The success of ChatGPT, a chatbot that can research topics, compose essays, and even create code, has led some to wonder what will become of software engineers. In the field of programming, ChatGPT is already being used. Should software engineers thus be concerned?

Despite how great ChatGPT is, it is doubtful that in the near future, chatbots will totally replace real software programmers. While ChatGPT excels in finding and fixing flaws in code and converting code across languages, it is unable to structure complete programs or carry out lengthy pieces of logic. Chatbots are still not entirely capable of replicating the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities needed for these activities.

In addition, new technologies and methods are always being created in the field of software engineering. Chatbots may be somewhat adaptable, but their programming may be limiting them from keeping up with the field's quick rate of development. There will always be a need for human software developers due to their ingenuity and flexibility in implementing new technology.

Overall, even while chatbots like ChatGPT might be able to help with some jobs, it's doubtful that they will ever completely replace human software developers. In the world of software development, human engineers' skills and knowledge will always be in high demand.

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⛽️ Production of that which shall not be named

How are crude oils refined?

Although it feels like a taboo subject these days, the production of petrol, diesel, and jet fuel play a crucial role in our lives. If companies were stop immediately stop making them, the world would literally come to a halt. We’ve come despise these fuels, whilst simultaneously being irreversibly dependent on them.

So how are these fuels made? Simply stated, with separations engineering. Separations engineering is a branch of chemical engineering where physical and chemical properties of individual species in a mixture are exploited to as to separate them from one another. For example, a liquid mixture consisting of two components can be separated by exploiting the difference in their boiling points. This type of process is termed distillation, which is a ubiquitous process in chemical engineering, and which is most probably the most important process in the oil refining industry. On the other hand, continuing on from our example, this liquid mixture could be brought into contact with another liquid, one which is more soluble with one of the components in the mixture, thereby causing a separation. This is termed adsorption, which is also ubiquitous in our discussed field.

Now, how does this all add up to petrol and diesel? Well firstly, crude oil (which is a combination of hydrocarbons, water, and sand) from wells are typically pumped to refining plants where the crude oil is first filtered to remove any sands and other solids. Thereafter, the crude oil is quite literally left standing still in a tank of sorts. This is done to separate the oil and the water (which occurs as we all know due to the… difference in densities). The top layer that forms is oil rich whilst the bottom layer is water rich. To achieve separation one simply just drains the tank until only the oil rich layer is left.

Once we have our pure mixture of hydrocarbons, this mixture is then fed into a distillation column. This is where differences in, amongst other things, boiling points are exploited to cause separation. Petrol’s are lighter than for example diesel, so the petrol components in the crude oil will vapourize inside the distillation column and exit as a vapour, whilst the diesel components will exit as a liquid. Thus, a separation has occurred, and now you one how this very evil stuff is actually made.

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