
and Reed
environmental
Consulting
CSR. Some
(BD) Ltd. This
examples of
initiative is a
companies that
good
were financially
Support environmental concerned communities and indication
benefitted from [4]
manage our environmental footprint . for the
environmental
industrial
activism include
field of renewable energy, waste sector of Bangladesh.
DuPont, by voluntarily stopping
recycling, environmental
chlorofluorocarbons production; Building a low carbon economy
auditing and consultancy, while
Patagonia, by making very is both a challenge and an
the other capital intensive
expensive, natural garments; opportunity; the value of which
enterprises provide goods and
Ben and Jerry's, and so on. proportional to its ability to
services in specific areas like
Investors should also be made avoid consequences of climate
waste, wastewater, transport.
conscious about reducing the change, create economic growth
Full packaging strategy or
energy consumption of the and opportunity to unlock the
optimizing packaging policy
industries and designing a talent of the nation.
would also minimize the
product so as to minimize the
environmental impact of References:
overall environmental impact.
packaging over its entire life [1] EOL IT Services; CSR:
For instance: eco-industries may
cycle, without harming the www.eolitserivces.co.uk/pages/c
be considered, comprising of
product. Low CO₂ emission orporate-social-
companies where few act in the

www.chethoughts.com Page | 24 February, 2011


responsibility.php; Cited: 22 Corporate social responsibility
“Companies should be encouraged
Jan, 2011. (CSR) is good for society, the
to invest in environmental issues and
environment and business,
[2] Walimemon; Corporate should be assured that there are
Enterprise & Industry Online
Social Responsibility: concrete financial benefits to
Magazine, European
http://walimemon.com/2010/0 participating in environmental CSR.”
Commission, July 2010.
8/corporate-social-
responsibility/; Cited: 22 Jan, Further Reading: International Diffusion of ISO
2011. 14000 Certification, Production
Corporate Social Responsibility:
and Operations Management,
[3] The Stern Review: The A Government update, Dept. of
Corbett, C J & Kirsch, DA 2001,
Economics of Climate Change trade and Industry-UK, May
vol. 10, no. 3.
Stern N., Cambridge University 2008.
Press, 2008. Making the most
Sustainable consumption and
[4] Adonis Construction; packaging, Department for
production and sustainable
Corporate Social Responsibility: Environment, Food and Rural
industrial policy action plan,
http://www.adonisconstruction. Affairs (defra), UK, 2009.
Commission of the European
co.uk/corporate-social- Communities, Brussels,
responsibility.aspx; Cited: 22 Jan, 16.7.2008, COM (2008) 397
2011. final.

www.chethoughts.com Page | 25 February, 2011


INDUSTRIAL CASE STUDY

Corrosion in AFM Mursalin is a Chemical Engineer successfully


completed his BSc (Chem Eng) from BUET in 2006.

Boiler Feed He has been working as a Process Engineer in the


Production Department, Ammonia Plant,

Water Pump
Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Ltd. (KAFCO) since
2007. Besides acquiring practical experiences from
industry he has also participated in several
AFM MURSALIN professional training and development programs
organized in Bangladesh and abroad.
Email address:
sohel789@gmail.com
Introduction:
Corrosion is a critical issue for than the alternative materials for
the engineers. Many a proud annual budgets of some small improved corrosion resistance in
designer or project engineer has countries [2]. It has also been fertilizer production or ammonia
developed a new component or estimated that about 25% of the based environments, would not
process with outstanding corrosion costs could be saved only be suitable research project
performance only to have it fail by the application of existing for a young chemical engineer
prematurely because of knowledge of corrosion but also a crying need in the
corrosion. Corrosion can be prevention and control, i.e. by path of advancement of our
defined as the (undesirable) using better protective systems industrialization. The article here
deterioration of materials of and proper coatings, by focuses corrosion phenomena
construction due to chemical or improving design and material taken from real time operation
electrochemical influences, selection. experience in ammonia plant in
initiating from the interface Corrosion related problems are KAFCO fertilizer plant.
material or environment [1]. It of major concern in the fertilizer Overview of KAFCO:
becomes impossible to calculate production and related
the costs of corrosion and The Karnaphuli Fertilizer
industries which involve
corrosion protection when the Company limited (KAFCO) is a
ammonia, urea or nitric acid
loss of life is considered, joint venture project among
production and usage. The types
however, from engineering point government of Bangladesh and
of corrosion that can occur in
of view it is estimated that in some international companies
such industries are numerous,
industrialized countries these mainly from Denmark,
ranging from general corrosion
costs amount up to 2 to 3.5% of Netherlands, UK and Japan. It
to insidious localized corrosion.
the gross national product was established effectively in
These corrosion problems can
(English Committee Corrosion 1990 with the aim to utilize
substantially increase operating
and Protection, chairman Dr. T.P. and maintenance costs. cheap natural gas as well as to
Hoar) [1]. Furthermore, despite earn foreign currency for the
Therefore it is evident that a
active research by corrosion country. It has two production
comprehensive study focusing
engineers, a visit to the local units: 1500 MT/day Topsoe
on the development of
scrap yard shows that large design Ammonia plant and
percentages of cars and “It becomes impossible to calculate 1725 MT/day Stamicarbon
domestic appliances still fail the costs of corrosion and corrosion designed Urea plant. The
because of corrosion; this loss protection when the loss of life is plants production started in
pales by comparison when considered, however, from December 1994. The KAFCO
industrial corrosion failures are engineering point of view it is project is the largest of its kind
included. As a result, the annual estimated that in industrialized in Bangladesh. The plant is
cost of corrosion and corrosion countries these costs amount up to 2 located in Chittagong and
protection in the United States is to 3.5% of the gross national produces high grade granular
over $300 billion, which is more product.” urea and anhydrous ammonia.

www.chethoughts.com Page | 26 February, 2011


The facility consists of an There are three pumps used to Four days later BFW header
ammonia plant, Urea plant and supply water for boilers: Pump pressure low low (set point is
urea granulation unit. Utility and A, B, and C. Pump A is steam lower than normal low) alarm
captive power generation units driven and other two are motor (124.5 kg/cm2) appeared and
support it. driven. Two pumps always keep according to the logic control,
on running as per plant auxiliary BFW pump in utility
Problem Description:
requirements: pump A and started to maintain the required
KAFCO Ammonia plant was either of pumps B or C operate pressure in BFW line. To
designed 1500 MT /day (100%), for better efficiency. The understand the root cause of the
however, efficient plant specification of the pumps that problem, first the combination
operation and some are used to supply BFW is as was changed and pump C was
modification actually enhanced it below: started along with A instead of B.
to some percentage. In 2007 But the low alarm in header
Pump Name: Boiler feed water Pump
midsummer, the plant was Type: Horizontal, Centrifugal pressure remained. Then the
running at 105% load. Suddenly (multistage) problem was thought to be with
there was a significant decrease Design condition pump A and it was to be
3
in boiler feed water (BFW) Capacity: 250 m /hr
2 checked. Since it was steam
Diff. pressure: 122.75 kg/cm
header pressure. In ammonia driven, it was being controlled by
Head: 1310 m
plant boiler feed water (BFW) Material Casing: 12Cr speed; at primary level, the
supply section holds utmost Impeller : 12Cr speedometer was checked and
0
importance. It ensures plenty Temperature : 135 C replaced, however, no
2
supply of water to waste heat Suction : 4.29 kg/cm (rated)
2 improvement observed. Later
Discharge: 127.04 kg/cm (rated)
boiler in ammonia reforming on, the speed test showed that
zone as well as to auxiliary boiler In the last few days, before the with significant increase in speed
in utility plant. The water used in incident has occurred, the BFW did not increase the pressure as
boilers serves two important data showed a gradual decrease expected. After vigorous testing
purposes- high pressure steam in BFW header pressure. At the of one week long, the plant
production and process gas time, pumps A and B were maintenance section confirmed
temperature reduction. The running. Normally the pressure and decided to start
header pressure is important remains just over 128 kg/cm2. At maintenance work on BFW
because it ensures the adequate first to maintain the smooth pump A. During the maintenance
supply of water to boilers and operation the BFW header work the 11th stage wire ring was
any decrease in pressure relates pressure low alarm set point was found broken and lower casing
to ultimately plant trip logic. lowered down from 126 kg/cm2. surface was found eroded near

Figure 1: Broken wire ring at 11th stage Figure 2: erosion –corrosion at 11th stage

www.chethoughts.com Page | 27 February, 2011


to the 11th stage full of water that is fitted
impeller. with a tight piston in
contact with water. If the
Corrosion
piston is raised away from
Mechanisms:
the water, pressure is
In my opinion, the reduced and the water
incident was a perfect vaporizes, forming
example of erosion bubbles. If the piston is
corrosion and pushed toward the water
corrosion fatigue. The pressure is increased and
later mechanism took bubbles condense or
into the first place. At collapse. Repeating this
first let us make some process at high speed such
discussion on these as in case of operating a
two kinds of Figure 3: Close view of the eroded part water pump, bubbles of
corrosion water vapour form and
mechanisms. Erosion corrosion is wear plates, grinders, mills, collapse rapidly. Calculations
the acceleration or increase in baffles, and equipment subject have shown that rapidly
rate of deterioration or attack on to spray. A special form of collapsing vapour bubbles
a metal because of relative erosion corrosion, cavitation produce shock waves with
movement between a corrosive damage, is caused by the pressures as high as 60000
fluid and metal surface. All types formation and collapse of vapour lb/in2[3]. Forces this high can
of equipment exposed to moving bubbles in a liquid near a metal produce plastic deformation in
fluids subject to erosion surface. Cavitation damage many metals. Evidence of this is
corrosion: some of these are occurs in hydraulic turbines, ship indicated by the presence of slip
piping systems, particularly propellers, pump impellers and lines in pump parts and other
bends, elbows and tees, valves, other surfaces where high equipment subjected to
pumps, blowers, centrifugals, velocity liquid flow and pressure cavitation.
propellers, impellers, agitators, changes are encountered. Before
considering cavitation damage, Fatigue is defined as the
agitated vessels, heat exchanger
let us discuss the cavitation tendency of metal to fracture
tubing such as heaters and
phenomenon. If the pressure on under repeated cyclic stressing.
condensers, measuring devices
a liquid such as water is reduced Usually, fatigue failures occur at
such as an orifice, turbine
sufficiently, it boils at room stress levels below the yield
blades, nozzles, ducts and
temperature. Consider a cylinder point and after many cyclic
vapour lines, scrapers, cutters,
applications of this stress.

