Chemical Engineering for Non-Chemical Engineers

The Chemical Engineering for Non-Chemical Engineers Course gives operations, maintenance, instrumentation, and technical professionals a practical, accessible understanding of chemical engineering principles — covering process fundamentals, fluid flow, heat transfer, separation processes, process control, and plant economics, all explained in a way that connects directly to the industrial environments delegates work in every day.

Many professionals working in refining, petrochemical, power, and process industries need to understand chemical engineering concepts to do their jobs effectively but have never had formal chemical engineering training. Whether reading process diagrams, understanding pump and compressor behaviour, troubleshooting separation equipment, or interpreting control systems, a working knowledge of chemical engineering principles makes every technical professional more capable and more valuable.

This course bridges that gap covering the essential chemical engineering concepts that non-chemical engineers encounter in their roles, without the mathematical complexity of a formal engineering degree. Every topic is taught in a practical, application-focused context that delegates can connect directly to what they see and work with in the plant.

The Chemical Engineering for Non-Chemical Engineers Course is built for technical professionals who want to understand the engineering behind the processes they work with and communicate more confidently with the chemical engineers around them.

The Chemical Engineering for Non-Chemical Engineers Course is designed to develop a practical, working understanding of core chemical engineering principles — from process fundamentals and fluid flow through to heat transfer, separation processes, process control, and plant economics.

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

• Apply mass and energy balance principles and explain common reactor types and their applications
• Read and interpret process and engineering diagrams and understand electrical area classification and flammability considerations
• Apply safety, risk management, and hazard study principles within a process engineering context
• Explain fluid flow principles including pressure, Bernoulli's theorem, Reynolds number, and pressure drop in pipes
• Understand two-phase and multi-phase flow, thermodynamics, and the design principles of process relief systems
• Identify and explain the function and selection of mechanical equipment including pumps, compressors, and mixers
• Explain heat transfer mechanisms and coefficients and understand heat exchanger types and sizing principles
• Apply basic process control principles including feedback control and classify measured variables and control system types
• Conduct preliminary economic analysis including fixed and variable costs, break-even analysis, and process equipment cost estimation

The Chemical Engineering for Non-Chemical Engineers Course is designed for technical and operations professionals who work in process, refining, petrochemical, or industrial environments and need a practical understanding of chemical engineering principles — without the requirements of a formal chemical engineering qualification.

This course is suitable for:

• Mechanical and electrical engineers working in process plants who need to understand the chemical engineering context of their work
• Operations supervisors and technicians responsible for day-to-day management of process equipment and systems
• Instrumentation and control engineers who need a stronger understanding of the process systems they are measuring and controlling
• Maintenance engineers supporting process equipment reliability who want to understand how that equipment functions within the process
• Project engineers and technical professionals involved in process plant design, commissioning, or modification projects
• HSE professionals responsible for process safety, hazard studies, and risk management in chemical or refining facilities
• Procurement and commercial professionals who deal with process equipment specifications and plant economics
• Graduate engineers from non-chemical disciplines entering roles in process, refining, or petrochemical environments

The Chemical Engineering for Non-Chemical Engineers Course is delivered through a clear, practically focused learning approach that introduces chemical engineering concepts in straightforward, accessible language — always connecting principles to the real equipment, processes, and decisions that delegates encounter in their working environments.

The course deliberately avoids unnecessary mathematical complexity focusing instead on conceptual understanding, practical application, and the ability to work more effectively alongside chemical engineering colleagues and within process environments.

Delivery methods include:

• Instructor-led sessions covering process fundamentals, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, separation, control, and plant economics
• Process and engineering diagram interpretation exercises developing the ability to read and understand P&IDs and process flow diagrams
• Fluid flow and hydraulics workshops applying Bernoulli's theorem, Reynolds number, and pressure drop concepts to real piping systems
• Heat exchanger and heat transfer sessions explaining coefficients, sizing principles, and the performance of different exchanger types
• Plant economics exercises applying break-even analysis, cost estimation, and preliminary economic evaluation to process plant decisions

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