Grab a cup of coffee and spend a few minutes going over the top news in the chemical industry with CP’s Executive Editor, Jonathan Katz. Election 2024 Recap: Chemical Industry Sees Regulatory Relief in Trump's Return As manufacturers welcome a potential rollback of Biden-era rules, experts warn companies must still answer to shareholders and customers on environmental commitments. Trump Selects Zeldin to Lead the EPA Former New York congressman is expected to play a role in industrial deregulati...
Nov 29, 2024•7 min•Ep. 88
In the fast-paced world of chemical processing and operations, effective time management is not just a luxury — it’s a necessity. Engineers and operators often face complex tasks, tight deadlines and high-stakes environments with an extremely limited margin for error. Implementing effective time-management strategies can significantly enhance productivity, reduce stress and improve overall job satisfaction, but how do you do it? Written by Lauren Neal, Founder of Valued at Work Read by Traci Pur...
Nov 22, 2024•7 min•Ep. 87
As manufacturers welcome a potential rollback of Biden-era rules, experts warn companies must still answer to shareholders and customers on environmental commitments. The chemical industry has been yearning for the Trump administration’s hands-off approach to regulations ever since Jan. 20, 2021, the day President Joe Biden took office. For chemical manufacturers, the return of Donald J. Trump to the White House symbolizes a momentous shift toward less regulation and bureaucratic oversight....
Nov 15, 2024•7 min•Ep. 86
In Case You Missed It brings the written word to life. In today’s episode, I will be reading a column from editor at large Seán Ottewell – “Chemistry History Lesson: From Anti-Plague Elixirs to a Precious Nose That Wasn’t.” Danish scientist Tycho Brahe took many of his experiments to his grave. However, researchers from the University of Southern Denmark have found clues that shed light on his mysterious work. Read the column , which was posted on our site Sept. 6, 2024. Read by: Traci Purdum, e...
Nov 08, 2024•6 min•Ep. 85
Unlikely allies in sustainability, a fatal chemical leak, an averted dock-worker strike, and BASF’s hall-of-famer round out the top stories on reader lists. Executive Editor Jonathan Katz reviews what topped the list for our readers this month.
Nov 01, 2024•6 min•Ep. 84
When it comes to pumping systems, efficiency must be viewed in terms of measurable savings (kilowatts, horsepower) and taken as a whole-system approach. Organizational buy-in and leadership support are crucial. To help us understand how best to achieve efficiency, Chemical Processing chatted with Dr. Gary Dyson, managing director of global engineering at Hydro. Dyson is responsible for thousands of pump designs carried out on upgrades and new equipment.
Oct 25, 2024•22 min•Ep. 83
What truly makes an expert? It's not just about knowing more facts. Discover the 13 key characteristics that set real experts apart, from forming expectancies to mental simulations. Learn how these traits apply across industries and how you can cultivate expertise in yourself and others. Whether you're an operator, manager, or lifelong learner, this discussion on the nature of expertise will change how you think about skill development and decision-making in complex environments.
Oct 18, 2024•25 min•Ep. 82
Chemical Processing's Editor-in-Chief, Traci Purdum, recently sat in on a roundtable of fellow editors and manufacturing alliances to discuss how industry is facing a significant challenge in recruiting both skilled and unskilled workers. Listen in as her fellow business journalists reveal tactics big-name companies are using to attract younger workers to manufacturing careers.
Oct 11, 2024•26 min•Ep. 81
Today’s episode highlights Chemical Processing’s other podcast series, Process Safety with Trish and Traci. We recently celebrated five years with that brand, and to commemorate that achievement, we hosted a fun show that featured a talented crime writer and well-respected chemical engineer, Fiona Erskine. I like to think about her book series as a glimpse into what James Bond/Nancy Drew would look like as a chemical engineer.
Oct 04, 2024•40 min•Ep. 80
What were the hot topics in September 2024? Executive Editor Jon Katz runs through all the attention-getters. Our monthly roundup of trending stories on ChemicalProcessing.com focuses on what your peers were reading. Executive Editor Jon Katz does his best Walter Cronkite impression as he bring the news to life. If you want to follow along, here are the stories he highlights.
Sep 27, 2024•7 min•Ep. 79
In the second installment of our five-part series on the chemical industry workforce, "Chemical Industry Workforce: Shaping Tomorrow's Talent," Dennis Banks, vice president of Syncrude Maintenance at Suncor Energy Inc., offers his definition of DEI. “I grew up in a place where there were drive-by shootings — I have bullet holes in my childhood home,” says Dennis Banks, vice president of Syncrude maintenance at Suncor Energy Inc., who grew up in Detroit, went to college in Louisiana and now resid...
Sep 23, 2024•28 min•Ep. 78
Vacuum conveying systems automate the movement of dry materials, offering numerous benefits in industrial processes. They improve safety by controlling dust, reducing spills and handling combustible powders more securely than pressure-conveying systems. These systems enhance quality control through consistent ingredient ratios and efficient packaging, which is crucial for consumer brand management and avoiding costly recalls. However, there are considerations to factor in when selecting a system...
Sep 20, 2024•26 min•Ep. 77
Objectively assessing operator knowledge and skills is important. The Center for Operator Performance developed a validated 47-question test on distillation knowledge administered across multiple companies. The test revealed variations in knowledge between companies and individuals, helping identify areas for improvement. The goal is to create more tests on different topics. Key findings include: Simulation-based training correlated with better performance Years of experience didn't necessarily ...
