Seán Ottewell

Editor-at-Large

Seán Crevan Ottewell is Chemical Processing's Editor-at-Large. Seán earned his bachelor's of science degree in biochemistry at the University of Warwick and his master's in radiation biochemistry at the University of London. He served as Science Officer with the UK Department of Environment’s Chernobyl Monitoring Unit’s Food Science Radiation Unit, London. His editorial background includes assistant editor, news editor and then editor of The Chemical Engineer, the Institution of Chemical Engineers’ twice monthly technical journal. Prior to joining Chemical Processing in 2012 he was editor of European Chemical Engineer, European Process Engineer, International Power Engineer, and European Laboratory Scientist, with Setform Limited, London.

He is based in East Mayo, Republic of Ireland, where he and his wife Suzi (a maths, biology and chemistry teacher) host guests from all over the world at their holiday cottage in East Mayo

Three Cheers for 2023 Vaaler Victors

Nov. 28, 2023
Three Ohio-based companies earned accolades for enhancing safety and efficiency

Ultra-thin MOF Membrane Achieves Record Hydrogen-Nitrogen Separation

Nov. 3, 2023
Method improves both hydrogen flux and selectivity, holding immense potential for highly efficient gas-separation applications, say the researchers.

Catalyst Breakthroughs: Transforming Plastics and Photocatalysis

Oct. 24, 2023
The latest catalyst research looks to address plastic waste and renewable energy challenges.

Researchers Tackle Back-Biting During Silicone Synthesis

Oct. 23, 2023
Silicone can generate endocrine-disrupting impurities, and researchers may have found a way to prevent them from forming during mass production.

Memories Revived of Fatal 1992 Hickson and Welch Blast

Oct. 17, 2023
After seeing recent pictures of an abandoned Hickson and Welch plant, Seán Ottewell recalls the fatal explosion that occurred there in 1992, and the impactful report that followed...

Modularization Standards and Adoption Make Strides

Sept. 26, 2023
New guidelines and collaborations pave the way for industry transformation

Radar Reveals New Insights into Fluidized Bed Function

Sept. 22, 2023
Researchers in Sweden developed a high-frequency radar technique that shows how solids move in a fluidized bed in real-time.

REACH Animal Tests Could Top 11 Million

Sept. 20, 2023
Study reveals hazard assessment tests performed on animals continue and animal-free, alternative test methods are rarely used.

Kousi Advocates for Women in STEM

Aug. 25, 2023
Dr. Kelly Kousi passionately advocates for more women in STEM roles, joining the Greek Women in STEM organization to mentor both men and women. She was recently named a finalist...

Chemical Industry Embraces Edge Computing

Aug. 22, 2023
Challenges persist due to complex hardware and software ecosystems, but overcoming them can unlock the IoT technology’s potential.

Novel Material Converts CO2 Into Green Fuels

Aug. 18, 2023
The carbon capture and conversion process uses a switchable dual-function material consisting of nanoparticles to perform reactions.

Chemical Processing Book Club: 'The Exceptions'

Aug. 4, 2023
CP's editor-at-large says his anger and frustration grew with each page because so many talented scientists never had the opportunity to achieve their potential.

Visualize Virtual Reality Blessings and Burdens

Aug. 2, 2023
Careful consideration of training objectives and challenges is necessary to maximize the benefits of virtual reality technology.

Catalyst Converts Methane To Formaldehyde

July 21, 2023
Researchers from leading institutions collaborate on a dual-active site catalyst comprising copper and tungsten, which enables an efficient and selective conversion process and...

U.S. Chemical Weapons Stockpile Nears End

July 19, 2023
Two sites have been tasked with destroying chemical agents, including mustard gas, by Sept. 30 of this year.

Satellites and Robot Dogs Tackle Fugitive Emissions

June 28, 2023
Technologies aim to improve emissions detection, reduce risks to workers and enhance environmental monitoring in the chemical industry.

Bio-Route Cracks Carbene Chemistry

June 14, 2023
Environmentally friendly process could lead to the sustainable production of bioactive compounds and advanced biofuels.

Electrochemical Researcher Investigates AI to Advance Clean Energy

June 13, 2023
With the rise of AI and digital technologies, one researcher believes the future of chemical engineering and clean energy largely relies on electrochemistry and electrochemical...

Untangling Emissions: How The Chemical Industry Is Addressing Scope 3 Challenges

May 24, 2023
Faced with investor and activist pressure, the chemical industry has two challenges: calculating greenhouse gases in the supply chain and data collection

Ball Mills Produce Photochemical Reactions

May 22, 2023
Researchers replaced the large volume of toxic solvents usually needed for light-driven chemical reactions with the mechanical energy in ball mills.

EU Shares Roadmap to Harnessing Digital Technologies

May 16, 2023
The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) and management consulting firm Arthur D Little share how the chemical industry can adopt digital technologies to create a circular...

Novel Synthesis Method Speeds Sugar Selectivity

April 21, 2023
Researchers have improved the formose reaction, speeding up and improving the selectivity and yield of sugars made from formaldehyde.

CFC Emissions See Mysterious Rise

April 19, 2023
A team of scientists found levels of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have mysteriously risen dramatically despite their global phase-out.

Training on Digital Twins Reveals Performance Gaps, Opportunities

April 17, 2023
How Shell and other chemical process plants establish performance benchmarks and improve operations using 3D modeling

The Path to More Consistent Material Sampling in Chemical Applications

March 31, 2023
A look at common material sampling problems and strategies to overcome them

Researchers Use 3D Printing to Produce Single-Atom Catalysts

March 24, 2023
Using 3D printing, researchers in Australia have developed a novel technique to produce customized single-atom catalysts (SACs).

Rotating Shifts Linked to Prostate Cancer

March 14, 2023
Researchers have found long-term exposure to rollover shift work is associated with an increased hazard of aggressive prostate cancer in offshore petroleum workers.

Carbon Capture Conversion Unit Shows Promise

Feb. 17, 2023
Engineers at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) create a novel device that combines a carbon capture system with an ethylene conversion system.

Hydrogen Not the Answer in Net-Zero Emissions

Feb. 10, 2023
UK committee says hydrogen is not a panacea to pollution problems

Conjure Machine Magic

Feb. 1, 2023
We examine how the digitalization of machine performance keeps chemical plants running during challenging times.