Chemicals & Materials Now!

Hurricane Harvey and Arkema Peroxide Plant Explosions

Posted on September 5th, 2017 by Dr. Sina Ebnesajjad in Chemical Manufacturing Excellence

The flooded Arkema plant in Crosby, Texas, where explosions continued to take place on September 1, 2017 (Source: ABC News, http://abcnews.go.com, September 1, 2017)

I doubt hurricane Harvey needs any introductions.  Dozens of people have been killed and thousands of houses destroyed and damaged.  Continue reading “Hurricane Harvey and Arkema Peroxide Plant Explosions” »

Process Plant Layout Revisited

Posted on March 23rd, 2017 by Seán Moran in Chemical R&D

I have more than 25 years of experience as a chemical engineer working in process design, but I also served as an associate professor at the University of Nottingham, coordinating the design teaching program for chemical engineering students. Continue reading “Process Plant Layout Revisited” »

Energy Conservation Part 3 – Processes and Economics

Posted on January 12th, 2017 by David W. Spitzer, P.E. in Chemical Manufacturing Excellence

Energy conservation typically involves changing energy-related processes to improve economics while mitigating the detrimental effects of culture and politics.  Note that not only does the previous sentence encompass all four domains that comprise sustainability but it also alludes to inter-dependencies between the process and its economics.  Continue reading “Energy Conservation Part 3 – Processes and Economics” »

Energy Conservation Part 2 – Politics

Posted on January 3rd, 2017 by David W. Spitzer, P.E. in Chemical Manufacturing Excellence

Politics can be a touchy subject that means different things to different people in different positions. For example, politics at a large sewage district can literally mean interaction with elected officials and their representatives Continue reading “Energy Conservation Part 2 – Politics” »