Table 1: Comparative review of plant operation data (energy consumption) due to pump
maintenance
Condition Plant Boiler-1, Boiler-2, STG-1, STG-2,
Load, % MT MT MW MW

Before M/M 108 % 90 85 7.18 7.21


of Pump A
During M/M 108 % 94 90 8.1 8.25
of Pump A
After M/M & 108 % 90 86 7.2 7.25
Pump A online

www.chethoughts.com Page | 28 February, 2011


Corrosion fatigue is defined as Plant Operation: Acknowledgement
the reduction of fatigue
Due to this failure, the pump was The Author gratefully
resistance due to the presence under maintenance for acknowledges Md. Tareq
of a corrosive medium. approximately 10 days. During Iftekhar, Section Manager,
Corrosion fatigue is also the maintenance the plant was Inspection Team, Technical
influenced by the corrosive to running with pumps B and C Department, KAFCO for his
which the metal is exposed; without having any stand by support.
oxygen content, temperature, pump. At the that time, energy
pH and solution composition References
consumption was higher than
influence corrosion fatigue. [1] Giel Notten, Consultancy (2006),
regular condition; also the
Corrosion fatigue resistance also Corrosion Engineering Guide, KCI
capacity and net pressure diff. of
can be improved by using Publishing B.V.; ISBN:
the other two pumps were lower
coatings such as electroplated 9789073168299.
compared to the A pump
Zinc, chromium, nickel, copper [2] Robert H. Perry and Don W.
(Table 1). As a result, to maintain
and nitride coatings. Green (1997), Perry’s Chemical
normal header pressure the
In the above mentioned case, other two BFW pumps Engineers’ Handbook, 7th Ed.,
McGraw-Hill; ISBN: 0-07-049841-5.
the corrosion fatigue was consumed excess electricity
followed by cavitation damage. which in turn increased the load [3] Mars G. Fontana (1987),
As it was a rotating equipment of Steam Driven Turbine Corrosion Engineering, 3rd Ed.
and corrosion environment Generators (STG). Therefore, the McGraw Hill Book Company; ISBN:
accelerators such as pH, plant management experienced 0-07-021463-8.
temperature, and pressure were some economical losses and the Further Reading:
present and there were some plant was operated in relatively
Herbert H. Uhlig and R.
unplanned shutdowns also. All vulnerable condition.
Winston Reivie (1985),
these factors led toward the Conclusion: Corrosion And Corrosion
corrosion fatigue. Apparently
In conclusion, it can be said that Control, 3rd Ed. John Wiley &
there was a crack in the wire
the engineering process industry Sons; ISBN: 0-471-07818-2
ring. Therefore, high frequency
(cycle per second) rotation is a place where these kinds of Einar Bardal (2004), Corrosion
favoured the transgranular incidents often take place. It is And Protection, Springer-
growth of the crack, and finally the engineers' responsibility to Verlag London Limited; ISBN:
the ring had been broken. minimize these hazardous and 1-85233-758-3
Moreover, as the ring got often fatal incidents by regularly
Engineering Data Book,
damaged, there was a decrease monitoring the processes,
Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company
in the impeller performance and machine performance and
Limited, Chittagong,
subsequently the pressure identifying abnormalities.
Bangladesh.
fluctuation occurred at the 11th Experience and close
stage. This was assumed to be observation holds utmost Sk. Shafi. Ahmed (2003),
the reason as the cavitation importance relating to these Improving Plant
damage took place at there and criteria. The article here also Performances-Lessons from
the inspection team had some emphasizes on tactics used in the experience of Karnaphuli
visual proof relating to that. detecting the problem which is Fertilizer Company Ltd.;
important in plant operation International Conference on
context. Chemical Engineering 2003,
Dec 29~30, Papers of
technical sessions, pp142.

www.chethoughts.com Page | 29 February, 2011


WOMEN IN ChE

Dr. Karen Hapgood is a highly successful Chemical Engineer, Researcher and Academic. She started her
professional career as an engineer and moved into academia with a good experience in Pharmaceutical
R&D. Her research and teaching is highly inspired by her professional experience. Her versatile career
inspires young engineers, especially women in engineering. She has received several national and
international awards for her research and teaching excellence. Currently she is working as an Associate
Professor and Deputy Head of the Chemical Engineering Department of Monash University, Australia.
Recently Ms. Thanh Nguyen has taken her interview for ChE Thoughts.

Dr. Karen Thanh Nguyen is currently a PhD


candidate at Monash University,

Hapgood –
researching on the effects of the wet
granulation process on the tablet
properties. Thanh completed her
family, research B.Eng(Hons) (2007) and MEngSci(Res)
(2009) at Monash University. Thanh

and academic enjoys participating in various roles in


the department and has authored

success on the
several journal publications and
conference proceedings.
Email Address:
unbeaten path women thanh.h.nguyen@monash.edu

engineers leave Dr. Hapgood has been


THANH NGUYEN
the profession in Australia by the passionate about chemical
My eyes examine the patchwork age of 40 for family or personal engineering since her days in
art hanging on Associate reasons (Roberts, P. and Ayre, high-school having won a
Professor Dr. Karen Hapgood’s M., 2002), Dr. Hapgood stands Comalco Scholarship for her
office wall as I sit and wait for out as a woman who not only university studies. Dr. Hapgood
my interview with her. I look at embraced family-hood, but also graduated from her bachelor
the small patchwork quilt while embraced her professional studies from the University of
sitting at her meeting table. The career and changed from an Queensland in 1994 and
delicate stitches on the industrial to an academic setting commenced her work at
patterned fabric outline an to fit in her family commitments. Honeywell in Victoria (Australia)
image of a high-shear wet as a Project Engineer. After a
granulator with a figure, couple of years working, Dr.
donning a full astronaut-style Hapgood went back to the
safety suit, standing adjacent University of Queensland to
to it. The figure does not study for her doctorate
represent a typical male degree under the supervision
operator; rather this figure of Professor James Litster,
represents Dr. Hapgood in her researching the effects of
days of working at Merck & “Nucleation and Binder
Co. Her room shows her Dispersion in Wet
enthusiasm of engineering and Granulation”. Her research led
the pharmaceutical industry to the formation of the
with tablets, inhalers, hard hat Nucleation regime map, which
and a process control unit is used in both industry and
present on her shelves. “Being part of different scientific and research today. After her PhD
Around her working table are engineering networks helps to expand your graduation (2000) she worked
pictures of her other source of mind and gives a broader idea or for 5 years at Merck & Co.,
inspiration – her family. In a perspective of what one can do as a USA, as a Project Scientist,
profession where 85% of career.” before transferring back as a

www.chethoughts.com Page | 30 January, 2011


Process Engineer to Australia to research, students and the was given and titration was
continue working at Merck chemical engineering profession, carried out to determine the
(Merck Sharp and Dohme whilst juggling her professional concentration. It took a lot of
Australia) on Pharmaceutical career with her young family. Dr. work by the school and countless
research and development. Hapgood sits down and we begin of lunchtimes were spent
During her work for Merck & Co., our interview: practising titration. My group
Dr. Hapgood worked on a drug won third prize in the
Thanks for giving me time. Let
for HIV. In 2006 Dr. Hapgood competition but more
me start with asking: when did
started her academic career at importantly, I saw the sandstone
you realise that you took an
Monash University. In the short interest in the “geekier” subjects buildings in the Great Court at
space of time since then, Dr. the University of Queensland,
of maths and science?
Hapgood has successfully which looked like a set from a
established a highly regarded movie scene, and I thought "I
research group, has become am going to go to uni here".
deputy head of the chemical Do you come from a family of
engineering department and is engineers? Is that where the
becoming globally known as a engineering influence came
prominent researcher in the from?
field of wet granulation and
particle technology. Dr. I am the first in the family to
Hapgood has won numerous study Chemical engineering. The
awards including the Merck engineering inspiration
Pharmaceutical Technology and probably came from the
Engineering Award for technical side of my father’s job,
Excellence in Technology a flight engineer; being the third
Transfer (2004), AAPS New person in the cockpit. Later my
Investigator Award in sisters also took up engineering
Thanh Nguyen with Dr. Karen Hapgood (one is electrical engineer and
Pharmaceutics and the
Pharmaceutical Sciences (2006), It was probably Year 9 science the other one is aeronautical
Dean’s Teaching Award for class with Ms. Darcy. She was a engineer) but I wouldn’t say that
Teaching Excellence (2008), ALTC good teacher and female! That I played an influential role in
Citation for Outstanding was probably when I first started their career choice.
Contributions to Student taking a real interest in science. Who were your role models
Learning (2010) and The Uhde growing up and now as a
As a child what were your
Shedden Medal and Prize (2010). professional engineer?
career aspirations and why did
Dr. Hapgood is also involved in
you decide on chemical Growing up my role model
several committees, including
engineering? would be my year 9 science
being the president of the
Australasian Particle Technology I wanted to be a musician teacher Ms. Darcy and later the
Society, International steering growing up. In year 11, I went to group of women involved in the
committee for the Handbook of the University of Queensland to Comalco scholarship. There were
Pharmaceutical Excipients, participate in a high school eight women in the group and
Editorial Board of Advanced titration competit ion, where an they showed me the diversity in
Powder Technology Journal and unknown concentration of acid engineering – there is no one
the Australian Therapeutic way to engineer. This had a
“I understood the concepts of big influence on me. My
Goods Committee. Dr.
chemical engineering more during my friend, who is the other
Hapgood’s success in her early
work experience and working with winner of the Comalco
academic career is testimony to
others at the end of my degree.” scholarship, Kate O’ Brian was
her dedication towards

