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Chris Welch joins Adam, Brian, Carmen, and Jeff to talk about the field of chemical engineering.

• Jeff believes in unicorns, even though he’s never seen one!
• From his childhood, Jeff recalls watching a DuPont film about “Better Living Through Chemistry.”
• Our guest for this episode is Chris Welch, a chemical engineer from New Brunswick, Canada, who works in the water treatment industry.
• Branches of chemistry include (but are not limited to): physical chemistry, organic chemistry, and analytic chemistry.
• Biological scrubbing uses bacteria to remove Hydrogen Sulfide (and volatile organic compounds) from a gas stream.
• Chemical engineers concentrate on facilitating chemical reactions, thereby allowing for large scale production, while chemists focus on developing innovative materials and processes.
• In the mid-1900s, it was possible to buy kids’ chemistry sets containing cyanide, uranium, and ammonium nitrate.
• Chemical engineers sometimes make use of process simulators, such as Aspen Plus, ChemCad, and PRO/II.
• Thermal management is an important part of controlling many chemical processes.
• Plant shutdowns can be very expensive, especially when the shutdown is unexpected.
• A chemical reactor is a vessel that contains (and facilitates) a chemical reaction.
• Solids are removed from a liquid through sedimentation in a clarifier.
• In Canada, licensed engineers carry a “P.Eng.” designation.
• Our guest is a drummer in local pipe band.
• Listners can reach Chris via email: cwelch -+= at =+- unb dot ca.

Thanks to Grey World for use of the photo titled “colourful chemicals.” Opening music by John Trimble, and concluding theme by Paul Stevenson.