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INDUSTRY WATCH - Chemical World
December 2011
EDITORIAL
Safer and sustainable chemicals
L
et’s face this. Were the organic solvents designed to cause cancer? Were the refrigerant gases intended to harm the upper atmospheric ozone layer? Were the synthetic plasticisers expected to disturb hormonal systems? And, the list goes on. Of course, the answers to all these are the same and a big NO, by any consideration. But, the bigger question is how did these get so far? The answer, perhaps, lies in their inception itself. While the physical and chemical sciences developed at a scorching pace in the previous two centuries, the design processes thereof were seldom centred around the environmental and health sciences. As a result, the knowledge emanating from the latter emerging fields then were far from being largely integrated into the commercially impressive strides of the former. On one hand, thanks to the stupendous success of material and chemical sciences, today we are blessed with millions of structural and functional products that have considerably added multiple dimensions of delight to our lives, enabled seamless navigation of space and time, etc. However, the plethora of pitfalls arising out of this, the first paragraph refers to some of those, are quite alarming. So, what’s the way forward and how can it be achieved in a pragmatic manner? To begin with, it will be only ‘natural’ to expect more out of the chemicals of the future. Apart from providing low-cost and high-quality performance, they need to be safe, functional as well as sustainable. Broadly speaking, there are two approaches. A problem-based approach primarily addresses the hazards of chemicals at a rather late stage when they are already developed, manufactured and released into the environment. Consequently, progress on this approach, as has been seen, is a slow and costly affair. On the contrary, a solution-centric approach towards chemical and material development begins right at the designing stage of chemicals by ensuring they become safer, cleaner, and more eco-compatible.
Editorial Advisory Board Pothen Paul Executive Chairman, Aker Powergas Pvt Ltd
The need of the hour is a parallel approach with less focus on the characterisation of problems and more on the development of solutions. The spotlight should be on extensive R&D for new feedstocks and chemicals, new routes of chemical synthesis, cleaner manufacturing systems, and products that can be easily recycled or biologically leveraged. Let this new journey of 21st century innovations begin!
D P Misra Director, TCE Consulting Engineers Ltd and Former Director General, ICC
P D Samudra Executive Director (Sales) & Member of the Board, Uhde India Pvt Ltd
Manas R Bastia manas@infomedia18.in
December 2011 | Chemical World
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46 48 26 Cover illustration: Chaitanya Dinesh Surpur
Insight & Outlook - Filtration and Separation Filtration & separation ....................................................... 42 Membrane fouling .............................................................. 46
Special Focus - Wastewater and Effluent Treatment
Chemical manufacturing .................................................... 48
Wastewater treatment ......................................................... 26
Automation Trends
Effluent management ......................................................... 28
Simulation software: Modelling efficacy in fluidised processes .......................................................... 52
Interface - Sachin Kukade.................................................. 32 Roundtable .......................................................................... 36
In Conversation With
Energy Management Power optimisation: Empowerment through IT-enabled solutions ........................................................... 54
Policies & Regulation
Paul Sanders, MD (Europe, Middle East, Africa and India), Honeywell Fluorine Products...................... 22
Facility Visit - Omkar Speciality Chemicals Ltd Setting the benchmark for safety and quality ................... 38
Carbon footprint norms: On the right path to emission mitigation ........................................................ 56
Strategy Exports expansion: Exploring potential beyond traditional markets ................................................. 58
Tips & Tricks Safety committee: Roadmap for collaborative management ........................................................................ 59
Event Preview Engineering Expo Indore 2012: Offering companies manufacturing advantage with a trading edge .................. 68
Regular Sections Editorial ........................................................................ 5 News, Views & Analysis .............................................. 10 Technology & Innovation............................................ 18 Technology Transfer .................................................... 20 Projects ........................................................................ 64
Event Report Q Engineering Expo Pune 2011: Synergising the
manufacturing prowess ................................................. 70 Q IPVS 2011: Partnering success through
fruitful tie-ups .............................................................. 72
Event List .................................................................... 66 Book Review ................................................................ 73
Details on page no. 43, 66, 67
Products ...................................................................... 74 List of Products .......................................................... 86
HIGHLIGHTS OF NEXT EDITION
List of Advertisers ...................................................... 88
Special Focus: Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Insight & Outlook: Industrial Gases
Note: ` stands for Indian rupee, $ stands for US dollar and ÂŁ stands for UK pound, unless mentioned otherwise December 2011 | Chemical World
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Business Insights Technologies Opportunities
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December 2011 | Chemical World
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NEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSIS
MEGA EXPANSION
WATER MANAGEMENT
Bayer bets big on Asia
Indian companies must adopt prudent water management policies, says CRISIL Research
In line with emerging megatrends creating a basis for outperforming market and its ambitious growth strategy, the growth in this region,” he observed. Bayer Group plans to further expand Bayer also intends to take part in its production, distribution network Asia’s transition to an innovation hub and research activities in Asia along of the globalised world by focussing on with a significant raise in its sales from collaborations with the leading institutes the region. “We aim to achieve more and centres of expertise, as well as its own than 60 per cent increase activities. “We will also in our sales in Asia continue to invest in local by 2015,” said Dr Marijn R&D, and thus contribute Dekkers,Management Board our know-how to the R&D Chairman, Bayer Group, landscape here. In doing so, during an international press we are taking into account conference held recently in Asia’s particular needs,” Shanghai, China. informed Dr Dekkers. At a press conference, India forms a major attended by more than focus of Bayer’s activities 100 media representatives in the region, with – from India, Vietnam and the company currently Dr Marijn Dekkers Indonesia participating via employing about 4,000 live video link – Dr Dekkers explained the personnel here, and sales of approximately company’s perspectives in the emerging Euro 0.5 billion in 2010. “We want all our countries of Asia and an annual sales target subgroups in India to continue to grow of over Euro 11 billion by 2015 at today’s above their market growth and increase exchange rates. The company achieved India sales to about Euro 1 billion by sales of Euro 6.9 billion in 2010, and 2015,” added Stephan Gerlich, Managing anticipates further growth in 2011. “We Director, Bayer Group in India, after the have made capital expenditures of Euro satellite broadcast of Dr Dekker’s brief. Manas R Bastia 3.4 billion in Asia over the past 10 years, CORPORATE STRATEGY
The shrinking per capita availability of water in India necessitates that corporates have a formal plan for water management including disclosures and reporting mechanisms. The per capita water availability in India, which is currently at 1,544 cubic metre in 2011 vis-à-vis the international benchmark 1,700 cubic metre, is projected to further shrink to 1,140 cubic metre by 2050. Statistics indicate that India has already acquired the status of a water-stressed nation. CRISIL Research conducted a comprehensive assessment of water disclosure practices of 500 publicly held companies in India. The study revealed that in 2010, only 30 per cent of companies reported that they have company level water policy for prudent management of water usage. Only 3.3 per cent of companies disclosed information on total quantity of water used and merely 1.5 per cent reported the source from where water used is drawn. The study pointed out that sectors such as energy, materials and utilities are more proactive in disclosing information on wastewater discharge.
NEW FACILIT Y
NLC Nalco is now Nalco Water
AkzoNobel plans ` 2,000 million facility in Madhya Pradesh
Nalco, providing essential expertise in the areas of water, energy and air, recently announced that it has changed the name of its Alok Kumar Bhadra company in India to Nalco Water India Ltd. The new name is effective immediately. Alok Kumar Bhadra, Director, Nalco Water India Ltd, explained, “Our new name is a better fit than the former name, NLC Nalco India Ltd, since the majority of our sustainability programmes for industry touch water in some form or the other. While our company name is changing, all core elements of the organisation will remain the same.”
Targeting to become a billion-dollar company in India by 2015, AkzoNobel strategically announced a multi-business facility to be developed in Madhya Pradesh, and also forayed into the business of wood coatings in India. One of the leading names in the paints and coatings industry worldwide, this move by the company is expected to further strengthen its leadership in the woodcare segment. The new wood coatings range will be launched as part of the Dulux brand portfolio in India. Foraying into the wood coatings business is a big move for AkzoNobel India and will catapult it into the big league in the coatings market in India. AkzoNobel plans to invest heavily in the wood coatings business by setting up manufacturing facilities, training centres and building up an aggressive presence in the market. The company will bring its global best-sellers in wood coatings to India, in a phased manner, to offer a distinct woodcare range in the country. According to Hans Wijers, CEO & Chairman of the Board of Management, and Executive Committee of AkzoNobel, said, “India is one of the key high-growth markets for us globally, and we are excited about the rapid growth in the region. I am satisfied to see the increased growth momentum of our combined business in the country. On this visit, I am also happy to announce an investment of ` 2,000 million for a multi-business manufacturing site in Madhya Pradesh.”
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Chemical World | December 2011
Mahua Roy
NEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSIS
APPLICATION CENTRE
SPECIALT Y CHEMICALS
WACKER expands technical centre in Mumbai
Product testing at the technical centre in Mumbai
WACKER, the Munich-based chemical company, has expanded its technical centre at Goregaon, a suburb of Mumbai. The centre will now also include laboratories, applications technology and test equipment for polymer dispersions for coatings & paints applications. These dispersions are needed for interior and exterior paints in the coatings industry. The expansion not only enables WACKER to support its Indian customers to develop new and locally adapted formulations, but also encourages the exchange of know-how & promotes
internationally recognised quality standards in India. “The expansion of our technical centre is another milestone in our growth strategy,” said Raman Trikala, Managing Director, Wacker Chemie India. The company therefore continues investing in its Indian technical centre to augment and refine its applications technology and customer service in the region. He added, “Our top-notch equipped technical centre here in India’s economic hub Mumbai sets new standards in service, advice and transfer of expertise, offering our customers & business partners considerable added value.” The expansion was made necessary by India’s strong economic growth, particularly with regard to sophisticated coatings applications. This measure will help WACKER to further bolster its position as the market and technology leader for vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer (VAE) dispersions used as binders for demanding coatings and paint applications.
Clariant eyes new opportunities within Indian chemical industry Clariant is targeting India’s chemical processing community with its glyoxal and glyoxylic acid. These two molecules offer Sunilkumar the smallest possible Deshmukh bifunctional entities from which a wide variety of aliphatic, aromatic molecules and heterocycles can be synthesised. Sunilkumar Deshmukh, Head Detergents & Intermediates Business Unit, India, Clariant, said, “Our products enhance yields for organic synthesis and improve efficiencies & essential requirement for various industry applications. Glyoxylic acid has an extensive pipeline of downstream derivatives. Clariant produces several derivatives of these at industrial or development scale as building blocks for different applications, such as pharmaceutical or agro chemicals.” Avani Jain
PUMP EFFICIENCY
RESEARCH
Grundfos’ energy-efficiency initiative gets user’s green nod
Value-added products from industrial waste by CSMCRI
The energy-efficiency initiative of Grundfos, Meet the Energy Challenge NOW (MTECN) portal, is reportedly generating good response from the users from across the world, according to the company official. “MTECN was launched in 2010 and has been well-received around the globe since then. The main benefit is that MTECN explains the pump energy saving message both to technical professionals and to common laymen by strongly conveying the effect of ‘pumping systems’ on the global climatic changes that we all encounter now,” said Hanne Jorgensen, Project Manager, Grundfos. He added, “The end-users will find inspiration from the ideas shared in this portal and they can initiate significant energy-saving projects in their companies, and thus save money and reduce CO2 emissions as well.”
Bhavnagar-based Central Salt & Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI) has standardised few processes to convert hazardous effluents, discharged from the dyemanufacturing units into value-added products (VAP), which could have multiple applications. M R Gandhi, Chief Scientist, CSMCRI, stated, “There are many kinds of waste generated by the chemical industry, which needs to be disposed properly. The Indian dye manufacturers produce organic dyes and export to other countries, since the production of that is banned in those countries. These dye manufacturing units discharge tonnes of liquid waste, which is hazardous for the environment. Thus, if the waste is treated properly, it could significantly reduce pollution due to dye industry.”
These value-added products find applications in fertiliser, plastic and detergent manufacturing industry. “We have standardised a few processes to convert effluents discharged by dye manufacturing units like ammonium carbonate, dilute sulphuric acid and ammonium chloride through waste streams into VAP,” noted Gandhi. Through these processes, by-products of dye units can successfully be converted into VAP such as synthetic hydro talcite, zeolite A and ammonium sulphate with zero effluent discharge. Of the hazardous wastes, the technology for deriving one of the products from both ammonium carbonate and aluminium chloride waste – synthetic hydro talcite – has been licensed by the institute to Heubach Colour Pvt Ltd. Avani Jain
December 2011 | Chemical World
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NEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSIS
EPC
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
Uhde India successfully completes phosphatic fertiliser plants in Morocco
BASF displays solutions for pharma industry at CPhI
Uhde India has successfully completed the Engineering Services for the mono ammonium phosphate (MAP)/ di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and triple super phosphate (TSP)/MAP for Incro SA of Spain, the main contractor to Bunge Maroc Phosphore, whose fertiliser complex has just been completed in Morocco. The project uses Incro’s granulation process for the TSP plant and pipe reactor technology for the DAP plant. Uhde India’s scope included basic engineering for the offsites & utilities, detailed engineering for the offsites, utilities & the process plants, technical procurement services, inspection & expediting and supervision services for construction/commissioning.
BASF presented a wide range of solutions the entire lifecycle of products in the for the pharmaceutical industry at the pharmaceutical industry,” he added. Convention on Pharmaceutical Ingredients Besides, BASF, as part of its Sustainable and Intermediates (CPhI), Mumbai. Development Programme, partnered With an expanded array of products for with Goethe-Zentrum Trivandrum to pharmaceutical industry customers, BASF conduct an inter-school essay competition exhibited products and services to commemorate the including APIs, excipients, International Year of custom synthesis, building Chemistry 2011 and blocks, solvents, reagents, celebrate the German Year protective groups, catalysts and in India. The initiative that inorganic specialties. “BASF aimed at evoking interest in has partnered with the Indian chemistry among the youth pharmaceutical industry for witnessed participation from decades with its innovative over 150 students, studying products and solutions,” said in Class IX from over 30 Prasad Chandran Prasad Chandran, Chairman public and private schools in BASF Companies in India and Head Thiruvananthapuram. South Asia. “BASF strives to inspire creative The Indian pharmaceutical industry thinking among children by introducing is currently valued at $ 23 billion and is various initiatives that promote the projected to reach $ 40 billion by 2015. concept of sustainable development,” “With our high expertise, we support said Chandran.
GREEN PROCESS
LUBRICANTS
LanzaTech eyes waste-to-ethanol market in India
ExxonMobil introduces upgraded line-up of synthetic circulating oils
The New Zealand-based LanzaTech is planning to explore Indian market for its novel gas-liquid fermentation process that produces fuels and chemicals from gas resources. As a part of this strategy, it recently licensed its technology to Mumbai-based Concord Enviro Systems (India) Pvt Ltd (CES) to enable the production of both power and fuels from municipal solid waste (MSW) syngas. To accelerate the deployment of this technology, the company is planning to set up initial demonstration plant for MSW to ethanol production. “We anticipate the LanzaTech Prabhakar Nair process unit to be ready for deployment in 2012. CES is looking to deploy similar units across a variety of locations. The end-users for ethanol would be the transport fuel marketing companies that will use ethanol to blend into the gasoline pool,” said Prabhakar Nair, Head - Business Development Asia, LanzaTech. Speaking about the sustainability of this project, he said, “As large consumers of fuel and food stocks, the chemical industry is responsible to ensure the continuity of resources in the future. Understanding the ‘green aspirations’ of the nation, this project is going to be a sustainable one as MSW-based ethanol will have a significantly lower carbon footprint relative to conventional gasoline.” Though LanzaTech’s process can be used to produce a variety of fuels and chemicals, the focus of the immediate project is for ethanol production. The company is also exploring collaborative opportunities with other companies. Nair stated, “LanzaTech, Indian Oil & Jindal Steel and Power Ltd are exploring the application of LanzaTech’s technology to process waste gases from Jindal steel mill to produce ethanol on a commercial scale. The fuel ethanol produced by the Rakesh Rao plant would be blended into Indian Oil’s gasoline pool.” 12
Chemical World | December 2011
ExxonMobil Lubricants and Petroleum Specialties Company, a division of Exxon Mobil Corporation, recently announced the launch of its next generation of Mobil SHC 600 Series lubricants, a family of high-performance synthetic circulating oils that are formulated to deliver long-lasting protection for equipment operating in extreme conditions. According to the company, this lubricant is recommended for use in 1,800 applications by more than 500 major equipment builders. Also, Mobil SHC 600 Series lubricants exhibited energy savings of up to 3.6 per cent compared with conventional oils. Based on these results, Mobil SHC 600 Series oils have earned ExxonMobil’s official designation for ‘energy-efficient’ industrial lubricants and will feature the company’s proprietary ‘energy efficiency’ logo on packaging.
NEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSIS
PPMAI BUSINESS MEET
ICC organises ‘Indo-German Business Talk’ Indian Chemical Council (ICC) recently organised an industry meet ‘Indo-German Business Talk’ in association with NRW. INVEST GmbH in Mumbai. NRW. INVEST GmbH is the economic development agency of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). Golak Misra, Chief Representative, India calling: Delegation of NRW.INVEST GmbH in Mumbai NRW.INVEST in India introduced the speakers from Germany who participated in this strategic event. They included Astrid Becker, Head of Asia Division, NRW.INVEST GmbH; Dr Manfred Kircher, Chairman, CLIB2021 Cluster Industrial Bio-technology, Duesseldorf; Dr Achim Marx, CLIB2021, Consultant Bio-Economy, delegated by Evonik Industries AG, Essen; Pierre Kramer, Head Location Development, Chemical Park Knapsack, Cologne; and Dr Stephan Ulrich, Attorney of Law, Simmons & Simmons, Duesseldorf. Besides an outline of NRW, the leading chemical region in Germany, other informative presentations included capturing the potential of innovation in industrial biotechnology, commercialisation of new value chains in bio-economy, integration of renewable resources into an existing integrated production site at chemical park Knapsack and legal aspects of joint ventures and mergers & Manas R Bastia acquisitions in Germany.
Vinayak Pai elected to PPMAI board Vinayak Pai, Director – Operations, Aker Powergas Pvt Ltd, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Process Plant and Machinery Association of India (PPMAI) for the period 2011-13. PPMAI, established on March 31, 1964, is an association of companies that provide systems, equipment and services for establishing process plants. It has more than 200 active members from the industry. Pai has had a long and distinguished career in the engineering service industry. An electrical engineer, he has had advanced management training both at IIT Mumbai and the Symbiosis School Pune. Pai, who has over two decades of experience in this industry, was recently elevated to the core directorial team of Powergas.
COLLABORATION
ANALY TICAL CHEMISTRY
Dow Chemical and Saudi Aramco form petrochemical JV
Cole-Parmer launches miniature NMR spectrometer
Officials of Saudi Aramco and Dow signing the agreement for Sadara
The Dow Chemical Company and Saudi Arabian Oil Company – Saudi Aramco – have announced the official formation of Sadara Chemical Company (Sadara), a joint venture between the two companies. Sadara will produce a wide range of performance products such as polyurethanes (isocyanates, polyether polyols), propylene glycol, elastomers, polyethylene, glycol ethers and amines. The project offers advantages for Dow, with world-scale operations supported by strong back-integration to Aramco’s extensive integrated hydrocarbon infrastructure. 14
Chemical World | December 2011
Cole-Parmer announced the launch of a revolutionary benchtop NMR spectrometer and conducted workshops across the country. The 45-MHz picoSpin spectrometer resolves proton chemical shifts with a resolution of 100 ppb using a small sample volume of less than 20 microlitre. In order to promote awareness of this technology, Cole-Parmer also conducted workshops for the industry and research institutes in Mumbai, New Delhi & Chennai. The company also had a unique opportunity to associate with one of the renowned institutes in Bengaluru: the Oxford College of Science. The presentation and demonstration was given by global expert and eminent speaker Dean Antic, Chief Chemist and Director of Marketing, picoSpin, who has profound knowledge in the field of spectrometry. More than 450 attendees across the country witnessed the world’s first miniature NMR in action that included scientists,
Antic giving demonstration to the audience
researchers, scholars, project/technical/ QA managers, and professors. Academia today relies primarily on paper NMR spectra data for teaching, but now with easy access to an affordable and benchtop NMR, students can get real-time experience in their curriculum. Antic said, “The picoSpin spectrometer was wellreceived in its first-ever workshop in India. The enthusiasm and interest in a cost-effective alternative to high-field NMR instrumentation is evidenced in the number of participants attending this workshop series.”
NEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSIS
OIL TECHNOLOGY
ACADEMIA COLLABORATION
ISDC held in Mumbai
University of Aberdeen inks pact with India’s petroleum institute
The 3 rd ISDC (International Conference and Exposition on Soaps, Detergents and Cosmetics) conference and exposition was held recently at Nehru Centre, Mumbai. The event was organised jointly by the Indian Home & Personal Care Industry Association (IHPCIA) and The Oil Technologists’ Association of India, Western Zone (OTAIWZ), with the active support of CHEMEXCIL (Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics Export Promotion Council) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. The theme of the conference was ‘Dynamics of Change’ and discussed issues related to sustainability, markets, innovations and industry issues.