www.chethoughts.com Page | 31 January, 2011


also a role model for me. scale – all the possibilities. I and I sat down after finishing our
Currently my role models include don’t think I would be able to PhD’s and decided to invest in
Professor Jim Litster (Purdue see this in a research-scale my career and move to the US.
University, USA), Dr. Jim process. So my research Also having an extended family
Michaels (Merck and Co. Inc., proposals are influenced from close by, even if it means having
USA), Professor Jean Armstrong my experiences working in a long commute to work, has
(Monash University, Australia) Merck. been very helpful in helping me
and Professor Ana Deletic fit my work commitments.
For young women in
(Monash University, Australia). engineering who are motivated What drives you to be
These are role models who I look to succeed both professionally passionate about your research
up to do and feel comfortable and personally (family and teaching duties?
enough to ask for advice. commitments), what advice Working with people around me
As a student studying chemical would you give to those inspires me to work. I strive to
engineering, what advice would women? be a knowledgeable, helpful and
you give to students and what My advice would be to go and reliable colleague, lecturer and
memorable memories have you talk to other women when you researcher. I also enjoy
had while studying? are feeling vague because often researching on wet granulation; I
I understood the concepts of you will find that you are not appreciate the extended family
chemical engineering more alone in dealing with a particular in the research field as everyone
during my work experience and issue. By talking to other offers advice and encourages
working with others at the end women, you can find that “one each other, even when the
of my degree. As well as taking line response”. Some research can be improved.
time to study alone in the early conversations with other women You take pride in using
hours of the morning, I made technology in your teaching
sure I took time off to socialise, “At Merck in Australia, I learnt what
to help students learn and as
as I feel it is not good to just could go wrong for a simple
direct feedback on your
concentrate on studying, it is formulation on an industrial scale – all
teaching, what would be your
just as important to socialise. the possibilities. I don’t think I would
ideal teaching environment in
Hence balancing study and be able to see this in a research-scale
terms of using technology?
taking breaks helped me to process. So my research proposals are
succeed. influenced from my experiences I think it would be nice to have
working in Merck.” a professional editor that can
Could you please share any take recordings from the
experiences in your work at engineers about issues are the
lectures and format them into
Honeywell or Merck or teaching same as the 1950’s while other
modules for students to learn
duties at Monash University? conversations are not. I have
from, or in other words to have
also found reading Amanda’s
At Merck, I got to see and learn modules of concepts presented
Sinclair’s book entitled “Doing
more than what I could have rather than recorded lectures.
Leadership Differently” gave me
learnt if I worked in a
good advice on how to be a I still like to use the real time
pharmaceutical company in
leader by encouragement and remote controls which students
Australia. For example, I got to
inspiration rather than by can use to answer questions in a
see the process of product
demand and expectations. presentation quiz.
development from formulation
design to the full-scale How do you juggle family and My tablet PC is also helpful to
production. When I worked at academic life? me.
Merck in Australia, I learnt what I think having a supportive I also think that lectures can be
could go wrong for a simple husband helps a lot in juggling set in a different system where
formulation on an industrial family and work. My husband students can be sitting on a chair

www.chethoughts.com Page | 32 January, 2011


and can turn the chairs around you can have the beach virtually successful path in an unbeaten
to face each other for group to yourself. territory for herself. As Dr.
discussions, then can turn again Hapgood returns back to her
Would you like to say any final
to listen to a lecture. Something table to continue her work, little
words to the readers of “Che
similar to having a ‘Qantas club’ does she know that while she
Thoughts” magazine?
for students and a ‘Qantas club’ has her role models to look up
for staff. Being part of different networks to, she herself is a role model to
(such as women in engineering, the younger generations of
What is your favourite piece of women in science, women in engineering - thank
technology? pharmaceutical and wet you Dr. Hapgood, may you
That would have to be my continue to inspire the next
“I think that lectures can be set in a
1kg laptop and my iphone. generations of women in
different system where students can
What helps you to relax be sitting on a chair and can turn the engineering!
from your busy schedule? chairs around to face each other for Reference(s): Roberts, P. and
I like to do yoga, gardening, group discussions, then can turn again Ayre, M. (2002), “Counting the
sewing and recently cooking to listen to a lecture.” losses.......The Careers Review of
Jamie Oliver’s recipes. Engineering Women: an
granulation) helps to expand
investigation of women’s
Where is your favourite place in your mind and gives a broader
retention in the Australian
the world? idea or perspective of what one
engineering workforce.” National
can do as a career.
I would have to say Apollo bay Women in Engineering
(in Victoria, Australia) as it is a With that, the interview Committee, Engineers Australia.
small country beach town where concludes and it is evident that
Dr. Hapgood has created a

“Working with people around me inspires me to work. I strive to be a knowledgeable, helpful and reliable
colleague, lecturer and researcher.”

www.chethoughts.com Page | 33 January, 2011


UNIVERSITY AND ADMISSION

Carnegie Mellon Kazi Mahmuda Tasneem Mimmi is a young


engineer/researcher from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
University: She has completed her BSc in Chemical Eng
(2006) and MSc in Environmental Eng (2010)

Walking to the from BUET. She worked as a Research


Engineer on wastewater management issues.

Sky
Currently she is pursuing her PhD research
work in Carnegie Mellon University.
Email address:
KAZI MAHMUDA TASNEEM moushumy@yahoo.com
MIMMI

same Therefore, while choosing the


With the successful completion anticipations for pursuing higher right graduate school for
of undergraduate study, we are studies. So, higher studies in an diffusing through diversified area
assumed to be able to start the apt graduate school are not only of engineering, certainly one can
journey of our own interest. So, crucial and expensive job, but consider Carnegie Mellon
taking the decision for higher also competitive ones! University, an epitome of
studies is a crucial undertaking. Having an undergraduate degree multidisciplinary research based
Our experience as graduate in Chemical Engineering, university, which always
student would be a life-changing fortunately one has the privilege welcomes students from various
and fulfilling one if we consider to explore different fields of backgrounds.
carefully our long term engineering study. With the Carnegie Mellon University
educational, professional, and concept of multidisciplinary (CMU) is a private research
most relevantly personal goals to study, background of chemical university in Pittsburgh,
fit with, before we start packing engineering is well fitted into Pennsylvania, USA, established in
our bags. Everybody shares the different engineering streams. 1900 with a vision for 2100. It is

CMU walks to the sky; back in 2006, a 100 ft. structure was installed on the front
lawn of Carnegie Mellon University. In his own words, CMU alumnus and “Walking
to the Sky” designer, Jonathan Borofsky, describes the work as “a portrait of all of
humanity rising upwards from the earth to the heavens above — striving into the
future with strength and determination. Ultimately, this sculpture is a symbol for
our collective search for wisdom and awakened consciousness.”

www.chethoughts.com Page | 34 February, 2011


a global research university with departments in the United Chemical Engineering, Masters
more than 11,000 students, States. It has a 100 years old of Science (MS) in Chemical
84,000 alumni, and 4,000 faculty history of innovation and Engineering, Masters of
and staff. A small student-to- creativity in both teaching and in Chemical Engineering (MChE),
faculty ratio (10:1) provides an research. The department Masters of Colloids, Polymers
opportunity for close interaction currently includes 18 faculty and Surfaces (MSCPS), and
between students and members (17 Full Time Masters in Energy Science,
professors. Recognized for its Equivalent), one teaching Technology, and Policy (MESTP).
world-class technology professor, one research PhD in Chemical Engineering is a
programs, collaboration across professor and several adjunct research-oriented degree that
disciplines and innovative professors. The student body prepares students for
leadership in education, includes approximately 200 independent research careers in
Carnegie Mellon is consistently a undergraduates, 80 PhD, 20 industry or academia. This is a
top-ranked university. It has Masters Students (MChE, MS), full time degree and students are
been ranked 6th in graduate and 20 postdoctoral research fully funded. The program is
engineering, 7th in graduate fellows and visitors. On average, competitive and the department
environmental engineering, 10th the department awards 40-50 BS admits between 12 – 20 new
in graduate civil engineering and degrees, 15 MChE/MS degrees, PhD students each year. MS in
16th in graduate chemical and 12-14 PhD degrees each Chemical Engineering is a
engineering by the latest U.S. year. The department has research-oriented degree where
News & World Report and 11th in excellent computational and students have to complete both
the world for engineering and experimental facilities, for both coursework and an independent
technology by the London Times teaching and research. The research project (with thesis).
Higher Education. department has undergone a The other Masters programmes
$27 million renovation, creating offered by the department are
Carnegie Institute of Technology
state-of-the art research and coursework based degree
(CIT), College of Engineering in
teaching facilities. It is a home of provides students with added
Carnegie Mellon, aims at “Seeing
variety of research programs, depth in the technical aspects on
the world like an engineer”,
including some of the strongest the specific field and breadth
consists of different
in USA. The many research through elective courses.
departments which have cutting
projects are loosely grouped into Funding is limited for the
edge research activities. Among
the areas of: Masters program.
all these, the following
departments can be best 1. Bio engineering OVERVIEW OF CIVIL AND
considered for higher studies ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
2. Complex Fluids Engineering
endeavour for a student from DEPARTMENT
chemical engineering 3. Envirochemical Engineering
The Department of Civil and
background: 4. Process Systems Engineering Environmental Engineering (CEE)
1. Department Chemical 5. Energy Science and is part of the Carnegie Institute
Engineering Engineering of Technology, the engineering
college at Carnegie Mellon
2. Department of Civil & The graduate degrees offered by University. CEE comprises of
Environmental Engineering the department include PhD in roughly 20 faculties, 12 staff
OVERVIEW OF CHEMICAL members, and numbers of
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT “Recognized for its world-class graduate students (76 PhD
technology programs, collaboration and 101 MS in most recent
The Department of Chemical
across disciplines and innovative enrolment). The department
Engineering at Carnegie
leadership in education, Carnegie Mellon vision is to continue to
Mellon is one of the premier
is consistently a top-ranked university.” achieve national and
chemical engineering

