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Chemical Processing

The chemical processing industry is where raw (bulk) materials undergo chemical conversion during their processing into finished products or products of value to other industries.

The chemical processing industry includes those manufacturing facilities whose products result from:

  • Chemical reactions between organic or inorganic materials, or both,
  • Separation, or purification of a natural product, extraction, with or without the aid of chemical reactions,
  • The preparation of specifically formulated mixtures of materials, either natural or synthetic.

While the chemical processing industry is primarily the realm of the chemical process engineer and the chemist, it also involves a wide range of other scientific, engineering, and economic specialists.

Chemical processing is a way of making changes to chemical compounds. Chemical processing is done to change the chemical structure of raw (bulk) materials to obtain products of value to other industries / in daily life.

These products include agrochemicals, petrochemicals, oleochemicals, ceramics, polymers, rubber, fragrances, flavors, and explosives.

Chemical processing plants use specialized equipment and technology in the manufacturing process that can withstand the most demanding requirements and rigorous operating conditions.

The extreme conditions in chemical processing facilities place exceptional demands on equipment to stand up to heat, pressure, stress, and corrosion over a working life that can span decades.

Chemical solids processing unit operations are everywhere in chemical processing plants, yet most chemical engineers are not equipped to deal with particle technology process problems.

Chemical process definition = Method or changing one or more chemicals or chemical compounds. This process can occur by itself or be caused by an outside force and involves a chemical reaction.

The chemical engineering process focuses on designing processes that deliver optimum performance in technology, economy, environment and meeting society’s needs.

The chemical engineering process can be divided into the following disciplines:

  • Process design
  • Process control
  • Process operations
  • Supporting tools
  • Process economics

Chemical plants contain a variety of hazards. The usual mechanical risks can cause worker injuries, and there are chemical hazards. These chemical hazards include toxic, reactivity, and fire- and explosion hazards.

Chemical Process Safety

More complex processes require more complex chemical process safety, and chemical process engineers will need a more detailed and fundamental understanding of process safety. Chemical process safety has developed into a scientific discipline that includes many highly technical theories and practices.

The chemical process operator is generally responsible for chemical processing, mixing, and packaging operations within the chemical processing plant.

They monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify the conformity of process conditions.

Chemical process operators move control settings to make the necessary adjustments on process equipment affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.

They are responsible for transferring the chemicals through the various process and storage areas using conveyors, tanks, and other transfer systems.

The operator must know and observe all safety procedures, organizational rules, and environmental policies.

Additionally, the chemical process operator researches and troubleshoots problems during product transfer.

In general, chemical process engineers are responsible for developing new industrial processes and designing new chemical process plants and equipment or modifying existing ones.

Chemical process engineers begin by experimenting in the laboratory, followed by implementing the technology in full-scale production.

Chemical process engineers must have a complete and quantitative understanding of the engineering and scientific principles underlying these technological processes.

Chemical process engineers are in great demand because of the many industries that depend on the synthesis and processing of chemicals.

Chemicals are forms of matter with constant composition and properties.

Almost everything that physically exists is made up of chemicals or a mixture of multiple chemicals. For this reason, chemicals are vital in the process industries, along with almost every other industry in the world

While many of the products from the industry, such as soaps, detergents, and perfumes, are purchased directly by the consumer (consumer chemicals), others are used as intermediates to make other products.

Chemical processing describes how one chemical composition is transformed into another.

The chemical processing companies process various chemicals, chemical substances, and products. These include petrochemical and inorganic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, industrial gases, plastics, rubbers, detergents, paints, coatings, pigments, and many others.

The chemical processing industry is essential to the modern global economy and plays a vital role in almost every other industry.

The chemical processing industry is one of the most heavily regulated and intensive industries, making staying up-to-date on all developments crucial for professionals.

Receiving relevant chemical processing news and innovations can be extremely useful to industry professionals responsible for operating, maintaining, and managing chemical facilities in the world.

By having access to the latest chemical processing news, decision-makers can take the steps needed to be prepared or become compliant.

Be supplied with the technical knowledge to run a successful chemical plant with the latest chemical processing news.

A chemical processing company is considered innovative when it infuses significant capital in researching and developing a particular process.

Chemical and allied products require advanced research and development, mainly when used for scientific research. It must be underlined that this research is only the beginning of chemical processing innovations and not its end.

Chemical processing innovations

In chemicals and organic chemicals, the development of new products depends on the findings of scientific experiments performed at the laboratory level.

A laboratory breakthrough is, typically, very far from the availability of a commercializable product.

Chemical processing plants use a particular technology in the manufacturing process that can withstand the most challenging requirements and severe operating conditions.

The extreme conditions in chemical processing facilities place exceptional demands on equipment to stand up to heat, pressure, stress, and corrosion over a working life that can span decades.

chemical processing equipment

Chemical Process Equipment is utilized by engineers who specify, design, maintain or run chemical and process plants.

Chemical process technology covers all primary areas in chemical process engineering: design, operation, analysis, optimization, troubleshooting, control, safety, and supervision of chemical processing operations.

Many processes in the chemical are usually operated continuously.

Maintenance and other service activities are often only possible once a year during a planned plant shutdown.

