Learning how to handle change
July 1st 2005 Taj Heer, managing director of Wellman Thermal Products looks at the issues facing process engineers regarding specifying boiler technology There is no doubt that the process industry sector within the UK has evolved considerably over the last 10 years, with diversification of processes and equipment, merging of applications such as refrigeration, power and steam generation, along with changing parameters in which processes are to operate. The latter is a dynamic that the industry is continually faced with as the operating environment becomes highly regulated and controlled, highlighted by the changes in the legal and political climate (e.g. white paper directives and climate levies). This has a direct bearing upon the process engineering functions within industry due to the uncertainty around the business environment they will be operating within; for example, the decision criteria on the purchase of energy intensive hardware, which though it may comply with current legislation may not be fit for purpose in the foreseeable future due to changes that are out of the engineer’s control (political and legal requirements).
So, where does this leave the process engineer in his decision to recommend the purchase of process related assets and equipment? There is no doubt that alternative technologies (such as developments within fuel types) will need to be considered in order for organisations to comply with ever changing legislation and internal cost/profit drivers. Process plant design will invariably undergo reengineering in order to minimise ‘process waste’, in whatever guise that may be (e.g.
efficiency, thermal transfer, yield, etc).
However, in order to achieve this the process engineer may need to move away from established technologies and almost ‘undo’ a considerable amount of experience to look beyond the norm, as wherever possible, waste may need to be developed for use as an element in another process.
At Wellman Thermal Products, there is no doubt that we believe changes in legislation driving the efficient use of energy, coupled with the need to protect the environment will have a major impact upon the purchasing decision-making process of a process technologist/ engineer. The focus on renewable/recyclable energy projects has increased in recent times and with the advancements in manufacturing design and instrumentation, modern processes can operate far more efficiently than previously seen. We do not see a falling off in the need to provide energy efficient solutions. We also believe that efficiency must equal clean: a concept that is integral to the engineering solutions of Wellman Thermal Products. Social trends such as an increase in environmental awareness will continue to drive engineering and process solutions towards ‘cleaner’ installations, or processes that provide solutions to key environmental issues. An example of this would be the industrial boiler market place. Decisions around asset purchases such as boiler houses/boilers are now becoming increasingly difficult for the process industry. Whereas recently the key driver may have been to minimise the initial capital spend, spiralling costs for fuel and labour combined with environmental legislation are now changing the decision making dynamics. The only way around these types of issues is for a supplier to be at the leading edge of innovation and development in design and controls that will result in highest efficiency plant with minimal environmental impact. In support, the commercial terms of the solution still need to remain attractive, but if the supplier gets it right, the payback for the process engineer is not only in financial terms but also in relationship terms; as the supplier – customer work together to produce a complete, cost effective and forward thinking solution.
Forward thinking is certainly one of the key requirements for a capital equipment supplier to have if they are to ensure that they are assisting the process industry sector in moving with the times. Wellman Thermal Products differentiates itself by providing the technological, engineering and product expertise to help a variety of process industries in making the right/most appropriate decision around capital purchases, or modifications to existing equipment to improve operation.
Furthermore, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of understanding the implications of changes in the macro environment; be they social, environmental, technological, political or legislative.
To help the process industry market, it is imperative that market drivers that shape purchasing decisions within the industry are understood, and consequentially, the right solutions are put forward. More articles from Wellman Robey: | 
