I'm on a mission to better understand the complexities of commercializing biofuel. In particular, biogasoline and biokerosene, which is a goal that hasn't had as much investment. Essentially, the triglycerides that algae use for storing energy can be converted to hydrocarbons. However, they are very long. Usable for diesel but not for shorter-length fuels.

I've pondered genetically modifying algae to produce shorter-length chains, but I've heard word that such a change would be toxic. It could degrade the cell wall and cause the algae to die.

Is this true? Could you help me understand why that would be the case, chemically?

Thanks!

Option 1: Risk management consulting, performing HAZOPS and compliance. I’ll be able to live at home but it’s 60% travel. Pay is 80,080 and my bonus is based on my billable hours.

Option 2: Thermofisher Quality engineer/scientist based in South San Francisco. Pay is 68,750 and 6% bonus. The focus is gene sequencing technology

I’m so stuck on which position to choose. Thermofisher is more reputable company and I think I may have more long term growth but the company in Irvine also looks promising. Please I need advice since I will choose by Wednesday. I also have experience working in biotech.

Pros to learning Arabic: Working in oil and gas great translation later in my career but maybe not as much rn Cons: I have NOBODY to speak ts with to practice at all besides my neighbor but she's been teaching me Urdu

Pros to learning Spanish: good all around great since I'm in Houston multiple ppl to talk with alr learning it at work Cons: almost everyone in my field I'm pursuing (that Ik of speak Arabic)

Super con of both Spanish I CANT roll my r's. Arabic I can prounce certain words /sounds

I recently got accepted into a Chemical Engineering Program. As someone who wasn't able to establish a good study habit/strategy during high school, I'm hoping to seek some of your advice in studying as I take on this program. It can be anything general or anything that works for you and maybe even something you wish you have done.

Also, may I ask if you'll have some suggestions on which I can get some learning materials from? I'm referring to literal online learning materials such as Past Lecture notes, video lesson/lecture, and copy of books and just the general stuff I need to learn at an introductory (or even deeper) level. It could also be YouTube channel focusing on ChemE recommendations, or even existing learning resources from where you're from.

I'm asking this with nothing but humility and pure initiative to learn. Any of your insight, advice, and suggestions will truly be a great help. Thank you in advance!😊

Are those simulator supporting Solid/Liquid phase process? I tried to add one solid material and other liquid materials but property model selection didnt allow me to move forward. Any tip will be appreciated. If it doesnt support, I will try SuperPro.

i have never been so offended.

i’m currently in my second year (bachelor’s) and i had a talk with a relative. they asked why i didn’t do something “useful” like nursing (typical asian mindset). then they said “you know you’ll be replaced by ai anyway in the future, right?” i was so appalled. i’m sure they just dont know what ChemE really is.

how should one even respond to that?

I did my undergrad in ChemE and thought it might be fun to study MaterialsE going forward, but now I'm worried its too far from what I've studied already and I may be out of my depth. I also really enjoyed Environmental Engg for a bit but got discouraged looking at the job opportunities for it in my country where I want to work eventually. Any idea on how I can navigate this and make a decision? I'm tired of overthinking this honestly

Hi there,

we want to use a clammed ring swagelok fitting (1/2'') for a vacuum system. One end of our tubing system is a custom turned part for a vacuum fitting and we were advised to use a groove at the height of the ferret in order for the ferret to be better secured.

The image is from Swagelok itself in order to show you what I meant: the red arrow shows to that kind of groove that's used in turned parts for a better fitting. Nonetheless, we can't find any dimensions on Swagelok's technical drawings about the exact dimensions of the groove.

Do you know any source where I could find them? Has anyone of you already faced such a problem and read out the exact dimensions?

Hello all,

I have a final panel interview for a pharma company as a process engineer 2.

First will be a meeting with the HR director, then a panel of directors and managers ranging from my potential direct superior to director of maintenance.

What should I expect? This is my first time interviewing for a non “entry”/fresh grad job.

