Chemical Processing Distilled

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.

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

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

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.

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/home/article/11288741/project-management-workflows-matter-chemical-processing

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 developing teamwork skills. Continuous learning and improvement are essential for optimal team performance.

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, regional product lead and Coriolis meter product specialist at Krohne Inc.

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 overreliance and security exist. Proactive measures involve maintaining situational awareness and implementing training drills. Automation of routine tasks for console operators improves efficiency and safety. Collaboration among operators, engineers and management is crucial for effectively managing upsets.

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 firm seem impressive and much more capable than it actually is. You don’t want to discover the truth after a contract is signed. Article can be found here: https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/home/article/11291433/engineering-advice-properly-vet-contractors-chemical-processing

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 field operators, the former presents more straightforward opportunities for measurement. Training programs should adapt to an operator's existing knowledge when learning multiple units, reducing time and improving efficiency.

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” appeared on our website in March 2022 Read by: Traci Purdum, editor-in-chief Article link: https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/asset-management/training/article/11288979/career-advice-master-cold-calls-chemical-processing

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 Dirk Willard. It was published March 29, 2021, and can be found here: Correctly Cope with Career Challenges. Read by: Editor-in-Chief Traci Purdum, Chemical Processing

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 equipment and the significance of data analytics in improving alarm systems.

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, specifying preferred character heights for legibility and readability. The conversation covers issues related to contrast, font color, and background colors. Strobhar emphasizes the impact on operator fatigue and accessibility, especially for aging operators wearing bifocals.