L-R: Prof S R Das; Michael Russell, Scotland’s Education Secretary; and Prof Dominic Houlihan
The UK-based University of Aberdeen is looking for a long-term collaboration with the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun, with which it has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for teaching and research in energy studies. The oil & gas sector will be intrinsic to the partnership agreement between UPES and the
University of Aberdeen. “UPES is Asia’s first energy and core sector university that offers over 40 specialised graduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses in oil & gas, power, infrastructure, aerospace, aviation, automotive, port & shipping, logistics & supply chain, etc. However, oil & gas forms the core of UPES expertise and, given that the University of Aberdeen is in the oil & gas ‘capital’ of Europe, the sector is at the heart of our partnership,” said Prof Dominic Houlihan, Vice Principal – Internationalisation, the University of Aberdeen. Prof S R Das, Head - International Operations, UPES, added, “Given our niche curriculum and the University of Aberdeen’s strength in energy programmes, we foresee a beneficial exchange of students, research initiatives and joint degree programmes.”
MERGER & ACQUISITION
RECOGNITION
LANXESS acquires US biocide specialist Verichem
Huntsman bags top prize at IChemE Awards
LANXESS is strengthening its portfolio of biocides with the acquisition of Verichem Inc based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a result, the German specialty chemicals company will significantly bolster its position in the US material protection market and broaden its global biocide manufacturing network. LANXESS will gain access to a complementary L-R: Randy Dearth, CEO, LANXESS Corp; portfolio of biocides, as well V James Gregory, President, Verichem; Theodore as active ingredients registered W Zierden, Jr, VP, Verichem; and Torsten Derr, with the US Environmental Head of LANXESS Business Unit - Material Protection Products Protection Agency (EPA). They are used to protect coatings, adhesives, construction materials, as well as pulp & paper. The biocides prevent the deterioration and discolouring of materials caused by micro-organisms. Verichem’s production site is located close to LANXESS’ US headquarters in Pittsburgh. “This transaction underlines the company’s position as a key supplier of high-tech solutions for the megatrend urbanisation. In addition, this is the second acquisition we have made in the US within few weeks, thus strengthening our commitment to the North American market,” said Rainier van Roessel, Member, Board of Management, LANXESS. 16
Chemical World | December 2011
In an award ceremony organised by IChemE 2011, Huntsman Pigments won the top prize for its revamped site in Calais, France. Huntsman was awarded the ‘Outstanding achievement in chemical and process engineering’ award (sponsored by BP) after turning a site threatened with closure into a thriving new revenue stream. In 2008, the future of Huntsman’s Calais site looked gloomy, being difficult and expensive to run. However, by turning waste filter salts into sustainable fertilisers and securing new markets, Huntsman now has plans to build a new £ 25 million fertiliser plant on the site. Further, Sellafield Ltd won the ‘Health and safety’ award and the ‘Core chemical engineering’ award, the latter with Leeds University and BHR Group Ltd. Costain’s Robert Smyth and Steve Jackson bagged the ‘Young chemical engineer of the year’ award and ‘Innovator of the year’ award respectively. The University of Manchester won the ‘Bioprocessing’ award for discovering a new process to turn waste substance glycerol into succinic acid; University College London won the ‘Education and training’ award for its modular bioprocessing training programme; and the University of Surrey clinched the ‘Water management and supply’ award for its Manipulated Osmosis Desalination (MOD) process.
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Grundfos’ remote management tool to track pump operations and health In wastewater and water supply operations, the maintenance teams regularly face challenges like shortage of skilled manpower, lack of accurate performance data of the installed pumps, details of maintenance schedules, etc. Further, for organisations that have facilities spread all over the country or world, the pump installations are also spread out and onsite inspection is expensive as well as not quite feasible. Keeping these challenges in view, Grundfos has introduced a comprehensive remote management tool that can monitor and control tasks from a PC anywhere, anytime. Grundfos Remote Management has been fully developed – including the software platform – within the company. This reduces interface issues and also means that each component is developed with pump installations in mind. Grundfos also hosts and services the system in its own corporate hosting centre, which saves customers the cost of hosting, servicing and maintaining both software & hardware. Utility managers only need internet access, a standard browser and a password to monitor & manage their pump installations. The first impression users get is the unique overview of all the pump installations in their network. It is a good measurement and verification system for all pumping systems. If there is a problem with any pump, it will be visible on the screen with the location and the problem highlighted. Besides, changes in pump performance can be tracked using trend graphs automatically generated by the system. This can give an indication of wear or damage in the installation. Service and maintenance can be planned based on the actual condition of the installation components rather than ‘time since last service’.
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Chemical World | December 2011
Electromagnetic flowmeter with ethernet/IP connectivity Endress+Hauser has introduced the Promag 53 electromagnetic flowmeter with ethernet/IP connectivity for easy integration with the Rockwell Automation PlantPAx process automation system. The Promag 53 flowmeter measures electrically conductive liquids (> 5 μS/cm) and is ideally suited for applications in food & beverage, water & wastewater, and other process industries. It features an integrated web server that allows authorised users to remotely view flow data, conduct diagnostics, configure the flowmeter or perform process optimisation. Data can also be securely accessed by higher-level software such as ERP systems, process historians, control loop tuning programs, and asset management systems. By using ethernet/IP, up to 10 variables can be configured, including volume flow, calculated mass flow and totalised flow for remote access. “The Promag 53 flowmeter is engineered to integrate seamlessly with the PlantPAx process automation system via a downloadable Level 3 add-on profile. The integration is as simple as using a USB stick; and due to its plug-and-play nature, the integration can be copied & pasted so that the initial work is done only once,” said Jerry Stevens, Manager, Flow Product, Endress+Hauser. The new flowmeter improves the ability to monitor overall performance, troubleshoot out-of-margin conditions and minimise downtime.
Rockwell offers online and mobile application energy-saving calculators A new tool from Rockwell Automation conveniently allows manufacturers to use mobile devices or computers to calculate potential savings derived from variable frequency drives to power pumps and fans. Manufacturers can use the online energy savings calculator or download the free mobile application to their iPad, iPhone, and Blackberry or Android systems. With this new tool, users can compare conventional methods, such as valves for pump control and dampers for fan control, to variable frequency drives & see estimated cost savings of installing an Allen-Bradley PowerFlex drive. The tool offers two ways to calculate energy consumption. Users can enter the minimum pump or flow percentages, annual operating hours, cost per kilowatt and other information about their own factory, or use the sample data provided by Rockwell Automation built into the tool. “We are committed to providing a comprehensive approach to meeting companies’ sustainability objectives to reduce energy waste. That is why we have designed these simple, online and mobile calculators. Now manufacturers can quickly and easily plug in information about their own systems to discover energy-saving opportunities, which is often the first step in pursuing them,” said Doug Weber, Business Development Manager, Rockwell Automation. The tool is part of the Rockwell Automation Intelligent Motor Control portfolio, which helps manufacturers easily access and control their motor assets.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
TECHNOLOGY OFFERED As part of our endeavour to spread the technology culture, this section provides a means to promote and facilitate exchange of select technologies. We strive to bring together suppliers of such technologies with suitable users for negotiations and industrial collaboration. Sodium hydrosulfite An Iranian company is willing to manufacture sodium hydrosulfite using chemical compounds. It is widely used as a stripping agent in dyes and chemical industry. Areas of application Chemical industry Forms of transfer Technology licensing
Sodium sulfide An Iranian firm is willing to offer sodium sulfide, which is used mainly in textile industry, paper mill and curriery. Areas of application Leather industry, textiles, curriery industries, paper mills, etc
Forms of transfer Turnkey
Synthesis routes for organic chemicals An Indian firm is offering consultancy in design of synthesis routes for organic chemicals. Areas of application Pharma industry, speciality chemicals, plant protection chemicals, etc Forms of transfer Consultancy
Transformer oil unit An Indian company is willing to offer consultancy for making a transformer oil unit with domestic coal from its wastes.
Area of application Transformers Forms of transfer Consultancy, technical services
Wasteless processing techniques An Indian company is willing to offer consultancy for waste-less processing techniques for the chemical & packaging industries. Area of Application Packaging industry, transformer oil manufacturing industry, chlor alkali projects Forms of transfer Consultancy, technical services
TECHNOLOGY REQUESTED Small-scale environment-friendly chemical technology An Indian company is looking out for an economically viable smallscale environment-friendly chemical technology useful in the textile sector as well as in pharmaceutical sector. Area of application Textile and pharmaceutical industry Forms of transfer Others
Solvent dyes An Indian company has recently installed a manufacturing capacity of 2,400 mtpa and is looking to diversify its product range
by including various solvent dyes in its product portfolio. The company is seeking process consultancy for this project. Areas of application Plastics, petroleum, solvents, etc Forms of transfer Others
Sodium silicate and activated carbon A company from Thailand requires technology for manufacturing sodium silicate and activated carbon from rice husk & rice husk ash. Areas of application Manufacturing and construction industry
Forms of transfer Others
Treatment of pollutants discharged during PTA production A Chinese organisation is looking for a recycling and pollution-free treatment technology to tackle the wastewater, exhaust gas, waste slag and noises generated in PTA production, thereby shifting from reduction of pollutant discharge to zero-discharge. Areas of application Chemical industry Forms of transfer Consultancy, technical services, etc
Information courtesy: Dr Krishnan S Raghavan, In-Charge, Technology Transfer Services Group, United Nations - Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), APCTT Building , C-2, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi 110 016, Tel: 011 - 2696 6509, Fax: 011 - 2685 6274, Email: krishnan@apctt.org, Website: www.apctt.org For more information on technology offers and requests, please log on to www.technology4sme.net and register with your contact details. This is a free of cost platform provided by APCTT for facilitating interaction between buyers and seekers of technologies across the globe. After submitting technology offer or request to this website, you are requested to wait for at least two weeks for receiving a response from a prospective buyer / seeker through this website, before contacting APCTT for further assistance.
Share Your Technology Propositions The mission of Chemical World is to spread the technology culture. We offer you an opportunity to participate in this endeavour by publishing the best technology ideas. Technology developers/sellers are invited to furnish the techno-commercial details (with environmental benefits, if any) for publication in the Technology Transfer column of Chemical World. R&D organisations, technical consultancy organisations and individuals assisting small and medium enterprises may send the relevant literature, indicating the scope & services and the areas of specification. Contact: Chemical World, Infomedia 18 Ltd, ‘A’ Wing, Ruby House, J K Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai 400 028. Tel: 022-3024 5000, 3003 4672, Fax: 022-3003 4499, Email: chemedit@infomedia18.in
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IN CONVERSATION WITH Paul Sanders
“Because of the Montreal Protocol, the Indian industry has to make a choice in the next two years” …says Paul Sanders, Managing Director (Europe, Middle East, Africa and India), Honeywell Fluorine Products. In conversation with Mahua Roy, he lucidly explains the transformation that can be brought about in the automobile and appliance industry in India once the Montreal Protocol sets in. Can you give a gist of the product portfolio of Honeywell Fluorine Products? The first blowing agents were invented in the 1940s, and Honeywell has been at the forefront of every major improvement in blowing agent technology since then. Products developed by the company offer up to 10-12 per cent better performance than conventional cyclopentane; 2 per cent better than HFC-245fa (unoptimised). We expect even more as formulations become more finetuned. These products offer better energy-efficiency performance at low temperatures, and are thus a near drop-in replacement for liquid hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), hydrocarbons and other non-fluorocarbon blowing agents. Besides, it does not require costly hydrocarbon storage and handling or risk mitigation equipment.
How has been the journey of the company, keeping in line with environmental guidelines across the world? Honeywell has been driving innovation in the development of non-ozone depleting fluorocarbon blowing agents for several decades. In the 90s, Honeywell introduced HCFC-141b to replace CFC-11 and CFC-13. While conversion to HCFC-141b reduced the ozone depletion potential (ODP) of the blowing agent by 90 per cent; the Montreal Protocol subsequently called for the phaseout of HCFCs. During the 2000 period, as HCFC-141b was being phased out in the US, Europe and Japan, Honeywell commercialised HFC-245fa. HFC materials satisfied the requirements of ODP regulations while retaining the high performance and non-flammability requirements of many insulating foam applications. Honeywell is now leading the development of a fourthgeneration fluorocarbon technology, which is driven by regulation relating to climate change. In our quest to develop
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these fourth generation materials, our goal was to retain all the positive attributes of the HFCs: highly energy-efficient performance, non-flammability, and ease of conversion. These properties continue to differentiate fluorocarbon blowing agents as the best choice for high performance rigid foam insulation applications and for those uses where a flammable blowing agent (such as hydrocarbons) is unsafe, too costly to use, or fails to provide the desired foam performance. More importantly, the fourth generation materials have been formulated to have a significantly lower GWP, as low as 7.
How is India going to be affected by the Montreal Protocol? India, as a part of Article V countries of Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer, is working towards the phasing out of HCFC-141b and R22 from 2013 onwards. The transition from HCFCs to environment-friendly alternatives is of particular significance since the country aims to not only phase out ozone depleting HCFCs, but also significantly improve the energy-efficiency of domestic appliances over the next two to three years. Appliance manufacturers can meet the Montreal Protocol regulations demanding a phase-out of HCFCs by using Honeywell’s Enovate® blowing agent, a HFC also known as 245fa blowing agent. This product can be adopted as a near drop-in replacement for HCFC-141b. It is non-ozone depleting,
Paul Sanders
allowing manufacturers to meet the phaseout plan for India. It provides efficiencies similar to HCFC-141b blowing agent. It is non-toxic, non-corrosive, nonflammable and offers 8–10 per cent more energy-efficiency than any other hydrocarbon blowing agent. Converting to Enovate 245fa incurs no significant cost or changes to the existing HCFC-141b or hydrocarbon-based foaming equipment set-up.
can replace, including HCFC-141b (with a GWP of 725), HFC-365mfc (having a GWP of 794) and HFC-245fa (having a GWP of 1,030). Because Solstice liquid blowing agent is non-flammable, it does not require expensive explosion-proof equipment and handling, unlike hydrocarbon alternatives. It is also a near drop-in replacement for today’s most commonly used blowing agents. This further saves costs.
Honeywell recently launched the 4th generation - Solstice range of liquid blowing agents in India. What is the change you expect to bring about?
Which end-user industries in India are going to benefit?
Solstice liquid blowing agent can be used in a variety of insulation applications including spray-foam, foam insulating panels and refrigerator insulation. Use of the new material can make refrigerators up to 10 to 12 per cent more energyefficient than those insulated by hydrocarbon-blown foam. Because of these energy-efficiency benefits, if fully adopted globally, Solstice liquid blowing agent could save approximately 60 million metric tonne per year of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is comparable to eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from more than 11.8 million cars every year. This product excels in the four dimensions that are most important to blowing agent users: energy-efficiency performance, environmental impact, safety in use, and cost-effectiveness. This way we aim to help customers around the world to lower their carbon footprint while maximising end-product performance. Solstice liquid blowing agent has an extremely short atmospheric lifetime of approximately 26 days. This gives the product its superior properties – it has an ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) of less than 7 and has no impact on ozone layer depletion. Besides, once released in the atmosphere, it breaks down into constituents; they too have almost zero effect on global warming. Solstice liquid blowing agent’s GWP is more than 99 per cent improvement over the previous Honeywell products it
Obviously, the automobile industry, appliance industry (ACs, refrigerators), cold chain, chillers etc are going to benefit in a positive manner. In a developing economy like India, where purchasing power is increasing, there is a lot of growth expected in these industries, as a result, we consider India as an important market. The automobile industry is of special importance. We are seeing a lot of investments in this industry and a large amount of exports to the EU nations is being witnessed. Recently, EU has come up with a new MAC directive for car ACs (mobile air conditioners). Our latest range of refrigerants is best placed to serve this new directive. In order to comply with these EU norms, we expect Indian car manufacturers will react positively to this product. We are also mulling over tie-ups with Indian car manufacturers to promote our range of refrigerants.
How has your experience been in dealing with the Indian market? I can say that around 5-10 years ago, the Indian market was definitely driven by price. However, today we are engaged in much rational discussions with the Indian industry players. They are quite willing and forthcoming to use energyefficient products. Going forward, we plan to bring about an all-inclusive awareness plan to educate every stakeholder about the climate changes and how to deal with those using the Honeywell advantage. Right from appliance makers, panel makers who make insulating panels, skin
What was your first priority after joining Honeywell? Get a strategic market plan in place, study customer feedback with utmost priority
One business etiquette you are known for Always make time for my reportees, always being connected to them
One thing that motivates you Developing people and then seeing them become successful
Your most favourite motivational book Who Moved My Cheese; it explains how to deal with change manufacturers involved in semi-hard plastic manufacturing for the car industry, to insulating foams for cold chain, as well as the various concerned ministries, we need to make everybody aware. Because of the Montreal Protocol, the Indian industry has to make a choice in the next two years. The challenge will remain to help the industry make an informed choice, as there are too many parameters to consider while choosing an alternative to HCFCs.
What can you say about the approach needed to develop energy-efficient end-products? I would say that a 360° holistic approach is needed on this front. Let me give you an example, suppose we develop a refrigerant having very low GWP, but to run the appliance in which it is installed, twice as much energy is required. Thus, in the end, one is anyway adding to more CO2 emissions. Therefore, solutions have to be devised keeping cost and energy-efficiency in mind. In India, we see that most launches of ACs and refrigerators are happening on the energy-efficiency positioning. This means that the end-consumer is also becoming aware. This is a big driver for us. Email: mahua.roy@infomedia18.in
December 2011 | Chemical World
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SPECIAL FOCUS
WASTEWATER AND EFFLUENT TREATMENT WASTEWATER TREATMENT Riding on the recycling wave .............................................26 EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT New-age technologies to the rescue ..................................28 INTERFACE Sachin Kukade “Base chemicals offer the biggest opportunity for water treatment” .......................................32 ROUNDTABLE Is industry doing enough for water management? ............36
December 2011 | Chemical World
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SPECIAL FOCUS Wastewater treatment
If current trends are any indication, then wastewater treatment market in India is poised for phenomenal growth in the years to come. However, for the chemical industry, the task is fraught with many challenges because the nature of effluents it releases is complex, which calls for specialisation and customised services.
Prasenjit Chakraborty
T
he wastewater treatment industry in India is welldiversified and has made rapid strides in technological capabilities both on its own and through strategic partnerships with foreign firms, especially from Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the UK. The size and increasing sophistication of the environmental market have attracted foreign companies to foray into India. Instead of selling directly to end-users, such foreign companies have been entering into tie-ups with local intermediaries. Such 26
Chemical World | December 2011
collaboration enables Indian firms to offer integrated solutions in water treatment – from feasibility studies, design/technical consultancy to operational and on-line maintenance services etc. “With the robust performance of Indian economy, the status of wastewater treatment market is also growing at a relatively high pace. The annual growth rate of the sector is nearly 10-12 per cent. This is because population explosion and rapid urbanisation have resulted in increased water scarcity that demands as many possible ways for recycling water,� says Dr G Arthanareeswaran, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical
Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli. Currently, the Indian wastewater treatment market is highly fragmented. According to the forecast by India Infrastructure Research, the water and wastewater treatment market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 38 per cent over the next five years.
Evolving market dynamics According to Dr Arthanareeswaran, there is limited research on contaminated and treated water & on ways to minimise wastewater by non-conventional suppression processes. Here lies the opportunity for technology
Wastewater treatment
and equipment providers. Taking due note, numerous water treatment equipment manufacturers are coming to India to improve the treatment technology sector. “The effluent standards can be improved, if there will be an appropriate treatment method and its management. Hence, current wastewater treatment market is focussing greatly on these aspects by making higher investments, which ultimately offer benefits by way of higher revenues,” he points out. Wastewater has a number of alternative uses, and each alternative is associated with a set of costs right from the point of treatment to the point of use. Accordingly, wastewater recycling can satisfy more than one objective that include reducing the discharge of nutrients to natural water bodies, saving/substituting potable water, bringing in more land under cultivation, saving water for environmental purposes and so on. Industries find it more economical (lower unit cost) to reuse their treated and recycled effluent when compared to usage of raw water or municipal water. Treated wastewater has been able to lower the demand-supply gap in many countries globally. “The major advantage of recycling wastewater is the low volume variation annually, which provides a greater visibility to industries on their water requirement. Adoption of advanced technologies such as membrane filtration and concentrationincineration have resulted in
90 per cent recycling of wastewater,” points out P S Easwaran, Senior Director, Deloitte, India. According to him, the developed economies have stringent environmental guidelines and India is yet to formulate a similar set of key criteria for reuse of recycled wastewater. “Green chemistry tools are increasingly being used in the process industry. One such powerful tool is ‘recycle at source’. Here the recycling is done at the actual process level and not at the end of the treatment. As a result, no additional waste is generated and the same effluent can be used instead of fresh reactants several times. The major advantage of the
tool is it reduces the effluent load to the water bodies,” he says.
