Chemical Processing Distilled

Operator Training Do’s and Don’ts

 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 sending their trainers to "train the trainer" courses to improve the quality of their training programs and incorporate best practices from other industries, such as aviation and healthcare.

Management: Keep Cool When Thawing Projects

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 folder.

However, every so often, a need appears, funding is found, and the fun begins. The situation can become intense where regulators are involved or a project suddenly becomes crucial to the company.

You can read the full column here, which was posted to ChemicalProcessing.com on May 24, 2021

Drawbacks of Single-Use Tech; Digitalization for Greener Good; ACC’s First-Ever Sustainability Report

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. 

8 Accidental Discoveries that Advanced the Chemical Industry

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. 

A Better Way To Zero In On Chemical Ingredients

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 hazardous chemicals to not only keep your employees and surrounding community safe but also meet many regulatory requirements and everyday safety management obligations. 

Beware of Blending Myths in Chemical Processing

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 Tom Blackwood's "Beware of Blending Myths" column that appeared on the Chemical Processing site Oct. 14, 2016. It is read by Traci Purdum, editor-in-chief of Chemical Processing. The original column can be found here:

https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/processing-equipment/powder-solids/article/11320694/powder-handling-beware-of-blending-myths-chemical-processing

 

Chemical Industry news for the week of April 29, 2024

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.

How Storytelling Improves Operator Performance

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.

Solutions Spotlight: How Smarter Vacuum Pumps Drive Sustainability in Chemical Plants

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 crucial for various chemical processes, from managing raw materials to distillation.

Chemical Processing News for the Week of April 5

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 Than We Thought. Indeed, today's multi-billion-dollar adhesives industry can be traced back more than 50,000 years to Neanderthals first using multicomponent adhesives to make tools.