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Facts At Your Fingertips: Design Considerations for Electric Process Heaters
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,…
Targeted step-leaching recovers more critical materials from coal ash
Due to rising demand and widespread supply-chain turmoil, researchers around the world are investigating creative methods to obtain rare-earth elements (REEs) and other critical minerals and metals (CMMs). The ash from combusting coal has previously been seen as a potential…
Business News: August 2025
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.…
The shifting workforce landscape
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…
Method for improving mechanical properties of carbon-fiber-reinforced composites
Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composites are attractive materials for applications requiring lightweight, strong components, such as aviation and automotive. However, their performance has been partially limited by the bonds between the polymer matrix and the embedded carbon fibers. Now, researchers at Oak…
Executive Insights: AVEVA
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…
Selection of Pressure Regulators
Selecting pressure regulators can be complicated because many different types exist and each has specific functionalities. Presented here is guidance for evaluating pressure-control needs based on process conditions, and for selecting the best regulator Delivering consistently on-specification products is a…
Proactive Dust Control Using Advanced Technologies
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…
Avoiding Over-Pressurization in Synthesis Reactions
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…
Optimizing ‘Green’ Ammonia Production with Raman Spectroscopy
The integration of Raman spectroscopy into "green" ammonia production represents a significant advancement in ensuring product quality and process efficiency In the quest for sustainable and environmentally friendly industrial processes, the production of “green” ammonia has emerged as a critical…