One big aspect of being an engineer and especially and chemical engineer is what can you do for the environment. Every process that a chemical engineer works with, tries to optimize or create MUST be environmentally friendly. A chemical engineer must work with his company to develop practices, products and services that have a minimal (or hopefully positive) impacts on the environment. Also, green chemical engineering refers to the application of impact minimization principles to chemical processes. There are increasing demands for chemical processes that are inherently safer, environmentally sound, economical, and flexible enough to withstand market changes. Engineers of green chemical processes redesign current industrial and laboratory methods in order to adhere to the principles of green chemistry, including:
—waste minimization
-water minimization
—reduction or elimination of hazardous or toxic solvents and compounds
—renewable, recyclable, or recycled materials
—increased energy efficiency of processes
—increased use of catalysis to reduce materials
—increased use of biodegradable materials
Right now, being a "green" engineer mostly involves green house gases or carbon sequestering. There are quiet a few companies that are working on new processes to turn green house gases into usable products. These "green" companies are creating the next bubble and will continue to be a big part of the economy. As these "green" companies finalize their process and get more government funding there will be a high demand for "green" engineers. So becoming a "green" engineer will both be good for the environment and make you a high-demand engineer!
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