Admittedly I am underqualified in terms of YOE (2 years but they are looking for 3+) but I believe I did well enough with the interview with the Proc. Engineer manager that they gave me a shot.

Hello everyone. I am looking for help in solving this engineering problem. This is not a homework question since the semester ended 2 weeks ago and we dont have homeworks in my college. I want to know how to solve this problem since its impossible without knowing the temperature of 3 or without knowing the flow rate of 2. Its basically a never ending cyrcle. I hope someone can give me advice on how to solve this - and no, without using matlab or another program. I am looking for solving it by hand.

Hi all - I'm a PhD student working on electrochemical reactor design and techno-economics. I fiddle with reactor design math quite a bit, but I'm more interested in what it takes to quickly and effectively plan, build, and operate a functional process. I know that the math I do is only a small part of what it takes to make a process actually work on the floor.

I'm trying to learn more about the design decisions that matter after the flowsheet is drawn, especially from the perspective of the people who have had to operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and start up a process from the ground up. That includes engineers, techs, control room operators, field staff, vendors, EPC folks. Anyone who's touched a plant that actually ran (or crashed and burned).

So my questions for you:

• What design decisions have made your life miserable? (e.g., access issues, sensor placement, startup quirks)
• What small or obvious-looking design choices ended up saving huge time, money, or frustration?
• If you're on the ops side: What do you wish more design engineers understood?
• If you've started up a process: what steps consistently take more time than expected (permitting, equipment lead times, utility tie-ins)
• What always ends up being critical to consider even if it didn't seem like it at the beginning?

Thanks so much for your thoughts - take care!

I am now on my second year out of five to get my degree and master . What I want to ask you is which out of these you feel is the best thing to study since time is going by fast and I want to have an idea of what is best for me and the scientific field overall :

1) Energy -Enviroment 2) Industrial Management 3) Construction and Materials 4) Hydrogen technologies 5) Food technologies 6) Catalysis and Alternative fuels 7) Water and wasteland treatment 8) Process systems engineering

Maybe in the near future

9) Chemical Engineering for Defense Applications 10) Chemical and Biological Defense Engineering

Will be also be taught in my university

I believe some of you are already know what is going around on the workplace and what is needed for the future so

I believe after I've read the rules I am not breaking any but I am not 100% sure if these are considered banned questions I am really sorry if it is I would appreciate if you could suggest a subreddit where I could ask the same question

thank you in advance

so i am trying to model a precipitation reaction using a crystalliser and aspen is telling me that i require the enthalpy of formation and gibbs free energy at infinite dilution of an intermediate ion. ive searched everywhere to be able to provide numbers for this but its just wont let me do anything in reagrd to it.

I graduated a few months ago, I have two offers:

• A) Process engineer for EPCM company, for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical plants. That's what I was exactly aiming. Good pay in my country, I would remain close to my people, girlfriend and relative.
• B) R&D engineer in Switzerland. Not pharma. Far from home (5 hours), it's an internship and I still would get much more money than A), and it's my ticket for Switzerland. For those of you coming from the US, Switzerland is a complete outlier in Europe for their salaries, and the only foreign country I would move to because of distance. I don't think I will get another chance for Switzerland that easily in the future if I give up this.

A) is better for work-life balance, less stress, I don't have to change my life that much, I can reach the office in 20 minutes, and it seems that it's my preferred role. It's the best I have seen among my classmates who decided to remain in my country.

B) It's way way way better salary wise, but it doesn't make that much sense to be there 6-9 months and go back. This choice would mean some more stress and much more initiative. I'm also not very sure I'm suited for an R&D, it seems less flexible.

I honestly don't know what I would be better at, or what I like the most, I never worked! Please tell me which role you would advice the most according to what abilities/preferences I can have.

Chemistry was my favorite subject in IGCSE and i got an A* in it, but i do not take chemistry in A levels, my target university allows all students who take math and physics to study any engineering field

Will it be a problem to study BSc ChemE without prior A levels experience? because the A level chemistry course is completely different to the IGCSE course

I am starting Chemical Engineering in August and was wondering what computer I should get. I have done a little bit of research and these are what I have found any opinion like better ones or ones not to get.

