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 Akintunde Kayode Coker, Principal Consultant at A.K.C. Technology. 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.
In 1987, I began my career as a process engineer at Humphreys & Glasgow (H&G) in Scotland after completing my PhD and serving in the National Youth Corps in Nigeria. At H&G, I was involved in the design of a biodegradable plastic plant, where I reviewed process flow and instrumentation diagrams, performed various process design calculations, and collaborated with draftsmen on isometric drawings. My tasks included pipe sizing, orifice plate sizing, pump calculations, desuperheater sizing, and instrument sizing for control and relief valves, as well as tail pipe sizing for relief valves. Additionally, I published articles in the Oil & Gas Journal, contributing to industry knowledge with the company’s approval.
Why did you become a process engineer?
After earning my PhD in chemical engineering, I participated in Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps program, where I was assigned to work for the Shell Petroleum Development Company. In the design section, I visited various flow stations, performed sizing calculations for orifices and pipelines with two-phase fluids, and worked on control valve and relief valve sizing. This practical exposure to process engineering activities inspired me to pursue a career as a process engineer rather than continuing as a laboratory researcher.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in your role as a process engineer?
As a process engineer, one of the main challenges I faced was ensuring that my calculations and designs were meticulously reviewed and validated by the senior process engineer and ultimately approved by the manager. This required a thorough understanding of complex engineering principles and the ability to effectively communicate my methodologies and results.
Additionally, collaborating with other disciplines such as instrumentation and piping was often challenging, as it required seamless integration of various technical perspectives and ensuring that all components of the project were aligned and compatible. Obtaining accurate and comprehensive data from clients was another significant challenge, as it was crucial for informing design decisions and ensuring that the final solutions met the clients’ needs and regulatory standards. Balancing these interactions and maintaining a high level of accuracy and efficiency was essential for the successful completion of projects.
How was your work as a process engineer critical to your current job assignment or industry?
The knowledge and experience I gained as a process engineer has been invaluable in my subsequent roles as an academic in various colleges in the U.K. and the Middle East. This background enabled me to effectively teach and develop design programs for students, particularly in courses such as fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer.
Furthermore, my practical industry experience enriched the training programs I delivered in chemical engineering subjects, making them highly relevant and impactful. Leveraging my process engineering expertise, I have authored several books and training materials that draw on real-world applications and experiences, further contributing to the field of chemical engineering education.
What do you think is most important about what you did as a process engineer?
As a process engineer, the most important achievement was acquiring in-depth knowledge that enabled me to publish 14 books in petroleum and chemical engineering, providing valuable resources for students and professionals in these fields. Additionally, I have mentored numerous students and professionals, and served as an external examiner for Chartered Engineer status in the U.K., contributing to the professional development of engineers. I also founded A.K.C. Technology Company, which offers online training courses for chemical and process engineers, further extending my impact on the industry through education and training.
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Comments
It has been a fulfilling experience and an accomplishment as a process engineer. I've been nurtured and guided by accomplished chemical engineering educators in my undergraduate and post graduate degree programs at Aston University, U.K. nearly 50 years ago. The foundation in the profession was laid out by these outstanding individuals and also during my 15 month sandwich (industrial) training placements in industries. I believe that acquiring a sound knowledge of chemical courses as fluid flow, thermodynamics, mass and heat transfer, reaction engineering, process control and process safety should help students in acquiring great technical skills in the profession. However, these courses must be complemented by people's (soft) skills as Communication, Listening, Presentation, Networking, Project Planning, Time Management, Mentoring, Teamwork and Collaboration, Leadership & Influence, and so on, to be effective in chemical/process industries. Process Engineers, whether in the design of process equipment items or in the operation of petroleum/petrochemical facilities are engineering professionals. They ensure that these equipment items are designed to the recommended guidelines, standards, codes and best practices, and facilities perform to their optimum and safely. It's indeed a worthwhile and wonderful profession. Furthermore, the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) should also be emphasized to those planning to study chemical engineering degree program that leads to becoming a process engineer. I'm grateful to Ms. Denieka Bean and Mr. Scott D. Love on this platform to share my experience to readers.