The demands on the chemical engineering industry seem to increase daily. Global manufacturing is always in need of new, sustainable products that have minimal impact on the environment and are cost-effective. Solutions ranging from the development of battery technology for the emerging EV (electric vehicle) market to the development of new high-strength materials for construction rely on advancements in chemistry.

Filtration technology is indispensable to chemical engineering to help purify raw materials, remove catalysts and impurities, separate solid and liquid phases, clarify liquids, and much more. Moreover, the increased attention on sustainability and eco-friendly solutions places an increased importance on future research and development.

Chemical Engineers may work with matter in the four known states (gas, liquid, solid, and plasma). Engineers experiment with the chemical formulas that make up compounds and devise experiments to combine elements, add or remove electrons, or change the state of matter. Each of these processes requires unique techniques for success. For example, changing the state of a solid, like steel, may require extreme heat or a volatile, corrosive acid. Meanwhile, separating nitrogen and oxygen from the atmosphere requires completely different sets of equipment.

Filtration solutions are ideal for a wide range of applications due to their large range of pore sizes and vast array of material types. For example, cellulose filters are ideal for aqueous applications, while polypropylene filters have a high resistance to acids and bases. Nylon filters are well suited for organic solvents that may react poorly with polypropylene. Glass Fiber filters have high-temperature resistance, are generally chemically inert, and offer high flow rates.

Filtration technology is generally considered to be a very cost-effective solution for chemists who are looking to maximize their results while minimizing costs. Financial costs, while important, aren't the only cost of chemical development. The cost to the environment, or ecological impact, of many industrial processes, is another key factor impacting the development of chemical solutions. However, pushing these boundaries can unlock amazing new possibilities for chemical processing.

By harnessing advanced materials and techniques, chemical engineers have the potential to not only meet current challenges but also pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries that can transform industries and contribute to a more sustainable future.