Complexities involved As far as recycling of water is concerned, dynamics are different for various industries. For instance, biological oxygen demand (BOD), carbon oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids and numerous impurities from washing stages are the major pollutants in wastewater from the chemical industry. Heavy metals such as copper, zinc, cadmium, ammonia, acids, salts, chemicals and solvents are the major effluent constituents. “Complexity within the chemical industry is the major challenge for wastewater treatment,” opines Ganesh Chandrashekar, Manager, Deloitte, India. Here, the nature of effluent treatment requirement is dependent
WATERNOMICS R Water and wastewater treatment market is estimated to grow at 38 per cent in the next few years R Complexity in treating wastewater within the chemical industry is the major challenge R Wastewater recycling reduces demand-supply gap
on the type of chemical produced. The manufacturing process too determines the extent of quality control required, ranging from minimal to a fully integrated system to address the contaminant, impurities concentration. “The nature of load, be it hydraulic, organic or inorganic, toxicity, temperature and pH, vary widely within the industry. This requires specialisation and customised service offerings,” points out Chandrashekar. The chemical industry is faced with the continual challenge of meeting strict discharge limits while keeping the overall operating costs down. The variation of chemical waste streams from plant to plant only adds to the difficulty of implementing sound water treatment and reuse strategies. Implementing the suitable design remains a big challenge for chemical industry as its effluent treatment plant
necessitates multiple systems in terms of both chemical and biological treatment. “Maintenance and cost are the two issues that have to be stabilised in case of complex treatment systems. High organic loading, fouling smell, high concentrations of suspended organic solids are the characteristics of effluents discharged from the chemical industry. Bringing down all such parameters to the accepted level as per the regulatory board always remains the challenge for chemical industries,” explains Dr Arthanareeswaran. Construction, operation and maintenance costs for wastewater treatment systems with a capacity of 0.1 to 1 million gallons are high. “Most of the expensive methods are implemented in the US. Nevertheless, the relative cost treatment with modern technologies is likely to be applicable to all countries,” he adds.
Bioreactor aiding flexibility Membrane technology has become crucial in modern industry. Particularly, membrane bioreactor is a boon to the environmental research as it contributes a major share in wastewater treatment and reuse. This technology is adopted widely for many reasons. The foremost is that the inoperative effluent treatment plants can easily be retrofitted by this emerging system with less footprint, ie with comparatively lesser space. High efficiency and low maintenance are its merits. “The flexibility in design of the membrane modules offers higher interest among industries to upgrade the treatment plant with the membrane bioreactor filtration. The system involving membrane modules, its aggregates and the aerobic/anaerobic biological treatment, all together contributes to the increased importance of membrane bioreactors,” says Dr Arthanareeswaran. As far as India is concerned, recycling of wastewater is still at a nascent stage. But, strict environment norms are forcing people to go for it. Interestingly, manufacturing industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals etc are showing interest for sophisticated technologies to execute wastewater treatment with perfection. Email: prasenjit.chakraborty@infomedia18.in
December 2011 | Chemical World
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SPECIAL FOCUS Effluent management
New-age TECHNOLOGIES to the
RESCUE
Increased focus on effluent treatment is instrumental in bringing new technologies to the market. Among them nanofiltration and nano-size based membrane filtration, reverse osmosis membrane technology etc are gaining new grounds today. No wonder, Indian research institutes are also coming forward to offer solutions. Courtesy: LANXESS
Prasenjit Chakraborty
T
he novel technologies applicable for wastewater and effluent treatment deal with improvements for ease of operation, reliability, cost, size, maintainability, and better water quality & analytical methods, among others. There are other technologies such as nano-technology being applied, especially in the areas of disinfection, membrane separation, ion exchange and adsorption methods. There has been constant, intense research on more efficient wastewater treatment technology, mainly due to the increasing demand for recovery of wanted materials and water & their improved quality. Besides, strict regulations for effluent discharge limits are keeping the technology providers on their toes.
Technology progress According to Dr G Arthanareeswaran, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute 28
Chemical World | December 2011
of Technology, Tiruchirapalli, the novel technologies are those that indicate there will be new requirements to monitor and, perhaps, regulate the emerging groups of contaminants, which are not currently regulated (ie, microconstituents that originate from over-the-counter drugs entering wastewater systems). In the near future, the technological advancements are likely to be aligned with the anticipated requirements to improve water quality. With the advancements in materials science, nanotechnology and information technology, it is likely that there will be new developments in the area of membrane filtration, disinfection/oxidation methods, ion exchange resins, adsorption technologies, as well as water management methods utilising information & telecommunication technologies with remote monitoring and control capabilities. “Nanofiltration and nano-size based membrane filtration are among the most developing novel technologies, in terms of both quality and quantity of treating wastewater,” says Dr Arthanareeswaran.
Even though ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis (RO) methods are gaining popularity in wastewater treatment markets for their performance in tertiary treatment, nanofiltration remains midway between the two, as this technology is proven to be efficient in terms of better particle removal and also with lesser operating pressure than RO. With increasing focus on water treatment, the market across the world has witnessed few interesting products. Take the example of LANXESS, which is one of the world’s leading producers of ion exchange resins, adsorbers and functional polymers. Key areas of ion exchange application include the treatment of raw water and condensate for steam generation in power plants, cleaning and rinsing processes in production. “The ion exchange resins are used for special purpose applications also, such as removal of arsenic, fluorides, cyanides from groundwater and deeming it fit for drinking purposes. Ion exchange resins can do much more than extract calcium and magnesium ions from
Effluent management
Among the various treatment technologies available, there has been a discernible shift from the conventional methods towards advanced technologies like reverse osmosis membrane technology and use of ion exchange resins. These technologies are mainly used for recycling processes. Dr Joerg Strassburger
Managing Director and Country Representative, LANXESS India
water – and their prowess is demonstrated in around 600 further applications for some 250 LANXESS products produced by the ION business unit,” says Dr Joerg Strassburger, Managing Director and Country Representative, LANXESS India. Indian research institutes are also offering their expertise in this direction. Take the example of the Chennaibased Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI). In the recent past,
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it has developed Fenton Activated Carbon Catalytic Oxidation (FACCO) technology, which is picking up well in India. FACCO technology employs iron impregnated mesoporous activated carbon. Hydrogen peroxide is applied as the inducer of hydroxyl radical and the production of hydroxyl radical is sustained from molecular oxygen, abstracted from air. This facilitates the oxidation of refractory organics in wastewater at low detention period. FACCO technology has been implemented for the treatment of wastewater discharged from industrial sectors such as leather, textile, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, etc.
Energy-efficient processes As the world is facing energy crisis, there is a demand for energy-efficient treatment technology. “Solar energy utilisation is necessary for such consideration that indeed offers possibility of reusing the essential products at the final stage of wastewater treatment,”points out Dr Arthanareeswaran.
Eco-friendly biotechnology also would be cost-effective clean technology for wastewater treatment. Besides, forward osmosis technology is a remarkable new process that removes difficult waste and pollutants from industrial waste streams. “Furthermore, it is used to concentrate various streams for different purposes (water or product recovery, energy recovery, etc) and there is virtually no energy consumption,” he opines. Forward osmosis technology can be applied to energy recovery out of wastewater, dewatering of sludges, oil & gas exploration, food processing, methane digesters, nuclear wastewater and membrane bioreactor (MBR). “Among the various treatment technologies available, there has been a discernible shift from the conventional methods towards advanced technologies like reverse osmosis membrane technology and use of ion exchange resins. These technologies are mainly used for recycling processes,” concludes Dr Strassburger. Email: prasenjit.chakraborty@infomedia18.in
SPECIAL FOCUS Interface - Sachin Kukade
When it comes to industrial water management practices, do you think awareness and acceptance is enough in India? The growth of the Indian economy is driving increased water usage across sectors. Wastewater is increasing significantly, and in the absence of proper measures for treatment and management, existing freshwater reserves are getting increasingly polluted. Industrial
India needs to recognise the necessity for managing existing water reserves, and so far the initiatives have been too few & too spread out for a country of this size and population. India would benefit greatly from establishing a central regulatory body to co-ordinate water conservation at a national level. Government policy should encourage investment in recycling and treatment of industrial wastewater.
regulations. Of course, there are a few corporate entities falling under the organised segment, which are environment-conscious, and aim for conservation of the fragile environment by selecting cuttingedge technologies. However, we are observing a steady increase in awareness towards environmental degradation and sustainable management of natural resources.
Is the Indian chemical industry cost- or quality-conscious about choosing water management technology?
What is your outlook towards zero liquid discharge (ZLD) in the Indian chemical industry?
Base chemicals offer the biggest opportunity for water treatment …says Sachin Kukade, Vice President (Industrial Solutions) & Divisional Director (Eastern), Aquatech Systems Asia. In conversation with Mahua Roy, he highlights the opportunities for the water management industry and ways to tackle water woes. wastewater discharge is polluting the environment and reducing freshwater reserves. For example, the garment industry in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, was growing faster than anyone thought possible, for several decades. Now, the town is not only running out of fresh water, but many industries are forced to shut down because of non-compliance with waste discharge norms. Large quantities of chemicals in soil and water are contaminating groundwater and impacting its quality. To avoid a possible future catastrophe, 32
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The nature of Indian chemical industry is fragmented, and the number of industries in the unorganised segment is large. The main driver behind water treatment is obligatory regulations f rom statutory authorities, be it Central or state government. So the basic criterion behind selecting water treatment technolog y is a cost-competitive system that satisfies
ZLD technologies are increasingly being investigated as a possible alternative for wastewater management technology to reduce environmental impact. In some regions, pollution concerns are growing at such a level that certain industries are getting shut down until they comply. Although ZLD regulation has begun in certain land-locked regions, more emphasis on this would go a long way in addressing water scarcity problems,
Interface - Sachin Kukade
and also prevent effluents from further polluting fresh water resources.
– only the volume of water treatment varies according to the size of unit.
With many sub-divisions in the chemical industry, wherein lies the biggest opportunity for the water management industry?
Which innovation of Aquatech are you most proud about?
The water treatment needs of the scattered entities in the chemical industry vary according to their geography, disposal limits, availability of fresh water and many other parameters. Base chemicals – a combination of petrochemicals, fertilisers, chlor alkali and organic chemicals – offer the biggest opportunity for water treatment. The main reasons are their largest marketshare in the total chemical industry and the extent of water treatment required for a specialised segment like petrochemicals. However, the potential for water treatment exists in all of the sub-divisions – petrochemicals, dyes, bulk chemicals, specialty chemicals, agrochemicals, etc
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Aquatech has a comprehensive range of innovative technologies, right from pretreatment to wastewater treatment/ wastewater recycling to ZLD in its kitty. Some of them include: R High Efficiency Reverse Osmosis (HEROTM) R Fractional Electro De-ionisation (FEDIR) R Range of Hollow Fibre Ultrafiltration Membranes (Q-SEPR) R Custom Engineered Water Treatment Solutions (WaterTrakTM) R Range of ZLD Technologies R Hybrid ZLD Solutions, and many more All of them are robust technologies and offer sustainable solutions in their specific domains. However, our capability to integrate the best applicable technology
to offer a cutting-edge, sustainable and cost-competitive solution to the customer is what we are most proud of.
How do you see the chemical industry tackling water management, say, 10 years from now? With fresh water becoming scant, there will be a major emphasis on recycle and reuse of wastewater. Many environmentconscious entities are setting the trend with green initiatives and building environmental sustainability into their business practices. As an industry expert, we see recycling & reuse of wastewater becoming an inevitable action not only for the chemical industry but for all those who produce wastewater; and more than 50 per cent of the overall wastewater producing industries will have ZLD status, which presently is less than even 5 per cent. Email: mahua.roy@infomedia18.in
SPECIAL FOCUS Roundtable
Is industry doing enough for water management? Water scarcity has become one of the most pressing environmental problems in the 21st century. Even the process industries have realised this and are adopting novel technologies for process water treatment, wastewater disposal, water recycling and protection. In conversation with industry veterans, Avani Jain finds out whether the steps taken by the chemical industry towards water conservation would suffice or more needs to be done.
Jayesh Ashar Chief Operating Officer, Vinati Organics Ltd
K R Desai CEO, Narmada Clean Tech Ltd
K N K Murthy Safety Consultant
Water is essential for various processes in any chemical manufacturing unit. Thus, it becomes imperative for companies to give importance to supply and management of water. Since the consumption of water in chemical process is high, companies have undertaken various steps for wastewater management. These steps help ensure recycle and reuse to control net water requirement. For instance, a large amount of water is required for producing steam. And once the steam is used in the process, the condensate form, which is essentially hot water, is recycled back to boiler so that the net consumption of water goes down. This also helps in reducing the energy consumption. Similarly, wastewater is treated, filtered and reused in appliances like cooling water make-up. Companies, these days, also invest in effluent treatment plants, which comprise bio-treatment & Reverse Osmosis (RO) techniques, besides chemical treatment, and have the provision to recycle the water and residue back in process.
In the present times, it is necessary for companies to adopt effective water management practices. The industry should employ techniques like water recycling for saving water. Some of the steps taken by the industries include setting up of common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), which help the small-scale industries in water management. After the effluent is treated in the CETP, it is collected at one point through a large effluent collection network. It is further polished up to marine standards & disposed off deep into the sea through 45 km long onshore and 10 km long offshore pipeline, having scientifically designed diffuser to ocean outfall point where dispersion is instantaneous and dilution is tremendous, so as the effect on marine ecology is null. The disposal of treated water deep into the sea helps in keeping the nearby areas free from pollution, and thereby protect the aquatic life.
The chemical companies have adopted various measures for water management. They have set up units for water treatment and recycling at their manufacturing facilities. Slowly and gradually, they are also moving towards the zero discharge concept, ie they are reusing the treated water and not letting it out into the environment. Even the water, which cannot be recycled, is used for gardening and other purposes. Further, the government is also supporting the industries by providing benefits to those who are employing water management technologies at their plants. Although the companies have adopted various technologies for water management, yet they are doing it only because of strict norms set by the government. In fact, they should take steps for water management voluntarily. Further, in future, the companies need to focus on techniques, which consume less water and bring in modern technologies for water management. Overall, their efforts at present are good but there is scope for further improvement.
EDITORIAL TAKE Water recycling and the development of new water-saving systems have become increasingly important against the backdrop of water scarcity faced by the industries. The need of the hour is to adopt better water management techniques. While the chemical industry has already realised the importance of water management and has taken proactive steps in this regard, it is just like a drop in the ocean and more needs to be done on this front.
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Chemical World | December 2011
FACILITY VISIT Omkar Speciality Chemicals Ltd
Prasenjit Chakraborty
specific functions to perform such as heating, cooling, vacuum, air compressors etc. The production in the plant is being done on campaign basis (one item at a time). “We finish manufacturing one product and then proceed to another. The duration of manufacturing varies from product to product. While some take only 24 hours, others require two or even more days,” says S P Modak, Vice President - Operations, OSCL. The production department prepares a monthly plan, and the people involved in operation execute their work accordingly on daily basis,
T
he ability to manufacture iodine and iodine derivatives, which currently is the forte of only nine countries in the world, certainly speaks volumes about OSCL. The plant that manufactures these products was established in 2009 at Badlapur MIDC, Thane, Maharashtra. The ground floor of the plant houses instrumentation laboratory, filtration, drying, milling and packaging departments. There are eight reactors in the plant, of which, six are located on the first floor and remaining two on the second floor. The second floor also houses utility systems like cooling tower, scrubber system, vacuum pumps etc. The reactors are categorised as glass-lined reactor and stainless steel reactors, with their capacities ranging from 1,000 litre to 5,000 litre. The glass-lined reactors are used for special
about the safety aspects like handling, transportation, storage, etc. Generally, the property of chemicals differs, and based on that handling, storage requirements, etc also vary,” points out Modak. It regularly conducts mock drills on fire-
K RT Y A I M L H A C U N Q E D B N E A H T TY G E N F I A T S T E S OR F
ar o f ct s i h hic d str w n , a s tive ation a v i s der ptimi e n o i iod cess t. g n o n uci ent pr egme d o ci pr ss of s effi ical n m ctio oward y che n i t t t l is t e d tmen pecia h t i s s old comm in the h 2 e e nit ly. Th plac u l ) t ity CL loba inen cil S a f up s (O s g em letd’ untrie y an a c L s n ls o nt ica ine c ompa pla t m o e Pil Ch ly in n the c y t fighting and i ial ed on arned c e evacuation. “All Sp actur has e r a our workers have to go f l k u Om man ontro for mandatory health checks ard are ality c bo ups every year. This exercise is p cu qu ed rare and few companies practise it,” th
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applications wherein acidic reactions take place. In addition, every reactor has 38
Chemical World | December 2011
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which depends on lead-time of the batch. Currently, the total capacity of the plant is 15 tonne per month.
Safety first Safety is a priority for OSCL. Whenever it comes out with new product, the production department makes sure that the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is prepared. “Workers involved in the production of new products are apprised
he says. In its endeavour to ensure safety of the workers as well as in surrounding areas, the entire plant is made flame-proof, which prevents the emission of sparks. “All the fixtures installed here are flameproof. Basically, it is a safety measure, as we deal with a plethora of solid flammable solvents and other chemicals. A single spark could lead to disaster,” points out Modak. The products (mostly iodine derivatives) manufactured in the plant go to the pharmaceutical industry, where they are used as intermediates, X-ray contrast media, optical photo conductors, electronics, poultry &
Omkar Speciality Chemicals Ltd
veterinary feeds. “The products, which we make as intermediates, are used in bulk drug formulation,” he adds. Another important feature of the plant is that all services are economically distributed. “For instance, our plant generates tremendous amount of steam;
do manually. Obviously, productivity will go up. Moreover, the person working with this machine is not exposed to the vapour or toxic gases,” he asserts. The plant also has a quality control department, the activities of which comprise collection and preparation of
We have already innovated and developed many molecules & processes. Now, we are targeting to develop cost-effective molecules using stateof-the-art technology, but with due consideration to environment. Pravin Herlekar
Chairman & Managing Director
Vapour phase reactor
however, there is absolutely no wastage. The amount of steam generated is recycled and goes back to the boiler, thus energy is saved. Secondly, we use green fuels, which are economical in running the plant,” he explains. Rise in raw material costs is a serious concern for every specialty chemical manufacturer. Taking due cognisance of the fact, OSCL is optimising the batch size and usage of solvents. “We try to recycle the solvents. There are certain solvents, which are recyclable; so, we save on the cost,” reveals Modak.
Technology advantage In order to address issues like safety, environmental concerns etc, OSCL has installed agitated neutch filter, from Ultra Drytech. This machine offers two advantages – first, it does not emit gas; and second, it functions/operates in a closed system. According to Modak, it will augment productivity by 25 to 30 per cent. “With neutch filter, we have eliminated two steps, which we used to
High-pressure autoclaves
samples, testing of raw materials and other process inputs inspection, testing & quality certification of finished products, preparation of technical information sheet and issue of certificate of analysis. The quality control laboratory is equipped with instruments like High Performance Liquid Chromatographs (HPLC), Gas Chromatographs (GCS), vacuum dryer, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), spectrophotometer, etc. Today, analysis of impurity in products is a trend. In this direction, OSCL has expertise to analyse causes and effects of impurities on the products. The plant has been accredited with ISO 9001:2008 for its quality management systems.
Extensive R&D According to Dr Ravi Moro, Vice President - Technology, OSCL, “The driving force of our organisation and the fulcrum of its growth have its roots in our intrinsically and methodically developed processes, which are totally dedicated to the organisation in terms of revenue and growth.” Recently,
the company has set up a Technology Centre to cater to its manufacturing sites. The centre conforms to all norms and protocols laid across Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and International Council of Health (ICH) guidelines. “Our future course of action tends to be in the syntheses and technology development of certain niche molecules popularly referred to as Protease Inhibitors, and those which are used in the treatment of HIV,” asserts Dr Moro. To expedite the process, OSCL has collaborated with the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and Harvard University, USA. The R&D department strictly adheres to green practices. “We follow the green practices that are currently being adopted in the chemical industry. We have totally eliminated the use of petroleum solvents, and instead are going for green solvents,” says Dr Moro. The customer base of OSCL includes diverse industry segments like pharmaceutical, chemical, glass, cosmetics, ceramic pigments, etc. It also exports its products to countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. “We have already innovated and developed many molecules & processes. Now, we are targeting to develop costeffective molecules using state-of-the-art technology, but with due consideration to environment. We are concerned about environment and will like to focus on processes that are comparatively pollutionfree and hazard-free. We have already developed 425-430 new molecules, which we will be launching one by one soon,” asserts Pravin Herlekar, Chairman & Managing Director, OSCL. Email: prasenjit.chakraborty@infomedia18.in
December 2011 | Chemical World
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INSIGHT & OUTLOOK
FILTRATION AND SEPARATION FILTRATION & SEPARATION Fine-tuning solutions for specialty chemicals ................................42 MEMBRANE FOULING Clean and clear solutions ...............................................................46 CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING Buoyant despite economic downturn .............................................48
December 2011 | Chemical World
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INSIGHT & OUTLOOK Filtration & separation
Mahua Roy
A
ccording to a report by Tata Strategic Management Group, specialty and knowledge chemicals together comprise a $ 27-billion industry in India. And the growth rate of this industry is enormous – as high as 15-17 per cent – clearly outpacing the overall GDP growth rate of the country. This segment of chemicals has unique filtration and separation needs. Membranes, most importantly, find a special place in the techniques adopted by this industry towards filtration & separation.
efficient means of filtration and separation, offer the additional benefits of reduced operating costs over traditional treatment methods, and reduce water & environmental footprints. Chemical industry stakeholders are turning to membrane filtration technologies to concentrate and recover materials from their process streams. Many chemical processing operations require the removal of water to achieve greater product recovery, reduce spent material disposal costs, and increase plant efficiency,” says Francis
operations where evaporation or dewatering is involved to concentrate the process stream. In many applications, dewatering by membrane systems prior to spray drying significantly decreases drying cost and increases plant efficiency,” adds Brady.
