MechChem Africa December 2017

⎪ Back page ⎪

Neste Jacobs is launching a groundbreaking operator training game for plant operators in the process industries. Initially developed for distillation processes, the new competitive game is being trialled via an Operators’ World Cup competition. Gamification reaches the process industry

ect services for a wide range of industries in thefieldsof oil andgas, petrochemicals, chem- icals, biorefining, biochemicals, biopharma and industrial infrastructure. The company has 30 years of experience in the process industry and over ten years of experience in creating innovative training games. Aswell as developing innovative solutions to train operatorswith simulators and games, Neste Jacobs’ NAPCON products include a wide range of advanced process improve- ment and automation technology solutions toenhanceproduction. Thesededicated solu- tions, based on extensive process know-how and modern control software engineering, fulfil needs in the areas of production optimi- sation, quality optimisation, safety, logistics, business optimisation, energy efficiency, big data and analytics. Mika Neffling believes it is not a coinci- dence that a Finnish company is at the fore- front of digital training in theprocess industry. “In Finland we have an excellent track recordof successful teachingmethods aswell as aworld class gaming industry. When these two are combined, the results are ground- breaking,” he concludes. www.napconsuite.com

O perator training can be both fun and efficient when done through gamification. Finnish company Neste Jacobs has launched a new game called NAPCON Games: Distiller for operator training in the process industry. The game is the first one of a completely new generation of training games. “Although the main target is to train op- erators, the game is still fun and engaging to play. Gamification is one of the best ways to enhance training in any field,” explains Mika Neffling, sales manager at NAPCON Games. Designed to train operators in the distil- lation process, NAPCON Games: Distiller

can be used in practically any branch of the process industry that includes distillation. Sophisticated scoring systems and instant feedback enables players to track their prog- ress and learn at a faster pace compared to traditional training methods. The game has been piloted with custom- ers prior to launching and the results are very promising; all the respondents stated that the learning experience was suitable for their training needs and75%stated that their learning time was decreased. “NAPCON Games: Distiller can be used by operators on all levels, regardless of their earlier experience. The game works just as

well for beginners as for more ex- perienced operators and it offers a safe way of learning in a digital yet realistic environment,” says Neffling. In the future, Neste Jacobs plans to launch more training games for other fields within the process industry. In addition, universities andother educational institutes can also use the game as partoftheirteachingprogrammes. Neste Jacobs is a preferred solution provider of high-quality technology, engineering and proj-

Industry diary January 2018

NewMTE Show 25 January 2018

© Neste Jacobs.

Cullinan Diamond Mine Sheldon +27 84 569 3516 SheldonG@interactmedia.co.za

Neste Jacobs organises the Operator World Cup, where the best operators in the world compete by playing the NAPCON Games Distiller. The finals will be held in Houston in February 2018.

February 2018 Africa Energy Indaba 20-21 February 2018 Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg +27 11 463 9184 bette@energyindaba.co.za www.africaenergyindaba.com

SAINT’s Golden NDT Conference: The Cornerstone of Engineering February 7 and 8, 2018

on-the-job training; Ankit Vajpayee on the Detection of Corrosion under Insulation & AutomatedConditionAssessmentofBoiler Water Wall Tubes; as well as Garth Appel; Mark Digby; Keith Cain; Harold Jansen; Hennie De Wet; and many more. All peopleeither directlyor indirectly in- volved inNDTare invited toattend, to learn about and witness the new techniques, developments and trends in NDT as found in South Africa and internationally. SAINT’sGalaDinnerandAnnualAwards will take place on the evening of the 7 th February at AccoladesConferenceCentre, with spouses and guests welcome to join. For more information please contact the

In celebration of its 50 th Anniversary, the SouthernAfrican Institute of non-destruc- tive testing (SAINT) is hosting a National NDT conference and exhibition at the Accolades Conference Centre in Midrand early next year. The two-day event will incorporate technical/application presentations; live demonstrations; as well as indoor and outdoor exhibitions. Speakers have been drawn from a wide spectrum of the lo- cal NDT industry and include: Rochelle Saffa on NDT Quality Management and Technological Advancements; Frikkie De Beer onHydrogenFuel Cells -Optimisation through NDT using Neutron Radiography; Kuda Jakatawhowill give insights aboutCT Scanning from Wits’ Evolutionary Studies Institute; Ben Buys, who will talk about

March 2018 FILTECH 2018

13-15 March 2018 Cologne, Germany

Suzanne Abetz +49 2132 93 57 60 info@filtech.de / www.filtech.de

Adams & Adams.............................................................................3 Air Liquide Industries...........................................................OFC Ansell............................................................................................IFC Hahn & Hahn........................................................................... OBC KSB Pumps...................................................................................10 Nilfisk..............................................................................................21 RTS Africa Engineering............................................................17 Sassda.............................................................................................30 SMC Pneumatics........................................................................29 Thermaspray................................................................................11 Weir Minerals Africa..............................................................IBC Index to advertisers

conference organiser, Kim Stevens kstevens@eventsperfected.co.za

32 ¦ MechChem Africa • December 2017