(283c) Challenges for Separations and … By Definition … Challenges for the Chemical Industry

The Chemical Process Industries are very strongly identified with the large scale separations that are required to make our modern processes possible.  However, the success and perceived maturity of the separations endeavor has been a two-edged sword for those seeking to advance the state of the art. There has been little if any success in obtaining research funding in an area that is perceived to be the exclusive purview of industrial practitioners.  Ironically, industrial practitioners are hesitant to adopt or test new processes because the cost of testing is high and the results of failure can be catastrophic.  There are still promising areas that can be investigated, and there is still merit in searching for improved separations concepts and methodologies.