www.chethoughts.com Page | 35 February, 2011


international recognition engineering or a related graduate student. Supervisors
through the impact of its discipline at a recognized from undergraduate research
research and alumni. The university with better than a “B” work and work place
Department offers average. The application (engineering/research) are the
interdisciplinary research and deadline is January 15 for Fall most likely choices for
graduate programs in: Advanced admissions and October 15 for recommendations; workplace
Infrastructure Systems (AIS), Spring admissions. However, co-workers and colleagues are
Environmental Engineering students should complete the also often able to provide useful
Science & Management (EESM), application by January 15 for Fall insight. Recommendations from
Green Design (GD), Materials, admission and September 30 for people with whom applicant has
Mechanics and Computing Spring admission, in order to be not worked are generally not
(MMC) and the newest program, considered for financial considered informative.
Global Sustainable Construction. assistance during the academic Applications for admission may
The Department also year. The nonrefundable
be submitted throughout the
participates in cooperative application fee is $65. year; Admission decisions are
programs in Biomedical Admission is based on the overall announced by April 15 for Fall
Engineering, Architecture and academic performances, admission and December 15 for
Engineering and Public Policy. recommendation letters, Spring admission. Graduate
Among all these, the following Graduate Record Examination students can be admitted for
areas highly appreciate students (GRE) scores, Test of English as a either semester, although
with the background of chemical Foreign Language (TOEFL) or August admission is preferable.
engineering: International English Language Admission Eligibility: A Deep
1. Environmental Engineering Testing System (IELTS) scores (if Insight
Science & Management (air applicable) and Statement of
quality, environmental Purpose (SOP). There are no 'cut- In making admission decisions,
management, water quality off' scores for the GRE Carnegie Mellon looks for a
and environmental examination, which is evaluated balanced record of previous
informatics) in the context of applicant’s preparation and
entire application package. The accomplishment, and indications
2. Materials, Mechanics and
standard acceptable internet- of high potential for future
Computing (modelling and
based TOEFL score is 85 growth and development.
large-scale computer
considering overall requirement Applicant’s previous schooling
simulation; with emphasis on
of different departments. grades indicate applicant’s ability
mechanics of crystalline,
granular, and amorphous It is also noteworthy that, the and willingness to work hard and
materials; dislocation university application benefit from courses and related
mechanics; phase requirements consider that most learning opportunities. Along
transformations; atomistic informative recommendations with previous schooling grades
simulation; electromechanics are written by those for whom CMU also looks for applicant’s
of 'smart' materials) an applicant has done technical research skills and experiences,
or research work similar to the indications of breadth of interest
Application Procedure
type applicant will do as a good motivation, and good
In order to apply to the verbal skills. Therefore, not
“Carnegie Institute of Technology (CIT),
graduate programs at only the academic credentials,
College of Engineering in Carnegie
Carnegie Mellon University, but also substantial research
Mellon, aims at “Seeing the world like an
prospective students must potential is highly appreciated
engineer”, consists of different
have completed a regular in Carnegie Mellon University,
departments which have cutting edge
four-year undergraduate which appears as a complete
research activities.”
course from particular package for admission

www.chethoughts.com Page | 36 February, 2011


eligibility. “For a perspective graduate student, http://www.cmu.edu/finaid/
Carnegie Mellon University is rich in graduate; Cited: 22
Tuition Fees & Financial Aid
opportunities and at the same time, December, 2010
Tuition for Carnegie Institute
having a chemical engineering [5] Carnegie Mellon’s Student
of Technology for 2010-11 is
background is itself an golden Service Centre; Graduate
$35,700 per year and the
opportunity to broaden one’s horizons Tuition & Fees Information;
Fees per year is $ 430.
to different areas of study at this http://www.cmu.edu/hub/tui
Tuition and fees are due and
University.” tion/graduate; Cited: 22
payable at the time of
Bottom Line December, 2010.
semester registration. These fees
do not include books and course For a perspective graduate [6] Wikipedia –
supplies. CMU requires all PhD student, Carnegie Mellon The Free Encyclopaedia;
students to serve as teaching University is rich in opportunities Carnegie Mellon University:
assistants; however, it is not and at the same time, having a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car
prerequisite for funding. chemical engineering negie_Mellon_University; Cited:
background is itself an golden 22 December, 2010.
Financial aid is available in the
form of graduate research opportunity to broaden one’s [7] US News & World Report;
assistantships, fellowships and horizons to different areas of Best Engineering Schools:
service assistantships on a study at this University. So, for a http://grad-
competitive basis. Although not student from chemical schools.usnews.rankingsandrevi
exclusively, research engineering background, higher ews.com/best-graduate-
assistantships are typically studies in Carnegie Mellon schools/top-engineering-schools;
offered to direct entry and PhD University will surely pay off for Cited: 22 December, 2010.
candidates in the form of tuition achieving a rewarding career.
[8] THE World University
and living stipend. The Further Reading Rankings; Top 50 Engineering
departments are able to offer
[1] Carnegie Mellon University; and Technology University 2010:
Dean's Fellowships (complete
Homepage: http://www.timeshighereducati
tuition coverage for one year
http://www.cmu.edu/index.sht on.co.uk/world-university-
and $1500 of support for use on
ml; Cited: 22 December, 2010. rankings/2010-
the student’s behalf) to 2011/engineering-and-IT.html;
qualified, first-year doctoral [2] Carnegie Mellon Chemical Cited: 22 December, 2010.
students admitted to the Engineering; Graduate
program. Partial tuition service Admissions Homepage:
assistantships are available to http://www.cheme.cmu.edu/ad
qualified MS applicants. missions; Cited: 22 December,
** Disclaimer: This article does
The Fellowships and Scholarships 2010.
not represent the official
Office (FSO) at Carnegie Mellon [3] Carnegie Mellon Civil & statement of the corresponding
provides support to graduate Environmental Engineering; university/department. This
students who are interested in Graduate Education Homepage: article is designed to facilitate
pursuing certain external http://www.ce.cmu.edu/graduat potential students who want to
scholarships (Fulbright and the e; Cited: 22 December, 2010. pursue for higher education in
UK Awards). world class universities.
[4] Carnegie Mellon Student
Financial AID; Homepage:

www.chethoughts.com Page | 37 February, 2011


UNIVERSITY AND ADMISSION

Graduate Study Anupam Aich is a young engineer

at the Dept of
researcher pursuing his full-funded
post-graduate research in the University
of HOUSTON. Anupam has completed
Chemical and his BSc in Chemical Eng from BUET in
2009.

Biochemical Email address:


anupam.rajon@gmail.com

Engineering,
University of student
Houston body includes around 300
undergraduate students and 90-
ANUPAM AICH 95 fulltime graduate students
(mostly PhD students). Each year
on average 18 new graduate
Department of Chemical and students enroll into the
Biomolecular Engineering at department. The total annual
University of Houston (UH) is research expenditure of the
one among the best ChE department is about $3.5
Departments in the United million, and is growing
States of America. The successively [1].
department started its faculty holding research grants,
undergraduate programme in Ranking and recognition of scholarship as
1949 and the graduate doctoral Based on data from 2005, the evidenced by honours and
programme in 1958. Apart from chemical engineering Ph.D. awards [2].
being situated at the heart of the program of UH has placed 18th Research
energy capital of the world in the country in the NRC’s
(Houston), the reputation of its survey-based rating, which The ongoing research projects in
faculties and researchers helped measures a program against this department encompass
gain this department a place standards set by members of its variety of chemical engineering
among the top 20 ChE discipline (NRC ranking 2010) [2]. and biomolecular engineering
departments in USA (National The PhD program offered by the fields. The major research
Research Council (NRC) ranking Department of Chemical and strengths of ChBE department
2010). The department has Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) include biomolecular
outstanding faculties who are has been ranked even better engineering, nano-materials,
highly reputed for their expertise (13th in USA) in the NRC’s environmental reaction
in relevant fields. The research activity evaluation, engineering, energy engineering,
Department of Chemical which factored in publications, polymer engineering,
Engineering has contributed citations, the percent of the engineering design, and
greatly in producing transport & separation
engineering professionals for “The major research strengths of ChBE processes.
more than 60 years. department include biomolecular Biomolecular Engineering:
Overview of the Department engineering, nano-materials, Several research groups are
environmental reaction engineering, extensively working to
The ChBE department has 17 energy engineering, polymer engineer small biomolecules
fulltime faculties, 10 affiliated engineering, engineering design, and mostly proteins, and to find
faculties, 7 adjunct faculties transport & separation processes.” out engineering pathways to
and 4 research faculties. The

