NAME: VALENTINE OBOMHELE SULE

COURSE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

COURSE CODE PRE 843

MAT NO.: PGENG8600402

Valentine Obomhele Sule PGENG8600402 1

Assignment 2

Explain briefly role of an engineer in Investigating, Design, Development and

Reporting of a Construction Project in your Specialty

Solution

Introduction
Chemical engineering is a branch of engineering that applies physical sciences
(physics and chemistry) and life sciences (microbiology and biochemistry) together
with applied mathematics and economics to produce, transform, transport, and
properly use chemicals, materials and energy. Essentially, chemical engineers
design large-scale processes that convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells,
microorganisms and energy into useful forms and products.

Chemical engineers design, plan and manage plants where chemical products are
processed into final or intermediate products of enhanced value. Their work entails
the application of techniques that are based on the principles of heat, mass and
momentum transfer. They ensure the profitable employment of scientific findings
in industrial processes.

Role of a Chemical Engineer in Investigating

Chemical engineers are involved in all phases of chemical plants construction.
Some work in research, designing and performing experiments and then analyzing
the results.

In the process of carrying out this role, they conduct economic and technical
feasibility studies in areas related to chemical, petroleum, pulp and paper, food or
other processing industries

The chemical engineer is always involved in solving challenges / problems in the

construction of new plants by investigating the performance of the constructed
plant and obtaining performance data that could be used for future reference. This
enables him to solve any problem that may arise in the use of the plant.

Valentine Obomhele Sule PGENG8600402 1

Other processes that could be worked on to enhance efficiency is enlightened by
simple simulation of the data collected.

During the Plant operation, chemical engineers are responsible for: the testing and
commissioning of plant units; the training of operating staff; the start-up of the
plant; the efficient and cost-effective running of the factory and solving problems.
At this stage, he is carefully investigating the performance of all the units, by
gathering the performance data.

In the construction of a Production Factory, the Chemical Engineer is involved in

its economic evaluation. The economic viability of a production process must be
investigated and determined by chemical engineers in cooperation with financial
and marketing specialists to ensure that the Factory would yield financial dividend.

Role of a Chemical Engineer in Design

Chemical engineering design concerns the creation of plans, specification, and
economic analyses for pilot plants, new plants or plant modifications. Design
engineers often work in a consulting role, designing plants to meet clients' needs.
Design is limited by a number of factors, including funding, government
regulations and safety standards. These constraints dictate a plant's choice of
process, materials and equipment.[27]

Chemical reaction engineers construct models for reactor analysis and design using
laboratory data and physical parameters, such as chemical thermodynamics, to
solve problems and predict reactor performance.

Others help to design and construct manufacturing facilities, occasionally having to

design a pilot plant (or miniature version) as a first step which they follow through
to the final step of supervising the workers constructing the actual plant.

In Plant and equipment design, the following are put in closed loop such as:
selecting the process and type of equipment; compiling mass and energy balances;
calculating the capacity and dimensions of the equipment required for the
operation of units such as reactors, heating and cooling systems, filters and

Valentine Obomhele Sule PGENG8600402 1

pipelines; selecting the control system of the plant to control rate of flow,
temperature, pressure and concentration; determining flow rate and energy usage;
analyzing potential hazards to ensure a safe working environment.

Process design requires the definition of equipment types and sizes as well as how
they are connected together and the materials of construction. Details are often
printed on a Process Flow Diagram which is used to control the capacity and
reliability of a new or modified chemical factory.

In other words, equipment manufacture and plant construction requires chemical

engineers to be actively involved, as well as in the factory layout.

Role of a Chemical Engineer in Development

Development connotes the act of improving by expanding, enlarging or refining.
This includes both qualitative and quantitative features. The word itself induces the
thought of movement as the way of improving. So, dynamics is clearly included in
the definition.

Based on the outcome of the research carried out by the Chemical Engineer
through the use of data in simulation, new processes are discovered and developed
in the research laboratory.

Through the conduction of research into the construction of Production Plants,

chemical engineering processes, reactions and materials development are improved
on.

The change from analog to automated systems in the control of plants and
processes is a fallout of researches carried out by Chemical Engineers and Design
Engineers to enhance the efficiency of a process.[33]

Role of a Chemical Engineer in Reporting

Chemical engineering technicians collect information related to a chemical process
by taking measurements / data and consulting the operators. They analyze samples

Valentine Obomhele Sule PGENG8600402 1

in chemical laboratories. They also make calculations and prepare reports required
by factory managers.

The chemical engineer ensures that the pilot plant is followed through when the
plant is being constructed in real life. He ensures that the data obtained from the
pilot plant is simulated to the plant under construction.

After the construction of the Plant, the data obtained is plotted and a correlation
established for the purpose of prediction in future. In the event of changes to be
made, various tests analysis is carried out and the data obtained communicated to
the Project Team.

Units if measurements are key to the Chemical Engineer. The correct units must be
used in the storage and communication of data otherwise a fundamental error
would be committed in future design or process of investigation or upgrading
design charts.

Valentine Obomhele Sule PGENG8600402 1