This article covers the top 50 chemical engineering interview question and answers.

chemical engineering interview questions

Chemical engineering is very important batch of science but it very difficult to crack the interview.

Chemical Engineering Q&A

Q: What is Chemical Engineering?

A: Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the design, development, and operation of processes for the production of various materials and chemicals.

Q: What is the difference between a chemical process and a unit operation?

A: A chemical process is a combination of unit operations used to transform raw materials into a desired product, while a unit operation is a single step in a process that does not involve a chemical reaction. Hope the article on “chemical engineering interview questions” will help you.

Q: What are the four primary unit operations in chemical engineering?

A: The four primary unit operations in chemical engineering are distillation, filtration, evaporation, and crystallization.

Q: What is a process flow diagram (PFD)?

A: A process flow diagram is a graphical representation of a chemical process that shows the sequence of equipment and the flow of materials and energy through the process.

Q: What is a piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID)?

A: A piping and instrumentation diagram is a detailed diagram that shows the piping, equipment, instrumentation, and control devices for a chemical. Note this is one of the chemical engineering interview questions which is frequently asked.

Q: What is the difference between a batch process and a continuous process?

A: In a batch process, a fixed quantity of raw materials is processed at one time, while in a continuous process, raw materials are continuously fed into the process and the product is continuously produced.

Q: What is a heat exchanger?

A: A heat exchanger is a device used to transfer heat between two fluids at different temperatures.

Q: What is the purpose of a reactor in a chemical process?

A: A reactor is used to carry out a chemical reaction in a controlled manner, often with the aid of a catalyst.

Q: What is the purpose of a distillation column?

A: A distillation column is used to separate components of a mixture based on their different boiling points (chemical engineering interview questions).

Q: What is a catalyst? A: A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

Q: What is a mass balance?

A: A mass balance is a calculation that accounts for the total mass of all materials entering and exiting a chemical process.

Q: What is a mole?

A: A mole is a unit of measurement used in chemistry to express the amount of a substance.

Q: What is a mass transfer coefficient?

A: A mass transfer coefficient is a parameter that describes the rate of transfer of a component between two phases.(chemical engineering interview questions)

Q: What is a residence time?

A: A residence time is the average time that a particle or fluid element spends in a system.

Q: What is a process hazard analysis (PHA)?

A: A process hazard analysis is a systematic evaluation of the potential hazards associated with a chemical process.

Q: What is a process safety management (PSM) program?

A: A process safety management program is a set of procedures and practices designed to prevent and mitigate the effects of process-related accidents.

Q: What is a risk assessment?

A: A risk assessment is a systematic evaluation of the potential hazards associated with a particular activity or process.

Q: What is a hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) program?

A: A hazard analysis and critical control points program is a systematic approach to identifying and controlling potential hazards in food production.

Q: What is a material safety data sheet (MSDS)?

A: A material safety data sheet is a document that provides information about the physical and chemical properties of a substance, as well as its potential health and environmental effects.

Q: What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?

A: A hazard is a potential source of harm, while a risk is the likelihood that a hazard will result in harm.

Q: What is process intensification?

A: Process intensification is the development of innovative methods for increasing the efficiency and sustainability of chemical processes by reducing their size, energy consumption, and environmental impact.(chemical engineering interview questions)

Q: What is green chemistry?

A: Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.

Q: What is process control?

A: Process control is the use of instruments and techniques to monitor and adjust the variables of a chemical process to ensure that it operates efficiently and safely.

Q: What is a feedback control system?

A: A feedback control system is a system that uses measurements of a process variable to adjust a control variable and maintain a desired setpoint.

Q: What is a process variable?

A: A process variable is a parameter that describes the state of a chemical process, such as temperature, pressure, or flow rate.

Q: What is a control variable?

A: A control variable is a parameter that is adjusted to maintain a desired setpoint for a process variable.

Q: What is a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller?

A: A PID controller is a type of feedback control system that uses a combination of proportional, integral, and derivative control actions to maintain a desired setpoint.

Q: What is a cascade control system?

A: A cascade control system is a type of feedback control system that uses two or more controllers in series to control a process variable.

Q: What is a multivariable control system?

A: A multivariable control system is a feedback control system that uses multiple process variables and control variables to maintain a desired setpoint.

Q: What is process simulation?

A: Process simulation is the use of computer models to simulate the behaviour of a chemical process under different conditions.

Q: What is process optimization? A: Process optimization is the use of mathematical and computational techniques to maximize the efficiency and profitability of a chemical process.

Q: What is process integration?

A: Process integration is the design and optimization of a chemical process to minimize its energy consumption and environmental impact by integrating different processes and units.

Q: What is the difference between a heat pump and a refrigeration cycle?

A: A heat pump is a device that transfers heat from a low-temperature source to a high-temperature sink, while a refrigeration cycle is a device that transfers heat from a low-temperature sink to a high-temperature source.

Q: What is a humidification-dehumidification process?

A: A humidification-dehumidification process is a method for desalinating seawater by evaporating it to produce water vapor, then condensing the vapor to produce freshwater.

Q: What is a bioreactor?

