Chemical Engineering - Proposing Alternative Energy Resources
Chemical Engineering deals with the manufacture and utilization of chemical substances as well as the commercial production of chemical products. The aim of this branch of science is to develop useful chemicals for a wide range of applications in a practical manner. As we know that chemicals can cause serious health hazards, so these engineers try their utmost to avoid using chemicals that can cause severe harm. Chemical Engineering has therefore become a very important aspect of our lives and serves many purposes.
In fact, this field of study has contributed a lot to the development of modern society. The basic purpose of Chemical Engineering is to develop efficient and clean alternate energy. There are many organizations that have been working successfully to convert different types of energy into alternative energy. The following list of popular chemical alternative energy that was successfully converted into green power is given below.
Solar energy: This is an energy derived from the sunlight. Photovoltaic cells are used to convert light directly into electricity. This is one of the most widely used forms of chemical engineering. It is used in many solar panels which are used in homes as well as in remote areas to power radios and computers.
Biomimicry: The manufacture of materials that are capable of mimicking natural forms of life is known as biomanufacturing. During the process, byproducts of the manufacturing process are employed as materials that can replace the natural sources of energy. During the early years, biofuel was extensively used in automobiles. Later on, biodiesel became the prime choice of vehicles as it is eco-friendly.
Biofuels: These are fuels that derive from biomass. The source of these fuels is varied and numerous. Some of the commonly used biofuels are vegetable oil, biogas, bioalcohols and biodiesel. Ethanol is derived from ethanol trees while biodiesel is obtained from soybean oil or animal fats. Ethanol is often used as an alternative energy source because it can easily be transformed into gasoline and used in automobiles.
Biomimicry: This is an energy-related discipline in chemical engineering. This study uses synthetic methods to develop, produce and maintain organic materials that are useful in the development of various applications in the fields of energy, chemicals and biology. A good example of this discipline is the use of genetically engineered plants to produce sugar. Another example is the production of biologically active compounds by using living organisms. These include marine algae that is considered as one of the best examples of biomimicry.
Nanotechnology: This branch of chemical engineering concerns the use of small-sized particles as tools for various purposes. For instance, nanotechnology is used to build stronger artificial materials such as nanobelle filaments for use in nanotechnology membranes and devices. This technology can also be used to create fuel cells that convert natural fuel to gasoline. It can also be used to synthesize antibiotics, hormones and other medicines that can fight against diseases. In addition, the scientist can also utilize nano photothermovoltaic systems for creating energy with wavelengths that cannot be absorbed by conventional sources.
These are just a few of the ways on how chemical engineers are working to find new and improvised energy resources. These alternatives could include the use of renewable energy, geothermal power, biofuels, solar energy, wind energy, bio-catalytic processes and others. Chemical engineers are also involved in studying the effects of various environmental factors on the performance of alternative and renewable sources of energy. In fact, they have been conducting researches and studies on the effects of acid rain, aerosols, ultraviolet radiation, wind, ice, snow and other factors that affect the performance of the fuel cells, solar panels and wind turbines.