INTRODUCTION
Chemical and Process Engineering is concerned with the development and application of manufacturing processes in which chemical or certain physical changes are involved. These processes may usually be resolved into a co-ordinated series of unit operations in and chemical processes. The work of the chemical engineer is concerned primarily with the design, construction, and operation of equipment and plants in which these unit operations and processes are applied Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics are the underlying sciences of Chemical & Process Engineering, and Economics is its guide in practice.
What does the Chemical & Process Engineer help produce?
The chemical industry is large (a major fraction of Kenyan gross national product), dynamic, and is constantly expanding.
In spite of the fact that an average Kenyan constantly uses chemical products, the work of the chemical & process engineer is relatively unknown since most chemical products are not direct consumer items. Some items such as gasoline, paint, paper, drugs and foods are delivered to the consumer as manufactured, but soda ash, caustic soda, chlorine, and sulphuric acid, for example, seldom reach the consumer in their original form in spite of the fact that they are in the heavy chemical group. Soda ash is used in the manufacture of glass, pulp and paper, soaps, and water softeners; caustic soda is used to make rayon, explosives, foods, bleaching compounds and soap, etc. Chemical engineers also participate in the production of materials which the general public never comes into contact with, such as radioactive substances, rocket fuels and military explosives.
Chemical & Process Engineers may be involved in the design of a new plant, either for a pilot plant project or for a complete production line. Pilot plant studies predict how big the real plant should be so that the processes are developed as efficiently as possible. Also, the engineers use their design ingenuity to find ways of modifying an existing production line to improve safety, efficiency, prevent pollution, and to do so in cost effective manner.
The activities of chemical & Process Engineers can be summarised as below:-
- Production
- Equipment process and plant design
- Research and development
- Management and planning
- Sales and marketing
- Process and quality control
- Environmental management
- Teaching and training
THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL AND PROCESS ENGINEERING
Chemical and Process Engineering at Moi University
The department of Chemical & Process Engineering at Moi University was established upon the recommendation of the Mackay Commission (The Presidential Working Party of the Establishment of a Second University in Kenya).
The department, currently the only one of its kind in the country at University level, was established in 1991 with the broad aim of producing graduands who can fit into most fields of Kenya's Chemical Process Industries such as petroleum, plastics, fertilizers, detergents, paper, glass, metals, gases, cement, food, beverages and paints products.
The training programme in the department is intended to go beyond the scientific grounding of the discipline to the provision of an atmosphere in which students develop problem solving approaches and become innovative thinkers. Thus, most courses in the program are linked with an element of design.
Great emphasis is placed on practical work, which forms a vital part of the programme. The graduates of this programme are therefore able to make an immediate contribution to the profession in the industries, research institutions or any other such relevant areas.
The main objectives of the programme can be outlined as below:
- To prepare graduates capable of designing, constructing, operating and maintaining chemical production systems with due consideration of economic and human factors.
- To inculcate confidence, skill and know-how essential for developing techniques required for conventional and non-conventional production processes.
- To impart proper vocational attitude necessary for practical orientation.
- To strengthen chemical engineering profession in the country.
Design of the Degree Programme
Chemical & Process Engineering is the broadest of all engineering disciplines. To prepare students for the ever-widening reach of the profession requires that emphasis be placed first on the basics. The first two years of the five-year programme provide the required background knowledge in physical sciences and related engineering disciplines such as electrical, mechanical and structural engineering. Basic chemical engineering courses are also introduced at this level. In the third and fourth year the core chemical engineering courses on transport processes, thermodynamics and reactor engineering are taught.
In the fifth and final year of the programme emphasis is laid on application of chemical engineering principles in design, management and technology courses.
Duration
The Bachelor of engineering programme in chemical & Process Engineering is of five-year duration, each year comprising of two semesters. During the course the students undergo 12 weeks of workshop practice at the end of the second year and two industrial attachment periods of 12 weeks at the end of the third and fourth years.