A: A bioreactor is a device used to cultivate microorganisms or plant cells for the production of biochemicals or pharmaceuticals.

Q: What is a supercritical fluid?

A: A supercritical fluid is a substance that is above its critical temperature and pressure, and has properties that are intermediate between a gas and a liquid.(chemical engineering interview questions).

Q: What is a membrane process?

A: A membrane process is a method for separating components of a mixture using a semi-permeable membrane that allows certain molecules to pass through.(chemical engineering interview questions).

Q: What is adsorption?

A: Adsorption is the process of removing a substance from a fluid by collecting it on the surface of a solid adsorbent.

Q: What is chromatography?

A: Chromatography is a technique for separating components of a mixture based on their differential partitioning between a stationary phase and a mobile phase.(chemical engineering interview questions).

Q: What is a fluidized bed reactor?

A: A fluidized bed reactor is a type of reactor in which a bed of solid particles is suspended by a flow of gas, creating a fluid-like behavior.

Q: What is a catalytic converter?

A: A catalytic converter is a device used to reduce the emissions of pollutant from the exhaust of an internal combustion engine by catalyzing a chemical reaction.(chemical engineering interview questions).

Q: What is a distillation column?

A: A distillation column is a tall cylindrical tower used to separate components of a mixture based on their different boiling points.

Q: What is a crystallization process?

A: A crystallization process is a method for separating and purifying a substance by forming crystals from a solution.

Q: What is a polymer?

A: A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating units of smaller molecules called monomers.(chemical engineering interview questions).

Q: What is polymerization?

A: Polymerization is the chemical process of forming a polymer by joining together monomers to form a long chain.

Q: What is a reactor vessel?

A: A reactor vessel is a container used to carry out a chemical reaction, such as a batch reactor or a continuous stirred-tank reactor.

Q: What is a catalytic reactor?

A: A catalytic reactor is a reactor in which a catalyst is used to increase the rate of a chemical reaction.

Q: What is a packed bed reactor?

A: A packed bed reactor is a type of reactor in which a bed of solid particles is packed into a vessel and a fluid is passed through it to carry out a chemical reaction.

Q: What is a fixed-bed reactor?

A: A fixed-bed reactor is a type of packed bed reactor in which the solid particles are fixed in place, and the fluid is passed over them.

Q: What is a plug flow reactor?

A: A plug flow reactor is a type of reactor in which the fluid flows through the vessel in a continuous stream, without mixing.

Q: What is a laminar flow reactor?

A: A laminar flow reactor is a type of plug flow reactor in which the fluid flows in smooth, parallel layers, without mixing.

Q: What is a turbulent flow reactor?

A: A turbulent flow reactor is a type of plug flow reactor in which the fluid flows in a chaotic, mixing pattern.

Q: What is a chemical equilibrium?

A: Chemical equilibrium is a state in which the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction, and the concentrations of the reactants and products remain constant.

Q: What is the law of mass action?

A: The law of mass action states that the rate of a chemical reaction is proportional to the product of the concentrations of the reactants, raised to the power of their stoichiometric coefficients.

Q: What is a reactor yield?

A: A reactor yield is the amount of product obtained from a chemical reaction, expressed as a percentage of the theoretical yield.

Q: What is a residence time?

A: A residence time is the average time that a fluid spends in a reactor or other process unit.

Q: What is a plug flow model?

A: A plug flow model is a mathematical model used to describe the behavior of a plug flow reactor, in which the fluid flows through the vessel in a continuous stream, without mixing.

Q: What is a batch reactor?

A: A batch reactor is a type of reactor in which the reactants are added to the vessel all at once, and the reaction is carried out in a single batch.

Q: What is a continuous stirred-tank reactor?

A: A continuous stirred-tank reactor is a type of reactor in which the reactants are continuously fed into the vessel, and the product is continuously removed, while the contents of the reactor are well-mixed.

Q: What is a residence time distribution?

A: A residence time distribution is a measurement of the distribution of residence times in a reactor or other process unit, which can provide information about the efficiency and performance of the unit.

Q: What is a process hazard analysis?

A: A process hazard analysis is a systematic method of identifying potential hazards and evaluating the risks associated with a chemical process or operation.

Q: What is a process flow diagram?

A: A process flow diagram is a diagram that shows the major equipment, piping, and control devices in a chemical process, along with the flow of materials through the process. (chemical engineering interview questions).

Q: What is a piping and instrumentation diagram?

A: A piping and instrumentation diagram is a detailed diagram that shows all of the piping, equipment, and instrumentation in a chemical process, along with the signals and control functions.

Q: What is a heat exchanger?

A: A heat exchanger is a device that transfers heat from one fluid to another without the fluids coming into direct contact with each other.

Q: What is a distillation process?

A: A distillation process is a method for separating components of a mixture based on their different boiling points, using a distillation column.

Q: What is a reflux ratio?

A: A reflux ratio is the ratio of the amount of condensed liquid that is returned to the top of a distillation column to the amount of liquid that is withdrawn from the bottom.

Q: What is a chemical reactor design?