www.chethoughts.com Page | 38 February, 2011


formulate substances that can Graduate Student Admission & application procedures can be
be produced from biological Funding found at the departmental
organisms. In the biomolecular website [4].
Graduate students admitted in
engineering field, many research the ChBE Dept. at UH are References
projects are based on human generally for PhD programme.
health issues. Most of the [1] 2005-2007 Department
There are limited MS positions;
biomolecular research projects Report, Department of Chemical
however, a student with high
have extensive collaborations and Biomolecular Engineering,
CGPA and high GRE score can try
with different renowned medical University of HOUSTON.
to enroll into MS program. After
centres in USA, such as: Texas [2] The Chronicle of Higher
completion of the MS degree,
Medical Centre, University of Education; NRC Rankings
one can pursue for post-
Texas Health Science Centre, and Overview:
graduate degree in UH or other
Baylor college of Medicine, etc. http://chronicle.com/article/NRC
universities.
Researchers of ChBE department -Rankings-Overview-/124712/;
also have strong collaborations In the year of 2010, 25 graduate Cited: 22 January, 2011.
with National Laboratories (all PhDs) students enrolled into
around USA. Two faculty [3] University of HOUSTON:
members of ChBE were “In the biomolecular engineering field, CULLEN COLLEGE OF
recently featured in the many research projects are based on ENGINEERING; Presidential
Science magazine for their human health issues. Most of the Fellowships:
exclusive research. biomolecular research projects have http://www.egr.uh.edu/acad
extensive collaborations with different emics/?e=fellowships
Energy Engineering: The renowned medical centres in USA.”
University has one among [4] University of HOUSTON:
few energy research parks in the ChBE department, of which Chemical & Biomolecular
USA which contributes to 22 were international students. Engineering; Application
research in energy field All of the graduate students Material for International
extensively. There is a diesel were fully funded and the Students:
centre, administered through financial aid package was http://www.chee.uh.edu/gradua
ChBE Dept that offers facilities to attractive: $22,000 per year; te/?e=application_material_inter
work on the novel technologies without tuition and other fees. national; Cited: 22 January,
for motor vehicles which are Graduate applicants with 2011.
related to pollution prevention exceptional records were offered
and economic fuel consumption. Presidential Fellowships [3]. All
The projects involve reactor the PhD students are also
design, catalyst design and offered Departmental ** Disclaimer: This article does
simulation and also synthesis to Fellowships. not represent the official
ensure pollution prevention statement of the corresponding
For the admission purposes, the
from vehicles. university/department. This
official requirements are: CGPA
article is designed to facilitate
Nano-materials: There are 3.00 or above in a scale of 4.00
potential students who want to
groups involved in researching and minimum GRE score 1200;
pursue for higher education in
nanomaterial synthesis and however, an applicant with a
world class universities.
novel product design. One of the CGPA of 3.50 and GRE score of
groups is associated with plasma 1250 is well-qualified for getting
science research for etching into PhD programme. Extra-
purposes and which will be curricular activities and higher
useful in nano and micro- percentages may add up to the
electronics industry. credentials required to obtain a
Fellowship. The details of the

www.chethoughts.com Page | 39 February, 2011


TALK TO THE EXPERT

Dr. Muhammad Mohidus Samad Khan is the editor of ChE Thoughts and
moderator of ChemicalBUET. He successfully completed his

Azizur Rahman:
PhD on Biochemical/Biosurface Engineering from Monash
University and BSc in Chemical Engineering from BUET. He is
currently working on ‘Bioactive Papers’ in McGill University.
a Silent Expert His research interest extended to Environmental Engineering
and Engineering Education. He has authored several journal

in Chemical and and conference publications, patents and book-chapter.


Email Address:

Petroleum
mohidus.khan@mcgill.ca

Industries childhood. Being a very bright


student of mathematics he
University of Manchester, UK
(1962). He also completed Post-
MOHIDUS SAMAD KHAN enrolled (1955) in Ahsanullah Graduate Diploma (1965) in
Engineering College1, Dhaka to Refining and Chemical
fulfil his cherished dream to be Engineering from the Institute of
Bangladesh University of an engineer. That time there was French Petroleum, Paris, France.
Engineering and Technology no Chemical Industry in He did his PhD (1973-76) in
(BUET) has been producing Bangladesh (former East Chemical Engineering from
world class Engineers, Pakistan). But it was the fate University of Manchester
Researchers and Academics which drove him to enrol in the Institute of Science and
since its establishment in 1948 in newly formed Chemical Technology, UK.
the name of Ahsanullah Engineering Department2. He Dr. Aziz started his colourful and
Engineering College. Dr. successfully completed his BSc in outstanding professional career
Muhammad Azizur Rahman is Chemical Engineering in 1959. In as a Lecturer of Chemical
one of the first few Bangladeshi 1960 went to UK with a full Engineering, Ahsanullah
Engineers who pioneered funded scholarship to pursue Engineering College, Dhaka in
Chemical Engineering as a Post-Graduate studies in 1959. In 1963 he joined the
profession in Bangladesh. Dr. Chemical Engineering; he Eastern Refinery as a Training
Aziz possesses a unique completed Master of Technical Engineer; from Eastern Refinery
combination of technical and Science from the Victoria he was sent to France for higher
business experience in all
“Dr. Aziz possesses a unique training in Refining and
aspects of Refinery,
combination of technical and business Chemical Engineering. In the
Petrochemicals, Chemicals
experience in all aspects of Refinery, later part of his career in
and the Gas Processing
Petrochemicals, Chemicals and the Eastern Refinery Limited,
Industries. Having also held
Gas Processing Industries.” Bangladesh, he served as its
positions in general
General Manager (1977-80) as
management, he is uniquely able
1 well as a member of the Board of
to evaluate, implement and Dhaka Engineering Survey School,
established in 1876, became Dhaka Directors. During this period
operate across the process
Engineering College (later renamed as Eastern Refinery became
industries. His exclusive
Ahsanullah Engineering College) in profitable; he also established
background allows him to take 1948. Ahsanullah Engineering College discipline amongst the work
leadership roles in General was upgraded to East Pakistan
force leading to better
Management, Master Planning, University of Engineering and
Technology (EPUET). After liberation motivation and higher
Project Evaluation, Project
war in 1971, the university founded its productivity.
Implementation and Operation.
current name: Bangladesh University of
Engineering and Technology (BUET).
In 1980 Dr. Aziz joined Abu Dhabi
Coming from a village of
[Ref: Kabir (2008) CERB 12, pp 11-19] National Oil Company (ADNOC)
Dinajpur, Dr. Aziz has 2
Chemical Engineering Department and worked there for about
consistently maintained his was established in 1948 under 30 yrs. In the long career in
academic excellence since his Ahsanullah Engineering College.

www.chethoughts.com Page | 40 February, 2011


ADNOC (1980-2009) he has project risk assessments, Khan from “ChE Thoughts” has
served in many key positions environmental impact and conducted his interview.
which include: Production regulation, managing health and Thanks for giving us time from
Superintendent; Refinery safety issues, etc. At present he your busy schedule. It is our
Manager; Refining Co-ordinator; has been given the responsibility pleasure to have you with us for
Manager Planning & Process of Executive Vice President of the interview. You have earned
Technology Dept., Technical Corporate Projects Unit of Abu a world class reputation as an
Support Division Manager, Dhabi National Chemicals expert in refining,
Business Planning & Process Company (ChemaWEyaat) for petrochemicals, chemicals and
Technology Division; Manager, developing a Master Plan for an gas industries. You are the first
Chemicals Planning Division; and Industrial City on a 70 Km2 land; few Bangladeshi Engineers who
Advisor, Chemicals Planning the Industrial City development pioneered Chemical Engineering
Division. During his tenure in forms a part of Abu Dhabi
in Bangladesh. Before you, only
ADNOC, Dr. Aziz’s wide-ranging Government’s 2030 vision and in a limited number of students
responsibilities have included developing the worlds’ largest graduated from the Chemical
development of medium and Aromatics Complex. Engineering (ChE) Department.
long-term strategic plans, project Recently ‘ChE Thoughts’ got the What inspired you to select ChE
and technology evaluation, great opportunity to talk to him as a profession/career?
development of contracts and about his long decorated
agreements for licensors The journey of Chemical
engineering career, engineering
selection and joint venture Engineering education in
vision and professional
negotiation, project and Bangladesh (former East
experiences; Mohidus Samad
technology evaluation, managing Pakistan) started with the

Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company: Ruwais Refinery Plant


(photo courtesy: Dr. Muhammad Azizur Rahman)

www.chethoughts.com Page | 41 February, 2011


establishment of Ahsanullah other French speaking
“The most significant undergraduate
Engineering College in 1948. In countries in the course. With
experience was to have Dr. M. A.
1955, when seven of us joined Allah’s blessings, I stood
Rashid as our Principal. He was a giant
the Chemical Engineering second in the class.
of a personality. His dedication and
Department of Ahsanullah
love for the development and welfare In the construction phase and
Engineering College, there
for the College and subsequently for subsequently in the
were no Chemical Industries in
BUET were exemplary.” commissioning phase of the
Bangladesh (former East Eastern Refinery, we faced
Pakistan). There were none even establishing the Department.
enormous challenges and we
in the planning stage. But Prof. Bergelin was the co-author
met them head on and
sometimes in life it just happens, of ‘Heat Transmission’ Section of
commissioned the refinery on
so it happened for us too that we 3rd Edition (1953) of PERRY’s
schedule in 1968 and I soon
joined the Department. It was CHEMICAL ENGINEERING HAND
became its Technical Manager in
not then, like it is now that the BOOK. After all these years we
1970.
engineering students before still acknowledge his
joining any Department have a contribution to the Department; 1971, Bangladesh was born. I
total understanding of the pros we appreciate that he withstood took charge of the Refinery as
and cons of that profession and the hardships of life to be in East Acting Refinery Manager. But I
options available for him or her Pakistan, when the living went to UK in 1973 to do my
to choose. conditions were not very PhD, a dream I wanted to fulfil. I
comfortable and in particular, still recall, half way through my
Any memorable experience
communication with the outside examination, defending my PhD
while studying ChE in BUET (i.e.
world was so limited. For thesis, the external examiner, a
former Ahsanullah Engineering
example, there used to be only Professor of Chemical
College)?
one daily flight of PIA between Engineering of Birmingham
There are many memorable Dhaka and Karachi. University, UK offered me the
experiences. The most significant position of Chief Engineer in a
You have a long career in
was to have Dr. M. A. Rashid as Company, which used to
Eastern Refinery Limited,
our Principal. He was a giant of a produce tray materials and
Bangladesh. At your time
personality. His dedication and packings, where he was a
Eastern Refinery became a
love for the development and Director. I accepted the offer and
profitable organization. Would
welfare for the College and worked for that Company for
you like to share your
subsequently for BUET were nearly a year.
experience in Eastern Refinery?
exemplary. It can only be One day I received a phone call
admired. I started my career as a lecturer
from the Bangladesh
in the Engineering College. I was
The Professors of the Chemical Ambassador in London that the
promoted to the Senior Lecturer
Engineering Department of our Government of Bangladesh
position and at the same time I
time were highly dedicated and wanted me to take charge of the
was also offered the job in the
fulfilled their duties and Refinery as its General Manager.
Eastern Refinery, to be sent to
responsibilities admirably in I accepted and returned to the
France for training. I joined the
establishing the new Refinery in late 1976, took
Refinery; went to France with 11
Department. Our batch of seven charge of it at a very critical
other trainees, learnt French;
can be considered the period. I had to face the oil crisis,
was one of the two, amongst the
pioneering batch of Chemical crude oil price soaring every
11, selected for a Post-graduate
engineering education in the month, assuring oil was
course titled ”Refining &
then East Pakistan. At that time available; Kerosene and diesel
Chemical Engineering” in the
Prof. O.P. Bergelin, a visiting shortages; very limited amount
French Institute of Petroleum,
Professor, from Texas A&M of foreign exchange in the
Paris. There were students from
College, came to Dhaka to help country, labour unrest etc. With

