What roles do chemical engineers play in the research and development of alternative energy?

Question

I know that chem E's work on fuel cell development. I wondered what else is availble in alt energy research, and what classes should a chem E take to be prepared for the alternative energy field?

Answer 1

Yes, they work on fuel cell development. And not just hydrogen fuel cells, but the trickier ones being developed for other fuels. So classes in electrochemistry are an obivous choice.

Other projects that they would be critical in include:

Alternative fuels: ethanol - take classes in fermentation ("Curds & Whey 101");
hydrogen -the shift-gas reaction will be covered in your normal curriculum;
biodiesel - separations, reactor design

Solar (hot water/steam): heat transfer (listen during radiant topics, most ChemEngs don't use it much), mass transfer, piping systems, control systems.

Passive solar: heat transfer, natural convection topics in fluid flow. HVAC/building design (archy classes).

Wind is more of a MechEng or AeroEng thing to do. But you could take some of those classes as technical electives. Tidal and Hydro are usually done by Mechs and Civils.

Since efficient reactions of future will be biologically mediated, IMO, try to find the most engineering/production oriented microbiology classes you can. The most sophisticated are those to make drugs, but, heck, wine-making addresses many of the issues.

As a Chem Eng, you will bring a more thorough understanding of fluid flow, mass transfer, chemical reactions, process controls, and how those all inter-relate, to any project team. Take classes in (or read up on) any of the above topics to know what to listen for in lecture, what class projects to research, etc. I found that knowing I was going to be doing environmental eng very helpful in my coursework. I knew how incredibly useful many classes would be and how absolutely pointless P-chem is (for a practicing engineer).

It sounds like you have a plan or at least a vision. That can be such an advantage and motivation in your classes. Try to meet with practicing engineers in alt energy - for lunch or at a career day or a company tour. Ask them for their thoughts. Good luck.