A: Chemical reactor design involves the selection of appropriate reactor type, size, and operating conditions to achieve the desired chemical conversion and yield.

Q: What is a safety relief valve?

A: A safety relief valve is a device used to prevent overpressure in a vessel or system by releasing excess pressure to the atmosphere or a safe discharge location.

Q: What is a process control system?

A: A process control system is a set of devices and software that are used to monitor and control the operation of a chemical process, including sensors, controllers, and actuators.

Q: What is a process simulation software?

A: A process simulation software is a software program used to model and simulate the behavior of a chemical process, including the flow of materials, reactions, and energy transfer.

Q: What is process optimization? A: Process optimization is the process of improving the efficiency, yield, or quality of a chemical process by adjusting the operating conditions or design parameters.

Q: What is a mass balance?

A: A mass balance is a calculation that tracks the flow of materials into and out of a chemical process, to ensure that the process is operating as intended and that there are no leaks or losses.

Q: What is a process unit operation?

A: A process unit operation is a step in a chemical process that involves a physical or chemical change in the materials, such as a distillation, filtration, or reaction.

Q: What is a pilot plant?

A: A pilot plant is a small-scale version of a chemical process that is used to test and optimize the process before it is scaled up to full production.

Q: What is a scale-up?

A: Scale-up is the process of increasing the size and capacity of a chemical process from the laboratory or pilot plant scale to full production scale.

Q: What is a process hazard analysis?

A: A process hazard analysis is a systematic method of identifying potential hazards and evaluating the risks associated with a chemical process or operation.

Q: What is a material safety data sheet?

A: A material safety data sheet is a document that provides information on the physical and chemical properties of a substance, along with information on its potential hazards and recommended safety precautions.

Q: What is a hazard classification system?

A: A hazard classification system is a set of criteria used to classify substances based on their potential hazards, such as flammability, toxicity, or reactivity.

Q: What is a hazard and operability study?

A: A hazard and operability study is a systematic method of identifying potential hazards and evaluating the operability of a chemical process or operation.

Q: What is a process safety management program?

A: A process safety management program is a set of policies, procedures, and systems that are used to manage the risks associated with a chemical process or operation, with the goal of preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of personnel and the environment.

Q: What is a waste treatment process?

A: A waste treatment process is a method for treating and disposing of hazardous or non-hazardous waste materials, to minimize the impact on the environment and comply with regulations.

Q: What is a green chemistry?

A: Green chemistry is a set of principles and practices that aim to reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous substances in chemical processes, and promote the use of environmentally sustainable technologies and processes.

Q: What is a process intensification?

A: Process intensification is the process of designing chemical processes that are more efficient, compact, and sustainable, by combining multiple unit operations and incorporating innovative technologies.

Q: What is a membrane separation process?

A: A membrane separation process is a method for separating components of a mixture based on their size or physical properties, using a semi-permeable membrane.

Q: What is a batch process?

A: A batch process is a type of chemical process in which a fixed amount of materials is processed in a single batch, rather than in a continuous flow.

Q: What is a continuous process?

A: A continuous process is a type of chemical process in which materials are continuously fed into the process and the products are continuously removed, without interruption.

Q: What is a feedstock?

A: A feedstock is a raw material that is used as a starting material in a chemical process, such as petroleum, natural gas, or biomass.

Q: What is a catalyst?

A: A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed or permanently changed in the process.

Q: What is a reactor vessel?

A: A reactor vessel is a container or vessel used to hold and process the materials in a chemical reactor, and may include heating or cooling elements, agitation systems, and other features.

Q: What is a centrifuge?

A: A centrifuge is a device used to separate materials based on their density, by spinning them at high speeds and causing the heavier materials to settle out.

Q: What is a crystallization process?

A: A crystallization process is a method for separating a solid from a liquid by cooling or evaporating the liquid, causing the solid to crystallize out.

Q: What is a filtration process?

A: A filtration process is a method for separating a solid from a liquid or gas by passing the mixture through a filter or membrane.

Top 20 chemical engineering interview questions and answers.

Q: What is a drying process?

A: A drying process is a method for removing moisture from a solid or liquid material, using heat or other methods to evaporate the water.

Q: What is a material handling system?

A: A material handling system is a system of equipment and processes used to transport, store, and handle materials in a chemical process, such as conveyor belts, tanks, and storage silos.(chemical engineering interview questions)

Q: What is a solvent extraction process?

A: A solvent extraction process is a method for separating components of a mixture based on their solubility in a solvent, using a series of extraction steps.

Q: What is a fluidized bed reactor?

A: A fluidized bed reactor is a type of chemical reactor in which the materials are suspended in a fluidized bed of particles, allowing for efficient heat and mass transfer.

Q: What is a packed bed reactor?

A: A packed bed reactor is a type of chemical reactor in which the materials are contained in a packed bed of solid particles, allowing for efficient mass transfer and chemical reactions.

Q: What is a catalytic converter?

A: A catalytic converter is a device used in the exhaust systems of vehicles and industrial processes.

Conclusion

This article covers chemical engineering interview questions.

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chemical engineering interview questions