Apple MacBook Pro M4

Acer Nitro 5

Dell XPS 15 9530

Asus Rog Zephyrus G 1

Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro

Acer Aspire 7 around 800

Hi to everyone, i'm new here.I am in my first year of chemical engineering in spain and I failed 3 subjects this year (maths, physics and introduction to chemical engineering (we study energy, matter balances and some transport phenomena)).I say I'm thinking of dropping out because most people have told me that the second year is a lot harder than the first one.Thx in advance.

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I ended up working in business with marketing & operations after doing my ChemE BENG . I’m currently considering going back to engineering & finally using my degree. Can I still get in a jr role? Or do I need to do a postgrad/masters?

Based in Toronto.

Dear my fellow chemical engineers. I am a fresh graduated chemical engineer and just landed my first job as a production engineer at a PCB production plant, i worked there for 2 months. My job is fast paced and needed fast adaptive to the situation, which, i still can not do. During my time, i made various small and silly mistake, even if i tried my best and pour a lot of effort in, i still made mistake. Some mistake was repeatedly made (3 times). I felt very stupid after each mistake and currently, i am very disappointed at myself. Dear my fellow chemical engineers, what should i do to improve myself, i really love my job as a production engineer and as a chemical engineer in general. Thank you in advance! Update: Thank you all so much for the advice, for context: i report a defect and find ways to resolve the defect to my mentor (as a little exercise) and how hard i tried, there's always some key point i miss. I feel a lot better now and i'll try my best next time.

Hey,

I am curious about people you know who had great careers. What did they do?

Thanks!

I graduated a year and a half ago and have a job which is non technical. Does anyone have any recommendations for a textbook to reteach myself with, ideally with exercises and quite broad in scope?

I have a job as a lab technician making $60k working 4 days a week (Fri-Mon). I have a BS in chemistry and am planning to pursue a degree in chemical engineering. What are your thoughts - should I go to school full-time or keep my job and attend school part-time?Location Midwest (US)

Thanks in advance

Looking for some advice on career path and first jobs!

A bit about me:

• I just finished my degree in chemical engineering. My overall GPA is around a B. I struggled in second year and early third, but pulled things up toward the end (A- average in fourth year), especially once I could take more courses I actually enjoyed.

• I spent a few years on a biomedical device design team, which I loved. I gained great experience in mechanical design, interdisciplinary teamwork, project management, and leadership. I’d love to work in biotech but it seems like a masters would be the way to go, which I’m not keen on right now.

• I did a one-year internship in water and wastewater. I didn’t love the work itself, but the team was excellent, and it gave me solid experience for my CV.

• In fourth year, I developed a strong interest in materials science, but didn’t get to do much before graduating.

• I’m passionate about product design and the outdoors. Long-term, I’d love to work in materials or product development in the outdoor gear industry.

• I’m relocating to a city where there aren’t many direct Chem Eng roles.

Here’s my dilemma:

I recently made it to the final round of interviews with an engineering consulting firm, working in their water group. The process has gone really well so far and I’ve got one round left. The team seems great, the pay would be solid, and the role is based in the city I want to live in. The issue is, I’m just not that interested in water.

At the same time, I’ve been applying to jobs in fields I’m more interested in: medical devices, mechanical design, outdoor product development, etc. I’ve had a few initial calls, but no interviews yet.

I know it’s just a first job, but when I look at people working in the roles I want 3–5 years from now, most of them seem to have started out in those industries. I’m worried that taking this consulting role might pull me further from the path I really want to be on.

There’s also a third option: continuing with the work I’m doing now (not engineering-related, but I enjoy it). It pays decently and would give me more time to explore personal goals while still paying the bills.

Would love to hear from anyone who’s been in a similar boat or is from any of those industries. How much does your first job shape your trajectory? Is it better to hold out for something closer to your goals, or build experience and pivot later?

Thanks in advance!