Process water quality Process water, as Kreuzer points out, requires that the quality of water used is of highest grade. The purity grade of process water required for the production or dilution of specialty chemicals can vary considerably due to the vast range of fine chemicals available and their production processes. Membrane filtration, which
Special needs On one hand bulk chemicals are mass produced, and on the other, fine chemicals are synthesised in smaller quantities for special uses. Owing to the relatively small volumes manufactured and high degree of purity desired, filtration & separation acquire an imminent place in the fine chemicals segment. As a result, it is evident that cost of production is more in terms of specialty chemicals than that incurred in case of bulk chemicals. Besides, it generates more effluents, which can be tough to treat. Concentration and recovery & reuse are important areas of filtration & separation application for the specialty chemicals industry. Thomas Kreuzer, Vice President – Marketing, inge GmbH (now part of BASF) elaborates, “Membrane technology in the specialty chemicals industry covers three main aspects: Production of process water, subsequently utilised in the manufacturing process or in the dilution of fine chemicals; filtration and separation of the fine chemicals; and treatment of effluents from fine chemicals production processes.”
Purity at its best There are a number of ways to ensure purity of specialty chemicals wherein the filtration & separation techniques will come in very handy. Membrane filtration is a proven technology to achieve higher levels of purity. “Membranes, an extremely 42
Chemical World | December 2011
Filtration & separation techniques are indispensable for fine and specialty chemicals industry, where the highest level of purity is sacrosanct. Customised technologies to suit this industry are being increasingly offered by filtration & separation specialists to aid its growth. Brady, Team Leader - Process Technology, Koch Membrane Systems. Another area of application is of concentration, which is another method of effectively enhancing product purity. Membrane filtration can be used to concentrate spent materials for disposal or recycling. “Membrane filtration is a cost-effective alternative in many
primarily finds application for reuse and purification of water, can be used efficiently in this segment too. Depending on the feed water availability and nature, additional membrane technologies like ultra filtration (UF) or micro-filtration may be incorporated as pretreatment technologies for reverse osmosis (RO). Brady observes, “Reverse osmosis can enable recovery and reuse of water or recover product from certain dilute product streams, thereby improving process yields.”
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Filtration & separation
On configuring in an array system, RO membranes can give an overall concentrate stream flow as low as 10 per cent of the feed supply, equating to an overall system recovery of up to 90 per cent. The salts present in the feed supply can then be concentrated in the rejected stream, which can be treated subsequently. Individual RO membranes have the ability to typically reject 95–98 per cent of the total dissolved solids (TDS) in the feed supply. This significantly reduces the ionic loading received by downstream or consequent processes. Thus, on extrapolating the benefits and applications of RO beyond municipal and industrial wastewater management, fine chemicals prove to be a lucrative area of application.
Customer first! Technology providers design and devise customised applications to suit the minutest of the requirements of the specialty chemical companies. inge
customises solutions for difficult feed water conditions by providing extensive support on the projections (eg system configuration, plant layout and control etc) and also for optimisation of operations (those involving flux rates, backwash cycles etc) of a UF system. Such efforts and flexible applications help garner loyalty & preference treatment by the specialty chemicals companies. Koch Membrane Systems provide separation and recovery for reuse applications towards reduction of costs associated with disposal of spent material. Its ABCOR® ULTRA-COR®, INDUCOR™, and FEG™-PLUS family of tubular membranes, and the ROMICON® series of hollow fibre membrane products are customised for in-process membrane separation applications, including the treatment of streams for concentration and/or recovery suiting all sub-sectors of the specialty chemicals industry, including pigments, dyes, surfactants, textile chemicals, etc.
Indepth research The chemical industry worldwide is making concerted efforts towards reduction of waste and efficient water management. The filtration and separation industry can play a vital role in aiding this conceptualisation towards reality. Energy-efficiency of techniques coupled with cost-efficiency as well is much in demand. Streamlining R&D towards development of such technologies will see a lot of positive reviews. The hurdle lies in educating the industry about the measures to undertake towards selection of a specific application. A lot has to be still done in this regard. As Brady concludes, “The challenge has always been in choosing the appropriate membrane configuration and system design that will work consistently. Also, the users have to be acquainted with the best option that incurs the lowest cost for any of the particular separation operations.” Email: mahua.roy@infomedia18.in
December 2011 | Chemical World
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INSIGHT & OUTLOOK Membrane fouling
Mahua Roy
T
he most promising technology to address water woes is plagued with an inevitable drawback: Membrane fouling. This causes the filtration performance of membrane technology to decrease with time. Depending on the extent of deposition of particulate Membrane technology is regarded as a boon to matter on the membranes, the water management industry. But this technology intensity of fouling increases. comes attached with the problem of fouling. Economic losses are enormous Restructuring operating procedures and due to fouling. “Fouling is one emphasising on pretreatment can help address of the major concerns in any this issue to a great extent. membrane system, which reduces the efficiency of the plant in terms of output of treated water per kilowatt of power consumed. It also hampers outlet quality,” says Vijay M Desai, Head – Innovation ( Water & Waste Solutions), Thermax Ltd. Naturally, the energy expenses go up to tackle fouling. “This happens as more energy is required to produce the same amount of potable water after overcoming the additional resistance caused by the accumulated fouling layer. If the system is allowed to run in fouled condition, there can be permanent damage to the membranes, such as breakage (telescoping)/cracking due to high pressure, chemical degrading of membrane surface or opening of pores,” he adds.
and viscosity. These parameters affect how the material flows throughout the process, and thus underline the mechanism required to counteract fouling. Operating conditions include, most importantly, temperature, aeration, sludge retention time and hydraulic retention time. Temperature & aeration affect the biomass and colloid concentrations whereas retention times are dependent on the particle size and composition of the sludge. Membrane characteristics include its pore size, surface roughness, surface charge and how the sludge interacts with water (hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity). “Selection of a low fouling membrane can significantly reduce the problems associated with fouling. Such membranes reduce the attraction b e t we e n charged
Selecting the right membrane In order to devise a strategy to counteract fouling, it is necessary to
If the system is allowed to run in fouled condition, there can be permanent damage to the membranes, such as breakage (telescoping)/cracking due to high pressure, chemical degrading of membrane surface or opening of pores. Vijay M Desai
Head – Innovation (Water & Waste Solutions), Thermax Ltd
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Chemical World | December 2011
Courtesy: Koch Membrane Systems
understand the underlying factors that play a role in fouling. This will give a better understanding towards selecting the appropriate membrane. Sludge characteristics, operating conditions and membrane characteristics synergistically and independently affect the filtration performance. Sludge characteristics include particle size, biomass concentration
organic/colloidal matter and the surface. Additionally, improved feed/brine spacer design can create more turbulence and reduce fouling of membrane. Membrane with less fouling potential requires less cleaning, and thereby reduces the chemical consumption,” explains Dr Partha Sarathi Majumder, Manager Technology, Ion Exchange (India) Ltd.
Membrane fouling
TIPS AND MORE… ON COUNTERING FOULING
1
Fine screening minimises accumulation of solids and protects the membranes f rom damaging debris, resulting in extended membrane life, reduced operating costs, higher quality sludge and trouble-free operation. Screens with perforated panels between 1 mm and 2 mm provide the optimal level of protection.
Responsible flux assumptions are critical to designing a membrane bioreactor plant that will operate smoothly and withstand wastewater variability or increasing flows. Even though it may be appealing to select a high initial design flux to reduce capital costs, it may end up costing more over the long term.
Hollow fibre membrane systems pack the largest filtration area into each square foot of process train, resulting in more capacity within a smaller membrane footprint. Use of modular cassettes further optimises the filtration area, eliminating the need for stacking and ensuring simple & safe access to the membranes.
Consider comparison of energy consumption of different MBR systems at the average daily flow rate, as a selection parameter.
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Clean membranes ensure high quality effluent and a high state of system readiness to handle peak flows or recover quickly from an upset. Hollow fibre membranes can withstand backpressure of 8 psi and conduct an effective backpulse cleaning, which distributes cleaning solutions more effectively.
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Membrane modules should easily allow for inspection and maintenance. This can be achieved through membrane cassettes that include built-in permeation and aeration equipment, minimum number of connections between the membrane cassette and process tank & proper amount of space between membrane modules. It should be ensured that the membrane cassette connections are accessible from the top of the tank. This will allow you to remove a single cassette without having to shut down an entire train or drain the tank.
6
Source: GE Water
Strategies to counteract fouling Fouling can be controlled by one of the three ways: pretreatment or in-treatment (ie membrane cleaning) to remove foulants; raising turbulence to limit the thickness of the hydrodynamic boundary layer; and flux reduction. Since all these options add to the overall cost, it is necessary to design the system and optimise it in a way, which does not excessively add to the cost. Turbulence promotion can be effectively achieved by operating in a relatively wide bore of channel membrane elements that
The best strategies to tackle the fouling of membranes are control of flux, maintaining cross flow velocity, use of UF units, specific pretreatment for removal of foulants like heavy metals & organics, appropriate cleaning and proper system flushing. Dr Partha Sarathi Majumder Manager - Technology, Ion Exchange (India) Ltd
are placed external to the bioreactor at high cross flow. Flux reduction can be employed in submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems, thereby limiting the degree of possible turbulence promotion. “Ultra filtration (UF) treated water has low fouling potential. Removal of heavy metals and organics helps in reducing fouling problem. Cleaning of membrane on increase in normal pressure drop or increase in salt passage or decrease in permeate flow at a predetermined level is also necessary. Flushing during start-up and shutdown helps in removing biological fouling,” elaborates Dr Majumder. Strategies can be developed by studying the technical characteristics of membranes. Summarising the solutions, Dr Majumder says, “The best strategies to tackle the fouling of membranes are control of flux, maintaining cross flow velocity, use of UF units, specific pretreatment for removal of foulants like heavy metals & organics, appropriate cleaning and proper system flushing. A lower rate of fouling is observed with
higher cross flow velocity parallel to the membrane surface. Higher shearing force at higher cross flow velocity helps to remove the foulants from the membrane surface.” In another approach, a three-step strategy as elaborated by Desai can help achieve significant reduction of fouling, “The first step is to design a pretreatment method to remove maximum amount of fouling elements from the water to be treated. Water analysis is a prerequisite. If removal is not practical, one has to reduce the impact of fouling elements – for example, operate the RO system at a high pH to reduce the organic fouling potential. Second step is to use anti-fouling/anti-scaling agents, which can be dosed online. In this case, there should be compatibility of the chemical used with the membrane manufacturer. Finally, when one already has a plant in operation, an operational procedure can be tried, ie flushing with high pH at regular time intervals.” Email: mahua.roy@infomedia18.in
December 2011 | Chemical World
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INSIGHT & OUTLOOK Chemical manufacturing
Dr Mosongo Moukwa
I
n the Western countries, the economic recovery has been slow and fragile. In the US – which accounts for the world’s largest debt at $ 14.7 trillion – 98 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) hangs over the economy, thus hindering growth. In Europe, the situation is far worse. Greece has been teetering on the edge of default for more than a year. Countries like Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain also have dangerously high sovereign debts. The crisis has hobbled the economy of the entire European Union (EU), with no end in sight. In Asia, the GDP growth of China and India is still impressive, although it has slightly slowed. Despite this gloomy economic picture, the top 50 chemical companies have done well (Table 1). The data based on companies’ performance results show that the chemical industry has made a strong recovery from 2009, performing better than it had in more than a decade. The crisis has interestingly underscored the financial resilience of this segment.
Earnings survive unstable recovery Most companies have posted profits, and indeed 2010 was an outstanding year for chemical companies. Although 2008 was the high-water mark for industry sales, profits for the top 50 chemical companies were only $ 60 billion that year compared to $ 93.6 billion in 2010. The aggregate profit margin for the group was 11.4 per cent in 2010. One would have to go all the way back to 1995, when the industry posted a 13.7 per cent margin, to find a better profitability. The leading performers have been the petrochemical companies. Observers had long expected that all the new capacity petrochemicals makers that were opening in 2010 would haunt the industry, but that did not happen. Developing countries, especially China, proved to have an insatiable need for chemicals to fuel their industrial expansion. The petrochemicals producers in the top 10 – Sinopec, Exxon Mobil, Shell, 48
Chemical World | December 2011
Formosa Plastics, SABIC and Lyondell – each posted revenue gains of at least 30 per cent. All of them enjoyed strong profit gains. Petrochemical businesses across the world are flush with cash as a result of steep increases in their product prices during the recovery from the 2008 financial crisis, and from the reductions they have made in their operating costs to ensure survival during the recession. Investment in new capacity in the petrochemical sector is still cautious, but some regions are more buoyant than others, with the US and Middle East once again considering large projects, but for different reasons. For the rest of the chemical industry, individual company results
BASF, Dow and Sinopec have emerged yet again as the top three chemical companies this year. Demand from customers supported price increases, often in double-digits, but most chemical firms did not report significant sales volume growth during the quarter. Higher prices came out ahead of volume increase. With the price increases, DuPont boosted sales by 19 per cent to $ 10.3 billion compared with last year’s second quarter. Its $ 1.3 billion in earnings beat analysts’ expectations. Higher pricing also came out ahead of volume increases at Dow. The company saw earnings jump 61 per cent just under $ 1 billion. Dow
BUOYANT
DESPITE ECONOMIC
DOWNTURN While several countries have been striving to overcome the far and wide impact of recession, recovery from its aftermath had not been smooth, especially in Western countries. The only silver lining is the growth being witnessed in Asia, albeit slow. Amid all these, what is noteworthy is that the crisis has underscored the financial resilience of the chemical industry, which has made a strong comeback despite uncertainties.
are even more amazing. For example, BASF and Dow have posted respectively, 300 per cent and 100 per cent gains in profits over 2009. Despite the volatile changes in sales, the pecking order has changed little from previous years.
was able to raise prices because of strong demands in the energy, health, nutrition, and additives markets.
Coatings: A weak spot Coatings were a weak spot. For example, Cytec Industries saw volumes sink by 9
Chemical manufacturing
Ranking of global chemical companies Chemical Change Chemical Chemical sales ($ from sales as % operating 2010 2009 Company millions) 2009 of total profits 2010 (in %) sales ($ millions) 1 1 BASF 70,391 34.90 83.10 7,197 2 2 Dow Chemical 53,674 19.60 100 3,625 3 3 Sinopec 47,444 50.2 12.1 2,221 4 5 Exxon Mobil 35,521 32.3 9.6 4,913 5 8 Royal Dutch/Shell 35,277 43.5 9.6 na 6 7 Formosa Plastics 34,663 30 64.9 3,810 7 9 SABIC 33,712 46 83.2 11,490 8 6 DuPont 31,312 20.6 99.4 4,578 9 11 Lyondell Basell Industries 27,682 38.5 67.3 2,666 10 14 Mitsubishi Chemical 26,021 45.6 72.1 1,646
Change from 2009 (in %) 291.00 108.2 8.9 112.8 na 118.1 85.8 85 325.2 nm
Profits as % of total operating profit 69.95 100 14.3 16.1 na 76.2 88.8 94.2 97.1 63.8
Operating profit margin (in %) 10.20 6.8 4.7 13.8 na 11 34.1 14.6 9.6 6.3
Return on chemical assets (in %) 10.80 5.2 12 18.7 na 17.1 16.4 23.6 na 6.8
Note : Some figures converted at 2010 average exchange rates of $ 1=1.7601 Brazilian Reals, 6.7696 Chinese Renminbi, 0.7541 Euros, 45.65 Indian Rupees, 87.78 Japanese Yen, 1155.74 Korean Won, 6.0451 Norwegian Krone, 3.75 Saudi Riyals, 1.0432 Swiss Francs, 31.498 Taiwanese Dollars. Source : www.cen-online.org
per cent compared to the same quarter in the previous year. The company made up the difference with the higher prices, and favourable exchange rates brought on by the weak dollar. And its engineered materials and process operation business saw an increase in sales volumes. But overall, Cytec’s quarter earnings of $ 46 million were down 15 per cent compared to the earlier year in the same quarter. Eastman Chemical also beat the volume blahs by selling 15 per cent more in its largest segments, performance chemicals and intermediates, than in the second quarter of 2010. It also raised prices by 19 per cent. They have reported that its plasticiser and acetyl chemical product lines were in high demand. Higher prices were a response to higher raw materials and energy costs, strengthened demand in the US, and tight industrial supply. Overall, Eastman’s sales soared 26 per cent compared with the yearago quarter, while its earnings rose 40 per cent to $ 200 million.
Mergers and acquisitions The wobbly economic recovery did not stop deal-making. According to KPMG, in 2010 the number of M&A deals in the global chemical industry totalled 1,261 as against 1,211 in 2007 (returning to levels last seen before the financial crisis in 2008), but the total value of the mergers and acquisitions, at $ 76 billion, was half that of three years ago. It is expected that 50
Chemical World | December 2011
the number and total value of deals will continue to increase at least through to the end of 2012. The revival in M&As activity in the global chemical industry has not been strongly felt in petrochemicals. There is much more interest in downstream areas. Even in emerging markets bulk chemical companies are looking to move down the value chain – though not necessarily as far as going into specialties but shifting in that direction. The only dramatic acquisition related change to the ranking is Brazil-based Braskem’s rise from 37 to 22, thanks to its purchase of Sunoco’s propylene business and of its Brazilian rival Quattor. Over the past two to three years, takeovers in the specialties segment have been increasing at a faster rate than those in bulk chemicals as companies seek the financial benefits of products with added value. Increasingly, the specialties market is becoming dominated by larger portfolio players with multi-chemical capability, bringing management sophistication, scale and global reach. It remains to be seen whether the new chemical company combinations will be stronger in the face of slow growth or even a possible double-dip recession. Rising energy prices; the supply chain shock emanating from Japan; European debt crisis; US debt issues; uncertainty and other factors are working against the recovery.
Growth in Asia While the advanced economies of the world have stagnated since 2008, countries like China, India, Brazil and parts of Southeast Asia have enjoyed growth rates in the 7-9 per cent range. Although several have slowed this year, they are still faring better than the economies of the US and Europe. Regardless of the end-market or state of the economy, chemical firms will be primarily looking overseas for growth in the near future. Ultimately, creating value is all about driving sustainable growth, which can be attributed to a strong portfolio and innovation management. The portfolio side incorporates both the business and geographic aspects of portfolio management. Companies such as US-based coatings firm PPG Industries are managing the geographic aspects of their portfolios, and illustrate the value that can be garnered from optimising along this dimension in the context of what may be considered a low-growth portfolio. Dr Mosongo Moukwa is Vice President (Technology), Asian Paints Ltd, Mumbai. He was Vice President (Global Technology), Reichhold, North Carolina. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, the Commercial Development and Management Association and the Licensing Executive Society. Email: mosongo.moukwa@asianpaints.com
AUTOMATION TRENDS Simulation software
MODELLING EFFICACY in
FLUIDISED PROCESSES
In chemical industry, fluidised beds are used for several purposes, such as fluidised bed reactors, fluid catalytic cracking, fluidised bed combustion, heat or mass transfer, etc. By using advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, one can improve the efficiency of fluidised processes.
Courtesy: Biomasse Italia SpA
Rakesh Rao
T
he main purpose of most fluidised beds used in chemical engineering is to provide a controlled reaction between a solid and a gas. Using solids in the form of a fine powder maximises the surface area for gas-solid contact and the fluidised bed provides excellent mixing and, as much as possible, smoothes out the temperature distribution across the bed. “As these reactions are frequently either highly exothermic or endothermic, and with reaction rates highly dependent on local temperature, controlling the temperature of the reaction is often a paramount 52
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consideration. Temperatures that are too high or too low may lead to burning or melting of the product, solids agglomeration that clogs the process, runaway reactions, or other problems,” opines Scott Thibault, VP - Sales & Marketing, CPFD Software LLC, the creators of the Barracuda® simulation package for particle-fluid systems.
Solving productivity challenge To the designer or operator of fluidised beds, a CFD simulation of the bed that truly captures the gas-solid behaviour (not all CFD is capable of this) can be invaluable. It can, first and foremost, provide insight into the basic fluidisation mode (spouted bed, bubbling bed, turbulent bed) and
give a general idea for the bed height & degree of mixing across the bed. “Further detailed study can help direct design or operational decisions around fluidisation gas locations and distributor design, locations for secondary gas injection, best withdrawal points for products or waste, etc. A simulation using homogeneous and heterogeneous chemistry can show if the chemical reaction, which is after all the point of the process, is proceeding as expected or if hot or cold spots or other considerations, such as erosion, may be of concern,” explains Thibault. CFD is already widely used in the chemical manufacturing industry but remains underutilised compared to the enormous
Simulation software
potential for process improvements that greater use might enable. Fluidised processes, in particular, are designed primarily for continuous (as opposed to batch) processes, so these processes are those that generate hundreds of thousands of dollars or even millions of dollars per day in revenue for the operators. Conversely, they stand to lose that much for each day, if the process is out of operation for any reason. Therefore, Thibault feels, making such a process even a fraction of a per cent more efficient or even marginally safer or more reliable can have enormous financial and social impact. “Also, as emission standards become more stringent all over the world, it can in some cases be possible to meet these standards while avoiding large capital expenditures by use of advanced CFD to help understand and improve the process itself, instead of focussing on downstream treatment,” he adds. One example of this is in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) regenerators. In a FCC unit, a large fluidised bed reactor called a regenerator is used for burning the petroleum coke off the catalyst particles used in the FCC process. To meet new NOx and SOx regulations, operators are in some cases making investments of $ 100-200 million per unit (not per plant) for downstream SCR (selective catalytic reduction) equipment to keep emissions below the new thresholds. Thibault elaborates, “Some operators believe that a
APPLICATION AREAS FOR DENSE FLUIDISED BEDS Dense fluidised beds are used in a wide range of chemical manufacturing processes including, but not limited to, acryonitrile manufacture, titanium chlorinators, gasifiers for coal or biomass, polysilicon deposition reactors, production of trichlorosilane for silicone and polysilicon production, etc. They are also used in oil refining (particularly in FCC units used for making gasoline), and in coal power plants for circulating fluidised bed (CFB) boilers and gasifiers.
better understanding and optimisation of the fluidised regeneration process could result in a reduction in the total NOx and SOx generated in the first place, making it possible to meet the new standards without equipment to remove the NOx and SOx downstream. Multiphase gas-particle CFD simulations of the regenerator, complete with modelling of the homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical kinetics, are a key enabling technology for such an achievement.”
