Traci Purdum

Editor-in-Chief
Phone: 630-454-7077

Traci Purdum, an award-winning business journalist with extensive experience covering manufacturing and management issues, is a graduate of the Kent State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Kent, Ohio, and an alumnus of the Wharton Seminar for Business Journalists, Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

La Mède Refinery Tragedy Unveils Critical Corrosion Lessons

Nov. 22, 2023
The importance of rigorous corrosion inspection programs and the need for comprehensive risk assessments in facility design are paramount to process safety.

Report: A Hazardous Chemical Incident Occurs Every 1.2 Days in the U.S.

Nov. 10, 2023
The majority of incidents originate from the production, transport and disposal of fossil fuels and fossil fuel products

Operator Training: Unlock Efficiency, Enhance Safety By Reducing Emergency Procedures

Nov. 10, 2023
In this episode, Traci and Dave discuss the importance of reducing emergency procedures in chemical processing for better operator training and performance.

Lessons Learned From The Deadly Explosion In Pasadena, Texas

Nov. 7, 2023
The legacy of Mary Kay O'Connor, who was killed in this incident, has aided in promoting process safety and saving lives.

Chemical Processing Book Club: Transforming Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Oct. 24, 2023
Girish K. Malhotra explains his vision for environmental innovation

Podcast: Low-Cost Ways to Improve Operator Decision-Making

Oct. 20, 2023
Helping operators learn from past incidents and use pattern recognition to make better decisions faster will improve safety and efficiency.

Chemical Processing Names Three Vaaler Award Winners in 2023

Oct. 6, 2023
The awards recognize products that promise to significantly improve the operations and economics of plants.

Podcast: Mastering Risk Management in High-Hazard Industries

Oct. 4, 2023
There is no such thing as zero risk, but we can take more effective approaches to minimize the potential for those risks to be realized.

Chemical Industry Salaries: More Giving Than Taking – 9 to 5 Insights

Oct. 3, 2023
The 2023 salary and job satisfaction survey reveals that compensation, recognition and challenging work are reasons to sing a happy tune.

Industry Faces Bloomberg’s ‘Beyond Petrochemicals’

Sept. 22, 2023
Former New York Mayor aims to challenge the construction of new petrochemical plants producing plastics, fertilizers and packaging.

EPA: Chemical Industry Withholding Crucial Data

Sept. 22, 2023
Environmental Protection Agency called on the industry to engage with regulators earlier in the process to avoid last-minute challenges.

Podcast: Expert Insights on Calculating Operator Needs in The Chemical Industry

Sept. 19, 2023
This episode discusses an innovative approach to calculating operator needs and the impact of automation on staffing in the process industry.

Researchers Develop Highly Efficient TREC System to Convert Low-Grade Heat into Usable Energy

Sept. 15, 2023
Potential applications for TREC systems include wearable technologies.

University of Houston Aims to Transform Plastic Waste Management

Sept. 15, 2023
Grant-backed project will tackle the challenges with polyolefins through a three-pronged approach.

Video: Frog-Like Robot Is Powered by Methane

Sept. 15, 2023
Cornell researchers tap energy storage that surpasses lithium-ion batteries

Chemical Processing Book Club: Discover Industrial Chemical Separation Insights

Sept. 8, 2023
A candid conversation with authors Tim Frank and Bruce Holden on historical perspective, key features and insights from personal experience in the chemical industry.

Podcast: Game-Based Learning Revolutionizes Process Safety Education in the Chemical Industry

Sept. 6, 2023
In our latest episode, we sit down with Dr. Cheryl Bodnar, one of the brilliant minds behind "Contents Under Pressure," an immersive game designed to teach process safety. Discover...

Tipisodes Podcast: 9 Tips for Effective Process-Hazard Reviews in Chemical Facilities

Aug. 29, 2023
By following these tips, facilities can enhance the effectiveness of their process-hazard reviews in the Management of Change (MoC) process, minimizing the risk of missing critical...

Podcast: Unlocking Effective Alarm Management

Aug. 28, 2023
This episode delivers expert insights on overcoming misconceptions and ensuring operator efficiency in process industries

Exercise Ethical Engineering

Aug. 1, 2023
When faced with dilemmas, stand firm in your convictions

Podcast: Piper Alpha Disaster -- 22 Terrifying Minutes, Countless Lessons Learned

July 31, 2023
The tragedy exposed various deficiencies in safety management and emergency response.

Chemical Industry Economist Predicts Short, Shallow Recession Followed By Rebound

July 14, 2023
American Chemistry Council’s economist notes the industry will see the recovery happen before other manufacturing sectors.

Norfolk Southern Sues Oxy Vinyls, Dow In Derailment Debacle

July 6, 2023
Court will decide if chemical suppliers are subject to liability in what Oxy calls a "meritless disinformation campaign masquerading as a legal filing."

DOT: Railroads Must Maintain, Update Hazmat Shipment Information To Aid First Responders

June 27, 2023
Train derailment in Yellowstone reinforces the need for proposed new rule aimed at improving public safety and preventing environmental impacts from rail disasters.

Podcast: The Importance of Ethics In Engineering

June 27, 2023
Inspired by a recent study about DuPont and 3M's knowledge of the toxicity of PFAS chemicals, this podcast discusses transparency and emphasizes the need for professionals to ...

3M Will Toss $10 Billion Into Water Contamination Settlement

June 23, 2023
Settlement provides funding for public water suppliers across the country for PFAS treatment technologies.

EPA Amends Oil-Spill Cleanup Requirements To Address Toxicity, Efficacy

June 21, 2023
Spurred by Deepwater Horizon, the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan is getting updates.

Podcast: Lessons Learned From The 2013 Williams Olefins Explosion

June 16, 2023
The cause of the explosion was traced back to a heat exchanger at the plant. Written procedures, checklists, redundancy and assessing risks for transient and unusual operations...

Podcast: Study Reveals Advanced Process Control Can Degrade Operator Skills

June 6, 2023
Findings, recommendations and interventions to maintain operator skills are explored in this latest Distilled podcast episode

Calling Out Scope 3 Hang-Ups

May 30, 2023
Confusion comes as companies implement different strategies. After reading this month’s cover story, “Untangling Emissions," Scope 3 certification now reminds me of the telephone...