In this introductory chapter the use of mathematical models in chemical engineering is motivated and examples are given. The general modeling procedure is described, and some important tools that are covered in greater detail later in the book are outlined.

Why do mathematical modeling?

Mathematical modeling has always been an important activity in science and engineering. The formulation of qualitative questions about an observed phenomenon as mathematical problems was the motivation for and an integral part of the development of mathematics from the very beginning.

Although problem solving has been practiced for a very long time, the use of mathematics as a very effective tool in problem solving has gained prominence in the last 50 years, mainly due to rapid developments in computing. Computational power is particularly important in modeling chemical engineering systems, as the physical and chemical laws governing these processes are complex. Besides heat, mass, and momentum transfer, these processes may also include chemical reactions, reaction heat, adsorption, desorption, phase transition, multiphase flow, etc. This makes modeling challenging but also necessary to understand complex interactions.