With a total investment of 4.2 billion US dollars, the Nanhai petrochemicals complex at Daya Bay in Huizhou, China, has attracted a lot of attention because of its sheer scale. But to automation experts the complex is equally interesting because of the sophistication of its process control and monitoring systems.

Innovative hybrid sensor drive combines two technologies to deliver superior application performance.

Maag Americas adds the Colorex color mixer to its line of Ambient Pulverisers. The mixer is used to mix product in-line with a pulveriser to eliminate the typical cleanup time of a central mixer. It is designed for most polymers and for production rates up to 907 kg/h (2,000 lbs/hr).

KSB received the “2008 Best Innovator” award in the “Complexity Management” category. What exactly was it that so impressed the judges from A.T. Kearney and WirtschaftsWoche business magazine? PROCESS went to find out.

How does a user know that degradation is taking place in a pump and that it will eventually lead to a major fault? Manufacturers are working hard to develop intelligent diagnostic systems. The goal is to develop simple solutions which are cost-effective even on small pumps. Suppliers are developing early fault detection strategies which are designed to enhance pump availability. PROCESS takes a look at the latest developments.

Oil is - and will remain - the key fuel for transport and industries, a valuable raw material for plastics and polymers and the most important commodity. But the reserves that can be developed economically are limited and production cost intensive. Using a new gas/oil separation plant system, it is possible to fully tap natural oil reserves.

China holds a strong position in the global chemical industry and with the recent market happenings in the country; the Asian country is keen on upgrading its game plan.

In response to current market trends, Covestro is further intensifying its cooperation with Tongji University in Shanghai to address the market needs even faster. The Covestro -Tongji Innovation Academy is now expanding its open innovation collaboration by focusing particularly on digitalization, enhancing EV battery performance, and deriving innovative materials to improve car interior air quality as well as exploring the Chinese robotics industry.

Siemens introduces its Sitrans FC430, currently the world’s most compact Coriolis flow measurement solution, in India. The device, suitable for applications in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, offers high accuracy, low pressure loss and increased flexibility, the manufacturer states.

Will tomorrow's machine fitter be an IT expert?–In the near future, members of the maintenance team will be expected to be as proficient in handling data and smart phones as they are with wrenches and welding torches. But what needs to be done to turn the vision of Maintenance 4.0 into a viable concept? PROCESS took a closer look at the next industrial revolution.