how does instrumentation and control engineering relate with chemical engineering?

Question

how do both courses relate, i am a chemical engineering undergrad i would like to do my masters on instrumentation and control.

Answer 1

I studied ChemEng too, but returned to school after starting practice in Environmental Engineering. So I knew how important controls are to all processes and really listened during Process Control. And try to read the manuals, learn the new tricks, etc. It makes a huge difference because as Grumpy stated, few ChemEs do controls well and yet they are vital to safe, stable, efficient processes.

And the strictly EE guys don't understand the underlying reactions or flow rates or safety issues. So it is a potent combination to know ChemE and Process Controls really well.

Anyone you'd want to work for (i.e. a boss or an company with a clue) would see the value of that combination.

-David

Answer 2

I'll give this a shot.

I am an EE not a CE.
I spent the last 15 years before retirement designing control systems and instrumentation for chemical refineries and cracking plants.
The obvious thing that creates synergy for the two disciplines is, The chemist may know what the process needs to be, to crack, combine, or synthesize the chemical, compound, however, to monitor and control the process you require instrumentation, automation, safety, power systems and controls to actually run the processes.

Actually I find your pick to be a very good combination of disciplines for today's as well as future job markets.
I found it was a rare Chem-Eng that did not struggle with control projects they seem to know what they wanted to see and control but not a clue on how to do it In a practical environment.

You are on the right track, Stick with it.

by the way:
Other than
"If you put baking soda in your toy submarine and add water it will make bubbles and go."
I am no Chemical dude.


Yours: Grumpy