Welcome to the latest in a series of AIChE blog posts profiling process engineers, a diverse group of professionals spanning multiple industries and regions. In this series, we profile process engineers who work in a wide range of fields, including petrochemicals, pharma, bulk chemicals, food, and other process-intensive industries.
Are you a member and process engineer interested in being profiled? We’d love to hear from you via this volunteer opportunity. Please also check out our online discussion group specifically for process engineers. You can find out about these initiatives and join our efforts by visiting aiche.org/cpe.
This month, we introduce you to Li Han, CTO at Hualu Engineering & Technology Co.,Ltd. He discusses the path that led to his career in process engineering, overcoming challenges, and the importance of his work.
Tell us a bit about your work as a process engineer.
My name is Li Han and I am from Xi’an City, China. I’m a senior member of AIChE and have more than 31 years of experience in process engineering and project management. I hold an MSc in chemical engineering from Northwest University in Xi'an City, as well as the Great Master of Design of Chinese CPI. I'm currently a process engineer professor and am Deputy Chief Engineer at Hualu, an engineering and technology company.
I’ve been involved in the design and construction of many petrochemicals and fine chemical plants both at home and abroad. Throughout my career, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many international companies such as those from France, Germany, Japan, and the US.
A chemical process engineer should uphold and advance the integrity, honor, and dignity of the engineering profession.
Why did you become a process engineer?
I was influenced by my father, who is an excellent chemical engineer. So, when I was a student, I was particularly interested in chemistry lab. As I discovered more about myself and what I wanted to become, I realized that I would excel at engineering. I’m proud to be a process engineer because when a plant is being built, process engineering comes before all other chemical engineering disciplines, with the facility being built according to the process engineer’s drawings and specifications. Finally seeing a plant come to life is exciting — almost like a newborn baby.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role as a process engineer?
As a process engineer, the biggest challenge is maintaining the safety, health, and welfare of workers and the public while also protecting the environment.
Successful process engineers also have to accept responsibility for their actions, seek and heed critical review of their work, and offer objective feedback on others’ work. And we must avoid conflicts of interest and never breach confidentiality. These are the greatest challenges of a process engineer.
How is your work as a process engineer critical to your particular job assignment or industry?
I am responsible for the final approval of safe and reliable design drawings, as well as for the design scheme. Designing a safe, environmentally responsible, and socially beneficial factory is a very important job. The drawings are the first key to accomplishing this.
What do you think is most important about what you do as a process engineer?
In the 21st century, the chemical process industry is broadening and becoming more interdisciplinary — a shift towards what I like to call an extensive chemical processing industry. In other words, it is beginning to draw on the energy and power industry, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, materials science, biochemistry, and more. It will be up to chemical process engineers to uphold and advance the integrity, honor, and dignity of the engineering profession. It’s up to us to be honest and impartial, and to faithfully serve our employers, clients, and the public. We must strive to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession, and use our knowledge and skills to advance human welfare.
Connect with Li Han on AIChE Engage
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interdisciplinary due to be along the era for extensive chemical process industry.