Links and resources to help you make the most of Chemtech 2011.
Make the most of your time: attend our parallel events at the same venue as the Chemtech World Expo 2011.
Industry Insights
Innovations in Stainless
Posted on 09 February, 2010 | Tags: Spotlight
Duplex grades of steel are preferred by the industry over austenitic grades for various industrial applications. Industry is switching over to Duplex Steel for its high resistivity to different forms of corrosion, high strength and low nickel content that make it a feasible option to be used as the material of construction over a wide range in the process industry.
The word duplex is based on the concept of austenite and ferrite formulated in the same material. Duplex stainless steels combine many of the beneficial properties of ferritic and austenitic steels. Due to their high content of chromium, nitrogen and often molybdenum, these steels offer good resistance to local and uniform corrosion. The duplex microstructure contributes to their high strength and high resistance to stress corrosion cracking. Duplex steels also have good weldability.Duplex grades have proved to be superior in comparison with austenitic grades in many of industrial applications. Because of their low nickel content, these grades are affordable and offer better price stability than the austenitic grades of stainless steel. The strength of Duplex grades - close to 90 percent higher than that of Austenitic grades - allows for the use of considerably thinner materials, resulting in major weight and cost savings. (Refer, design case given in Table-1)The table clearly shows a Weight saving of 38 % by using LDX2101 besides the price advantage. Scope of ApplicationDuplex steel has a wide scope for industrial applications because of excellent properties that gives the equipment a long life and the equipment can perform consistently for a long time. Equipments get exposed
Challenges in Award and Execution of EPCI Projects in India
Posted on 09 February, 2010 | Tags: Project Management
In other areas of the world, there are countries equally as dependent on imported fuel stock as India. Oil and gas companies are working hard to develop their award process to set the conditions for greater home production levels. It is high time that Indian companies works to address the process too.
India, like most countries in the world, will always be dependent on imported fuel but during these times a fast developing country's aim should be to minimize this dependency. The price of oil may be low for now, but this is just a blip in the market. Most producers are now past peak production, but demand is not decreasing. In India, where the economy is set to grow by 8% at least in the next year, the Tata Nano, the cheapest car in the world, was commercially launched in March, bringing motor transport to the masses in the country. In other areas of the world, where there are countries equally as dependent on imported fuel stock as India, oil and gas companies are working hard to develop their award process to set the conditions for greater home production levels. It's time that India work's to address the process too.ONGC needs to address the issues of increasing the supply of fuel to the economy without recourse to the ups and downs in the market by taking on a long term approach. It needs to take advantage of current low construction prices, learn to award contracts quickly to the contractor offering the
Decentralised Generation: Effective Solution to Energy Demand
Posted on 09 February, 2010 | Tags: Captive Power
Captive Power Plants are the recent trend that the industry is switching over to meet with the growing power demand. Tapping excess power from captive generators can help tide over the huge demand supply gap in short term.
-Vivek Taneja Decentralized power generation can be defined as power generated near the point of use of power and avoids large investments in transmission corridors in terms of capital and more importantly time. In India one of the most prevailing distributed generation is captive power. Captive Power Plant is a generation unit setup by the industry for its exclusive consumption of electricity. Most Industries are highly energy intensive and are largest consumers of electrical energy produced. Though, industrial growth in India has been on a fast track during the past years with India emerging as one of the fastest growing economies power sector has not grown at similar pace. The overall lifestyle improvement is another phenomenon that has further widened the demand supply gap that our country is facing right now. Typically industries draw power from local distribution utility, which are generally state-owned. Recent trend has been an increase in number of industries relying on their own captive and cogeneration power rather than on grid supply. This stems from the facts such as non-availability of adequate supply, poor quality, reliability and higher tariff which results from heavy cross subsidization. Tapping excess power from captive generators has been identified as
Cutting Edge Water Technology EPC Solutions
Posted on 09 February, 2010 | Tags: Profile
Established in 1981, Aquatech is a global leader in water purification technology for industrial and infrastructure markets with a focus on desalination, water reuse, and zero liquid discharge.
Over the years, executing hundreds of large projects across the globe has given Aquatech the experience and confidence to offer clients complete integrated solutions through its vast depth and breadth of technology offerings. Along with its thermal engineering division, AquaChem ICD, Aquatech is one of few companies in the world having both thermal and membrane desalination capabilities as well as the ability to offer both thermal and membrane processes for water reuse, where it has done extensive work in the power, oil and gas and infrastructure markets. The company's focus is on combining its technology depth with its project execution track record to develop complete EPC solutions for its client with a keen focus on technology differentiated solutions addressing some of the most difficult to treat waters in Industry. Project execution of large EPC based projects is the backbone of Aquatech's capability. The successful track record of executing large EPC projects across demographical boundaries comes from the highest standards that the company sets for itself and then pursues with fortitude. Aquatech's core strengths that distinguish the company as a versatile integrated solution provider in the EPC space: Ability to handle mega projects from concept, design to commissioning / delivery
EPC : A Better Approach
Posted on 09 February, 2010 | Tags: Cover Story
Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts have gained momentum for project execution during the past decade across various industries in India. Oil & Gas, Power, Chemicals & Petrochemicals and Infrastructure sectors opt for EPC LSTK contracts for most of their projects. As the EPC contractor becomes a single point of responsibility, this offers better-cost realization and also promises the project delivery within the scheduled time frame. Moreover from the project owner's perspective, turnkey contracting is a better proposition as the responsibility and majority of risks involved with the project lie on the contractor. The concept of EPC has become popular in India during the past decade and many projects have been implemented on the turnkey basis
-Mittravinda Ranjan Current ScenarioMarket situation towards the end of 2008 created major concerns for EPC contractors. Demand destruction has led to premature shelving of many projects. Major swings in currency rates have resulted in reduction of profit margins and cut throat competition. In lieu of the ongoing slowdown, lengthy negotiations have been leading to delayed project closures. Unpredictable market conditions and price fluctuations made it almost impossible to bid on EPC lump sum basis as bidding process itself requires substantial financial investments. As the EPC projects are getting more complex, timing of project awards is becoming more unpredictable than ever. With the emerging trend of short project durations, organized synchronism is required between the contractor, consultant and the vendors. The clients intend to leverage the maximum benefit at minimal risk out of the project. Contractors at their end have to balance typical issues in terms of costs, pricing, risks and resources for the mega projects. A well-defined EPC contract can significantly reduce the cost and time overruns in real time. Challenges & RisksContractor is required define a project in enough detail such that the owner expectations are met and the contractor are best placed to develop a proposal without having
Chemtech Foundation will, for the 25th time, bring together the entire cross-section of India’s Chemical and Process Industry from Suppliers to Sellers to Manufacturers across Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Fertilizers and other Process Industries. Attend and experience world-class conferences, great networking opportunities, and state-of-the-art technology exhibits from national and international players.
23-26 Feb 2011,
at the Bombay Exhibition Center,
NSE Complex, Goregaon,
Mumbai, India
Meet and network with the Who’s Who of India’s Chemical and Process Industry
Latest Readings from the Chemical Engineering World Team
Advanced Processes Analytical Solutions Anticorrosive Linings Asset Management Beyond Fault Tolerance Brand Management Cake and Non cake filters Captive Power Case Study Chemical Tank Linings Corporate Social Responsibility Cover Story CPVC Curtain Raiser Dinshaw Filtration Systems
