Chemical Processing Distilled chemicalprocessing

Distilled News examines the top three stories trending on chemicalprocessing.com. Hosted by Jonathan Katz, executive editor of Chemical Processing.
Safety Lessons from the Great Molasses Flood of 1919
Regulatory Burdens, Barbie and Taylor Swift Impact the Chemical Industry
EPA Tightens Grip on Toxic Chemicals, Industry Feels the Heat
 

Hackers are targeting manufacturing to leverage intellectual property for big money. In a recent episode of Automation Chat, from Chemical Processing's sister publication The Journal from Rockwell Automation, Teresa Houck, executive editor and host of Automation Chat, digs deep into a study regarding advancing digital transformation in a time of unprecedented cybersecurity risk.
If you’re not already a subscriber to Automation Chat, you can subscribe to it here:
https://rokthejournal.podbean.com/

 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.

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

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. 

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.