Sponsored by ABBReviewed by Olivia FrostSep 5 2024
Greenfield chemical plants regularly face new challenges as the industry transforms with a shift towards low-carbon technologies and emission reductions. Balancing these changes while striving to maintain profitability and competitiveness remains a key concern.
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Today’s chemical producers must operate in an extremely competitive market, with mounting pressure from governments, customers, and wider society to adhere to increasingly strict safety and environmental regulations. They are also required to meet these requirements while maintaining competitiveness and ensuring continuing revenue growth.
This article outlines three key tips for optimizing a greenfield chemical plant.
1. Invest in the Planning Phase
New chemical plants face a diverse array of challenges during the planning phase. Most of these challenges can be addressed through the deployment of data-driven applications and smart technologies.
However, it's crucial to plan for this integration from the beginning, as incorporating smart technologies can be complex.
Even in a mid-scale chemical plant, up to 10,000 field devices may be required to monitor and report on processes, resulting in a complex and extensive digital ecosystem.
2. Consider Water Efficiency and Improved Process Control
Improvements in water efficiency through better process control can vastly benefit a greenfield chemical plant. High quantities of water are consumed throughout the chemical industry, typically used for cooling purposes or to convert water into steam, oxygen, or hydrogen.
As global demand for freshwater is anticipated to exceed supply by 40 % by 2030, operators of greenfield chemical plants continue to face regulatory pressures around water management and the minimization of wastewater. This is especially the case for plants in water-stressed areas.
3. Embrace Digitalization and Sustainability
The chemical industry, fundamental to modern life, impacts everything from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, construction, and petrochemicals. It also has the potential to drive a low-emissions society by developing more sustainable chemical products that support decarbonization efforts across various industries.
Smart measurement technologies are key to allowing chemical plants to adhere to government regulations and improving energy efficiency. These technologies can also open doors to novel chemical initiatives, including the increasingly vital shift away from fossil fuels.
With smart instrumentation solutions, companies are transitioning to more efficient, digitally enabled plants.
Acknowledgments
Produced from materials originally authored by ABB Inc.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by ABB.
For more information on this source, please visit ABB.