Technology in demand

01 November 1993 00:00  [Source: APC]

In a competitive market access to the latest developments is essential. In light of this, it is no surprise that demand for independent technology is on the rise.

Ready access to state-of-the-art technology from an experienced, skilled source is a critical factor for companies whose principal aim is usually differentiation in today's market. Added value benefits from leading-edge technology can help companies to maintain their position at the forefront of their particular industry.

There are a number of ways in which companies can access technology with the aim of processing raw materials into higher value-added products. These include through the public domain, from operating companies or from independent licensors. However, technology already in the public domain tends to suffer from poor economics and is often outdated, particularly with regard to environmental practices.

Licensing technology from a multinational operating company could give rise to a conflict of interests. In many cases though, this situation can be resolved by forming a joint venture, where the multi-national partner provides the technology and markets the export product. The local partner operates the plant and serves the local market.

However, there is an increasing demand for independent technology which local operators can use without any associated restrictions. In addition, a number of joint developments have been set up recently between traditional technology suppliers and local companies.

In developing and commercialising new technology, there must be an opportunity for substantial improvement on an existing process, otherwise there will be no incentive or justification for the development costs. Close attention must be paid to environmental protection and all new processes should be designed with a target of zero emissions. Other critical objectives include minimising operating costs and maximising feedstock efficiency and variable costs must be reduced to achieve the lowest possible production cost with minimum environmental impact.

John Brown's ability to offer leading-edge technology combined with extensive engineering and construction expertise has proved a successful formula for clients over the years, with a number of proven examples in the Asia-Pacific region.

Market-led technology for chemical, petrochemical and pulp and paper pollution control applications, delivers technical solutions which enable clients to enter new markets with a competitive edge.

In some cases, this technology has been used to develop proprietary equipment such as in the field of sulphuric acid production and recovery where John Brown's company, Chemetics International, designs and manufactures state-of-the-art acid coolers and gas-to-gas heat exchangers. Chemetics also provides proprietary technology for bleaching chemicals to the pulp and paper industry. This and the sulphuric acid technology has been applied at a number of plants in China, Indonesia and Thailand.

Over 50% of the world's butryaldehyde is produced at plants operating on the low pressure oxo-alcohols process, developed jointly by John Brown's company Davy Process Technology and Union Carbide.

John Brown's technology portfolio

Petrochemicals Oxo-alcohols Butanediol Natural detergent alcohols Hydrodesulphurisation Esterification VCM VCM/PVC Polyethylene terephthalate Nylon-6 Pure terephthalic acid Polymers Acetic acid/anhydride Polystyrene Polyelefins: ld/hd/lldPE/PP MTBE/ETBE/TAME Mononitrobenzene/ nitrobenzene Biotechnology Fermentation Ethanol and derivatives Environmental   Toxic condensate treatment   VOC adsorption Flue gas desulphurisation Catalytic NOx reduction

Inorganic Chemicals Nitric acid Granular fertilisers Phosphoric acid Ammonium nitrate Sodium chlorate Chlorine dioxide Oxygen bleaching Hydrogen peroxide Acid production/recovery Sulphuric acid Waste acid recovery Sulphuric/nitric acid concentn Synthesis Gas & Derivatives Methanol Synthesis Waste gas incineration Synthesis gas Formaldehyde and resins Towns gas/SNG Hydrogen/carbon monoxide   Fine Chems/pharmaceuticals   Phosgene Isocyanates Salicylic acid

A new technology is currently being commercialised for the production of natural detergent alcohols using the same basic process as Davy's butanediol process (see box). It comprises an environmentally friendly process route using renewable feedstocks such as coconut oil or palm kernel oil. High quality market-grade alcohols are produced for use in environmentally preferred detergent products.

John Brown is a preferred contractor for the Unipol polyethylene technology and has designed and built plants which produce more than 30% of the world's capacity. In methanol, over 40% of the world's capacity derives from plants designed by Davy Process Technology, using the ICI low-pressure process.

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