Making complex process simple Often chemical processing involves complex heterogeneous chemical reactions. So can CFD software be used in such situation as well? Thibault answers, “Provided the CFD package uses an Eulerian-Lagrangian method – as opposed to a Two Fluid Method (TFM) or Eulerian-Eulerian method – the heterogeneous chemistry can be modelled down to the particle level, which is necessary for accurate calculation of the chemistry in real fluidised units.” For example, Barracuda software package is based on the Computational Particle Fluid Dynamics (CPFD) numerical method developed by Dr Dale M Snider. “Barracuda has been used successfully on a wide variety of such heterogeneous reactions, including solids-consuming reactions (eg gasifiers), solids-growing reactions (eg polysilicon deposition), and catalytic reactions (eg FCC units),” he adds. The challenge is that the particle size, nature of the fluidisation, and the chemical kinetics are implicitly linked. That is, the reactions depend on the particle size, local partial pressures of different gaseous components, local temperature, local pressure, etc, which can only be obtained if the hydrodynamics of the bed have been captured and retained on a particle (not cell) level. “The reactions in turn can change the particle size, temperature, location, etc, and the particle size in turn has a dramatic effect on the fluidisation behaviour. Barracuda implicitly links all three aspects of the simulation (particle properties, hydrodynamics and chemistry), which is why it has been remarkably
Also, as emission standards become more stringent, it can be possible to meet these standards while avoiding large capital expenditures by use of advanced CFD to improve the process itself, instead of focussing on downstream treatment. Scott Thibault
VP - Sales & Marketing, CPFD Software LLC
successful in modelling reacting fluidised beds of this kind,” claims Thibault.
Saving energy, reducing emission It takes a great deal of energy to operate a fluidised bed, at least a typical full-scale one. Simulation software can help companies to optimise their energy consumption while at the same time minimise emission. Thibault avers, “Better optimisation of air usage in an FCC unit, for example, will allow more products to be manufactured with the same energy used in the main air blowers. The use of CFD to better understand and optimise the fluidisation behaviour not only at nominal 100 per cent load conditions but also at turndown conditions, start-up, and shutdown could reduce both emissions & energy usage dramatically or improve production without increasing energy usage or emissions above present levels.” Simulation software is not just a tool for researchers. It is today used by handson process and equipment designers to gain insight and understanding for making effective engineering changes to the equipment design or process operation. In many cases, some changes are clearly needed, but to make them would be a high-risk proposition. “The insight and understanding that CFD provides gives chemical engineers the confidence to make these kinds of process and equipment design improvements with far less risk of problems later. This gives them confidence to make effective engineering decisions that can increase efficiency, reduce emissions, improve safety, and stretch out operating cycles,” sums up Thibault. Email: rakesh.rao@infomedia18.in
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ENERGY MANAGEMENT Power optimisation
Mahua Roy
development, data mining and data prediction. Making use of these resources, programs can be tailormade to create value by way of water/energy savings, productivity increase and enhancing asset longevity. “By effective use of sensors to measure any desired value, software
engineering experts can convert that data into easily presentable format, or a raditionally, energy and its ready-reckoner for the company to see. associated risks on business, A website can have a dashboard showing namely carbon emissions, key performance indicators that would premature asset degradation, clearly articulate the savings made. So a etc have been environmental concerns company can actually say that it has saved managed at the facility or site say 65 million gallons of water level. But responsible companies or 100 MW of energy, just by today are starting to look at looking at how the sensor data energy in a totally different has been converted into water/ light, focussing instead on energy figures,” explains Dr how energy management can Ramesh. Such real-time access help their business positively. to information is what the This is how the discussions intelligent customer of today on energy usage are being demands. Companies heeding Energy management is no longer being looked at as a cost to this change in customer moved from the facility into the boardroom, with more centre, but is gradually being envisioned as a profit centre. dynamics are the ones that and more members from the Information technology (IT) is being employed enormously will see profits coming in. top management taking active to reap benefits by using energy efficiently. Customisation is the key interest in this area. “ The combination of Youth: A driver process data and process “In India, particularly, the models provides a deeper population demographics are understanding of the unique. With a majority of behaviour of the whole the population being young process and helps to uncover as well as educated, they are hidden or otherwise neglected also aware and responsible opportunities for process citizens when it comes to improvements. Utilising an fulfilling their duty towards effective energy management the environment,” opines program can enable chemical Dr Manian Ramesh, Chief manufacturers to have greater Technology Officer, Nalco visibility into their operations Company, one of the global and help them take better & leaders in energy and water faster decisions at every level management. He agrees in their organisation, be it at that a decade or two ago, the individual operator unit the industry might not have level, supply chain level, or been that forthcoming about at the corporate level,” says incorporation of environmentSunil Chaudhari, Country friendly technologies. “But the Manager - South Asia, technology-savvy population AspenTech India. of today is open to acceptance Ease of access and use is of sophisticated technology. the mantra towards delivering However, this intelligent a successful product in IT. The population also needs proof program manager of an energy about the relevance, practicality management department will and value of technology,” want guaranteed benefits he adds. coming in from the utilisation India has an excellent of the technology he has inf rastructure in IT, incorporated. An effective high quality of software IT system can provide the
T
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Power optimisation
data analytics on program performance at a detailed energy-efficiency measure level. This enables program managers to evaluate program effectiveness, and make a decision whether or not to continue on the particular platform. At any point, he will also like to study the costefficiency, of the program. An IT system that supports the manager’s key variables easily in a program design helps reduce costs significantly. Utility management of the energy-efficiency portfolio demands an IT system that provides for easy, timely access to information. Managers with access to timely data on the performance of assets can adjust the programs midcourse or use some other customisation to achieve savings. Thus, treating every customer independently, by delivering personalised programs, is the key to being a preferred vendor.
Getting results faster Sustainability comes at a cost, yes. But companies today are thinking
beyond the initial capital expenditure and operational expenses. The IT industry has a big role to play in this paradigm shift, as they have time and again introduced technologies, which help realise cost savings in a matter of months! That is another success mantra to be incorporated – timely realisation of benefits. As Chaudhari puts it, “Our technology aspenONE helps the chemical industry achieve sustainability and costefficiency by utilising solutions for each phase of the business in an integrated environment, providing visibility, sharing and enabling reuse of data & process models. In fact, companies deploying this solution are able to generate benefits of approximately $ 28 million per year per plant, with payback in months instead of years.” IT systems today support seamless dataflow of energy savings directly from the plant to the boardroom. This streamlines the process, reduces costs, increases data accuracy and supports
Utilising an effective energy management program can enable chemical manufacturers to have greater visibility into their operations and help them make better & faster decisions at every level in their organisation. Sunil Chaudhari
Country Manager - South Asia, AspenTech India
timely data analysis. “It is but natural that if sustainability is accompanied by huge investments, the value of the sustainability is ignored. The objective of energy management solution providers is to minimise capital and operational cost obviously, besides making the savings visible in a definite period of time. If and when sustainability is achieved with higher efficiency, its acceptability becomes higher, naturally,” concludes Dr Ramesh. Email: mahua.roy@infomedia18.in
December 2011 | Chemical World
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POLICIES & REGULATIONS Carbon footprint norms
Avani Jain
A
s regulatory frameworks for permissible carbon emission limits and carbon trading are getting stringent the world over, businesses are taking proactive initiatives to record their carbon emissions and devise ways to reduce the same. While greenhouse gas inventory reporting is currently not mandatory
While the whole world is conscientiously striving to reduce carbon footprint, there are wide disparities in per capita emissions of greenhouse gases by different countries. In their endeavour to conserve the environment, chemical manufacturers are adopting sustainable measures to bring down emissions; but they have a long way to go.
in India, progressive companies are already identifying risks associated with greenhouse gases and are voluntarily taking stock of their emissions. Thus, as a responsible sector, the chemical processing industry, which is often blamed for high carbon emissions in the environment, also needs to act proactively towards reducing carbon footprint. The basic purpose for reducing carbon footprint is to minimise the use of energy for a sustainable world, and retain precious resources by reducing pollution. Trade associations have undertaken various awareness programmes for mitigating the emissions. Several NGOs are working along with the Ministry of Environment and Forests towards this purpose.Dr Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), says, “India has recently launched the National Clean
Carbon strategy Keeping in mind the current trend of reducing carbon footprint, it has become necessary for chemical manufacturers to chalk out a carbon strategy for ensuring their growth in the carbon constrained economy and maximise their carbon assets. The carbon strategy not only helps companies to identify climate risks and opportunities, but also aids in reducing costs & enhancing their image. Of the many methods for reducing carbon footprint, a significant one is the usage of biodegradable feedstocks as against the primary feedstocks like coal and petroleum. Vijay Singla, Director (Works), IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, opines, “The production of bulk chemicals from biomass can make a significant contribution towards solving two of the most urgent environmental problems: climate change and depletion of fossil energy. Further, it will also lead to savings of more than 100 per cent in non-renewable energy use and lowering of greenhouse gas emissions. Substantial savings are also further possible by improved fermentation and downstream processing. It is observed that the use of biotechnology can lead to worldwide carbon dioxide savings in the range of 500−1,000 million tonne per year.” Thus, biotechnology offers excellent opportunities for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing dependence on fossil energy sources.
Environmental management systems Energy Fund towards reducing its carbon footprint. Further, the country has a host of environment control acts and is a signatory to international conventions like the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; the Chemical Weapons Convention; the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances; the Kyoto Protocol on Global Warming, etc to keep a check on the emissions by the industries.” 56
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In the recent years, many companies have developed various types of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) for identifying and managing the impacts that commercial and industrial operations have on the environment. Omkar P Herlekar, Whole Time Director, Omkar Speciality Chemicals Ltd, says, “The energy management system serves internal management purposes. However, when designed and implemented to realise their full potential, they offer opportunities for enhancing environmental protection
Carbon footprint norms
to both regulated and unregulated areas. These systems basically focus on achieving positive results; market benefits for industry and better environmental protection to all. This policy also talks volumes about the organisation’s commitment towards a cleaner environment and continuous improvement with reference to effluent discharges and pollution prevention at source. EMS can also serve as an efficient tool for companies to identify ways for reducing their carbon footprint.” Companies in India are at a nascent stage when it comes to combating the issue of carbon footprint, and are still exploring possible ways for the same. It has been observed that even waste sludge transportation and drying have significant impact on carbon footprint of process treatment technologies. Thus, it is advisable to minimise these impacts by reducing transport distance and bringing down water content through flocculation. Yet another approach, although of limited nature, is to use carbon dioxide as a chemical building block to manufacture agrichemicals such as urea and phosgene; industrial chemicals such as oxalic acid (by electrolytic reduction and coupling of two carbon dioxide molecules) and carbon monoxide (by electrolytic reduction). Carbon dioxide can be coaxed to participate in chemical reactions such as reduction, addition and condensation. Polymer synthesis is one of the best options to produce new carbon dioxide-based products in the 21st century.
Towards a better future The industry needs to redefine its regulatory f ramework in sync with the latest international standards. Narendra R Mehta, Managing Director, Fibro Organic (India) Pvt Ltd, notes, “If the expected substantial growth in the chemical sector is to be sustainable and consistent, along with achieving broader goals of carbon dioxide emission reduction, appropriate steps need to be taken – notably by implementing best practices in the short term and embracing new technologies in the long term; expanding the production of bio-based chemicals; ensuring better material flow management; and developing carbon dioxide storage and capturing techniques. The companies also need to employ efficient methods of production and recycling of polymers, besides opting for minimum usage of solvents, lubricants, etc.” Thus, by reducing the carbon footprint, a company can fulfill its duties towards the environment, and at the same time reap several benefits in the form of carbon credits. But at present, carbon credit in India is used as a method of making revenue. This is not the right approach, but things should move in right direction in due course of time. Email: avani.jain@infomedia18.in
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STRATEGY Exports expansion
Capacity expansion, new technology adoption and price competitiveness will determine the prospects for chemical exports from India beyond European Union (EU) and the US markets.
industry will grow manifolds in the years to come,” explains Wagh. It is not that India has a strong foothold only in the EU and the US markets. India also sells chemicals to Latin American countries. But due to longer credit periods, India is not fully able to capitalise on the potential of these markets. “India has presence in this region, but companies are reluctant to sell chemicals because credit period is 180 days and above. However, nowadays, as Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) helps, people have started exporting to the region again,” he points out. According to Wagh, total chemical export (organic, inorganic, toiletry, pesticides etc) from India is worth ` 43,000 crore.
Meeting global standards
Prasenjit Chakraborty
I
ndia exports a substantial quantity of chemicals to the EU and the US. However, companies have realised that depending on any particular region or market could be a risky proposition. Hence, the Indian chemical industry is looking beyond these nations, especially when the demand from Asia and Latin American countries has been growing steadily. According to American Chemical Council (ACC), BRIC & T (Brazil, Russia, India, China & Turkey) region is expected to be the main growth driver for the global industry propelling demand from end-user industries such as construction, automobiles and consumer durables. According to its estimates, the BRIC & T region is expected to witness 7.6 per cent growth in 2011 and 2012, while developed regions such as the US, the UK and Japan will report an average growth of 3.3 per cent between 2010 and 2012. 58
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New overseas potential As far as chemicals export is concerned, the question that arises is why India is concentrating more on the EU and the US. “It is because volume is more in these countries. Germany alone consumes a substantial amount of chemicals from India,” says Satish Wagh, Chairman, CHEMEXCIL. However, looking at the prospects in other markets, the Indian chemical industry has started looking beyond the traditional markets. This definitely augurs well for the industry as well as the country. “We are presently focussing on Asian countries too. If things go in the right direction, we are planning to export our products to countries like Vietnam, Thailand, etc. Of late, Indian manufacturers have understood that they should have large capacities and only then will be competitive in the international market. They are going for massive expansions and I am sure the Indian chemical
Chemical exports from India have been facing tremendous challenges after EU implemented REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals) legislation. However, Indian companies are putting best efforts to meet all the norms of the REACH. Experts believe that now onwards chemical export is not going to be smooth. “Even Latin American countries are also asking now for technical details and registration of products etc,” says Wagh. It is now almost clear that no country will allow selling products from other countries easily. So, the issue here is market access against the backdrop of regulations. To facilitate this, the Government of India has come up with Market Access Initiative (MAI) scheme. “Under MAI scheme, the government is providing around ` 25 lakh for each company to file registration of their products. But the scheme is restricted to the SME sector. However, considering the fact that big companies contribute majorly towards exports, the government should extend MAI scheme to large-scale sector also,” exhorts Wagh. In the ultimate analysis, success will depend on the individual strength and pragmatic steps adopted by companies. Email: prasenjit.chakraborty@infomedia18.in
Safety committee TIPS & TRICKS
K N K Murthy
E
ffective participation by all stakeholders is a timetested success mantra for any endeavour. It is all the more relevant to safety, considering the multiplicity of human behavioural factors at different levels with respect to observance of practices, compliance of specific systems, prevention/control of accidents or response to emergency situations. In this context, ensuring appropriate participation of employees at various levels in day-today safety managerial/line functions is significant. Accordingly the organisation’s safety policy must clearly address the top management’s intentions on participative governance and corresponding implementation strategy. A bipartite forum with evenly balanced strength at managerial and staff levels – popularly known as ‘safety committee’ – is in vogue at most of the industrial establishments. Duly constituted and efficiently working committee can go a long way in translating the company policy into reality. Here is an attempt to revisit the system and find out better ways & means to make it more focussed and effective. Pooling of the inherent potential/ talent f rom a large cross-section VISION of employees at different levels, crafts
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and disciplines can be utilised towards the safe execution of their assigned functions, with reference to enhancement of knowledge/ skill/competency ; e x p e r t i s e / experience; and new ideas/creativity.
Increasing the sense of belongingness/ ownership of assets among workforce will MISSION help preserve and maintain all the safetyrelated resources, which have been made available, and utilise them most diligently according to work situations. This will facilitate injury prevention/control; fire prevention/ protection & extinguishment capabilities; personal protective equipment; and use of first aid equipment, rescue gears and other appliances to handle emergencies. O bjective should integrate safety as an integral link in productivity chain OBJECTIVE through development/ p r o m o t i o n / competency building. It should enhance awareness and help in strict & improved compliance of systems, p ro c e d u re s and practices through direct involvement of personnel at various levels. The goal should be to raise the bar with reference to best safety p r a c t i c e s , GOALS benchmarking, achievement of excellent safety performance in terms of accident reduction/loss prevention, etc.
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For ensuring top-driven initiatives including decision-making, the committee must be CONSTITUTION headed by none other than the CEO or Unit Head as the case may be. Other members can be chosen as member secretary (preferably head of safety wing), and management & staff representatives (both ideally in equal numbers). Opening remarks by chairperson can include the launch of some special themes/activities to sustain interest and DESIRABLE AGENDA motivate all members such as initiating safety day/week celebrations/campaigns; conducting specific inspections, etc. The agenda should cover an overview of safety performance by member secretary that consists of presentation of accident/incident data; and update of other activities such as housekeeping/training/audits, technical studies, etc, followed by analysis/discussion/ brainstorming among members. This may also include sharing of available information pertaining to other industries of similar nature as well as reviewing of the compliance status on approved recommendations from previous committee deliberations. Preview of any new suggestions brought in by members should be followed by discussions, based on which appropriate decision can be given either immediately, or deferred pending further technical/administrative evaluation including visit of location, job safety analysis, etc.
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Culture, creativity, attitude and behaviour at various levels hold the key to safety performance in any type of organisational set-up, be it small or large, well-organised or otherwise, simple or complex. This article highlights some baselines that can be considered as building blocks to ensure effectiveness and sustainability on the functioning of such institutions. December 2011 | Chemical World
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Safety committee
Though the statutory provision calls for quarterly meetings, individual PERIODICITY organisations can have their own strategy of monthly/bi-monthly frequencies. There must be appropriate administrative machinery to relieve members for the meeting, keeping in mind the specific aspects of maintaining manpower on shift duty posts. Some organisations do have separate apex committees at managerial level HIGH-POWER headed by the unit’s MANAGERIAL COMMITTEE CEO, which meet on a regular basis. The objective is to review the functioning of the joint-level committees (both central and plant/departmental) and facilitate the compliance of certain pending suggestions/ ideas etc, which may involve policy decisions, allotment of special budget, etc.
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At times, committee meeting turns out to be a platform for ‘redressing certain grievances’. This HANDLING THE trend can be rectified FLIP SIDE with advance planning, listing of specific discussion points related to the set agenda, assignment of responsibility matrix among all nominated members, issue of directives by chair person and professional anchoring by member secretary.
