In this exclusive interview, Stephen Reynolds, industry principal for Chemicals at AVEVA, offers his perspective on the goals, challenges and accomplishments of the company A chemical engineer by training, Reynolds worked in chemical operations throughout his career, focusing on continuous…
The growing need for energy-storage solutions for a gamut of applications from electronic devices to large-scale energy systems has spurred an increase in research for innovative technologies. Considerable attention is being given to new chemistries beyond the widely used lithium-ion…
Process electrification is gaining interest as a solution to industrial CO2 emissions, which account for 20% of total CO2 emissions in the U.S. [1]. Several technologies are emerging for electric process heating, including electrode steam boilers and high-temperature heat pumps,…
A patent-pending material developed at the Technical University of Munich (TUM; www.tum.de) has achieved the fastest-ever conductivity of lithium ions, and is now poised to significantly improve the efficiency of future solid-state batteries. Solid-state batteries, often seen as a more…
Integrated solutions include monitoring, collection and control to help manage complex risks Dust control is essential for safety, operational efficiency, product quality and regulatory compliance in the chemical process industries (CPI). Many of the materials handled in chemical facilities are…
Plant Watch Wacker commissions new ultra-pure polysilicon plant in Burghausen, Germany July 17, 2025 — Wacker Chemie AG (Munich, Germany; www.wacker.com) commissioned its new production line for the manufacture of ultra-pure semiconductor-grade polysilicon at its Burghausen production site in Germany.…
A recent Wall Street Journal article [1] described numerous job postings in which employers bluntly describe that they expect employees to hustle and work long hours. The article quotes, for example, a listing that says “If you’re looking for work-life…
Uncontrolled exothermic reactions present significant safety risks, including over-pressurization of a reactor. Presented here is information about how runaway reactions occur, and what can be done to avoid them Synthesis reactions are a cornerstone of chemical manufacturing and engineering. Due…
Wastewater from dairy processing facilities can be extremely challenging to treat — not only does the effluent usually contain high volumes of solids, minerals and organic matter, these loads can vary widely from hour to hour. A large cheese-processing facility…
In the catering industry, refined cooking oils (those that have undergone a process to remove lower-boiling-point impurities) are used and re-used in frying. Despite the refining process, high temperatures cause the oils to oxidize, creating polar compounds that degrade the…