Emerson Exchange 365

From 2:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon at Emerson Exchange, seven Industry Forums will explore topics of specific concern to process industry segments.

Chemicals (2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., San Antonio 4-5-6)

Manufacturers of industrial and specialty chemicals continue to strive for safe, cost-effective, energy-efficient, high-availability operations. To meet this challenge, automation solutions are a key component. Panelists will discuss their innovative solutions in areas such as  wireless installations, control-based solutions and maintenance/work processes. Scheduled panelists include Joel Holmes, Monsanto; Brooke Robertson, Momentive Specialty Chemicals; and Jan de Rijke, Momentive Specialty Chemicals.

Project Engineering (2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Ft. Worth 1-2)

Under the session theme of “Have You MACsimized Your MAC?” this session for systems integrators, OEMs and engineering services professionals will examine how owners, main automation contractors and engineering contractors can work together to drive project, schedule and cost certainty to increase overall project success. Panelists include Sandy Vasser, Exxon-Mobil; Bob Sherven, Shell; Mark House, Wood Group Mustang; Robert Saunders, SK Engineering; and Vincent Grindlay, Emerson.

Life Sciences (2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Dallas 5-6-7)

The Life Sciences Forum will be brainstorming two topics and their application to the life sciences industry: flexible manufacturing and smart instruments/calibration. To do this, we will be breaking up into small groups for the brainstorming sessions and reporting back to the whole group at the end of the session. All brainstorming ideas will be uploaded to EmersonExchange365 after the forum so everyone has the chance to review all the groups’ ideas.

Metals & Mining (2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Austin 1-2-3)

The global mining industry is facing strong headwinds and needs to change its established practices to gain a competitive edge. Faced with a volatile commodity market and an increasingly expensive labor pool, miners must look to best practices in automation and process control to improve their cost per ton of production. The panelists who will explore how best practices can help improve the competitiveness of metals and mining companies include Javier Hernandez Gallegos, Met-Mex Peñoles, S.A. de C.V.; Matt Koss, Joy Global; Oiti Gomes de Paiva, Vale; and Al Novak, Emerson.

Oil & Gas (2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Texas AB)

The focus of the Oil & Gas Forum is on how relatively low prices of natural gas in North America and the abundance of supply has set the stage where natural gas is the energy choice for the future. With the BOE (barrel of oil equivalent) price to do work with oil at almost a 4x premium to natural gas, new sources of demand and monetization will take advantage of this low cost energy source. Panelists include Jeff C. Wright, U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Mark Mateker, KBR; and Chuck Miller, Emerson.

Pulp & Paper (2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Austin 4-5-6)

Among the current trends in the pulp and paper industry to be discussed at this year’s Industry Forum are the main ways mills are using wireless; the latest ways mills are looking at their energy optimization initiatives; how mills are reducing variability and improving reliability; what works for getting capital projects approved; how to properly apply PLCs; and how to deal with demographic changes in the mill workforce. Panelists include Doug De Bruin, Clearwater Paper; Larry Hammett, International Paper; Brad Emry, RE Mason Co.; and Jennifer Sandstrom, Emerson.

Refining & Petrochem (2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Ft. Worth 5-6-7)

The refining and petrochemical industries are positively impacted by the abundant shale oil and gas in the United States. As a result, new petrochemical facilities are being considered and refineries are adding new crude units and crude tanks to process shale oil. The use of shale oil is fairly new, so there are challenges utilizing a new feedstock. In addition, there are modifications to existing facilities related to API Recommended Practices 2350 on tank overfill protection and 556 fired heater instrumentation. Among the presenters and panelists scheduled are Murli Balsubramanian, ExxonMobil; Larry Kremer, Baker Hughes; Christopher Ryan, LyondellBasell; and Barbara Hamilton, Emerson.