Professions in Science and Technology ( MST 1)

version : 1
2023/2024

DJOUKBALA Omar

Objectives

Course Objective :

In the first stage, the objective is to introduce the student to all the fields covered by the domain of Science and Technology, and in the second stage, to provide an overview of the careers that arise from these disciplines. In the same context, this course also acquaints the student with the new challenges of sustainable development and the emerging professions that may result from them.

Chapter 4 : Branches of Process Engineering, Hydrocarbons and Petrochemical Industries:

Process Engineering

Introduction to Process Engineering

Process engineering is a multidisciplinary field at the heart of industrial and chemical engineering that plays a pivotal role in the design, optimization, and management of industrial processes. It encompasses a wide range of industries, each with its own unique set of challenges and requirements. In this introduction, we will explore the fundamental principles and key concepts that underpin the world of process engineering.

Defining Process Engineering:

Definition

At its core, process engineering is the application of scientific and engineering principles to the creation, modification, and improvement of processes that involve the transformation of raw materials into valuable products or services. These processes can encompass a wide spectrum of industries, from pharmaceuticals and food production to petrochemicals, textiles, and energy. Process engineering endeavors to ensure that these transformations are not only efficient and cost-effective but also environmentally responsible and safe.

Since the middle of the 19th century, applied chemistry and then “industrial chemistry” has been seen as part of all the knowledge that chemists represent as a science.

Historical Perspective:

Note

The roots of process engineering date back to the middle of the 19th century when the principles of applied chemistry and industrial chemistry became integral to scientific and industrial knowledge. It is within this framework that process engineering began to emerge. Over time, it evolved into a distinct discipline with its own unique focus on industrial processes and the technologies that drive them.

Process engineering is a younger discipline. Originally in the US (early 20th century), it was called chemical engineering. It is nothing more than chemical engineering whenever it is applied to process industries other than the chemical industry.

Application fields

Process engineering finds application in a diverse array of industries:

  1. Pharmaceutical Industry: In pharmaceuticals, process engineering plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safe and efficient production of drugs, from initial synthesis to packaging and quality control.

  2. Agro-Food Industry: Process engineering is crucial in food processing and packaging, with a focus on quality control and food safety standards.

  3. Leather and Textiles Industry: Process engineers optimize processes in the manufacturing of leather, textiles, and apparel, often taking sustainability and environmental considerations into account.

  4. Biotechnology: In the biotechnology sector, process engineering is indispensable for the production of biopharmaceuticals and biofuels, with a particular emphasis on quality control and sterile processes.

  5. Chemical and Petrochemical Industry: Process engineering is a key player in the production of chemicals, plastics, and petrochemicals, with a strong focus on safety and environmental impact.

  6. Plastics Industry: Process engineers working in the plastics industry are responsible for polymer production, processing, and recycling, considering material properties and sustainability.

  7. Energy Sector (Oil and Gas): Process engineers in the energy sector are central to the extraction, refining, and distribution of oil and gas, addressing critical energy production challenges and environmental impact.

Role of Process Engineering Specialists:

Process engineering specialists are tasked with solving industry-specific challenges. They must be innovative problem solvers, deeply committed to sustainability, and ethically driven. They bridge the gap between laboratory experiments and full-scale industrial processes, ensuring that operations run smoothly, economically, and in compliance with strict quality and safety standards.

As we delve further into the world of process engineering, we will explore the intricacies of various industries and the significant contributions made by process engineers in optimizing our industrial landscape.

Mining Engineering

Introduction

Mining engineering is a specialized field of engineering that deals with the exploration, extraction, and processing of valuable minerals and resources from the Earth.

A mine is a reservoir of materials (e.g. gold, coal, copper, diamonds, iron, salt, uranium, etc.).

Intervention area

In the context of mining engineering, the term "intervention area" can be applied to specific aspects or domains within the field where engineering interventions, research, or activities are focused.

  1. Exploration: Mining engineers are involved in the initial phase of identifying potential mineral deposits. They use various geological and geophysical techniques to assess the presence and quality of resources.

  2. Mining Operation: Once a viable deposit is identified, mining engineers plan and execute the extraction process. This involves designing mining methods, selecting appropriate equipment, and ensuring the safety and efficiency of the mining operation. Different methods can be used, such as open-pit mining, underground mining, or placer mining, depending on the nature of the deposit.

  3. Safety and Environmental Considerations: Mining engineers are responsible for ensuring that mining operations are conducted safely and in an environmentally responsible manner. They must develop and implement safety protocols, address potential hazards, and minimize the impact on the environment through reclamation and waste management strategies.

  4. Mineral Processing: After extraction, minerals and ores often require processing to separate valuable components from the waste material. Mining engineers design and oversee mineral processing plants, which can involve crushing, grinding, flotation, smelting, and other techniques to extract and refine the desired minerals.

  5. Materials Handling: Managing the transportation of mined materials is another critical aspect. This includes designing efficient transportation systems, such as conveyor belts or truck haulage, to move materials from the mine to processing facilities or markets.

  6. Resource Management: Mining engineers must consider factors like resource estimation, reserve management, and optimizing the recovery of valuable materials. This involves assessing the economic viability of mining projects.

