Mechanical Engineering in the Chemical Industry

Abstract

The author reviews briefly the close connexion of an important section of the chemical industry with the Liverpool and the Merseyside areas, from the early years of the nineteenth century, and then discusses the changes that have taken place in these industries due largely to the development of engineering technique and materials of construction. Owing to the wide range of products and processes covered by the chemical industry, the paper has been limited in scope to those branches of the heavy chemical industry that are established and flourishing on Merseyside. Modern methods of performing various operations are compared with methods used in the early days of the industry, the comparison being illustrated by photographs. Prime movers, pumps, packages, materials of construction, instrumentation, and workshop facilities are then considered, and finally emphasis is placed on the scope and opportunities that exist in the industry for mechanical engineers.