Introduction: A Scientific Renaissance in Industrial Spain
Imagine Spain in the mid-19th century, a nation undergoing industrial transformation where scientific advances began to emerge amidst centuries-old traditions.
In this fascinating historical period, an innovative discipline began to take shape: chemical engineering. This story is not simply about reactions and formulas, but about visionary scientists who defied the limitations of their time to lay the foundations of a profession that would shape Spain's industrial development.
Join us on a journey through time to discover how brilliant minds and historical circumstances converged to create the field of chemical engineering in Spain—a story marked by determination, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.
A 19th century chemical laboratory similar to those used by early Spanish chemical engineers
Early Foundations: The Seed of Technical Education (1850-1900)
The Initial Legal Framework
The development of chemical engineering in Spain began with the establishment of the first engineering schools in 1805, inspired by the Napoleonic model prevalent at the time 1 . However, it was not until the Public Instruction Law of 1857 (known as the Moyano Law) that the possibility of obtaining the title of Industrial Engineer with two specialties was formally established: Mechanical Engineer and Chemical Engineer 1 .
- A theoretical-practical approach based mainly on French models
- Limited autonomy of chemical studies compared to mechanical ones
- Evident disconnect between academia and the emerging national chemical industry
- Dependence on knowledge and techniques imported from Europe
Educational Timeline
1850
Organic Plan for Industrial Education - First introduction of Chemical Technology notions in official education
1857
Moyano Law - Official recognition of the Chemical Engineer specialty within Industrial Engineering
1880s
Germanization of the model - Incorporation of more rigorous German teaching and research methods
Late 19th Century
Expansion of industrial schools - Creation of technical centers in various Spanish cities
The Arrival of New Educational Models
Towards the end of the 19th century, the initial French model began to Germanize, incorporating elements of the German scientific tradition, known for its methodological rigor and emphasis on experimental research 1 . This change reflected a growing awareness among educators and authorities that Spain needed to modernize its approach to technical education to catch up with other European nations.
Key Figures: The Pioneers of Spanish Chemical Technology
Enrique Moles: The Precursor of Scientific Precision
1883-1953
Among the most prominent figures of this initial period stands out Enrique Moles Ormella, a scientist whose obsession with precision would revolutionize the standards of Spanish chemistry .
- Trained in Leipzig with Wilhelm Ostwald (Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1909)
- Specialized in determining atomic weights using cutting-edge physicochemical methods
- Provided Spain with scientific independence in fundamental data
- Secretary of the International Atomic Weights Commission of IUPAC in 1951
Antonio Rius Miró: The Bridge Between Academy and Industry
1890-1973
Professor of Technical Chemistry at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Madrid and vice-president of the Superior Council of Scientific Research .
- Trained in Basel and Dresden with Fichter and Müller respectively
- Direct contact with European industrial reality
- Dual affiliation with university and industry
- Directed factories of chemical and pharmaceutical products while teaching
Pioneers of Spanish Chemical Engineering (1850-1936)
| Name | Main Contribution | International Training | Relevant Positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrique Moles | Precise determination of atomic weights | Leipzig (Ostwald), Geneva (Guye) | Secretary of International Atomic Weights Commission |
| Antonio Rius Miró | Introduction of practical and industrial teaching | Basel (Fichter), Dresden (Müller) | Professor of Technical Chemistry, Vice-president of CSIC |
| Benito Álvarez-Buylla | Creation of first chemical technology institutes | - | Founder of Coal Institute (Univ. of Oviedo) |
| Lucas Rodríguez Pire | Promotion of coal research | - | Director of National Coal Institute |
Institutionalization: Universities and Research Centers
The First University Departments
The decisive step toward the academic institutionalization of chemical engineering came in 1922, when it was incorporated for the first time in the study plans of the Faculties of Sciences (Chemistry Section) under the name "Technical Chemistry" 1 .
Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)
Played a pioneering role in this process. In 1944 it created the first Doctorate in Industrial Chemistry in Spain, which included subjects such as:
Regional Development: The Case of the University of Oviedo
Parallel to the Madrid development, other Spanish universities began to establish their own institutions dedicated to technical chemistry. At the University of Oviedo, Prof. Benito Álvarez-Buylla laid in 1927 the foundations for the creation of a Coal Institute 2 .
Institute of Applied Chemistry
Created in 1933 through the merger of the Coal Institute with the Inorganic Chemistry group of Prof. Carlos del Fresno 2 .
Although this institute had a "short and painful existence", it represented a notable effort to adapt the teaching of technical chemistry to regional industrial realities.
Institutional Development Timeline
[Visual timeline showing key institutional milestones from 1922 to 1947]
A Crucial Experiment: Atomic Weight Determination by Enrique Moles
Methodology and Experimental Approach
Among the most significant experimental contributions of the period stands out the work of Enrique Moles in the precise determination of atomic weights using the method of the limiting densities of gases .
- Exhaustive purification of study substances
- Careful synthesis of high-purity gaseous compounds
- Precise drying of gases using advanced systems
- Density measurement using extremely precise balances
- Rigorous application of correction coefficients
Results Analysis and Scientific Impact
The results obtained by Moles were not only admirable for their precision but had significant international impact. His determinations of the atomic weights of elements such as argon, nitrogen, oxygen, and various metals were incorporated into international tables and cited by researchers worldwide .
Fundamental Importance
Precise atomic weights are the essential basis for all quantitative chemical calculations, from laboratory reactions to the design of large-scale industrial processes.
Experimental Results of Atomic Weight Determination by Enrique Moles
| Element/Compound | Value Determined by Moles | Current Accepted Value | Accuracy Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argon | 39.944 | 39.948 | 99.99% |
| Oxygen | 16.0000 | 15.9994 | 99.996% |
| Nitrogen | 14.0085 | 14.0067 | 99.987% |
| Chlorine | 35.457 | 35.45 | 99.98% |
Accuracy Comparison Chart
[Bar chart comparing Moles' values with current accepted values for various elements]
The Scientific Toolkit: Instrumentation and Reagents in Early Laboratories
Pioneering research in chemical engineering during this period required the development and refinement of specialized tools and high-purity reagents.
Precision Balances
Instruments capable of measuring mass differences on the order of micrograms, essential for atomic weight determinations.
Drying Systems
Devices to remove moisture from gases and substances using desiccants like phosphorus pentoxide or silica gel.
Pyrolysis Equipment
Furnaces and heating systems at controlled temperatures for thermal decomposition of compounds.
High-Purity Reagents
Chemicals specially purified through fractional distillation, multiple crystallization, or electrodeposition.
Gas Measurement Equipment
Apparatus for determining densities, specific volumes and compositions of gas mixtures.
Electrochemical Cells
Systems for determining redox properties and performing synthesis through electrolysis.
Purification Systems
Advanced apparatus for obtaining ultra-pure substances free from contaminants.
Temperature Control
Precise thermostatic systems for maintaining constant experimental conditions.
Historical chemical instruments similar to those used in early Spanish chemical engineering laboratories
Conclusion: Solid Foundations for an Emerging Discipline
The period between 1850 and 1936 represents the fundamental gestation of chemical engineering in Spain.
Key Developments
- Conceptual, methodological, and institutional bases established
- Pioneering efforts of figures like Moles and Rius
- Creation of educational structures in Madrid, Oviedo and other universities
- Development of a conducive environment for technical chemistry evolution
Lasting Legacy
- Demonstrated Spanish scientific capacity
- Established crucial precedent for professionalization
- Creative tension between academic and industrial approaches
- Influenced educational programs, research institutions, and industrial applications