Sep 13, 2024•23 min•Ep. 76
While watching the movie "Christmas Vacation" for the 67th time, I finally realized that Clark Griswold was a chemical engineer. I leaped down the rabbit hole looking for more famous ChemEs in real life and movies. I found several.
Sep 06, 2024•5 min•Ep. 75
The top trending news stories from August 2024 as reported on ChemicalProcessing.com. Cheers! Whiskey Waste Becomes Biochemicals A new method to extract valuable bio-based chemicals from whiskey distillery waste streams could be worth up to £90 million ($US 115 million) in global chemical manufacturing markets. Rice Engineers Design Eco-Friendly Ammonia Reactor New electrochemical process could revolutionize ammonia production, reducing carbon emissions and water pollution BASF to Produce Bio-Ba...
Aug 30, 2024•4 min•Ep. 74
Level indicators and pressure applications are crucial in ensuring efficient operations and safety. From basic visual indicators to advanced electronic transmitters, the range of technologies available is vast and constantly evolving. Chemical Processing chatted with Jason Kuzmiak, Chemical Industry Manager at VEGA Americas, to delve into the world of level measurement and pressure instrumentation, exploring the various solutions, the challenges faced in implementation and the factors that drive...
Aug 23, 2024•17 min•Ep. 73
As winter approaches, you should assess how well your plant is protected from problems that frigid conditions can pose. In this episode, Managing Editor Amanda Joshi reads a column from Dirk Willard. If you don't have a mother or spouse nagging you to wear a coat, give this a listen. And don't forget to take out the trash! Original column: Safety: Winterization Goes Beyond Equipment Articles referenced in this podcast: Get Ready for the Next Big Freeze Time to Prepare for Winter Prevent Accident...
Aug 16, 2024•6 min•Ep. 72
Operator roles have expanded beyond valve-turning. Future operators will need broader understanding of chemistry, equipment and instrumentation to effectively troubleshoot and communicate issues. In this podcast we discuss the changing landscape of operator training. Three key factors are driving change: a new generation of workers comfortable with mobile technology, emerging technologies like virtual reality and evolving job expectations.
Aug 09, 2024•20 min•Ep. 71
Here is a look at the three top trending stories as reported on ChemicalProcessing.com. Explosion at Honeywell Plant Occurred Two Years After Replacement Recommendation, CSB Reports -- Management approved the project but did not purchase or install a replacement shell before the Jan. 23, 2023, explosion. Dow Reports Power Outage at Freeport Operations Due to Hurricane Beryl -- Company says it's working to restore power to the plant. What Ditching The Chevron Deference Means for the Chemical Indu...
Aug 02, 2024•4 min•Ep. 70
In Case You Missed It brings the written word to life. In today’s episode, Editor-in-Chief Traci Purdum will be reading an article from Tom Blackwood, Chemical Processing’s Solids Advice columnist. This article “Combat Fine Particle Challenges -- What makes them good is also why they’re bad” was published to ChemicalProcessing.com July 22, 2024. Here is the full column...
Jul 26, 2024•6 min•Ep. 69
Readers ask questions about their motors and our expert responds. Proper troubleshooting is important. Here are a few questions that were posed to our motors expert, Tom Bishop, over the years. Bishop is a senior technical support specialist with the Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA) . He joined the EASA staff in 2002 with over 30 years of hands-on engineering experience at electrical machinery manufacturing and apparatus service firms. He has a BS in Electrical Engineering and is ...
Jul 19, 2024•5 min•Ep. 68
This cognitive bias has operators clinging to beliefs despite contrary evidence. In this episode, we discuss fixation, also known as confirmation bias or tunnel vision. It’s a cognitive bias in which people cling to beliefs despite contrary evidence. Dave Strobhar and Traci Purdum discuss how fixation can be problematic in industrial settings, citing examples like the Yom Kippur War and the Three Mile Island incident. Dave offers strategies to combat fixation, including the two-strike rule, test...
Jul 12, 2024•20 min•Ep. 67
Focus on clarity in an engineering report. While such reports fall into several types — cost estimates, engineering calculations, proposals and studies (e.g., related to laboratory work or calibration, failures and inspections, or optimization) — all benefit from a clear discussion and conclusion. Sometimes this requires flexibility to stray from a company’s set format. This ICYMI episode revisits a column from contributing editor Dirk Willard. You can read the column here: https://www.chemicalp...
Jul 05, 2024•6 min•Ep. 66
Distilled News examines the top three stories trending on chemicalprocessing.com. Hosted by Jonathan Katz, executive editor of Chemical Processing. Safety Lessons from the Great Molasses Flood of 1919 Regulatory Burdens, Barbie and Taylor Swift Impact the Chemical Industry EPA Tightens Grip on Toxic Chemicals, Industry Feels the Heat...
Jun 28, 2024•8 min•Ep. 65
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 already a subscriber to Automation Chat, you can subscribe to it here: https://rokthejournal.podbean.co...
Jun 21, 2024•21 min•Ep. 64
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 system that allows for dedicated training time. We also stress that facilities should focus on sendin...
Jun 14, 2024•23 min•Ep. 63
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 cost and laying out the schedule. Then, when eyes pop over the price, the project is entombed in a fold...
Jun 07, 2024•6 min•Ep. 62
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 sector stands at a critical junction.
May 31, 2024•5 min•Ep. 60
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.
May 24, 2024•11 min•Ep. 61
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 names tell you nothing about the ingredients they contain. You need ingredient-level visibility of haza...
May 17, 2024•25 min•Ep. 59