  7. Technological Advancements: Staying up-to-date with technological advancements is crucial in the mining industry. Mining engineers often work on developing and implementing cutting-edge technologies to improve mining efficiency and sustainability.

  8. Management and Planning: Effective project management and planning are essential to ensure that mining operations are executed on time and within budget. This includes managing personnel, equipment, and logistics.

  9. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Mining engineers must be knowledgeable about and compliant with local, national, and international regulations governing mining operations, safety standards, and environmental protection.

  10. Community and Stakeholder Relations: Mining operations can have a significant impact on local communities and stakeholders. Mining engineers often work to establish positive relationships with these groups, addressing their concerns and contributing to sustainable development.

  11. Economic and Financial Analysis: Analyzing the financial aspects of mining projects, including cost estimation, revenue forecasting, and risk assessment, is crucial for decision-making and investment.

Mining engineering plays a vital role in the responsible and sustainable extraction of Earth's resources while considering safety, environmental impact, and economic factors. It is an interdisciplinary field that combines elements of geology, geotechnical engineering, mineral processing, and various other engineering disciplines to meet the demands of the mining industry.

Mining Engineering training:

Mining engineering training includes:

  1. • Geosciences (geology, geophysics, petrography, geostatistics);

  2. • Mathematics, Computer Science;

  3. • Rock Mechanics, Geomechanics;

  4. • Open and Underground Mining;

  5. • Minerals Recovery and Processing,

  6. • Field Control and Geo Engineering;

  7. • Digital Design and Modelling (Computer Aided Design, CAD, Conception Assistée par Ordinateur, ”CAO”);

  8. • Security, Economics and Business Management;

Area of Intervention

The main areas of intervention of the mining engineer are:

  • Open-air and underground mining industry,

  • Mining development,

  • Mine planning, exploitation, and management.

  • It is also in demand in various sectors of public works and civil engineering such as groundwork, basic infrastructure and works of art (bridges, tunnels, railways, dam...), land control and Geo Risques.

Employment opportunities :

The mining sector offers excellent job prospects both nationally and internationally, with engineers working in the various sectors of mining, civil engineering, public works, public administrations (Ministries, Control Agencies), the private sector, consulting and materials analysis and testing laboratories, and research centers.

Hydrocarbons and petrochemical industry:

DefinitionPetroleum:

Crude petroleum is a heterogeneous mixture of various hydrocarbons (molecules composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms), unusable as they are. Its components must be separated in order to obtain the final products that are directly exploitable. There are generally two major types :

  • Energy products, such as gasoline, diesel, or oil;

  • Non-energy products, such as lubricants, bitumen, and naphtha, are used in petrochemistry.

The origin of petroleum :

The origin of petroleum is linked to the geological processes that occurred millions of years ago. Petroleum is a fossil fuel, and its formation involves the decomposition and transformation of organic matter from ancient marine organisms.

The basic steps in the origin of petroleum are as follows:

Organic Material Accumulation: In ancient seas and oceans, marine organisms such as plankton, algae, and other microscopic organisms lived and died. When these organisms died, their remains settled at the bottom of the ocean, accumulating over time.

Sedimentation and Pressure: As more layers of sediment accumulated over the organic remains, the lower layers experienced increased pressure from the weight of the overlying sediments. This pressure, combined with the lack of oxygen in the deep layers, prevented the complete decomposition of the organic matter.

Temperature and Heat: Over millions of years, the buried organic material underwent a process called diagenesis, where heat and pressure increased due to the deep burial. The temperature in the Earth's crust causes the organic material to undergo chemical transformations.

Formation of Kerogen: The organic material transforms into a waxy, solid substance known as kerogen during this process. Kerogen is an intermediate stage in the formation of petroleum.

Catagenesis: With continued heat and pressure, kerogen undergoes further transformation in a process known as catagenesis. This process involves breaking down the complex organic molecules into simpler hydrocarbons, which eventually form liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons.

Migration and Accumulation: The generated hydrocarbons, including oil and natural gas, move through the porous rock layers in the Earth's crust in a process called migration. These hydrocarbons can accumulate in reservoir rocks, forming what we know as oil and gas deposits.

Trapping: The hydrocarbons become trapped in geological structures such as anticlines, fault traps, or salt domes. This trapping prevents the petroleum from migrating further and creates reservoirs of economically viable quantities of oil and gas.

Exploration and Extraction: Humans discover and extract petroleum deposits through exploration activities such as seismic surveys and drilling. Once found, wells are drilled into the reservoirs, and the petroleum is brought to the surface for processing and use.

"It's important to note that the entire process of petroleum formation takes millions of years, and the conditions required for its formation are specific to certain geological environments. The extraction and use of petroleum as an energy resource have profound implications for the global economy and the environment."

Oil refining

  • Oil refining is an industrial process that transforms crude oil into different products such as gasoline, heavy oil or naphta.

  • Refining consists of separating the various oil cuts and transforming them into intermediate and commercial products.

Exploitation of hydrocarbons

Four stages in the process of mining hydrocarbons:

  1. Production : (Extraction - Drilling - Off shore)

  2. Transport: (Oil Pipeline, Gaz pipeline, pumping or compression station)

  3. Processing: (Refining: extracting by-products; Liquefaction)

  4. Exploitation & Marketing

Contact

omar.djoukbala@gmail.com

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