www.chethoughts.com Page | 42 February, 2011


the help and trust of the then other big industries, since then  ADNOC has developed a
Chairman of Bangladesh followed – Adamjee Jute Mills is significant joint venture
Petroleum Corporation (BPC), one of them. relationship with Borealis in
Mr. Hassan Ahmed and working polyolefins business. I had a
You have worked for Abu Dhabi
in close collaboration with the range of roles in this effort,
National Oil Company (ADNOC)
Petroleum Ministry we met the including a member of the
for about 30 years at different
challenge. negotiating team of the joint
key positions; would you like to
Regarding “Trust”, I can recall share your experience in ADNOC venture (JV) agreements, as well
that two of us, myself being the projects? as serving as a key member of
General Manager of the Refinery the Project Steering Committee
I worked in ADNOC from 1980 to and team of technical advisors.
having the signing authority and 2009. I started there as a The JV commissioned a 600 KTA
Mr. Azimuddin Ahmed, the then Production Superintendent of Cracker and two PE Plants in
Director of Planning BPC; were Ruwais Refinery and then 2000. The JV expanded its
given full authority to negotiate gradually promoted to Refinery operation and just
crude oil purchase deals and
sign agreements. (such level commissioned a 1.4 million
“First time in the life of the Refinery,
of trust is, I believe, rare tonne per annum (mtpa)
in 1978, it made profit as a company
today) ethane cracker with 540
and since then it remained thousand tonne per annum
First time in the life of the profitable........... (ktpa) polyethylene and 800
Refinery, in 1978, it made .......We kept the refinery running, ktpa polypropylene units. Total
profit as a company and since improved its operations, capital expenditure (capex) is
then it remained profitable. I debottlenecked it and it is still running approximately US$ 5 billion.
fondly recall the dedication, 40 years after its commissioning.”
love and honesty of the  I was a member of a
refinery management team and Manager; Manager of Planning Feasibility Study Team for a
the employees who supported & Process Technology Dept., new 3500 tonne per day (tpd)
me during my tenure as General Technical Support Division; urea fertilizer plant. Capex is
Manager and who I had the Manager of Business Planning & estimated to be $1.3 billion. The
opportunity with my other Process Technology Division; project is under implementation
colleagues, to recruit, train and Manager of Chemicals Planning with target completion in Q4
motivate during the Division; and then Advisor of 2012.
commissioning phase of the Chemical Planning Division. In  I was a member of Technical
refinery in 1968. We kept the my tenure, I worked to develop Team for the installation of an 80
refinery running, improved its medium and long-term strategic ktpa melamine plant at Ruwais
operations, debottlenecked it plans, together with direction of Industrial Complex, initially
and it is still running 40 years evaluation of major investments. ADNOC as a JV with Agrolinz
after its commissioning. I was also responsible for Melamine Industries (AMI) of
evaluation of plant performance Austria. Project has been
I wish to mention with sorrow and benchmarking. Being an
that the Chittagong Steel Mills, transferred now to
Advisor, Chemical Planning ChemaWEyaat (Abu Dhabi
built and commissioned at the Division, I had to involve on a
same time, an asset of the National Chemicals Company)
wide range of issues related to for implementation.
country, was “eaten up” totally proposed investments in
by human beings like us, a long petrochemicals, such as:
long time ago. The demise of

www.chethoughts.com Page | 43 February, 2011


 TAKREER is the refining pleasure to know personally
“We grew up in our professional
subsidiary of ADNOC and was and to work with. Dr.
careers at a period, when the people
to construct an aromatics Rafiquddin Ahmed, (ex-
in responsible positions were just,
complex that will manufacture Chairman, Bangladesh
honest, honourable and dignified.”
gasoline for domestic Chemical Industries
consumption and produce 750 Corporation), Dr. Fasihuddin
be built in the City using the Mahtab, (ex-Planning Minister of
ktpa paraxylene and 375 - 770
feedstocks available in ADNOC Govt. of Bangladesh -deceased),
ktpa benzene. I participated in
Refineries and Gas Plants. Since Professor Iqbal Mahmood (ex-VC
several aspects of this project. I
December 2010, I have been BUET), Prof Nooruddin Ahmed
was a member of a team who
given the Executive Vice (ex-VC BUET), Dr. Jasimuz Zaman
prepared the feasibility study
President role of Corporate (ex-BUET faculty and current Co-
examining the Cumene, Phenol,
Projects Unit. Chair, Bangladesh Chemical
Bisphenol-A and finally
Polycarbonate production. The I am also involved in developing Engineering Forum) and other
project has now been the first complex in the Industrial too many to list. They have the
transferred to ChemaWEyaat for City. The Front End Engineering personality that may break but
implementation. Design (FEED) of the first could not bend under any sort of
complex, an Aromatics Complex, pressure or for personal gains.
 I was a member of a team,
will start soon. The cost of the It’s been over 50 years since you
who have Initiated conceptual
complex is estimated at $3 graduated (1959) from the
studies for installing a residual
billion. The complex will be Chemical Engineering
fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) in
implemented in phases. Department. How you see the
Ruwais, including production of
olefins, aromatics and It is really a wide and exclusive contrast of Chemical
subsequent downstream experience. Let’s discuss a bit Engineering in Bangladesh: Now
developments, the refinery more where we have started and Before?
expansion is under from. Tell us more about the Before:
implementation now. work environment of your early
age professional life. There were not many
Currently you are working as opportunities then; as students
Senior Vice President, Corporate Again, there are many we didn’t have much idea on
Projects Unit of Abu Dhabi memorable experiences in my chemical engineering profession.
National Chemicals Company early professional life. We grew Immediately, after our
(ChemaWeyaat). Can you please up in our professional careers at graduation, the first opportunity
tell us about the current project a period, when the people in came. Pakistan Industrial
you are working on? responsible positions were just, Development Corporation had
honest, honourable and just been established and it
For the past three years, I am
dignified. Some I had the decided to build a Fertilizer
advising ChemaWEyaat for
developing a Master Plan for Factory in Fenchuganj, Sylhet.
an Industrial City to be built in “ChemaWEyaat is developing an Most of us received
the Western Region of Abu Industrial City in the Western Region appointment letters to join the
Dhabi on a 70 Km2 land of Abu Dhabi on a 70 Km2 land Company (without any
allocated to it by the allocated to it by the Government of interview) and to go
Government of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi as a part of Government’s immediately to Japan for
The Industrial City 2030 vision...... training. I did not take the offer
development forms a part of .......the Chemical Complexes will be and stayed in the Department.
Abu Dhabi Government’s built in the City using the feedstocks Three of us took the offer.
2030 vision. Some 12 available in ADNOC Refineries and Subsequently East Pakistan
Chemicals Complexes have Gas Plants.” Development Corporation was
been identified – which can formed and industrialisation of

www.chethoughts.com Page | 44 February, 2011


the then East Pakistan started. You have a long and highly commitments and make the
decorated engineering career. employers business ventures
At the same period, the Water
When you started as a profitable. You may call it “my
and Power Development Board
professional engineer, did you driving force”.
was formed.
have any specific vision in your It is really fascinating to talk to
A comprehensive development mind? Or, with time, exposure you. Your wide experience and
of the country started. The and opportunity have you world-class expertise will inspire
Refinery, Steel Mill, Fertilizer developed any engineering the new generation of Chemical
factories, Cement factories, vision? What was your driving Engineers: both in Bangladesh
Paper Mills, Jute Mills, Power force? and abroad. Before we finish,
Plants and Water Treatment
Yes, I had. I enjoyed studying the would you like to say something
Plants, Teesta Barage, etc. Many
“Separation Processes” and to the “ChE Thoughts”
industries, small and large,
“Catalytic Processes”. It was audience?
dozens of them were designed,
clearly understood that the Oil &
constructed and were To the students and young
commissioned. alumni of ChE; I would like to
“I am a believer of teamwork and say that:
Now: empowering the subordinates with
We wish we had more natural responsibilities. At the same time I “BE HONEST TO YOURSELF; DO
would strive hard in giving my best NOT COMPROMISE YOUR CORE
resources (gas, coal, oil etc) to
efforts and commitments and make VALUES OF LIFE. IF CHARACTER
be used as feedstocks for
the employers business ventures IS LOST – EVERYTHING IS LOST.
developing primary and
profitable.” IF YOU WANT CHANGE TO
secondary chemical industries.
OCCUR – BE PART OF IT. LET
I think, the time has come to
Gas based industries utilize these ALLAH SUBHANOTAALA GIVE
go from “operate & maintain”
processes the most. I wished to ALL HIS BLESSINGS TO THOSE
phase to “design, build &
work in these fields, when I was WHO STRIVE HARD TO RECEIVE
operate” phase. Someone has to
offered the job of Eastern THEM – BE ONE OF THEM”.
start this – I know it is not easy
and it is capital intensive, but I Refinery, I took it without I would also like to appreciate
think the environment is now hesitation. “ChE Thoghts”; “ChE Thougts”
right for an individual or a group Since then, I continued to get have achieved what was only in
to assume the pioneering role in opportunities to apply those our thoughts. I wish that ‘ChE
this regard. It is encouraging to processes in my career in Thoughts’ will provide the source
know the recent initiative by few Refining, Gas Processing and of inspiration for the future
ChE BUET alumni who are Petrochemicals Complexes. students of Chemical
establishing an Engineering Engineering and the alumni in
Consultancy Company. I wish the I am a believer of teamwork and the years to come.
group luck, and promise of empowering the subordinates
providing support, anyway I can. with responsibilities. At the same
time I would strive hard in giving
my best efforts and