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Result-oriented action plan It is expected of all members to come duly prepared, actively participate and contribute during deliberations. Nonsupervisory personnel will judge the seniors based on their commitment and result-oriented action plan. Once the confidence level builds up, more involvement and co-operation from their side can be assured. If enthusiasm and interest gets slowly eroded, it cannot be just attributed to the system per se, but
could be the way meetings are conducted and results delivered. The system is a hollow shell; it needs to be well-operated, enforced, monitored, audited, maintained, reviewed, updated and continually improved upon. Improved engineering design, provision of maximum work comfort, establishment of welfare/ social security/other safeguards, etc, can at best be complementary to a dedicated, cultured and well-behaved workforce. K N K Murthy has been in the fertilisers and petrochemicals industry for 38 years and retired as Senior Manager (Safety) from Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd, Vadodara. Currently, he works as a Safety Consultant and is associated with Mahatma Gandhi Labour Institute, Ahmedabad. He has done pioneering works in various aspects like hazard identification, safety audits/inspections/ surveys, training, emergency preparedness planning, quality/environment standards (ISO), etc. He can be contacted on email: mohanaknk@yahoo.co.in
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PROJECTS
New projects and expansion activities are the barometers of industrial growth. These also present business opportunities to service providers like consultants, contractors, plant & equipment suppliers and others down the value chain. This feature will keep you updated with vital information regarding new projects and capacity expansions being planned by companies in the chemical and allied industries. Caustic soda
Fertiliser
Modi Home Products Ltd
Coromandel International
Project type New facility Project news Modi Home Products plans to set up a caustic soda unit with a capacity of 1.5 lakh tpa at Kudal, Maharashtra. The cost of the project is ` 11 crore. Project location Kudal, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra Project cost ` 11 crore Implementation stage Planning
Project type New facility Project news Coromandel International, part of the Murugappa Group, has finalised plans to set up a greenfield single super phosphate plant in Punjab at a cost of ` 116 crore. The new 800 tonne per day (TPD) unit, including a 400 TPD granulator plant, will be completed in two years. Project location Punjab Project cost ` 116 crore Implementation stage Planning
Contact details: Modi Home Products Ltd RZ-1/2, Street no 4 Tughlakabad Extn Delhi 110 019 Tel: 011-4189 8599 --------------------------------------------Chlorinated PVC compound
Lubrizol Corporation and Astral Poly Technik Project type New facility Project news Specialty chemicals producer Lubrizol Corporation and Astral Poly Technik are likely to finalise a JV agreement to set up a manufacturing facility at Dahej in Gujarat by March 2012. Currently, a feasibility study for the proposed plant in Dahej is in progress. The JV plans to set up a facility for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) compound and CPVC pipe manufacturing plant. Project location Dahej, Gujarat Project cost ` 1,117 crore Implementation stage Planning Contact details: Astral Poly Technik Ltd ‘Astral House’ 207/1, Bh. Rajpath Club Off. S G Highway, Ahmedabad 380 059 Tel: 079-6621 2000 Email: info@astralcpvc.com 64
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Contact details: Coromandel International Ltd Coromandel House, Sardar Patel Road Secunderabad 500 003 Tel: 040-27842034, F ax: 040-27844117 Email: sreenivasaraob@coromandel.murugappa.com --------------------------------------------Inorganic chemicals
ISC Specialty Chemicals Pvt Ltd Project type New facility Project news ISC Specialty Chemicals is setting up a basic inorganic chemicals unit with a capacity of 48,000 tpa at Dahej, Gujarat. Project location Dahej, Gujarat Project cost Not known Implementation stage Work in progress Contact details: ISC Specialty Chemicals Pvt Ltd 101, Atlanta, 209, Nariman Point Mumbai 400 021 Tel: 022-2284 1180/78, Fax: 022-2287 1957 Email: info@iscpl.com --------------------------------------------Paints & coatings
AkzoNobel India Project type New facility
Project news Global paints and coatings maker AkzoNobel is investing ` 250 crore in a new manufacturing plant in India, which is likely to have a capacity of around 50 to 100 million litre per annum. The company is scouting for locations in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka for the plant, which will be ready by FY13. Project location Madhya Pradesh or Karnataka Project cost ` 250 crore Implementation stage Planning Contact details: AkzoNobel India Paints Business, DLF Cyber Terraces Building No 5, Tower A, 20th Floor DLF Cyber City, Phase III Gurgaon 122 002, Haryana Tel: 0124-254 0400 Email: saugata.banerjee@akzonobel.com --------------------------------------------Refinery
Amerind Petroleum Pvt Ltd Project type New facility Project news Amerind Petroleum Pvt Ltd, promoted by technocrat-entrepreneur Syed Badruddin, proposes to set up a petroleum refinery in Andhra Pradesh in joint technical collaboration with US-based American Industrial Corporation. The project, with an estimated investment of ` 12,000 crore, is likely to be located in the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Regions (PCPIRs) near Visakhapatnam. Project location Visakhapatnam Project cost ` 12,000 crore Implementation stage Planning Contact details: Amerind Petroleum Pvt Ltd 8-2-580/B/2, Road No.8 Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500 034 Email: info@amerindpetroleum.com
EVENT LIST
National INDORE
AURANGABAD
Madhya Pradesh, Jan 6-9, 2012, Poddar Plaza, Nr Gandhi Hall
Maharashtra, Feb 17-20, 2012, Garware Stadium
India’s premier industrial trade fair on products and technologies related to Machine Tools, Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Process Machinery & Equipment, Automation Instrumentation, Packaging & Auxiliaries, IT Products, Electrical & Electronics, Material Handling and Safety Equipment.
For details Infomedia 18 Ltd
Ruby House, 1st Floor, J K Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai 400 028. • Tel: 022 3003 4651 • Fax: 022 3003 4499 • Email: engexpo@infomedia18.in
Plastindia 2012 One of the leading exhibitions for the plastics industry featuring equipment and latest technology for processing; February 01-06, 2012; at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi For details contact: Plastindia Foundation 401-B, Landmark, Suren Road Opp Cine Magic, Andheri (E) Mumbai 400 069 Tel: 022-2683 2911 Fax: 022-2684 5861 Email: info@plastindia.org
Everything About Water 2012 Conference and trade show for wastewater management and allied industries; February 09-11, 2012; at India Exposition Centre & Mart Ltd, Greater Noida
Informex USA Trade fair for fine & specialty chemicals, chemical process technology, APIs & excipients, catalysts, contract research, equipment & instrumentation, etc; February 14-17, 2012; at New Orleans, the US For details contact: Jennifer Jessup, UBM LIVE 212 Carnegie Center Suite 203, Princeton NJ 08540, The US Tel: +1-609-759-4700 Fax: +1-201-720-2972 Email: jjessup@informex.com
ChemProTech India 2012 International exhibition on chemical processing technology and equipment to be held concurrently with Chemspec India 2012; April 26-27, 2012; at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai
For details contact: EA WATER Pvt Ltd A1/ 152, IGNOU Road Neb Sarai, New Delhi 110 068 Tel: 011-4310 0568/0500 Fax: 011-4310 0599 Email: enquiry@eawater.com
For details contact: Krunal Goda Koelnmesse YA Tradefair Pvt Ltd #1102, 11th Floor, DLH Park, Near MTNL Office, S V Road, Goregaon (W) Mumbai 400 062 Tel: 022-2871 5207, Fax: 022-2871 5222 Email: k.goda@koelnmesse-india.com
Lab Expo & Conferences Pune
India Chem 2012
Industrial fair for lab equipment, technology and instrumentation; April 2022, 2012; at Auto Cluster Development & Research Institute Ltd, Pune For details contact: Harish Arora Paramount Exhibitors 679, Phase 7, S A S Nagar Mohali 140 110 Tel: 0172-2274 801
International 2012; at New Munich Trade Fair Centre, Munich, Germany For details contact: IMAG AM Messesee-2, Munich, Germany Tel:+(49)-(89)-94922121 Fax:+(49)-(89)-94922350 Email: info@analytica.de
Premier tradeshow for the chemical industry in India; October 04-06, 2012; at NSE Exhibition Complex, Mumbai For details contact: Mehul Tyagi, FICCI Federation House, 1 Tansen Marg New Delhi 110 001 Tel: 011-2376 5081/2373 8760 Fax: 011-2335 9734 Email: mehul@ficci.com Westgate House, 120/130 Station Road Redhill, Surrey, The UK Tel: +44-1737-855 000 Fax: +44-1737-855 034 Email: michellebaalham@quartzltd.co.uk
ACHEMA Renowned international event on chemical engineering, environmental protection and biotechnology; June 18-22, 2012; at Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
Chemspec Europe An event dedicated to fine and specialty chemicals; June 13-14, 2012; at Gran Via Exhibition Centre, Barcelona, Spain
Analytica Tradeshow showcasing technologies for analysis, QC, lab technology; April 17-20,
Fax: 0172-2274 803 Email: contact@labexposindia.com
For details contact: Quartz Business Media Ltd
For details contact: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage, 1, Frankfurt, Germany Tel:+(49)-(69)-7575000 Fax:+(49)-(69)-7575643 Email: rentalinquiries@dechema.de
The information published in this section is as per the details furnished by the respective organiser. In any case, it does not represent the views of Chemical World
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EVENT PREVIEW Engineering Expo Indore 2012
Indore 6-9 Jan. 2012 Poddar Plaza, Near Gandhi Hall
Offering companies manufacturing advantage with a trading edge Sensing the pulse of the customers and offering them the best of opportunities has been the notion and intent of Engineering Expo ever since its inception. With the aim to equip companies with the best networking as well as product demonstration platform, the fourth edition of Engineering Expo Indore, organised by Infomedia 18 Ltd, will kick-start from January 6, 2012. Perched for profits, this year’s edition promises to offer companies a manufacturing advantage with a trading edge. A preview… Prerna Sharma & Nishi Rath
W
elcome to the heart of India where possibilities are endless and opportunities unlimited! Madhya Pradesh, by virtue of its central location, has become a strategic hotspot for setting up logistical activities and a burgeoning trade hub. Notwithstanding is the fact that its major cities such as Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior and Jabalpur are also gaining major traction owing to the state’s inherent advantages. For years, Indore has been known as the trading hub of central India. Abuzz with all the success ingredients such as strategic positioning, logistics hub, proximity to major ports, low cost of land & labour, availability of talent manpower and the entrepreneurial spirit of people; all
ENGINEERING EXPO INDORE STATS 200+ Exhibitors 12,000+ Expected visitors 15,000+ Products on display 1,00,000 sq ft Area Participation from 38 different cities in India 5,000+ products on display
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these and more are driving businesses in the cities. These promising advantages and proximity to emerging manufacturing hubs such as Pithampur and Dewas offer the city a manufacturing advantage with a trading edge. Is it not the perfect mix to progress and prosper? Taking these thoughts forward and keeping up with the growth momentum is the fourth edition of Engineering Expo Indore that promises to offer exhibitors and visitors a dual opportunity. Slated to be held between January 6 and 9, 2012, the Expo aims at offering companies a networking platform for enhancing their business prospects. Elaborating on this, Sandeep Khosla, CEO – Publishing, Infomedia 18 Ltd, observes, “With the intent to offer our exhibitors the dual proposition of exploring manufacturing opportunities along with an inherent trading edge, we decided to select Indore as the location to organise Engineering Expo in 2009. I am delighted to share with you that the past three editions have proved to be successful in terms of generating enviable business leads. I am sure that the upcoming edition will offer our exhibitors much more opportune prospects. For visitors, it is going to be a great networking platform to forge deals and get updated on latest products & services. All in all, it is a win-win scenario for all.”
Opportunities unlimited… The geographic location of the state makes it a prominent business destination for companies vying to get a logistical advantage over their competitors. It can give companies an upper hand in establishing inter-state trade. The major advantage it offers investors is the low establishment cost of business as compared to its neighbouring states. Justifying the same, Ashok Jaiswal, President, Association of Industries, Madhya Pradesh, states, “Apart from low transportation cost to every corner of the country, the state offers basic requirements such as land, water and skilled manpower at a low price. The state also allows industrial units and their ancillaries to have captive power plants to produce power as per the requirement.” Adds Rajesh Prasad, Factory Head – Pithampur, Jyothy Laboratories, “Indore is fast emerging as a transportation hub due to its easy accessibility. However, ancillary industrial development is still at a nascent stage in the state. This offers new entrants trying to establish their base in the state an added advantage. Areas like Delhi and NCR are getting saturated and Madhya Pradesh is proving to be a preferred destination for setting up ancillary units owing to the advantages such as low cost of production and transportation, which it will offer investors.” Testifying this, Sameer Golwelkar, Managing Partner, Orion Wire Ropes, says, “The presence
Engineering Expo Indore 2012
of major industrial units has given way to the establishment of ancillary industries. Moreover, the cost of production in smaller cities, such as Indore, is less as compared to other big cities. Secondly, the state’s proximity to Gujarat is an added advantage. Many ancillaries have developed in Madhya Pradesh to cater to the larger industries in Gujarat.” Multinational companies setting up their manufacturing units in Madhya Pradesh have also led to the growth of ancillary industries in the state. According to Ravindra Pujari, MD, Unique Saws & Machineries, “Madhya Pradesh houses five original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and more than 100 auto component manufacturing facilities, the market size of which is approximately $ 306 million. In addition, many major industry players also have plans to set up plants in the state. Pithampur offers tremendous potential and promises to be one of the leading auto-based clusters in India.”
Upbeat exhibitors Like always, exhibitors are upbeat about exhibiting their innovative products and demonstrating their manufacturing might to visitors of the Expo. Going by their sentiments, most of the exhibitors are happy with the choice of location such as Rudrapur, Indore and Aurangabad for organising the Expo, as it offers them access to such emerging manufacturing hubs. According to one of the exhibitors, B Harish, General Manager, Micromatic Machine Tools, “Indore is a developing industrial hub and it is the perfect time & place to organise the event. Indore is a significant market for us. Looking at the potential of the region, we had set up our franchisee here six months ago. As the major cities are getting crowded by the day, people are moving towards tier II & tier III cities. That is why regions like Rudrapur and Indore have become great options for many leading manufacturers.” He adds, “We feel that by participating in the Expo, we will get a lot more visibility. Moreover, we
are also looking at higher sales through the exhibition.” Seconding his views, Rajesh Ratnaparkhi, Director, Ratnaparkhi Electronics India, avers, “Many exhibitors from Indore and neighbouring areas will be present at the event, which will offer scope for interaction with manufacturers. Indore and the nearby areas like Pithampur are fast developing and with Indore being a great exhibition centre, we will have great opportunities to get introduced and present ourselves to our potential clients in the best possible way. During the event, we will be launching two of our products: CNC wire cut EDM machine and portable EDM machine.” Prabodh Ahuja, Partner, Hi-Tech Engineers, Indore, asserts, “I plan to
FIRST GREEN SEZ IN MP India’s first greenfield SEZ was set up in Indore. Around 7,500 people have been engaged in these units, nine units involving `650 crore are under construction in the SEZ. The SEZ has, so far, done export business worth `1,300 crore. get answers to most of my technical queries at the Expo. Additionally, Indore is a developing business hub and our participation in the Expo will give us recognition in Indore and its nearby areas. Some of our best material handling products will be on display there and interested people can get an idea about the product as there will be live demonstration.” According to Yogesh Mantri, Managing Director, Automation and General Electric Co, “It is good to have such an event in one of the developing areas. It will offer a platform for all – the industry, traders and OEMs. We hope to interact with more customers and showcase our products during the event – we will be displaying the Universal Enclosures of Schneider make.”
Manish Matta, Manager, Electronic Appliances, on the other hand, avers, “People are always on the move and do not have the time to see all the products & solutions available. Such an event comes as a one-stop solution for all. Also, Indore is not what it used to be five years ago. It is fast developing, and, at this point, organising such an event will be beneficial for everybody.” “We are into trading, manufacturing and are solution providers and will be displaying 10-15 solutions that we launched last year,” he adds.
Growth ahoy! While many opportunities exist, there is still much more scope for companies, which aspire to make Indore and the surrounding regions their preferred investment landscape. According to Gautam Kothari, President, Pithampur Audhyogik Sangathan, “To make the state a prominent export hub, a special corridor has been recently sanctioned by the government, which will be linked with the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor.” Also, many other railway projects are in the pipeline. Kothari adds, “Regions in and around Indore have the potential to attract many pharmaceuticals companies, be it formulations or bio-tech, but owing to the absence of regulatory bodies in Indore, many pharma companies have shifted their base from the region. However, with the decentralisation of the Food & Drug Administration Authority to Indore from Bhopal, many pharma companies are flourishing around the region. Along with this, the recently launched singlewindow system and the single application systems in the industrial policy will also act as trade enablers.” With such promising prospects ready to be leveraged & capitalised on, exhibitors and visitors at Engineering Expo Indore can be sure of getting the biggest bang for their buck. Be there on January 6, 2012, to capture the immense opportunities waiting to be tapped… Email: prerna.sharma@infomedia18.in; nisi.rath@infomedia18.in
December 2011 | Chemical World
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EVENT REPORT Engineering Expo Pune 2011
SYNERGISING the manufacturing
PROWESS Galaxy of dignitaries at the inauguration (L-R) R V Krishnan, C M Venkateshwaran, V Gokul Das, Sandeep Khosla, R Bhaskar and Asheesh Sharma
The sixth edition of Engineering Expo Pune brimmed with enthusiasm and positive demand, which echoed the industrial confidence of the region. With latest technologies and breakthrough solutions on display, the event was thronged by decision makers and professionals to ameliorate their understanding of the latest offerings in the Indian manufacturing industry. Visitors exploring state-of-the-art technologies at the expo
Swapnil Pillai
J
ustifying the buzz surrounding it, the much-awaited engineering exhibition of the region witnessed a tremendous response from visitors and exhibitors alike. Over the years, the event has become synonymous with offering exuberant business opportunities to its participants. The current edition showcased an exhaustive range of costeffective and technologically advanced solutions in the complete product segment of manufacturing.
Advantage Pune The overwhelming support received by this year’s edition of Engineering Expo Pune, organised by Infomedia 18 Ltd, is a testimony to its growing popularity in 70
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the region. Around 12,894 delegates who flocked the event from November 18-21, 2011, at Auto Cluster Exhibition Centre, Pimpri, generated business worth ` 81.10 crore. This year’s event also witnessed a team of 22 delegates from Japan, and also executives from Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Auto Ltd, John Deere, Force Motors, Forbes Marshall and Siddheshwar Group of Industries. The inauguration function was graced by the presence of eminent dignitaries like Asheesh Sharma, IAS, Commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation; R Bhaskar, Plant Head – CVBU, Tata Motors Ltd, Pune; C M Venkateshwaran, COO, Aker Powergas Subsea Pvt Ltd and Immediate Past Chairman, Process Plant & Machinery Association of India (PPMAI); V Gokul
Das, MD, HRS Process Systems Ltd; R V Krishnan, Chairman, Business Development Bureau India Pvt Ltd and Sandeep Khosla, CEO, Publishing, Infomedia 18 Ltd. While addressing the media during the inaugural event, Sharma, said, “Engineering Expo has grown from strength to strength over the years and Infomedia 18 Ltd has been doing a great job in organising this show.” He also highlighted the importance of good exhibition centres to boost trade in the region and also announced plans to set up a state-of-the art exhibition centre in Pune.
Fostering business ties Pune, which is home to many ‘startup’ SMEs with hi-tech products that meet the requirements of defence
Engineering Expo Pune 2011
establishments and private companies, has over the years witnessed a steady growth of SMEs in the region. According to Bhaskar, “The growth of the Indian economy depends, to a great extent, on the growth of the manufacturing sector. Moreover, India’s growth has to cover all sections of the industry and forums, like Engineering Expo, which not only give manufacturers an opportunity to showcase their products, but also allows technology-related learnings to be shared and transferred among all stakeholders like OEMs, customers and both big and small entrepreneurs. Such forums not only help customers find the right product and right company, they also aid manufacturers in collaborating with the right partners and herein lies their importance.” As a trendsetter, Engineering Expo offers an excellent platform for companies to launch cost-effective products and create awareness about their capabilities. Venkateshwaran said, “The timing for the Engineering Expo could not have been better, it is the end of the year when companies take a stock of what they have done over the year, and it is time when companies try to foresee what the future would be like. The vast section of manufacturing, which is represented by SMEs, play a major role in the growth of Indian economy, and forums like Engineering Expo provide an excellent platform for companies to come under one roof and exchange their views. It is a fantastic forum for companies to discuss the latest in the industry as there is a lot of innovation happening in the SME segment. The timing, the growth-oriented economy and the platform organised by Engineering Expo is a winning combination for strengthening business.” Seconding these thoughts, Gokul Das, said, “The enormous contribution of the SME segment to provide competent services to larger companies is truly an outstanding aspect in Pune’s growth and success story. This has also largely been possible due to Pune’s
spirit of entrepreneurship. Initiatives like Engineering Expo offer a potent platform to discuss and highlight various issues & challenges; meet & connect with peers from the industry; and finally to realise that the moment & opportunities to collaborate and grow are here, and now.”
