Honeywell to Implement New Control and Safety System in Qatar
The company announced a plan to team up with a producer of methanol and MTBE.
Honeywell announced in a statement that it will implement a new integrated control and safety system for Qatar Fuel Additives Company's (QAFAC) Mesaieed Industrial City plant. The upgrade will help the plant reduce operating costs and improve efficiencies as it increases production of methanol and MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether).
This integrated control and safety solution includes a new fire and gas system and will improve different aspects of the plant, such as automation, cyber security, and operator effectiveness. Honeywell is also supplying its life cycle support for long-term services.
QAFAC is a joint venture among Qatar, OPIC Middle East, LCY and IOL. The company plans to become one of the top five international producers of methanol and butane derivatives by 2020. MTBE enhances octane levels to reduce engine knocking and also helps the gasoline burn more completely. QAFAC's ability to produce MTBE comes from process technology licensed by UOP.
"This project will help us meet growing demand for methanol, MTBE and clean fuels efficiently, while achieving the highest levels of safety and environmental performance at our site," said Nasser Al Kuwari, QAFAC general manager, in the statement
This implementation will also be a cost-saving one because the applications feature improved process performance on top of the aforementioned integration control and safety system. The project is due for completion in late 2014.