Regular and Privately Sponsored Students Programme (PSSP)
The department admits students through both regular programme and PSSP. Regular admissions are done through Joint Admissions Board of Kenyan Public Universities. The students are eligible for Kenyan Government Scholarships/loans. Due to limited seats, the admission in this category is highly competitive.
Students admitted under PSSP category pay the tuition and other fees and are not eligible for Government Loan Scholarship.
This category was created to cater for large member of eligible students who are not admitted in regular category due to very limited seats. The department encourages admissions in this fees paying category.
Chemical Laboratory
Unit Operation Laboratory is equipped with standard analytical and measurement equipment. Pilot plant equipment for batch and continuous distillation, extraction and reactors are available for research and training.
Research & Consultancy
The department staff are involved in research and consultancy activities in areas of chemical and process industries.
Library
Moi University has a modern library containing relevant technical books and journals.
STAFF
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Name
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Designation
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Position Held
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PhD (Area of Specialization)
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Masters
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Bachelors
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Henry Kirimi Kiriamiti,
PE, MIEK
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Professor
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DVC, APS
–Moi
University
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Process and Environmental Engineering, Enciacet, Toulouse France (2003)
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Chemical Engineering, Technical University of Wroclaw (1993)
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Chemical Engineering, Technical University of Wroclaw (1993)
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Saul Namango Sitati
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Associate Prof.
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Former: Director, West Campus (Moi University)
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Brandenburg Technische Universitat, Cottbus, Germany (2006)
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(Env) Brandensburg Technical University, Germany Msc.(2001)
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(Eng) Belarusian State University of Technology, Minsk Belarus Msc.(1992)
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Anil Kumar
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Retired
Associate Prof.
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Former: Chair of Department CPE
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Energy Studies, Moi University (2016)
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Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, India (1970)
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BTech Chemical Engineering, Nagpur University, India (1968)
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Milton Muthomi Arimi,
PE, MIEK
view profile
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Associate Prof.
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Former Chair of Department
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Environmental Engineering Technology, Technical University, Berlin (2015)
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Industrial Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden (2010)
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BTech Chemical Engineering, Moi University (2000)
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Cyprian Murutu Simiyu
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Senior Lecturer
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Chemical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa (2017)
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MSc. Chemical Engineering (Durban University of Technology)
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BTech Chemical Engineering, Moi University (2005)
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Cleophas Mecha Achisa
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Senior Lecturer
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Chemical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa (2017)
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Chemical Engineering, Durban University of Technology, South Africa (2013)
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BTech Chemical Engineering, Moi University (2008)
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Moses Arowo
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Senior Lecturer
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Chemical Engineering and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China (2017)
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Chemical Engineering and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China (2014)
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BTech Chemical Engineering, Moi University (2010)
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Anthony Muthui
Muliwa
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Lecturer
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Current
Chair of
Department |
Chemical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa (2018)
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Chemical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology (2014)
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BTech Chemical Engineering, Moi University (2008)
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Simon Otieno Osembo
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Lecturer
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-
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Instituto Politechnico Nacional, Mexico (2004)
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BTech Chemical Engineering, Moi University (1996)
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Samwel Chemjor
Sarmat
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Lecturer
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-
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Chemical Process Engineering, Technical University of Wroclaw (1995)
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Chemical Process Engineering, Technical University of Wroclaw (1995)
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Abraham Kibichii
Chirchir
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Graduate Assistant
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PhD. Environmental Health, University of Eldoret (on-going)
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Msc. Chemical Engineering, Moi University (2018)
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BTech Chemical Engineering, Moi University (2004)
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Wiseman Ngigi Tumbo
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Graduate Assistant
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PhD. Energy Studies, Moi University (on-going)
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Msc. Chemical Engineering, Moi University (2016)
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BTech Chemical Engineering, Moi University (2001)
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Florence Ajiambo Amumbwe
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Graduate Assistant
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PhD. Energy Studies, Moi University (on-going)
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Msc. Energy Studies, Moi University (2018)
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BTech Chemical Engineering, Moi University (2007)
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