Monthly Archives: February 2012

TEDx lecture

Posted on February 27, 2012 by

It seems that my articles on the chemical and energy industries, focussing frequently on the chemical engineering profession and on the “renaissance” of American manufacturing, have succeeded in creating a larger audience. On the evening of March 23rd, I will … Continue reading →

Posted in Chemical Engineering, Chemical Industry, Energy Industry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What about algae?

Posted on February 20, 2012 by

 Ok, here are the pluses and minuses: They can be grown in non-arable land; oil yield is higher than from traditional seeds; they don’t need fresh water, can use saline; they are not a food source (like corn, for example); … Continue reading →

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Coal-to-Chemicals: Not in the U.S.

Posted on February 18, 2012 by

A significant percent of America’s need for electric power will, for many years into the future, be supplied by coal from our massive reserves in Appalachia and the Western states. But coal is an expensive and more polluting way to make chemicals – though technology is available … Continue reading →

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An American Advantage

Posted on February 12, 2012 by

Over the months that I have blogged about our energy and chemical industries I have focussed much of the discussion on what has now been called the “renaissance” of American manufacture. For these industries, this has largely related to the relatively … Continue reading →

Posted in Manufacturing | Tagged | 3 Comments

An Unfair Fine: Spur to Development?

Posted on February 4, 2012 by

In 2011, refiners paid a $ 6.5MM fine to the government for not blending ethanol made from agricultural wastes( instead of ethanol made from corn) into gasoline. And guess what?  There was no such ethanol available, because so-called cellulosic ethanol is not … Continue reading →

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