Nowadays, computer simulations or other computer calculations help select the best suitable chemical process technology.

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Articles about Chemical Processing

Experts for Chemical Processing

Since 2016, David Hyer has served as the President and General Manager of Thayer Scale and is responsible for daily operations. In 2013, he rejoined the company after serving as the division manager of the circuit-board test and inspection business at Teradyne. His professional experience includes senior management positions in sales and business development at Teradyne and two venture capital-backed startups. His first position was with Thayer Scale in 1985 as a college student writing machine-level code for the PI-164 instrument. David has expertise in the design and manufacture of market-leading conveyor belt scales and gravimetric feeders. With an unyielding focus on product line specialization and quality, the company’s portfolio of products and customized solutions are tailored to the unique requirements of its three key segments; Food, Energy & Building Products, and Chemical & Industrial. David holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University. He is married with three children and enjoys tennis, golf, and spending time on his boat.
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Robert brings over 25 years of experience for bulk material handling and material processing equipment to Material Transfer. At MTS, he is responsible to fostering new business opportunities while nurturing account relationships. His depth of experience and industry knowledge allows our Team to meet the growing needs of our customers as we continue to provide the highest quality systems to the marketplace.
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Design Engineer, Project Manager, Territory and Sales Manager with 40+ years of experience in capture at source designs, sales and installation projects for high and low vacuum and dust collection and filtration systems and explosion and fire mitigation in dust collection systems.
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Sharon Nowak serves as Global Business Development Manager for the newly formed Food, Health and Nutrition Division of Coperion. Sharon has a 35+ year background in the process equipment industry for food and pharmaceuticals as well as a degree in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering from Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA. She has extensive experience in designing and integrating feeders, weighing systems, bulk material handling, pneumatic conveying, mixing, granulation, milling and sieving equipment into continuous and batch processes for food and pharmaceuticals. These processes include but are not limited to complete systems for ingredient dispensing, blenders/mixers, screeners/mills/micronizers, extruders, coaters, spheronizers, granulators/dryers, homogenizers and emulsifiers, and also contained processes for potent pharmaceutical compounds. Sharon works closely with Coperion’s Strategic Marketing, Research & Development and Engineering departments as well as worldwide customer requests to identify new applications and provide design and focus on the very specific needs of the food, health and nutrition industries.
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More than 35 years’ experience in development and realisation projects as a project manager for feed, aqua feed and petfood. Working at Dinnissen for 25 years as account manager in feed, aqua feed and petfood division. Specialist in developing major projects with added value focussing on pneumatic conveying, mixing, drying, grinding and coating with liquid and powder systems.
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Karen Van Aelst, ing., is a seasoned professional with a rich background in sales and engineering, particularly within the dry bulk handling and process industry. Over the course of 12 years, she honed her expertise in selling installations tailored for these sectors. In 2010, Karen transitioned to StuvEx, where she embarked on a decade-long journey as a sales engineer specializing in explosion protection. Her role encompassed managing sales activities in both BeLux and Germany, showcasing her proficiency in navigating diverse markets and establishing strong client relationships. Since 2019, Karen has assumed the position of Product Manager at StuvEx, where she is entrusted with the vital responsibilities of overseeing the development and market realization of explosion protection products. Her extensive experience in sales, coupled with her engineering background, positions her as a valuable asset in driving innovation and ensuring the safety of industrial environments. Karen’s dedication and expertise continue to play a pivotal role in the success of StuvEx in the field of explosion protection.
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With over 32 years of experience in raw material handling and a specialization in weighing and mixing control systems, I provide comprehensive solutions that encompass the entire process—from raw material intake to the final product—all delivered from a single source. Supported by a team with a combined 140 years of experience and backed by a company with over 55 years of tradition, we develop and implement tailored systems that guarantee the highest standards of precision, efficiency, and safety. Our integrated solutions combine cutting-edge technology with deep expertise to achieve precise dosing and mixing, leading to optimized product quality, significant cost savings, and enhanced production efficiency. We manage every phase of the process, ensuring a seamless and reliable implementation for our clients.
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Tim Porco is the the President of Erie Technical Systems Inc. He oversees the company’s day-to-day operations, ensuring top-notch solutions for customer needs. He holds a Chemical Engineering degree from Case Western Reserve University and is an active member of the Flexible Intermediate Bulk Filling Association (FIBCA). With an extensive background in technical sales, product management, and sales management within the powder solids handling industry, Tim applies his diverse skills to develop economical solutions for clients. Tim is committed to listening carefully to customer requirements and translating them into effective applications of Erie Technical Systems equipment.
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Chris has been working at Spiroflow for over 10 years and is currently in the role of technical sales manager. He handles all the technical drawings and specifications during the sale and aides our drawing office while the equipment is designed, he also assists the manufacturing department with the build. His vast knowledge of powder handling and mechanical design is why he is involved in every aspect of designing our powder handling solutions.
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Chuck Johnson is the director of sales at National Bulk Equipment, located in Holland, Michigan. His professional experience includes over 25 years in the design, engineering, & sales of bulk material handling equipment & systems. Johnson holds a BS in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University.
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