“BE HONEST TO YOURSELF; DO NOT COMPROMISE YOUR CORE VALUES OF LIFE. IF CHARACTER IS LOST –
EVERYTHING IS LOST. IF YOU WANT CHANGE TO OCCUR – BE PART OF IT.”

www.chethoughts.com Page | 45 February, 2011


FEATURED INDUSTRY

Innovation in
th
Afrina Samain is studying her 4 year
(Level-4, Term-1) BSc Chemical

Chemical World: Engineering in the Department of


Chemical Engineering, BUET. She is an

Dow Chemical
active organizer and volunteer of
different departmental programs.
Email address:
Company samain_afr@yahoo.com

AFRINA SAMAIN
Career opportunities:
Students can experience work at
In 1897 a chemical company was
Dow through internships and co-
founded by a Canadian born
op programs. Recent graduates
chemist Herbert Henry Dow,
and those with working
which has crossed many paths to
experience are also invited to
prove itself and in 21st century it
Africa; still working with many of apply for career opportunities at
got third position in world
the world's most challenging Dow. Various type of career
ranking by market capitalization.
problems such as the need for programs are available at Dow
We are going to talk about the
clean water, renewable energy i.e. student programs, early
‘Dow Chemical Co.’ which has
generation and conservation, career programs, MBA general
more than 18,000 granted U.S.
and increasing agricultural management program,
patents since 1920 with
productivity. opportunities for experienced
worldwide 10,000 active patents
candidates, BEST symposium for
and in 2009 nearly 5000 Products:
doctoral and post doctoral
products are manufactured at
Dow Chemical Co. produces a scientist.
214 sites in 37 countries across
wide range of products which
the globe. At present Dow is handling the
can be classified into different
most vulnerable topic .i.e. future
With 52,000 employees in industrial sectors:
of energy. Dow has an algae joint
worldwide the company is
 Agriculture and food venture project under way.
headquartered in Midland,
 Building and construction When finished, the technology
Michigan. Current CEO of this
 Healthcare and medical should help it dispose of its
multinational company is
Andrew N. Liveris, whose  Electronics and carbon dioxide waste and
entertainment produce an alternative fuel in
mission is: "To passionately
innovate what is essential to  Household goods and the process. This venture, run
personal care with Algenol Biofuels, is in the
human progress by providing
sustainable solutions to our  Industrial development phase in Texas. We
 Oil and gas, wish Dow’s success on this noble
customers"
 Packaging, paper and effort.
With the power of science and publishing Courtesy: Dow Chemical
technology, this company is
 Plastics Company; www.dow.com
providing its services in North
 Transportation
America, Latin America, Europe,
 Utilities
Asia Pacific, Middle East and

www.chethoughts.com Page | 46 February, 2011


BUET CORNER/ NEWS & EVENTS

Department of Chemical Engineering, BUET Monir Ahammad and B M Sirajeel Arifin have
organizes regular workshops, short-courses and completed their BSc in Chemical Engineering
seminar for the practitioners and academics. The from BUET in 2009. Both of them are presently
acting as Lecturers at the Dept. of Chemical
department has recently organized two two-day Engineering, BUET and also pursuing their
long workshops for the engineers to raise their M.Sc. Degree at the same department.
capability in the field of ‘process simulation and Email address:
mahammad@che.buet.ac.bd
optimization’ and ‘process safety and risk bmsirajeel@che.buet.ac.bd
management’. Apart from these, ChE department
has also staged a seminar on Biomedical
Engineering. The cross-sections of the events are
presented by Monir Ahammad and B M Sirajeel
Arifin.

Workshop on
process and costing can also be 8, 2010. The main objective of
done using such software; the workshop was to familiarize
SIMULATION however, the usefulness of these
software largely depends on the
the plant personnel with the
working environment of the
SOFTWARE, skill of their users. Thus, the skill software and to help them know
required to design or renovate a what the input variables are for
HYSYS process plant by using process performing the operations like
simulation software is as flow sheeting, equipment design,
important as the physical and costing and optimization.
Chemical Process design and chemical insights into the Prof. Dil Afroza Begum, the head
simulation have become much process. of the Dept. of Chemical
easier nowadays. Various
By considering the necessity of Engineering at BUET inaugurated
process design software like
the skill to use process the workshop on October 7; she
HYSYS, Design 2, gPROMS have
simulation software, the also coordinated the workshop.
made the tedious and time
Department of Chemical Dr. Ruhul Amin, Dr. Tanvir
consuming calculations of flow
Engineering, BUET organized a Sowgath, Mr. B.M. Sirajeel Arifin
sheeting simple and time
basic workshop on simulation and Mr. K.M. Tanvir Ahmmed
effective. Optimization of the
software, HYSYS, on October 7 – were the resource persons of the

Participants and resource persons of the workshop


www.chethoughts.com Page | 47 January, 2011
workshop. Thirty participants This was an introductory profitability. The workshop was
took part in the workshop; the workshop on Process Simulation highly interactive with a hands-
participants came from different using HYSYS intending to make on session in each lecture;
local industries and universities: the industry people know how to participants were provided with
Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company set-up a Process Flow Sheet in printed and soft versions of the
Ltd. (KAFCO), Bangladesh the simulation environment and workshop materials.
Petroleum Exploration & how to solve the material and At the end of the workshop the
Production Commpany Ltd energy balances for different participants were awarded
(BAPEX), Gas Transmission unit operations in steady state certificates. At the certificate
Company Limited (GTCL), conditions. Both reactive and giving ceremony, Prof. Iqbal
Chevron Bangladesh, Tullow non-reactive processes were Mahmood, Professor Emeritus
Bangladesh, Shahjalal University demonstrated. Participants were and Ex-VC of BUET, was present
of Science and Technology very much enthusiastic while as chief guest. Prof. Nooruddin
(SUST), Sylhet Gas Field Ltd setting up and solving the
Ahmed, UGC Professor and Ex-
(SGFL), Urea Fertilizer Factory balances of reactors, heat- VC of BUET, Prof. A.K.M.A.
Ltd. (UFFL), Bangladesh Chemical exchangers, pumps, expanders, Quader were present as special
Industries Corporation (BCIC) distillation columns and guests. Prof. Dil Afroza Begum
and so on. performing the optimization and presided over the ceremony.

www.chethoughts.com Page | 48 January, 2011


Seminar on
Prof. Hyder is the Program papers and delivered more than
Director of the Core Center for 100 important
Biomedical Quantitative Neuroscience with
Magnetic Resonance (QNMR) at
keynote/plenary/invited
presentations around the globe.
Engineering Yale University. He is also the Abstract of Lecture
Technical Director of high field
animal systems at the Yale For noninvasive assessment of
D. S. Fahmeed Hyder, Professor, University’s MRRC, one of the biochemical, pH and
Department of Diagnostic most reputed in vivo magnetic temperature variations in
Radiology and Biomedical resonance centers in the world biological tissue, molecular
Engineering of Yale University with several horizontal wide- imaging with MRI utilizing
lectured about Molecular bore and high field magnets for paramagnetic probes that affect
Imaging with translational in vivo research in water relaxation rate is the
Magnetic Resonance favored technology.
However MRI
Spectroscopy (MRS)
(approaches have
at the High Speed
specifically limits that
Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI) on may confound
Tuesday, December quantitative
7, 2010 at the Council measurements. While
Bhaban of BUET. His molecular imaging
talk oriented to boost with MRSs far more
the knowledge of the definite as the signal
starter in this new origin, it is less
field. Faculties and preferred because of
students from shortcomings (e.g.,
various departments extremely poor
had attended his sensitivity, very large
voxels, long averaging
lecture. The seminar
times, confounding
was followed by a
spectral overlap,
lively discussion
session. In the sensitivity to shim,
discussion session he etc). He has
Prof. Fahmeed Hyder, Department of Diagnostic presented evidence to
also answered
Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, Yale University advocate that
different queries on
graduate and post- molecular imaging
graduate education at Yale the animals and humans. He with MRS is feasible
University and he encouraged received his bachelor‘s degree in employing a class of novel
students to apply for top- (physical) chemistry in 1990 from paramagnetic probes. Physical
notched USA universities. Wabash College and doctoral characteristics of the MRS signal
According to him, by applying to degree in (biophysical) chemistry from these probes provide novel
a top university, a student from Yale University in 1995. He traits which can overcome
has joined as a faculty at Yale classical stigmas associated with
primarily takes the chance of
University in 1999 and currently MRS to enable highly specific
getting a good career and also
holds dual appointments in molecular information, but at
paves the pathway for fellow
juniors. Diagnostic Radiology and the speed of MRI. He also
Biomedical Engineering as highlighted several potential
Biography of the Presenter Professor. He has authored more biomedical applications.
than 100 peer-reviewed journal

www.chethoughts.com Page | 49 January, 2011


International
leading to deaths and financial supervisors.
losses.
Despite being the Election Day at
Short Course on Department of Chemical the Institute of Engineers

