|
SPECIALTY AND FINE
CHEMICALS
The performance of the specialty and fine chemicals
sector is being shaped by the consolidation of small
companies and by the formation of new larger
companies seeking to focus on core competencies in
commodity chemicals or new biotechnology and related
areas.
Many specialty and fine chemical processes can
benefit immediately through the use of our software
and technology. Following is a brief summary:
- PID tuning (primary and advanced control) optimization to reduce/eliminate
oscillations and improve the control quality of the primary control layer.
- DCS/PLC-resident or host-computer-resident APC (advanced process control)
control schemes.
- PID and APC control quality monitoring, reporting and control parameter
adjustments.
- Online oscillation detection, operator alerts, adaptive control action and
automatic control parameter adjustments.
- Sequence control programs for product grade transitions and for planned
changes in process conditions.
- Auto-Adaptive control for compensating for process and equipment
nonlinearities and also those caused by different raw materials/catalysts and
process/operating conditions.
- Online optimization to consider market conditions, chemical prices and
process conditions.
- Remote access, monitoring and support to improve effectiveness of engineers
and operators.
- Operator advisory to provide smart messaging and support – this is like
having an experienced operator or engineer watching the whole plant/process all
the time and then providing the operator with excellent support based on years
of experience and knowledge.
- OPC communications and signal validation for online analyzers, compressors,
fast data logging and monitoring and to assist a host of related applications.
- Advanced LIMS (laboratory information management system) to provide the best
and user-friendly, yet low-cost laboratory user interface and data management.
Furthermore, PiControl works with companies that need help on
making decisions on complex business, technology,
and investment issues.
PiControl’s
range of services includes fundamental engineering
and controls work to provide:
- Commercial studies: historical and forecast supply, demand, trade, and
pricing data.
- Techno-economic analysis: information on processes and production costs
for industry benchmarking.
- Margin analysis: a key input to determine business attractiveness.
Our process-control related efforts are often
incorporated into larger proprietary studies where
we provide assistance in the following areas:
- Business development: strategic and tactical
reviews, geographical and industry sector
studies, opportunity analysis, technical audits
of operations and processes, R & D portfolio
analysis, and new product development and
management.
- Marketing strategy: market attractiveness
and entry studies, competitor profiles, business
planning, and commercial development.
- Investment decisions: review of
markets/technologies to support capital
investments in new or existing plants,
acquisitions, privatizations, and technology due
diligence, and evaluations.
- Regulatory and advanced controls on all
types of specialty processes.
|
