Chemical Processing Distilled

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 processe...

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 mult...

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-manag...

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 le...

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 met...

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. Proacti...

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 mo...

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 ...

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

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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...

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 an...

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 heigh...

In the chemical industry, understanding the health of rotating equipment is crucial for safety and productivity. Regular inspections, compliance with regulations and proactive maintenance are vital for equipment reliability. Ares Panagoulias, the director of condition monitoring and test lab at Hydro Inc., emphasizes the importance of data in assessing equipment health. He advises using remote monitoring to prioritize maintenance a...

In this episode, Traci and Dave discuss the importance of reducing emergency procedures in chemical processing for better operator training and performance. They explore the benefits of streamlining procedures, emphasizing that about 90% of emergency steps are common across various situations. Dave advocates for simplified, condition-based procedures to enhance operator response during high-stress situations. They also touch on the...