PROCESS
Engineering, BUET has come Bangladesh (IEB), engineers’
forward to spread the biggest hub, the inaugural
SAFETY AND knowledge on this indispensable
issue in Bangladesh. With the
ceremony of the short-course
was crowded with almost 200
RISK association of BUET Chemical engineers, academics and invited
Engineering Forum (BCEF), ChE guests. Mr. Dilip Barua, Hon’ble
MANAGEMENT dept has made a timely initiative Minister for Industries,
to coach the academicians and Government of Bangladesh
practicing engineers by a two- (GoB) graced the inaugural
The intensive practice of Process day long short course on Process ceremony on December 9, 2010
Safety in chemical industries was Safety and Risk Management. as chief guest; Prof. S.M. Nazrul
initiated in 1992 after the Bhopal The global consummate Islam, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor,
disaster. The most recent BP’s authority in this regard, Prof. M. BUET was the special guest. Prof.
deep sea horizon oil-spill in the Sam Mannan, Regents Professor Dil Afroza Begum, Head of the
Gulf of Mexico is an example of and Director, Mary Kay O’connor Dept. of Chemical Engineering,
catastrophic incidents that can Process Safety Center (MKOPSC), BUET, presided over the
occur from a lack of proper Texas A & M University, USA, inaugural ceremony.
safety technology and analysis. with his colleague Prof. Hans Dr. Jasimuz Zaman, Chairman of
As a result, government and Pasman have enlightened more the BUET Chemical Engineering
companies have put their first than hundred engineers and Forum (BCEF) and President of
and foremost importance on academicians with the positive the Chemical Engineering Alumni
safety and risk management. benefits of process safety and Association (ChEAA) presented
Bangladesh has a poor record in risk management. The technical
the welcome address. In his
maintaining safety and personnel were mainly chemical speech, Dr. Zaman described the
minimizing losses. Serious engineers, mechanical engineers, different programs being
breaches of safety have occurred safety and health personnel, undertaken by BCEF in
in handling, transportation and industrial hygiene personnel and supporting the development of
storage of hazardous materials operations and maintenance the Dept. of Chemical

Hon’ble Chief guest Mr. Dilip Barua is at the podium. Seated persons (l to r): Dr. Sam
Mannan, Dr. Jasimuzzaman, Dr. S. M. Nazrul Islam and Dr. Dil Afroza Begum

www.chethoughts.com Page | 50 January, 2011


Engineering, BUET. He assured Government’s proper identification of the
anticipated that in future the continuing support in the field of problem to find out a simple
Non-Residence Bangladeshi Process Safety. He mentioned solution.
(NRB) engineers will play a role that the National Industrial In the following morning Prof.
in the better development of BD Policy- 2010 emphasized on Pasman, the guest speaker
engineering practice and process safety and risk lectured on the Consequence
research. management issues in order to Analysis and elaborately
ensure green and eco-friendly
In the keynote presentation Prof. explained the difference among
industrialization. He thanked
Mannan showed a number of Fire, Deflagration and
Prof. Sam Mannan for his
the disastrous accidents that Detonation. He finished the
willingness to contribute for the
occurred in the chemical session with Inherently Safer
development of his home
industries in the last century Design Concepts and Multiple
country and congratulated the
including the Bhopal accident, Layers of Protections. In his talk
dept. of Chemical Engineering
Chernobyl accident and recent he also gave a direction for
for organizing such a timely short
Buncefield accident of UK in future research in this field. At
course.
2005. He emphasized that the the evening session of the
safety features should be workshop Dr. Mannan
considered from the elucidated the concepts of
design stage of a Chemical HAZOP, What-if, Event
Process Plant. According to Trees, Fault Trees, Relief
the professor an old but Systems, Counter
inherently safer Measures and Emergency
technology is better than Measures with case
the most advanced studies. The course was
technology lacking proper interactive and lively with
safety measures. He also frequent questions from
mentioned that more than the participants in midst
50% of the accidents occur of the lectures. The
due to the faults of human resource persons happily
beings. So, safety training answered them and
for plant personnel is a Prof. Sam Mannan is handing over a set of expressed their pleasure
must. three volumes of Lees’ Loss Prevention in the about the quality of the
Process Industries to the Head of ChE, BUET audiences. Prof. Mannan
The Vice-Chancellor of
expressed interest to
BUET and President of IEB, The short course started after organize more short-courses
Prof. Islam emphasized on the the inaugural session. Prof. from his research centre on
importance of industrialization Mannan covered Management different specific topics.
for the development of the System, Industrial Hygiene and
country and restated that the Toxicology, Risk Analysis and On the final day of the short
industrial operations and work Hazards Assessment, Hazards course a certificate giving
place must be kept safe. He Identification and Hazard and ceremony was held. Prof. Iqbal
requested the Hon’ble Minister Operability (HAZOP) Study Mahmood, Professor Emeritus
of Industry to include engineers Methodology in the first day of and Ex-VC of BUET, was present
and technical persons in the the event. With practical as the chief guest and Dr. M.
National Safety Council. He also example, he showed how PMR Sirajul Islam was present as the
hoped that the nation will be (Prevention, Mitigation and special guest of the ceremony.
self-sufficient in solving its crisis. Response) study is done for risk Prof. Sam Mannan, who is also
assessment. Regarding to the the editor of the renowned
The chief guest, Hon’ble Minister
identification of the sources of process safety handbook, Lees’
for Industries Mr. Dilip Barua,
risks, he emphasized on the Loss Prevention in the Process
www.chethoughts.com Page | 51 January, 2011
Industries, gifted a set of three application of computational fluid Jr. 23 Fellow’. In 2003, Prof.
volumes to the departmental dynamics to study the explosive Mannan served as a ‘consultant
library of the dept. of Chemical characteristics of flammable to Columbia Accident
Engineering at BUET. gases, development of Investigation Board’. In 2006, he
quantitative methods to was named the inaugural holder
Prof. Dil Afroza Begum, in her
determine incompatibility among of the T. Michael OConnor Chair I.
concluding address, expressed
various chemicals, application of He is a Fellow of the American
her gratitude to the resource
calorimetric methods for the Institute of Chemical Engineers.
persons for volunteering the
assessment of reactive hazards, Prof. Mannan has published 139
short course and thanked the
and the application of peer-reviewed journal papers, 2
faculty members of the Dept. of
consequence analyses to assess books, 7 book chapters and 151
Chemical Engineering for
the impact of process plant conference proceeding papers.
organizing the short
course. Prof. Hans Pasman has
been involved in process
Profile of the Resource
safety matters and worked
Persons
on hazardous materials
Prof. Sam Mannan is an from the mid-sixties
internationally recognized onwards. He investigated
expert on process safety industrial accidents and
and risk assessment, with developed methods for
experience in the process hazard research. As a
design of chemical plants director at TNO, he
and refineries, computer initiated vapor cloud
simulation of engineering explosion research and
problems, mathematical stimulated development of
modeling, process safety, risk analysis. For the last
risk assessment, ten years, he has been a
inherently safer design, Prof. Hans Pasman, short course resource professor in chemical risk
critical infrastructure person, is taking his creast from the Head management at the
vulnerability assessment, of ChE, BUET Technical University of
aerosol modeling, and Delft, but retired
incidents.
reactive and energetic materials recently.He is a member of the
assessments. Prof. Mannan is Dr. Mannan has received Dutch National Council on
Regents Professor in the numerous awards and Hazardous Substances, an
Chemical Engineering recognitions including the independent body advising the
Department at Texas A&M American Institute of Chemical government on risks of
University and Director of the Engineers (AIChE) Service to producing, storing, and
Mary Kay O’Connor Process Society Award, AIChE Safety and transporting energy carriers and
Safety Center at the Texas Health Division’s Norton H. chemicals. For more than ten
Engineering Experiment Station. Walton/Russell L. Miller Award, years, he has been chairman of
Before joining Texas A&M the Texas A&M University the Loss Prevention Working
University, Prof. Mannan was Association of Former Students Party of the European Federation
Vice President at RMT, Inc., a ‘Distinguished Achievement of Chemical Engineering. In 2007,
nationwide engineering services Award for Teaching’, the Texas Prof. Pasman joined the Mary Kay
company. Engineering Experiment Station O’Connor Process Safety Center
‘Research Fellow’, the Texas A&M as Research Professor.
Prof. Mannan’s research interests
University Dwight Look College of
include development of
Engineering ‘George Armistead,
inherently safer processes,

www.chethoughts.com Page | 52 January, 2011


ChE Thoughts: Call for Articles

1. You are welcome to submit Scientific and 2. Articles are also accepting on the following
Technological Articles, Reviews, Short sections:
Communication, News, News Feature, etc. on a. Featured Patent(s)
Chemical Engineering and Science related issues: b. Featured Product/Industry
c. Back to the Basic: Featuring any of the
a. Process Engineering
Undergrad concept
b. Energy (Petroleum, Renewable Energy, etc.)
d. Woman in ChE
c. Biochemical Engineering
e. Alumni Corner
d. Biomedical Engineering
f. Student Corner
e. Polymer Engineering
g. Conference News
f. Particle Technology
h. ChE Events
g. Process Control
i. Featured ChE Book(s)
h. Pharmaceutical
j. Job Information
i. Environmental Engineering
k. Study Abroad: Featured University
j. Climate Change
k. Engineering Education, etc.

Guidelines:
●Word Limit:
○Featured articles on any engineering and scientific issue: 500 – 1500 (1-3 pages),
○ Featured article on university, admission, scholarship, job information, product description, featured
book, etc.: 250 – 500 (1/2 to 1 page)
However, it is a scientific/technological magazine, therefore, an author will have freedom and flexibility;
the contents and flow of the story are rather important than the length.
● Peer Reviewed Articles: no word limits; article content has to be high quality, original and unpublished;
article will be reviewed by experts on the relevant field(s).
● For article submission and other enquiry please contact: mohidus.khan@mcgill.com
● Your suggestions/comments will be highly appreciated; they will help us to improve.
●‘ChE Thoguhts’ is a quarterly magazine; if your article is late for any issue, it will be automatically
processed for the next issue. So, keep posting your writings for ‘ChE Thoughts’.

Errata:
There are two corrections in Vol01, No01:
1. P25 C1 L8-10:
Printed: He (Dr. Quader) earned masters and PhD from Uni of
Bradford
Correct form: He (Dr. Quader) earned PhD from Uni of Bradford’.
2. P49 C2 L8-9: the correct name is ‘Reaj Ahmed Shajib’.
ChE Thoughts 02 (01) ISSN 2218-5216 (Print) ISSN 2220-3389 (Online) www.chethoughts.com
ChE Thoughts 02 (01)
www.chethoughts.com
ISSN 2218-5216 (Print); ISSN 2220-3389 (Online)

You might also like