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    • Traci Purdum

    Ollisphoto Traci Purdum1173 300 A8x10blue
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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.

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

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

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

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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’

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

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

    University of Houston Aims to Transform Plastic Waste Management

    Traci Purdum
    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

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

    Chemical Processing Book Club: Discover Industrial Chemical Separation Insights

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

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

    Exercise Ethical Engineering

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

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

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

    Chemical Industry Economist Predicts Short, Shallow Recession Followed By Rebound

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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

    Traci Purdum
    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...