Adhering to the market dynamics The event hosted an interesting mix of exhibitors ranging from companies showcasing the latest in ERP solutions to clients offering second-hand machinery. Anant Chind, Executive Director, Chind Iron and Steel Industries Ltd, said, “Over the years, Engineering Expo has grown rapidly, and has become a crucial enabler for the transfer of technology and know-how. We are into sheetmetal working and machine tools, and consider this event as the best platform to find more business & gain know-how of the current scenario in the industry. The event provides Indian companies an excellent opportunity to find new technologies, which will help local manufacturers to meet global standards.” The evolving customer demands have necessitated the requirement for quicker solutions with better productivity and reduced cycle time. The yearly frequency of the event enables companies to showcase their latest technologies. Navneet Punj, Head – Business Operation, Wide Bridge Consulting Pvt Ltd, noted, “We are showcasing our latest technology here and have generated a good response from the visitors. The event has provided an excellent platform to launch our costeffective products. It has enabled us to reach the right audience and create awareness about our capability to offer a combination of cost-effective and highly productive technologies.” Adding to this Milan Supanekar, Proprietor, Welding Technologies India, who has been associated with Engineering Expo for the past couple of years and is among one of the exhibitors who have already expressed interest to participate in the 2012 edition of the
ENGINEERING EXPO PUNE AT A GLANCE
225+
exhibitors
12,894
visitors
5,000+
products displayed
` 81 crore worth business generated 45,000 sq ft exhibition area 1,00,000 kg machinery moved 8,834 business leads generated event, said, “Engineering Expo has over the years upgraded itself to international standards; the infrastructure and quality of visitors has improved year after year. We are happy to be associated with this event and wish to grow with it over the years. At this edition, we showcased our latest technologies and products, which have generated good response among some of our esteemed customers.” The event also served as a foreground to showcase live demonstrations to customers. CTR MFG IND Ltd capitalised on this opportunity to launch their new product and showcase its technical & functional aspects to customers. “We showcased our newly developed product for the first time to the general public at Engineering Expo Pune. The show has enabled us to demonstrate its live functioning to the curious customers. This has generated a substantial number of business queries and we are optimistic about the success of the product,” said an elated S U Tale, Senior Marketing Engineer, Handling Equipments Division, CTR MFG IND Ltd. With more national participation and exciting live demonstrations, the forthcoming editions of Engineering Expo are projected to set the trend for the next manufacturing leap. Email: swapnil.pillai@infomedia18.in
December 2011 | Chemical World
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EVENT REPORT IPVS 2011
Partnering success through fruitful tie-ups Continuous developments and innovations in pumps & valves sector are critical for the development of chemical industry, which relies heavily on such equipment. Industrial Pumps, Valves and Systems (IPVS) 2011 provided an ideal platform for the manufacturers of pumps, valves & process systems to showcase their latest technologies to the end-user industries. A report…
Rajiv C Amin cutting the ribbon at the inauguration
Avani Jain
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he pumps and valves sector in India has evolved drastically over the years and has attracted major international companies from across the world. In a bid to provide further impetus to the sector, IPVS 2011 was organised by Orbitz Exhibitions Pvt Ltd under the patronage of the Ministry of Industries and Mines, Government of Gujarat, and in association with Indian Pump Manufacturers Association (IPMA), Europe Pump Manufacturers Association (EUROPUMP) and Holland Pump Groep. Held from November 11–13, 2011, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the three events – namely Pumps Expo, Valves Expo, and Process Plants & Systems Expo – along with the concurrent international conference addressed national and global concerns pertaining to energy conservation, system optimisation, smart controls for enhanced reliability & safety, etc. Ramesh Vartak, Chief Operating Officer, Orbitz Exhibition Pvt Ltd, said, “Gujarat is a hub for pump manufacturing. Further, there are many industries in the state, which makes it one of the major users of pumps and valves. This event provided a further boost to the pumps and valves industry in the state.” 72
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Visitors making enquiries about products on display
A business platform The show was inaugurated by Rajiv C Amin, President, IPMA, & Managing Director, Garwin Engineering Pvt Ltd along with Yagnesh Buch, Deputy General Manager - Marketing, KSB Pumps. Talking about the pumps and valves industry, Amin said, “The demand for pumps and valves in the process industry is low since last two to three months due to various reasons. It is much more in the agricultural sector. However, the scenario is expected to change in the near future and the demand is set to increase in the process industry as well.” The event served as a perfect meeting place for industry leaders, decision-makers and trade associations who were looking for new tie-ups and announcements for the future. About 100 exhibitors from India and 85 exhibitors representing 7 countries participated at the event. An elated exhibitor, Mani P Iyer, Customer Relations Manager & Business Field Manager - Environmental & Energy, Pumps and System unit, Netzsch Technologies India Pvt Ltd, said, “Some potential customers visited our stall. We have got some enquiries and now we are looking forward to convert these into orders.” Not only the exhibitors from India but also other countries believed the
exibition to be fruitful. Laura Young, International Business Department, Ningbo Industry Seals Factory, said, “This is the first time that we have come to India. Our main aim is to know more about Indian companies, their business practices and requirements. Further, we want to showcase our products to the Indian people. We have met a lot of potential customers. This exhibition has proved useful for us.” The event attracted as many as 2,500 focussed and quality visitors from India who also seem to be contended with the event. Vijay Kumar, Manager - Sales, Hyperbaric Healthcare Pvt Ltd, said, “Events like these provide all the information at one place, and thus aid in the decision-making process.” Another satisfied visitor, Najeeb Hava, Managing Director, Fluidchem Valves (I) Pvt Ltd, opined, “I came to this exhibition in search of a specific product. I have located the potential company and already placed an order.” There were few visitor delegations from countries like Nigeria, France, Spain and Russia. Those who missed the opportunity to benefit from IPVS 2011 can look forward to attend the next edition, which will be held from December 14–16, 2012, in Pune. Email: avani.jain@infomedia18.in
BOOK REVIEW
Organic synthesis (Third edition) Author: Michael B Smith Price: ` 6,750 This serves as a comprehensive reference book that has gathered innumerable resources and consolidated them into one edition. Insights on reagents, cross-references to books that deal only in reagents, and so on are presented quite effectively. Often, one sees textbooks that explain reactions and simply assume that they will work without citing a reference where someone has actually gone through the trouble to see if the reaction really will work. But this book elaborately explains practical citations and examples. In the third edition, more than 600 new reactions have been incorporated, and all these are taken from recent scientific literature, beyond 2002, in order to reflect current research. This book is highly recommended for professionals in organic chemistry, pharmaceuticals, R&D in syntheses, as well as academicians and students of higher chemistry.
Practical synthetic organic chemistry This is a must-have desktop reference and textbook for every student & professional working in organic chemistry or related fields. It provides the user with practical knowledge to assist in the planning and execution of synthetic reactions in the laboratory. Organised classically by reaction type, the work selects the most reliable & useful reactions, and provides the information necessary for a chemist to strategically plan a synthesis, as well as repeat the procedures in the laboratory. The text provides information on the basics of the reaction, the synthetic procedure, mechanism, and scope of the reaction. Despite the maturity of organic chemistry, it can still be challenging to identify optimal methods for synthetic transformations that perform as well in real-world manufacturing processes as they do in the laboratory. This detailed and accessible guide attempts to address this vexing issue and deliver proven methodologies that practising synthetic chemists will find valuable for identifying reaction conditions, which work reliably over the broadest possible range of substrates.
Editor: StĂŠphane Caron Price: ` 5,200
Reviewed by: Tejas Padte, Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai
Available at: Wisdom Book Distributors, Hornby Building, 1st floor, 174, D N Road, Mumbai 400 001 Tel: 022-2207 4484/6631 8958, Telefax: 022-2203 4058, Email: thadam@vsnl.com
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PRODUCTS
Spray dryers
Safety light curtains
Raj Process Equipments & Systems offers spray dryers that are used for feeds in liquid form containing either water or any other solvent. Feeds may be solution, slurry or emulsion. Depending on the particle size of the final product required and the nature of feed any one or combination of following atomisation system is used: two fluid atomisation, high-pressure single fluid atomisation, and rotary disc atomisation. The final product obtained from the spray dryer is in powder form. By varying the operating parameters of the spray dryer the required powder characteristics, such as moisture, particle size, bulk density, flowability, particle morphology, etc, can be achieved. Besides manual and semi-automatic systems, also offered are PLC & SCADA based systems for easy operation and monitoring of the spray dryer. Multiple systems can be operated from a single computer thus reducing the manpower requirement. All important parameters, like temperatures, pressures, flow, etc, are recorded and displayed in the system and can be retrieved at any given moment. The spray dryers have water evaporation capacity ranging from 1 kg/hr to 18,000 kg/hr are also offered. Typical applications are in dyestuffs, pigments, starch, detergents, milk powder, fruits, pharmaceutical, herbal extracts, food flavors, ceramics, china clay, enzymes, etc.
Rockwell Automation has expanded its safety light curtain line with highperformance options. The new Guardmaster GuardShield light curtains extend application versatility and provide reliable, cost-efficient performance. Designed to provide end-users with improved functionality, configuration flexibility and installation, these safety light curtains include the GuardShield Safe 4 with an integrated laser alignment system, the GuardShield Cascadeable Micro 400, and the GuardShield Safe 4 PAC. The new GuardShield Safe 4 safety light curtain is equipped with an integrated laser alignment system, allowing for simplified setup and installation. GuardShield Cascadeable Micro 400 safety light curtain is a type 4, three-box safety light curtain designed for small assembly machines in ambient operating environments where mounting space is limited. The GuardShield Safe 4 PAC light curtain is a self-contained, optically synchronised, two-box safety light curtain offering an expanded operating range.
Raj Process Equipments & Systems (P) Ltd Pune - Maharashtra Tel: 020-4071 0010, Fax: 020-4071 0009, Mob: 09766441144 Email: sales@rajprocessequipment.com
Rockwell Automation India Ltd Noida - Uttar Pradesh Tel: 0120-2895245, Fax: 0120-4217929 Email: raindia@ra.rockwell.com
EBR handles
Jacsons Engineers offers dispensing machines that are mostly used for dispensing, counting of empty pouch, filled flat pouch, paper, paper bags, carton poly bags, etc. The machines’ speed ranges from 0 to 400 per/min. Range of product is minimum 50 mm x 70 mm and maximum 210 mm x 350 mm. Thickness of dispensing unit is 70 GSM paper to 10 mm thickness size (but should be flat). Optional accessories include: counter/printer (as extra provision) if required.
Elesa and Ganter offers EBR handles with safety locking devices for quick locking of sliding doors on machines or protections to operate in safer environment. The mechanism, which is driven by the button, allows the locking of sliding doors to prevent unauthorised people from having access to protected areas. By pressing the button, a metal pin is automatically engaged and fitted into a reference hole on the frame. The door can be locked both in the closed or open position to prevent the door from rolling over accidentally, for eg, during maintenance operations. The mechanism can be opened only by means of the special key, with anti-intrusion-profiled stainless steel insert available only by the authorised personnel. The ergonomic shape of the handle and the position of the button improve the grip and locking operations. EBY handles from Ergostyle by Elesa+Ganter line, is available with screw covers in six standard colours, ie, black, orange, gray, yellow, light-blue, and red.
Jacsons Engineers Ahmedabad - Gujarat Tel: 079-2584 1814, Fax: 079-2584 1408, Mob: 9426518809 Email: info@jacsonsengrs.com
Elesa & Ganter India Pvt Ltd Noida - Uttar Pradesh Tel: 0120-4726666, Fax: 0120-4726600 Email: info@elesaganter-india.com
Dispensing machines
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PRODUCTS
Lab homogenisers Alpen high-speed lab homogenisers have been designed specially to deliver highthroughput sample emulsion/dispersion/ homogenisation of a variety of immiscible/ miscible liquids with optional solids charge. Operating in a batch mode, the homogenisers’ high-speed special impeller set emulsifies, disperses and homogenises the sample charge in minutes and delivers the desired consistency repeatedly, batch after batch. The high-degree of intense turbulence during mixing also disintegrates and pulverises, where applicable, besides shearing through the mass. Drive speed is variable and controllable. Batch operation can be under vacuum or pressure, depending on the application need. The design pays attention to ease of maintenance in dismantling and reassembling the unit. These high-speed lab homogenisers find applications in pharma, biomedical, food, cosmetics & personal products, etc. They assist in the R&D efforts in development and establishment of process standards for new array of products. Typical applications also include tissue homogenising in the biomedical industry, medical creams and lotions in the pharma industry, etc. Alpha Process Engineers Chennai - Tamil Nadu Tel: 044-2811 1351, Fax: 044-2811 2371 Email: apeepa@vsnl.com
Chemical transfer pumps Taha Pumps & Valve offers CFP series chemical transfer pumps in SS316 material for handling of mild corrosive chemicals and various other liquids in different industries, like chemical, petrochemical, steel plants, printing houses, pharmaceuticals and food processing. The main features of these pumps are high efficiency, good performance and reliability. The pumps are available from 0.25 HP to 10 HP in different capacities in monoblock and bare pump design. All wetted parts are made of graded SS316 material. Sealing is by mechanical seal of different face combination of carbon, ceramic, GFT, silicon, tungsten, etc. The pumps can be used for high temperature application up to 250°C. Special pumps are also available with casing steam jacketing and with flameproof motors. Taha Pumps & Valves Surendranagar - Gujarat Tel: 02752-240233, Fax: 02752-240908, Mob: 09825599415 Email: tahapv@yahoo.co.in
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PRODUCTS
Shoe cover dispensers
Vacuum pumps
Industrial Equipwash Inc offers automatic shoe cover dispensers that eliminate the problems for manual wearing shoe cover on foot and avoid carrying any contamination to clean areas. For wearing, one needs to place one foot at a time in the dispenser and giving a gentle press to the foot, the shoe cover automatically encloses the shoe/foot without touching the hand or any external help. One need not have to bend or stand on one foot while wearing the shoe cover. At any given time only one shoe cover will be dispensed. These shoe cover dispensers accommodate up to no 11 size shoe. The design is user-friendly, since users do not need any mechanical person for maintenance.
Cole-Parmer offers a complete line of vacuum pumps that includes oilfree as well as rotary vane pumps for laboratory, environmental sampling, process and OEM use. These pumps are suitable for most of the applications related to research work, which require ultimate vacuum range between 100 mbar to 0.001 mbar. Two-stage rotary vane vacuum pumps are newly designed and most suitable for most of the laboratory applications. These pumps have very minimum wear & tear parts and hence they are meant for longer life without service hassles. The high-contact metal parts are plasma-treated to yield the maximum corrosion resistance. To increase the service intervals the pump features an anti-suckback valve to inhibit corrosive vapours from entering the pump. These pumps with higher displacement rates are ideal for applications wherein evacuation is required in a faster rate. Features include: compact design: half the size of a typical rotary vane pump, easy to carry; energy-efficient motor: reduces cost of ownership; easy operation & maintenance; very low noise level; and equipped with gas ballast for specific applications.
Industrial EquipWash Inc Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-2679 7941 Fax: 022-2679 2936, Mob: 09869231815 Email: iewi@mtnl.net.in
Cole-Parmer India Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-6716 2222/ 209, Fax: 022-6716 2211 Email: response@coleparmer.in,vinita.singh@coleparmer.in
Agitated nutsche filters CPK Engineers offers agitated nutsche filters in capacity ranging from 250 ltrs to 3000 ltrs. These agitated nutsche filters and vacuum/ pressure agitated nutsche filters work as a completely closed system. They save manpower. Very high solvent recovery is possible. A single unskilled person with little training can handle the complete operation of these filters. Other features include: very effective washing of the cake up to the special feature of reslurrying; capable of doing reaction, filtration, washing & distillation in the same equipment; and possibility of combining filtration & drying in one system without intermediate handling of wet cake. The agitated nutsche filters are also available with special construction for sterile applications with high standards of particulate purity. CPK Engineers Pvt Ltd Hyderabad - Andhra Pradesh Tel: 040-2373 5424, 5578 7930, Fax: 040-2373 3298 Email: cpkengi@yahoo.com 76
Chemical World | December 2011
PRODUCTS
Industrial vacuum cleaners
Screening machines
Acmevac Sales offers industrial vacuum cleaners from Swiss Vac. The range covers industrial vacuum cleaners suitable for light, medium and heavy duty applications. Powerful suction makes these vacuum cleaners suitable for wet and dry applications. The collection tanks are made of stainless steel and the castor is mounted for mobility. Trolleys are provided for the heavier models. The trolleys have a special tipping arrangement for emptying the container without lifting it. These also have bypass motors/turbines which do not need special care. Larger models feature an exclusive triple filter system for proper filtration and for protecting the suction unit. The accessories include a set of nozzles for effective dust, dirt and wet pick up.
Allgaier offers tumbler and vibration screening machines as per GMP and FDA-regulations for applications in pharmacy, food and fine chemicals. These specialised machines are used for the treatment of valuable powders, pellets and granules. The hygienic design includes solutions for WIP-cleaning devices and ATEX certification. Tumbler screening machines are high-performance screening machines for fractionating, protective screening and dedusting. The threedimensional tumbling movement creates exceptional fine cuts for the bulk solids. Modular design allows the production of additional fractions through additional screening desks in one machine. For simple applications vibration screening machines, type VTS or Vibrall, are economic alternatives.
Acmevac Sales Pvt Ltd Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-2837 5837, Fax: 022-2836 4977, Mob: 092233 88105 Email: acmevac@vsnl.com
Allgaier Werke GmbH Uhingen - Germany Tel: +49-7161-301353, Fax: +49-7161-34268 Email: siebtechnik@allgaier.de
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PRODUCTS
Vacuum pool systems
Ceramic components
Joyam Engineers & Consultants has developed an innovative vacuum pool by integrating two vacuum pumps and a reservoir tank. Energy saver vacuum pool systems are ideal for fluctuating processes. These systems greatly improve the performance of such processes. The demand for air/vapour evacuation in certain kind of process applications fluctuates as the process parameters vary with time. These energy saver vacuum pool systems keep vacuum virtually constant. Since the systems are designed for best possible capacity control, they are big time energy savers. The systems also feature recirculation of sealing liquid with intercooling. This feature significantly cuts down on the cost of sealing liquid and reduces the load on effluent treatment. Salient features include: meet the fluctuating process demand keeping the vacuum constant; automatic capacity control saves considerably on electrical energy; and recirculation of sealing liquid with inter cooling saves the cost.
Mangalam Industrial Products have developed custom-made ceramic components for industrial applications. Heater cores, tubes, connectors, resistor insulators, infrared lamp insulators, thermocontrol insulators, etc. These components are made from hard porcelain, steatite ceramic, high alumina ceramics, and cordierite porcelains. Enquiries with material specification, drawing/ sample, application details and the quantity required are necessary. Mangalam Industrial Products Ahmedabad - Gujarat Tel: 079-2754 5912, Fax: 079-2747 8404, Mob: 09825468324 Email: info@mangalamceramics.com
Structured packings & internals
Adeka India offers lubricant additives and reactive surfactants. The Adeka lube S series is organo-molybdenum compound developed with original technology by Adeka Corporation. These additives can reduce friction and help save fuels, minimise metal wear and extend machine life. They give good lubricity performance even under severe conditions, prevent degradation of oil, and extend oil life. These are suitable for engine oil, gear oil, grease and metal working fluid. Adeka Reasoap series comprises polymerisable surfactants. They improve water resistance and other physical properties of resin film produced. These also provide good emulsifying characteristic and reactivity with monomers in emulsion polymerisation. The lubricant additives and reactive additives are suitable for emulsions used in water-resistant paints, adhesives and textile binders.
Fenix Process Technologies offers structured packings and internals. These packings in sheet metal and wire gauze provide high separation efficiency (low HETP) resulting in reduced column height and thus cost saving. Available in standard and exotic metals at 450 & 600 crimp angles and surface areas of 60-1,000 m²/m³, the packings have low pressure drop and excellent wetting characteristics due to special surface treatment. Very high contact area between the rising vapour and the down-coming liquid is provided by these packings, thus facilitating easy separation/purification of low boiling components at the top and high boiling ones at the bottom as desired products. The grid packing is a good choice for any application, which has problems of fouling, erosion, high solid content, etc. These can be easily removed, cleaned and replaced. Besides packings, other internal accessories like feed plates, dispenser plates, liquid distributors and re-distributors, support plates, bed limiters, collector plates, etc, are required for a mass-transfer column/tower. The structured packings and columns/tower internals find use in sectors, like chemicals, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, dyes & intermediates, aromatics and other industries wherever miscible/azeotropic liquid-liquid separation is critical.
Adeka India Pvt Ltd Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-4026 3301/2/3, Fax: 022-4026 3306 Email: info@adekaindia.com
Fenix Process Technologies Pvt Ltd Pune - Maharashtra Tel: 020-6500 8772, Fax: 020-2545 8454, Mob: 09860723222 Email: info@fenix.in
Joyam Engineers & Consultants Ahmedabad - Gujarat Tel: 079-2656 9533, Fax: 079-2656 2777, Mob: 09879099100 Email: joyam@joyamvactech.com
Lubricant additives & reactive surfactants
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PRODUCTS
PID controllers PID controllers (model PID-723) offered by Libratherm Instruments are mainly used for precise process control. Unlike ON/OFF type of control, the PID control gives smooth and steady state control, which is very much important in very critical control, where oscillatory control is not desirable. Model PID-723 offers all those useful features that are required to control the complex system. The input these accept is universal in nature and user-selectable. Control action is PID or ON/OFF for both direct and reverse action, which is also user-selectable. Control outputs are in the form of optically isolated DC pulse, Triac, relay and 4-20 mA. Analogue output can also be configured as 0-20mA or 4-20 mA or as 0-5/0-10 V output using keyboard. Auto and manual tuning of PID values makes the controllers versatile and user-friendly. Model PID-723 being small in size, can easily be accommodated in small size equipment. Two input models are useful for systems where two sensors are used for controlling two independent loads, as in the case of stability chamber where, temperature and humidity both needs to be controlled. Libratherm Instruments Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-2896 3823, Fax: 022-2896 0569, Mob: 09821136685 Email: libratherm@libratherm.com
Glossmeters Jay Instruments & Systems offers Zehntner glossmeters (model ZGM 1110) for measurement of all gloss ranges from matt to high gloss and gloss up to 2,000GU. Other important features include: USB interface for optional PC operation; single, multiple & continuous measurement; and latest technology & intuitive operational elements. These precision glossmeters leave nothing to be desired: small in dimension, luminous graphical OLED display, that are switchable for left-handed use, SD-RAM memory card and USB-interface for optional PC operation. Single, multiple and continuous measurements (minimum interval of 2s) can be taken. Versatile GlossTools measuring and data analysis software with additional features, free of charge. Latest technology and intuitive operational elements, like the rotary button for rapid menu-guidance. Jay Instruments & Systems Pvt Ltd Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-2352 6207/08, Fax: 022-2352 6210, Mob: 09004279992 Email: marketing@jayinst.com
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PRODUCTS
Ultra-filtration systems
Corrugated tube heat exchangers
Ovivo India offers OVIVO-Trisep ultra-filtration (UF) systems that are operated in a crossflow mode, thus reducing the chances of fouling and maintaining the permeability of the membrane for a long time. Unlike hollow fibre membrane systems, which are prone to frequent breakage, OVIVO-Trisep membrane elements are robust and are designed for effective aeration, backwash and purging. The UF systems undergo negative pressure operation, thereby eliminating compaction and higher TMP, which are generally seen in positive pressure systems. The UF systems have two product lines: iSep and SpiraSep. The iSep units eliminate the need for a process tank as they are skid-mounted plug-and-play type. The SpiraSep units are submerged UF systems which can be placed in an existing process tank and operated in a feed & bleed mode. Also offered are MBR, Aerostrip fine bubble diffusers, Jeta grit removal systems, Hybrid BNR (sequential batch reactor technology), FlooBed (moving bed bioreactor technology) and Fine Screens (up to 1 mm opening).
HRS Process Systems offers Ecoflux corrugated tube heat exchangers. In these heat exchangers, heat transfer area can be reduced to less than half of that required in a plain tubular heat exchanger. They are shell & tube heat exchangers that use corrugated tubes instead of plain tubes. The most important feature of the heat exchangers is the corrugated tubes that are corrugated to induce turbulence in both flows (product & service) at lower velocities. This not only increases thermal efficiency but also eliminates product channeling. The heat exchangers are available in various models, like: K-series multi-tube heat exchanger for process industry applications; MI series multitube heat exchanger for food/fruit processing applications; DT series tube-in-tube heat exchanger capable of handling large particulates; and AS series triple tube heat exchanger made of three concentric tubes, which give three annular spaces. The corrugated tube heat exchangers find extensive use in various industries, such as chemical process, pharmaceutical, petrochemicals, fertilizers, edible oil, food & beverage processing, etc. These can also be used in condensers, coolers, chillers, heater sub coolers, heat recovery and many more applications.
