Why Choose Chemical Engineering for Non-Chemical Engineers Training Course?

A key feature of this training course is its practical introduction to AI in Process Plants and Digitalisation in Chemical Engineering. Participants will gain an understanding of machine learning, digital twins, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, computer vision, and generative AI applications without requiring coding or advanced mathematics. By the end of the training course, delegates will be better prepared to interpret process information, support troubleshooting activities, collaborate effectively with process engineering teams, and identify opportunities where AI can enhance operational performance.

This training course will feature:

  • Core chemical engineering principles explained without complex mathematics
  • Practical interpretation of PFDs, P&IDs, and operating data
  • Hands-on workshops covering pumps, heat exchangers, and distillation systems
  • Troubleshooting case studies and lessons from major process incidents
  • Current perspectives on energy efficiency, digitalisation, and decarbonisation
  • Practical AI concepts and applications for process facilities
  • Demonstrations of digital twins, soft sensors, and AI-assisted anomaly detection

What are the Goals?

This Chemical Engineering for Non-Chemical Engineers Training Course develops a practical understanding of process engineering fundamentals while introducing modern digital and AI-driven tools used across industrial operations.

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

  • Apply mass and energy balance principles to process plant operations
  • Interpret PFDs, P&IDs, equipment data, and operating information
  • Explain fluid flow, heat transfer, pumps, compressors, and process equipment performance
  • Diagnose common reaction, separation, and process control challenges
  • Evaluate process safety risks, sustainability initiatives, and project economics
  • Identify practical AI and machine learning opportunities for monitoring, maintenance, optimisation, and safety
  • Interpret AI-generated insights and digital twin outputs using sound engineering judgement

Who is this Training Course for?

This training course is designed for engineers, supervisors, and technical professionals working in or supporting oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical, power, and utility operations. It is suitable for beginner to intermediate-level professionals and requires no previous chemical engineering, AI, or data science experience.

This training course will greatly benefit:

  • Mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and civil engineers working in process facilities
  • Operations, production, and maintenance supervisors and senior technicians
  • Project, commissioning, and technical support engineers
  • HSE, process safety, and environmental specialists
  • Graduate engineers, planners, procurement, and commercial professionals
  • Digital, data, and automation teams supporting plant operations

How will this Training Course be Presented?

This training course combines proven adult learning methods with practical, plant-focused applications to maximise understanding and knowledge retention. Interactive instructor-led sessions are supported by group discussions, practical workshops, and industry-relevant case studies.

Participants will benefit from:

  • Hands-on exercises using real PFDs and P&IDs
  • Simplified engineering calculations and practical examples
  • Equipment troubleshooting workshops and process case studies
  • Industry incident reviews and lessons learned
  • Videos, simulation demonstrations, and digital twin examples
  • Practical AI use cases focused on plant operations rather than coding
  • Daily quizzes and an integrated plant case study to reinforce learning

Throughout the training course, AI concepts are presented through practical operational applications, enabling participants to understand how emerging technologies can support safer, more efficient, and more reliable plant performance.

The Course Content

  • Process Industries: Batch and Continuous Operations
  • Process Variables, Units and Physical Properties
  • Mass and Energy Balances in Practice
  • Interpreting PFDs, P&IDs and Equipment Datasheets
  • Flammability, Hazardous Area Classification and Ignition Control
  • Process Safety Management, HAZOP and Incident Lessons
  • AI in Process Safety: computer vision, leak and PPE detection, NLP for incident reports and HAZOP support
  • Pressure, Head and Bernoulli’s Theorem
  • Reynolds Number, Pipe Flow and Pressure Drop
  • Two-Phase and Multi-Phase Flow Behaviour
  • Thermodynamics, Enthalpy and Phase Change
  • Pumps, Compressors and Mixers: Selection and Performance
  • Pressure Relief Devices and Flare Systems
  • AI for Rotating Equipment: predictive maintenance, anomaly detection and soft sensors for flow and pressure
  • Heat Transfer Mechanisms and Coefficients
  • Heat Exchangers: Types, Sizing and Fouling
  • Fired Heaters, Boilers and Heat Recovery
  • Reaction Kinetics, Catalysis and Catalyst Deactivation
  • Reactor Types, Operation and Runaway Hazards
  • Green Chemistry and Process Intensification
  • AI for Heat Exchanger Fouling, Reactor Runaway Early Warning and Catalyst Deactivation Forecasting
  • Phase Behaviour and Vapour-Liquid Equilibrium
  • Gas-Liquid Separators and Process Vessels
  • Distillation Columns: Trays, Packing and Operation
  • Absorption, Extraction, Adsorption and Membranes
  • Troubleshooting Flooding, Foaming, Fouling and Carry-Over
  • Effluent, Water Treatment and Emissions Control
  • AI for Separation Performance: soft sensors, distillation optimisation and early warning of flooding or foaming
  • Instrumentation, Measured Variables and Control Systems
  • Feedback Control, PID Loops and Advanced Process Control
  • Digitalisation, Digital Twins and Operational Data
  • Reinforcement Learning and AI-Assisted Process Optimisation
  • Capital Costs, Operating Costs and Break-Even Analysis
  • Decarbonisation, Hydrogen and Carbon Capture
  • AI for Energy Efficiency, CCUS Optimisation and Emissions Reduction
  • Data Quality, Cyber Security, Ethics and Human-in-the-Loop AI
  • Integrated Plant Case Study and Course Review

Certificate

  • AZTech Certificate of Completion for delegates who attend and complete the training course

In Partnership With

Anderson Copex Coventry

Do you want to learn more about this course?

Register now or contact our team to discuss schedules, delivery formats, and customised options.

Related Courses

Check out other training courses might interest you

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our training courses

This course is designed for mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, instrumentation professionals, operations technicians, maintenance engineers, HSE professionals, and project engineers who work in process, refining, or petrochemical environments and need a practical understanding of chemical engineering principles. It is equally valuable for those newer to process environments and experienced technical professionals who want to fill gaps in their chemical engineering knowledge.  

Process and engineering diagrams including P&IDs and process flow diagrams are covered on Day 1 as a foundational skill for anyone working in a process environment. Delegates learn how to read and interpret these documents, understand the symbols and conventions used, and extract the operational and safety information they contain. This capability alone significantly improves a non-chemical engineer's ability to work effectively in a process plant environment.  

Day 4 covers distillation and separation processes including phase behaviour, vapour-liquid equilibria, gas-liquid separation, distillation column operation, and the troubleshooting of process equipment. Delegates develop a practical understanding of how separation equipment works, what causes operational problems, and how different separation processes are selected and applied enabling more effective engagement with process and chemical engineering teams.  

Absolutely not the course is specifically designed for professionals without a chemical engineering background. Technical concepts are introduced in clear, practical language with a focus on understanding and application rather than mathematical derivation. Delegates from mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, operations, and HSE backgrounds consistently find the content accessible, relevant, and immediately useful in their roles.  

Day 2 covers fluid flow and hydraulics in a practical, application-focused way explaining pressure and head, Bernoulli's theorem, Reynolds number, pressure drop in pipes, two-phase flow, and the design principles of process relief systems. Delegates leave with a working understanding of why fluids behave the way they do in process piping systems knowledge that directly supports more effective operation, troubleshooting, and communication with chemical engineering colleagues.  

Process safety is introduced on Day 1 and reinforced throughout the course covering flammability, electrical area classification, safety risk management, and hazard study principles in the context of process engineering. Delegates develop the safety awareness to understand why process equipment is designed the way it is, how relief systems protect against overpressure, and what hazard study processes like HAZOP are designed to achieve.  

Related Categories

Related Articles