antique phone

P&ID Calls for Chemical Process Development     

Back in April 2021, I wrote about Working from Home. One of the points was about video calls and how to “read eyes” to gauge the attendees’ interest and your communication success. Now, however, we’re experiencing “video fatigue.” We’re combating this by returning to telephone calls to discuss chemical process development. But some people have forgotten how to have an effective phone conversation. Others are afraid to pick up the telephone. Fortunately, I’ve always valued what can be gained in…


Lithium Ion Battery Materials and Solid-liquid Separation Safety

In the many lithium ion battery (LIB) plants that I have visited, one critical area of concern is solid-liquid separation safety in manual operations.  After all, a LIB is, in reality, a small chemical plant.  The detailed structure is as follows: Figure 1.  Structure diagrams of LIBs . a) Main components, b) Internal structure and c) Structure of cathode materials and Al foil (Yellow coating represents PVDF film).   Reproduced from Global Challenges 2023, 7, 2200237, © 2023 The Authors.…


process guarantees

Perspective on Process Guarantees

Guarantee by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Pix4free.org Any of us in the engineering business solving process filtration and drying problems are familiar with process guarantees. While any supplier is pinning their reputation on their product, customers still often want the reassurance of a process guarantee. In a recent Chemical Processing article, “Processing Equipment – Are Guarantees Worthwhile,”  writer Andrew Sloley suggests the client is asking for a process guarantee as a way to confirm…


battery technology in someone's hand

Battery Technology: Speaking at the International Seminar

Need more convincing that battery technology is a growing field? This week the International Battery Seminar and Exhibit takes place in Orlando, Florida. In 2022, more than 1,500 battery technologists attended. This year, the event is expected to be even larger with many speakers from around the world. I’m excited to attend and discuss battery tech with others as interested in this area as I am. The March 20 to 23 Seminar has four streams: R & D: Battery Research and Recycling…


Geothermal Circular Economy and Icelandic Gin

Image source: mtch3l “Cheers!” or as the people of Iceland say it, Skál (pronounced “sk owl”). Let’s salute another circular economy blog with a twist of liquor in it! This one looks at the geothermal circular economy and Icelandic gin. Loyal readers may remember by blog about  the Beer Industry and Sustainable Water with a Cherry Stout. Well, as much as I like a cold beer, I also like to practice yoga and run. In the picture I’m sharing I am practicing a headstand on a trip I took to Iceland.…