Ovivo India Surat - Gujarat Tel: 0261-246 5972/73, Fax: 0261-246 2997 Email: info.in@ovivowater.com
Laser particle size & shape analysers MeasureTest Corporation offers laser particle size and shape analysers that are available in wet and dry mode feeding. Low-cost particle sizers for smallscale industry & colleges, mid-range models for quality control, and top of the line models for large-scale industry & research institutes are available. Special features of these analysers include: 3D automatic focussing system controlled by computer; easy switching between liquid & dry dispersion modes; simple & easy one-click operation, fully automated; automatically adjusts concentration when high, auto dilutes, low prompts adding sample to optimise concentration; and free validation documentation. These analysers find applications in pharmaceuticals, cement, titanium powder, talc, clays, soil, pesticides, battery material, graphite, petrochemicals, metallic powders, catalysts, etc. MeasureTest Corporation Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-2202 7982, Mob: 09869012701 Email: sheesh@mtnl.net.in, measuretest@yahoo.com 82
Chemical World | December 2011
HRS Process Systems Pvt Ltd Pune - Maharashtra Tel: 020-2566 3581, Fax: 020-2566 3583 Email: mktcom@hrsasia.co.in
Metal keyboards Solar Biotronic Laboratories offers metal keyboards using aluminium or stainless steel as the front surface. These keyboards can be used in any harsh environments, factory shopfloor, process control areas, petrol or diesel dispensing machine (petrol pumps), external locations etc. The metal keyboards operate at 30 mA, 0-24 V DC and in a temperature range of 10°C to +70°C. Operating force is 100300 g. The metal keyboard panels can be developed as per customers’ designs and requirements. Customers can also suggest the size, number of switches, layout, etc. Solar Biotronic Laboratories Pvt Ltd Pune - Maharashtra Tel: 020-3011 6901, Fax: 020-3011 6905 Email: sales@sblindia.com
PRODUCTS
Air compressors
Gear pumps
Deep Pneumatics offers singlescrew air compressors in joint venture with Shangha FEIHE Industrial Group Co Ltd, China. The air end is composed of one cylindrical worm and two symmetrical plane star wheels, which are engaged and mounted in a casting. The worm groove, casting and tooth surface form a sealed cavity. When the star wheels moving in the worm groove, the air in the groove is compressed and exhausted. The worm has 6 grooves and is separated horizontally by two star wheels into two working cavities; each of realizes separately suction, compression and exhaustion. Therefore, one single screw air compressor equals one unit six-cylinder double piston compressor. When the tooth grooves in the suction end of the worm, all connect with the suction cavity. When the worm rotates to certain position and tooth groove cavity is separated from the cavity by the engagement with convex tooth of star wheel.
Maag Pump Systems offers V-series gear pumps for handling high viscosity media in the chemical/industrial applications. These are discharge pumps with special inlet geometry. They are ideal for all plant operators with difficult applications at low inlet pressures (vacuum) and high levels of viscosity, for eg, resins, fats, silicones, sucrose, esters or pre-polymers. The pumps can be used at temperatures up to 350째C. Inlet geometry ensures even filling of the gears at low pressure to safeguard continuous production flow. Two versions are available. The gear pumps with round inlet geometry are offered as variant one. On the second variant, the pumps connection flange is omitted and the gear pump is directly connected to the reactor (sandwich design). This solution is particularly optimised for reactors under a vacuum. Typical applications are in extractions from vacuum, in thin film evaporator applications, to handle high viscous liquids (paste, grease, honey, etc), low viscous liquids than water (but not for water), distillation process applications, drug intermediates applications, residue transfers from reactors, and speciality chemicals & polymers.
Deep Pneumatics Pvt Ltd Ahmedabad - Gujarat Tel: 079-2280 3684, Fax: 079-2280 3684, Mob: 09374635199 Email: deeppneumatics@hotmail.com
Maag Pump Systems India Navi Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-2789 3645, Fax: 022-2789 4407 Email: satyagarinapally@maag.com
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PRODUCTS
Disc filters
Universal washing machines
EPP Composites offers disc filters that are used for polishing of beverages, plating solution and other low viscosity liquids containing small quantity of suspended matter. These disc filters are almost always operated as pressure filters. In the design of sparkler filters, both sides of each plate are used as filtering surfaces having paper or other media clamped against them. Pressure filters can be offered up to operating pressure of 6 kg/cm². The disc filters can be offered in various sizes to suit the fluid flow and particle loading in the fluids. These disc filters can also be offered with re-circulation pump and the total assembly is mounted on a trolley to mobilise the filter in plant/factory.
Flow Control Industries offers UNWA-CON universal applicable cleaning machines, by means of which the fast and thorough cleaning of containers, baskets, pallets, trays, etc, is ensured. These universal washing machines clean up to 100 pallets per hour and contain a separate main-wash-zone and a rinse-zone. Soiled containers to be washed are manually placed on the machine and conveyed by a chain conveyor into the wash chamber. An adjustable integrated chain guide provides that the containers are pushed from the conveyor belt. The containers pass through high-pressure waterjet spray generated by nozzles having accurate spray angles for washing the pallets both externally and internally. This ensures optimum cleaning in the shortest possible timing. The containers can be washed by detergent solution or hot water. Finally the residue liquid on the containers can be dried using hot air blow off system. Wastewater is collected into a sump, which can be connected either a sewage system or can be recycled after passing through a special filtration system. By means of this procedure minimal water, energy and chemicals consumption is guaranteed.
EPP Composites Pvt Ltd Rajkot - Gujarat Tel: 02827-287059, Fax: 02827-287063 Email: marketing@epp.co.in
Vortex separators Gem Equipments offers the easiest and permanent solution for moisture removal problem by launching vortex separators or moisture separators for effective performance. All air contains moisture in the form of water vapour. When this compressed air is used in the manufacturing plant, the moisture causes problems, such as washing away of lubricants, increasing wear & tear, rust formation, corrosion, etc. The moist air after entering the vortex separators hits the shell and then passes through the vortex generator, which generates the vortex motion of compressed air. The vortex generator is a fixed one and has a number of vanes. These vanes separate the moisture droplets by impingement separation method. Due to the density, the moisture droplets settle down into the dead zone below the arrestor. The moisture free air is let out through the inner shell of the separator. An automatic drain valve (float type) is fitted to the dead zone, which drains the moisture condensate. A sight glass is provided for visually checking the level of moisture collected in the dead zone. The vortex separators are designed for 99 per cent effective moisture separation with the least possible pressure drop. Gem Equipments Ltd Coimbatore - Tamil Nadu Tel: 0422-2363 800/ 2363 836, Fax: 0422-236 0523 Email: sales@gemindia.com 84
Chemical World | December 2011
Flow Control Industries Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-3222 7296, Fax: 022-2678 7870, Mob: 09833889965 Email: ludwig_vaz@rediffmail.com
Bag lifting centrifuges United Engineering Enterprises offer fourpoint bag lifting type centrifuges for bulk drugs, pharma, food, herbal, flavours and chemical industries. These machines are mounted on inertia plate anti-vibration mounts. This eliminates the cost of heavy foundation. It also eases relocation of the machine. During operation, the maintenance of suspension systems associated with pendulum suspension machine is eliminated. The bag lifting centrifuges are offered in complete stainless construction and conform to cGMP standards. These are available in batch capacities ranging from 45 l to 500 l. United Engineering Enterprises Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-2308 3990, Fax: 022-2308 9445 Email: uenggent@gmail.com
PRODUCTS
Automobile care cleaning chemicals Altret Performance Chemicals Gujarat offers automobile care cleaning chemicals. These chemicals are gentle and capable of effectively removing spots and stains from the painted vehicle’s body. Furthermore, the chemicals are also utilised for effectively cleaning the floors, wall panels, glasses and paint surfaces. The range of automobile care cleaning chemicals is gentle on the car’s paints and does not hamper the shine and look of the vehicle. Altret Performance Chemicals Gujarat Pvt Ltd Surat - Gujarat Tel: 0261-2451807, Fax: 0261-2434517 Email: info@altret.com, Website: www.altret.com
Liquid-ring vacuum pumps Blowtech offers liquid-ring vacuum pumps and compressors. These have airflow from 51 m³/hr to 440 m³/hr. They have maximum vacuum of 50 Torr (ABS). The liquid-ring vacuum pumps and compressors are available in CI, GBZ, and SS304/316 materials of construction. These are ideally suited for chemical, pharmaceutical, paper and textile industries. Other range of products include oil-sealed high vacuum pumps, and industrial vacuum cleaners & dust collectors. Blowtech Dist Thane - Maharashtra Tel: 022-2845 8372, Fax: 022-2845 7073 Email: blowtech@hotmail.com
Cyanide waste neutralisers Ashtreat-Cynof cyanide waste neutralisers manufactured by Ashok Industry are widely used for neutralising cyanide waste effluents that are often generated by electroplating and heat treatment industries. The destruction of cyanide is total and within a very short period by using Ashtreat-Cynof. The end products of the treatment are carbon dioxide and nitrogen, which are absolutely harmless. Ashok Industry Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-6150 4150, Fax: 022-6150 4151 Email: sales@ashokindustry.com The information published in this section is as per the details furnished by the respective manufacturer/ distributor. In any case, it does not represent the views of
Chemical World
December 2011 | Chemical World
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LIST OF PRODUCTS
Sl. No.
Product
Pg. No.
Sl. No.
Product
Pg. No.
Sl. No.
Product
Pg. No.
1
AC drives ..................................................... 55
60
Duel fuel burners ............................................... 85
118
Lined valves & pipe fittings ................................ 4
2
AC motors ......................................................... 19
61
Dust collectors ................................................... 60
119
Liquid-ring vacuum pumps ............................... 85
3
AC variable frequency drives ............................. 55
62
Easy installation ........................................... 17
120
Load cells ........................................................... 55
4
Acoustic hoods ................................................... 49
63
EBR handles ...................................................... 74
121
Load weighing devices ....................................... 55
5
Agitated nutsche filters ...................................... 76
64
Electronic brakes................................................ 55
122
Loading arms ..................................................... 83
6
Agitators ............................................................ 13
65
Elevator controllers ............................................ 55
123
Long lasting ....................................................... 17
7
Air blowers......................................................... 49
66
Elevator door mechanism .................................. 55
124
Long neck pipe ends.......................................... 30
8
Air compressors ................................................. 83
67
Empowers ........................................................FIC
125
Low maintenance............................................... 17
9
Air receivers ....................................................... 33
68
End caps ............................................................ 30
126
Lubricant additives & reactive surfactants......... 78
10
Air-pollution control equipment ....................... 33
69
EngineeringExpo exhibitions................. 24, 43, 67
127
Magnetic stirrers .......................................... 13
11
Analytical instrumentation...............................FIC
70
Exhausters .......................................................... 34
128
Mechanical vacuum boosters ............................. 34
12
Anesthetic rotameters ........................................ 75
71
Exhibitions ............................................. 24, 43, 67
129
Metal keyboards ................................................. 82
13
Aqua gas chlorinators ........................................ 76
72
Filter cocks................................................... 30
130
Mills ................................................................... 13
14
Automatic & contained discharge ..................... 57
73
Filter presses ...................................................... 77
131
Motor-driven dosing pumps .............................. 76
15
Automatic rescue devices ................................... 55
74
Fire tube-type package IBR steam boilers ........ 75
132
Motors ............................................................... 19
16
Automobile care cleaning chemicals .................. 85
75
Flameproof motors............................................. 19
133
Multi-fuel fired IBR steam boilers .................... 75
17
Axial flow fans ................................................... 85
76
Flange mounting motors ................................... 19
134
Multi-stage cake washing .................................. 57
18
Bad conductors of electricity ......................... 17
77
Flow indicators .................................................. 30
135
Non-IBR steam boilers ................................. 60
19
Bag filters ........................................................... 60
78
Fluid bed dryers ................................................. 85
136
Non-return valves .......................................... 4, 30
20
Bag lifting centrifuges ........................................ 84
79
Foot valves ......................................................... 30
137
Nozzles............................................................... 83
21
Ball valves....................................................... 4, 30
80
FRP pipings ......................................................... 3
138
Online b2b marketplace ........................... 31; 86
22
Batch dispersers ................................................. 13
81
Gas conditioning & fire protection ............... 35
139
Overhead stirrers ................................................ 13
23
Bellows & dip-pipes ............................................ 4
82
Gear boxes ..................................................29, BC
140
PBEGL geared motors ................................. 19
24
Bends ................................................................. 30
83
Gear motors ................................................29, BC
141
PID controllers .................................................. 81
25
Better ergonomics .............................................. 17
84
Gear pumps ....................................................... 83
142
Pilot plants ......................................................... 13
26
Blowers......................................................... 34, 49
85
Glossmeters ........................................................ 81
143
Pipelines ............................................................. 51
27
Boilers .......................................................... 51, 75
86
Heat exchangers ................................ 15, 33, 37
144
Piping systems from polypropylene ..................... 6
28
Brake motors...................................................... 19
87
Heat transfer equipment .................................... 65
145
Pneumatic accessories .......................................... 8
29
Burners ............................................................... 75
88
Heating baths..................................................... 13
146
Pole rings ........................................................... 30
30
Butterfly valves ............................................... 4, 30
89
Helical inline geared motors/reducers ............... 29
147
Polypropylene filter plates.................................. 77
31
Cake pressing machines ................................ 57
90
High-pressure blowers ....................................... 19
148
Polypropylene recess plates ................................ 77
32
Calorifers............................................................ 51
91
High-pressure homogenisers ............................. 13
149
Power controllers ............................................... 55
33
Calorimeters ....................................................... 13
92
High-strength of weight ratio ........................... 17
150
PP-recess chamber-type filter presses ................ 77
34
Centrifugal air blowers ...................................... 85
93
Horizontal basket centrifuges ............................ 45
151
PP-recess chamber-type fully
35
Centrifugal fans ................................................. 65
94
Hot air & water generators ............................... 75
36
Ceramic components ......................................... 78
95
Hot air generators .............................................. 60
152
Pressure & vacuum filtration ............................. 57
37
Check valves......................................................... 4
96
Hot plates .......................................................... 13
153
Process gas blowers ............................................ 19
38
Chemical transfer pumps ................................... 75
97
Hot water generators ................................... 60, 85
154
PTFE lined valves & pipe fittings ...................... 4
39
Chemical/acidic fumes resistance ...................... 17
98
HPLC ..............................................................FIC
155
PVC pipes .......................................................... 51
40
Cod analysers ..................................................... 81
99
Hydraulics accessories .......................................... 8
156
Reactors .................................................. 33, 37
41
Columns & chemistries ...................................FIC
100
IBR steam boilers ......................................... 60
157
Receptacles ......................................................... 83
42
Condensers......................................................... 33
101
Impellers ............................................................ 30
158
Reducers ............................................................. 30
43
Cone screw mixers ............................................. 33
102
Indirect air heaters ............................................. 85
159
Right-angled helical bevel
44
Continuous or batch filtration ........................... 57
103
Industrial ovens .................................................. 85
45
Controllers for furnaces ..................................... 55
104
Industrial pumps ................................................ 83
46
Cooling pads ...................................................... 51
105
Industrial vacuum cleaners ................................. 77
47
Cooling towers ................................................... 51
106
Informatics .......................................................FIC
161
48
Corrosion resistance ........................................... 17
107
Injection moulding machines............................. 51
162
Rotary dry vacuum pumps ................................. 65
49
Corrugated tube heat exchangers ...................... 82
108
Inline dispersers ................................................. 13
163
Rotary evaporators ............................................. 13
50
Cyanide waste neutralisers ................................. 85
109
Inline shaft-mounted helical
164
Safety light curtains ...................................... 74
51
Dairy equipment........................................... 33
geared motors/reducers ...................................... 29
165
Sampling valves .................................................... 4
52
Dampers ............................................................. 33
110
Kamlok & drylok couplings .......................... 83
166
Scoops ................................................................ 30
53
DC motors ......................................................... 19
111
Kneading machines ............................................ 13
167
SCR power controllers....................................... 55
54
Dehumidifiers .................................................... 87
112
Lab homogenisers......................................... 75
168
Screening machines............................................ 77
55
Diaphragm valves............................................... 30
113
Laboratory reactors ............................................ 13
169
Seamless pipes.................................................... 85
56
Disc filters .......................................................... 84
114
Laboratory software ........................................... 13
170
Shakers ............................................................... 13
57
Dispensing machines ......................................... 74
115
Large diameter welded pipes ............................. 85
171
Shoe cover dispensers ........................................ 76
58
Dispersers ........................................................... 13
116
Laser particle size & shape analysers................. 82
172
Showels .............................................................. 30
59
Drip irrigation.................................................... 51
117
Light curtains..................................................... 55
173
Sight flow meters ............................................... 83
automatic filter presses....................................... 77
geared motors/reducers ...................................... 29 160
Right-angled helical worm geared motors/reducers ...................................... 29 Rotameters ......................................................... 75
BC - Back Cover, BIC - Back Inside Cover, FIC - Front Inside Cover
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Chemical World | December 2011
LIST OF PRODUCTS Sl. No.
Product
Pg. No.
174
Silence flow packages......................................................................................65
175
Slipon flanges ..................................................................................................30
176
Slipring crane-duty motors .............................................................................19
177
Soft starters & digital starters .........................................................................55
178
Solenoid driven metering pumps ....................................................................76
179
Solid-liquid mixers..........................................................................................13
180
Spades .............................................................................................................30
181
Spray analysis ..................................................................................................35
182
Spray controls .................................................................................................35
183
Spray dryer projects ........................................................................................33
184
Spray dryers.....................................................................................................74
185
Spray fabrication .............................................................................................35
186
Spray nozzles & accessories ............................................................................35
187
Sprinkler systems ............................................................................................51
188
Stainless steel pipes .........................................................................................85
189
Steam boilers.............................................................................................75, 85
190
Storage tanks...................................................................................................37
191
Strainers ............................................................................................................4
192
Structured packings & internals .....................................................................78
193
Swivels.............................................................................................................83
194
Tees ......................................................................................................30
195
Teflon-lined ball valves .....................................................................................4
196
Teflon-lined butterfly valves .............................................................................4
197
Teflon-lined check valves .................................................................................4
198
Teflon-lined sampling valves ............................................................................4
199
Teflon-lined strainers........................................................................................4
200
Teflon-lined valves & pipe fittings...................................................................4
201
Tefzel HHS isotactic PP material ....................................................................6
202
Thermic fluid heaters......................................................................... 60, 75, 85
203
Thermoplastic valves .........................................................................................6
204
Thermostats & vacuum dryers/mixers ............................................................13
205
Tray dryers ......................................................................................................85
206
Tri lobe roots blowers .....................................................................................34
207
Truck blowers .................................................................................................19
208
Tubes ..............................................................................................................85
209
Turnkey systems for dust suppression ............................................................35
210
Twin lobe roots blowers .................................................................................34
211
Ultra-filtration systems ..........................................................................82
212
Universal washing machines ...........................................................................84
213
UPLC ..........................................................................................................FIC
214
U-tubes ...........................................................................................................85
215
UV stabilised ...................................................................................................17
216
Vacuum controls....................................................................................76
217
Vacuum or hot gas drying ..............................................................................57
218
Vacuum pool systems......................................................................................78
219
Vacuum pumps ...............................................................................................76
220
Valves ........................................................................................................30, 63
221
Variable area flowmeters .................................................................................75
222
Variable frequency drives ................................................................................55
223
Vertical basket bag lifting centrifuges ............................................................45
224
Vertical basket centrifuges ..............................................................................45
225
Vertical non-IBR oil fired steam boilers ........................................................75
226
Vortex separators.............................................................................................84
227
Washers ................................................................................................30
228
Water treatment plants ...................................................................................21
229
Water wall membrane panel IBR steam boilers.............................................75
230
Welded pipes ..................................................................................................85
231
Welding guns ..................................................................................................51
232
Wood fire four pass thermic fluid heaters......................................................75
233
Wood fire thermic fluid heaters .....................................................................75
234
Y-type strainers .....................................................................................30
BC - Back Cover, BIC - Back Inside Cover, FIC - Front Inside Cover
December 2011 | Chemical World
87
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Premium Transmission Ltd 60
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Raj Process Eqpts & Systems(P) Ltd
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77
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Suraj Limited
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HRS Process Systems Ltd
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BASF India Ltd
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13
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The Indian Electric Co
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19
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31; 86
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Chemical Process Piping Pvt Ltd.
3
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45
Universal Corporation
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75
Kwality Process Equipments Pvt Ltd
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21
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37
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UNP Polyvalves India Pvt Ltd
6
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63
Waters (India) Private Limited
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BHS-Sonthofen (India) Pvt. Ltd.
85
Swam Pneumatics Pvt Ltd
W: www.hrsasia.co.in
BIC
35
E: ssipl@sprayindia.com
T: +91-11-23906777 W: www.bryair.com
33
E: sales@rajprocessequipment.com
T: +91-265-2331748
Arctic India Sales
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T: +91-79-25840105
Heattrans Equipments Pvt.Ltd.
30
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76
55
T: +91-79-22200198
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