Gulf Coast's Only Glass Distillation Unit Transforms Process Technology Training

Alvin Community College's Process Technology program secured a competitive $349,980 Jobs and Education for Texans grant to acquire and install a Pignat OTP-DC Distillation Unit, the only industrial-scale, glass-constructed distillation unit in the Gulf Coast Region. Unlike opaque training equipment or digital simulations, the glass construction allows students to see the entire distillation process operating in real time inside a closed system. The unit runs on DeltaV, the same distributed control system used by major regional petrochemical employers, and supports 24- to 48-hour continuous runs that replicate authentic shift-based plant operations. Fall 2025 enrollment reached 145 students, up 25% from the prior year. Industry partners LyondellBasell, INEOS, and Ascend Performance Materials have submitted signed letters affirming the program's direct impact on workforce readiness. The program holds NAPTA recertification through 2027 and TWC Skill Standards recognition. Project Interview, in which 19 industry professionals conduct mock interviews with graduating students, has been recognized as a regional best practice.

Innovators

• Don Parus, Program Director, Process Technology
• Dave Westmoreland, Faculty, Lab Technician