Читать книгу Process Industries 1 - Группа авторов - Страница 12

Foreword by June C. Wispelwey

Fifteen years ago, when starting the Society for Biological Engineering of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE^®), I had the good fortune to meet Jean-Pierre Dal Pont. We talked about the future of the chemical engineering profession and about the influence of advancements in biological engineering, particularly with bio-energy and bio-pharma. We discussed the opportunities for creating new life-saving therapeutic proteins and chemicals produced economically from renewable feedstocks. This was the first of many inspiring conversations we would have regarding the future of chemical engineering. It is not a surprise to me that he wrote this passionate book about the process industries and a vision of its future.

Now is a time of transformation. AIChE has a ground floor view of one aspect that is gaining ground - process intensification and modularization. The effort, led by the AIChE’s RAPID Manufacturing Institute, is dedicated to improving energy efficiency and lowering investment requirements, and removing barriers that have limited deployment of this technology. For example, process intensification can combine steps and lead to lower costs in industries such as oil and gas, pulp and paper, and chemical production. Modularization enables one to add capacity in small increments which are more suited to a manufacturer’s need. The Institute de-risks new technologies in these capital-intensive industries and reduces the ecological footprint.

Another new transformative technology is digitization, or Industry 4.0. There are many aspects of digitization, including the internet of things, smart manufacturing, 3D printing, enhanced or virtual reality, artificial intelligence, big data, robotics, drones and more. These individual technologies are made possible by the new speed of computation, though they are threatened by cybersecurity. Chemical and other engineers, technicians, operators and all those who work in the process industries will need to understand and work with these technologies as they mature.

These volumes arrive at the right time for the new generation, who will enable these technologies and develop new ones to strengthen the process industries and make the world a better place.

June C. WISPELWEY

Executive Director and CEO

AIChE