JM acquired ICI Synetix and then Davy Process Technologies in 2006, building our capability in process design and licensing
Now
#1
JM has leading positions in process technology across the syngas value chain, from methanol to ammonia to formaldehyde.
Chemical processes are critical to our business, from our own operations to the process technologies we license to our customers to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals. Our expertise in ensuring that these processes are safe, reliable and efficient has been honed over many decades of successful development and commercialisation of process technology.
What is process optimisation?
Process and chemical engineers are experts in the design, implementation and optimisation of chemicals processes that allow us to transform materials and energy into products that are useful to our customers and society.
This includes improving efficiency and sustainability, ensuring safety and reducing cost, while always meeting operational and regulatory requirements.
Understanding the underlying science
To design a process that is technologically and economically efficient, we first need to understand it. We start by putting together multi-disciplinary teams of experimental scientists, computational modellers, process chemists and engineers. By conducting experiments and using the resultant data to build detailed computer models, our teams study the chemical reactions making up these production processes in as much detail as possible.
Many of our processes operate under intense conditions, be that high heat, pressure or using corrosive chemicals. Our engineers apply their metallurgy and material science expertise to design suitable equipment and processes at small scales.
Scaling up
Where possible, we conduct experiments at small scales in the laboratory, allowing them to be performed quickly and inexpensively.
We combine the information derived from all these experiments into a chemical process flowsheet. From this we can determine chemical and energy inputs, safety hazards and flowthrough of waste streams so sustainability considerations can be included in the process design.
As well as having teams to conduct the underlying experimental and design work in our laboratories, we also have facilities to create integrated ‘mini’ plants to test the design, with these mini plants able to replicate all the steps in the process. This pilot plant data allows us to assist our operations teams and customers in scaling up and optimising their processes.
Ensuring safe, reliable and efficient operation
Once a process is up and running, our engineers still have a key role to play. They continuously monitor our processes and adjust the process conditions to optimise the process efficiency or the quality of the output product. We also offer the same support to our process technology customers, providing expert technical advice.
In many of our operations, we are increasingly focussed on automation and digitalisation. As well as improving quality and precision in our processes, these tools will help us keep our engineers, scientists and operators safe by removing them from hazardous environments.
