Chemical Processing Distilled

Hackers are targeting manufacturing to leverage intellectual property for big money. In a recent episode of Automation Chat, from Chemical Processing's sister publication The Journal from Rockwell Automation, Theresa Houck, executive editor and host of Automation Chat, digs deep into a study regarding advancing digital transformation in a time of unprecedented cybersecurity risk. If you’re not alr...

 Operator training hasn’t really changed in the past 50 years, relying heavily on on-the-job training with experienced operators as instructors. However, these operators often lack formal training in teaching methods and techniques. In this episode, we highlight the potential benefits of simulation-based training and the use of dedicated trainers, as well as the advantages of a five-crew rotation...

In this ICYMI episode Amanda Joshi, managing editor, reads a column from Dirk Willard on project management. Filed and forgotten, that’s the fate of too many proposals I’ve had to work on. Usually, they relate to somebody’s pet project, an itch that production wanted to scratch, or a worthwhile concept that proved uneconomic. I’m kept busy for a week or two developing the scope, estimating the cos...

In this episode, Jonathan Katz, executive editor of Chemical Processing, talks about the top stories in May 2024. We learn that you can’t fight climate change without chemistry, the rise of biological drugs is driving explosive growth in the single-use technologies and In an era where decarbonization and digitalization are increasingly recognized as pivotal forces shaping industries, the chemical...

Bob Ross isn’t the only one to have happy accidents. Accidental discoveries have significantly advanced the chemical industry and led to numerous groundbreaking innovations. These serendipitous findings have often paved the way for the development of new materials, processes and applications that have had a profound impact on various sectors. 

Time is critical when tracking down hazardous substances. Whether it’s trying to mitigate safety incidents before they happen, comply with applicable safety and environmental regulations, or gather all the pertinent information during an emergency involving a chemical spill, fire or natural disaster, having an efficient way to trace every ingredient is paramount. However, many chemical product nam...

The problem with particulate solids is they segregate every time we turn around. Why? Because they are a two-phase material and only about half is the solid we’re interested in. As a troubleshooter at corporate engineering, the most common call I got from plants was about blenders that didn’t blend. The problems arose because people believed some myths. This In Case You Missed It podcast features...

In the news this week: The U.S. EPA finalizes methylene chloride ban; Plastics Treaty negotiations wrap up in Ottawa; and Dow and BASF report lower Q1 sales.

In this episode, we explore the importance of storytelling in the chemical industry. From knowledge capture and transfer to making technical information understandable and engaging, storytelling aids in retaining tacit knowledge and contextual understanding and enhances employee engagement.

In the chemical industry, digitalization and emissions monitoring are pressing operational challenges. While exploring the technological innovations behind these trends, attention often shifts to advanced software and precision sensing technologies. But the critical components that ensure the smooth operation of a process plant can be overlooked. Central to many operations, vacuum pumps are crucia...

This week’s news roundup examines the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and how it could impact the chemical supply chain. We also learn that several U.S. oil companies are following in the footsteps of Dow by announcing their plans to utilize small nuclear reactors to meet their electricity requirements. And finally, in the Did You Know Department: Neanderthals Were Smarter Th...

In Case You Missed It brings the written word to life. In today’s episode, I will be reading an article from Andrew Sloley, Chemical Processing’s Plant InSites columnist. This column “Project Management: Workflows Matter” was published on our website on March 30, 2022. Written by: Andrew Sloley, Plant Insites columnist Read by: Traci Purdum, editor-in-chief URL: https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/...

Executive Editor Jonathan Katz catches us up on what's new in the chemical industry.

Research on team performance barriers finds that fatigue, workload, competing priorities, conflicting information, and lack of technical expertise are significant hurdles. Psychological safety is crucial for effective team environments, allowing individuals to speak up and admit uncertainty without fear of reprisal. Tools such as self-assessment guides and realistic teaming scenarios aid in develo...

The combination of high accuracy, versatility, direct mass measurement and minimal maintenance requirements make Coriolis meters suitable for various industrial applications. Unlike volumetric flow meters, Coriolis meters directly measure mass flow, making them less susceptible to variations in temperature, pressure and fluid density. To learn more, Chemical Processing spoke with Alec O’Keefe, reg...

This news roundup ponders an elevator to space and questions Chemours ethics. 

Exxon looks to balance fossil fuels with sustainability,  Didion execs sentenced and yellow snow for battery recycling. This news roundup covers the chemical industry in February 2024.

Upsets are going to happen, so why not plan for it? Learn how. In this episode of Distilled, we discuss managing upsets and distinguishing between shutdown-related and non-shutdown upsets. Dave points out a lot has changed over the years. Indeed, the preference is shutting down during upsets and advancements like safety instrumented systems aid in automatic shutdowns. However, concerns about overr...

In today’s episode, Traci Purdum will be reading a column from contributing editor Dirk Willard. This column “Properly Vet Contractors” was published to chemicalprocessing.com October 19, 2021. Engineers once flew around the country to check out contractors’ facilities before signing deals. Nowadays, many bosses instead heavily rely on the Internet. Unfortunately, a nifty-looking web site can make...

A sobering look at the economy, PFAS regulations continue, blue-ringed octopus key to sustainable energy, and black-mass recycling. All news found here: https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/industrynews Read by Executive Editor Jonathan Katz. 

The discussion revolves around operator training efficiency in the industry. Despite decades of training, companies often lack feedback on its effectiveness. New technologies like simulators and virtual reality offer objective ways to measure and improve training. Identifying and addressing deficiencies is crucial, similar to the aviation industry's approach. Differentiating between console and fi...

Welcome to the In Case You Missed It edition of Chemical Processing’s Distilled Podcast -- This podcast and its transcript can be found at chemicalprocessing.com. I’m Traci Purdum, EIC of Chemical Processing. In Case You Missed It brings the written word to life. In today’s episode, I will be reading a column from contributing editor Dirk Willard. This column “Career Advice: Master Cold Calls” app...

Predicaments can crop up at all stages of a chemical engineering career. Properly dealing with them without serious consequences often isn’t easy or sometimes even possible. You may face ethical as well as technical and political challenges. So, let’s look at a variety of these and how to deal with them. This edition of In Case You Missed It is based on the original column by contributing editor D...

In this episode we focus on alarm rationalization mistakes, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying problems rather than just managing the steady-state alarm rate. The discussion highlights the need for a clear operator action for each alarm, uniqueness in alarms, and the impact of alarm floods on human factors. The conversation explores challenges, such as changes in processing equipm...

In this episode of Chemical Processing's Distilled Podcast, host Traci Purdum and guest Dave Strobhar, founder of Beville Engineering, discuss the importance of font size in operator training. They highlight concerns related to small font sizes on computer monitors used in control rooms, particularly with the increasing resolution of displays. Strobhar mentions the military's Mill Standard 1472, s...