Chemical Technology November 2015

Optimising chemical plant efficiency Technologically advanced instruments can hold the key to boosting productivity

Chemical plants seeking improvements in productivity and efficiency mostly find that the fastest and most cost-effective manner to reach their goal is through the installation and modernisation of process automation systems and advanced field instruments.

I n this manner precise data can be gathered and used to ensure that the plant is optimised and runs like clockwork. These systems also provide more accu- rate forms of measurement for maintenance scheduling and can be employed to introduce preventative main- tenance schedules to guard against failure of critical equipment to ensure production remains uninterrupted. In South Africa one of the oldest and most reliable sup- pliers of broad-based automation and field instrumentation solutions is Linbro Park-based, Protea Automation Systems, which was established nearly 70 years ago to facilitate the measurement and control of production processes across a wide range of industries. Since then the company has grown to become a Level 1 BBBEE supplier and a leader in its field, with long-standing agency agreements with many of the world’s leading instrumentation manufacturers. Incremental improvements According to Jerry Smits, national sales manager for Protea Automation Solutions, the company is able to provide unique process solutions based on its product offerings from any of its manufacturers. In the world of process automation and instrumentation these read like the who’s who of the industry, including well-known brands such as Ashcroft, Land Infrared and Combustion, Moistech, Galvanic, Meriam, Steinfurth, not forgetting Protea’s new German imported house brand, Graphic recorders, temperature transmitters and indicators. “While we may be the sole agents for many of the world’s best known brands in instrumentation, our focus remains

strongly on adding value to our customers by way of resolv- ing problems and providing technical assistance backed up by a wide range of engineering service. We also show customers ways of improving their processes with the use of technology and different configurations of instrumentation in order to achieve their production goals. “Our sales and technical staff are well qualified and each one has extensive on-plant experience which allows them to understand the dynamics of plants and processes when working with clients. This puts them in a position to provide expert opinions and find solutions that meet the needs of each of our clients. To remain at the forefront of technology they also receive regular technology and product-specific training at overseas manufacturers which ensure that our staff are always ahead of the curve when proving technol- ogy solutions.” Full service offering Protea Automation Solutions is an ISO 9001:2008 accred- ited company and has a long pedigree in the world of elec- tronics. It is part of the Protea Technology group, which has played a significant part in building the continent’s industrial automation, mobile communications and broadcasting infrastructure. By supplying world-class hardware and soft- ware solutions, the company has also managed to assist local industries to remain competitive on a global stage. Due to its inward focus on engineering expertise, the company has, until recently, remained one of the coun- try’s best kept secrets in terms of its ability to design and provide appropriate systems for all manner of specialised

4

Chemical Technology • November 2015