Pro­cess En­gin­eer­ing (B.Eng.)

From raw material to high-quality end product

Process Engineering deals with all processes in which basic materials - raw materials such as crude oil, natural gas or iron ore, cultivated plants such as wheat or hops, animal products such as milk or meat - are changed in their composition or properties or converted into fuels, plastics, food or medicines. This includes all processes in technology and Economics in which new, high-quality products are produced from the basic materials. The list of products manufactured using process engineering is long, and the list of processes and plants required for this is even longer. In bio plants, for example, algae are converted into fuels, food or medicines through biological, chemical or physical processes. Depending on the process, a distinction is made between mechanical, thermal, chemical or bioprocess engineering.

Process Engineering is typically characterized by its continuous nature. The materials "flow" through the systems in large quantities. A walk through a process engineering plant, e.g. for the production of plastics or sugar, reveals a large number of piping and cleaning systems, stainless steel tanks, dosing and conveying systems, pumps and other equipment. Of course, modern process control and automation technology should not be overlooked either.

Anyone who sees their professional future in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, in environmental technology, the food industry or in brewing beer should have a good knowledge of processes and systems for pumping liquids or for crushing, mixing and separating solids.

The 7-semester (210 credits) engineering degree program in Process Engineering comprises scientific and technical modules. The Bachelor's degree program is practice-oriented and prepares students for work in the technical field. Students also receive a scientific education. The course is divided into basic and advanced modules.

A special feature of the food technology degree course at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is the joint foundation course at Department 7 in the first 2 to 3 semesters. Here, engineering and scientific basics are taught and insights into all degree programs of the Department are provided. This allows you to make a well-founded decision on one of the 4 degree programs Biotechnology, Food Technology, Pharmaceutical Engineering or Process Engineering and gives you maximum flexibility in specializing for your future career.

In the later program sequence, the following courses are offered, for example: Chemical, Mechanical and Thermal Process Engineering, Process and Energy Engineering and Apparatus and Plant Engineering. Elective modules (including instrumental analysis, engineering ethics, microbiology, project management, mixing and stirring technology) allow students to discover and/or deepen their own interests.

The practice-oriented Bachelor's degree program in Process Engineering includes project work and a 12-week internship. After 7 semesters, the course concludes with a 10-week Bachelor's thesis (see examples below):

• Investigation on a hydrocyclone for the separation of particles from the process water of rock wool production
• Design of a hyaluronic acid gel degassing station at Merz Pharma GmbH & Co KGaA
• Experimental investigation of gas permeation using microporous membranes
• Identification, analysis and regeneration of potential-induced degradation on crystalline photovoltaic modules
• Numerical investigations into heat transfer at the heated stirrer
• Guideline for the calculation of safety valves at Dow
• Investigation of the pressure esterification of n-octanol and n-hexanol to n-octyl chloride and n-hexyl chloride respectively
• Drinking water constituents and their compliance with limit values with special consideration of uranium
• Investigations into the influence of enzyme activity on biogas formation

After completing a Bachelor's degree in Process Engineering, students can enter many different professional fields, further deepen their technical focus in a Master's program and/or prepare for a possible doctorate.

Process Engineering engineers are also known as the "Swiss Army Knife" of engineers. As the knowledge and know-how of the Process Engineering engineer is industry-neutral, there are a wide range of entry opportunities. The chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries, apparatus and plant engineering offer young professionals a wide range of opportunities to find a job after graduation and - if necessary - to change jobs later on. On closer inspection, the range of industries in which process engineering is produced is enormous: Biotechnology, environmental and waste disposal technology, recycling, the paper, cellulose and cement industries, etc.