Larsen & Toubro has bagged a Rs 1449 crore order from DB Power Ltd to execute complete Balance of Plant (BOP) package for DB Power's 2 x 600 Mw thermal power plant at Baradarha in the Janjgir-Champa district of Chhattisgarh. The entire plant will be commissioned within 31 months.
L&T will design, engineer, supply, erect and commission the BOP equipment and systems on an EPC basis, as well as associated services. The scope of work includes BTG and BOP civil, structural and architectural works; coal and ash handling plants, chimney, natural draft cooling towers, switchyard and BOP electrical.
L&T is currently executing similar sub critical BOP contracts and several large supercritical EPC/BTG projects, as part of its offerings for integrated EPC solutions. The firm has a joint ventures with Mitsubishi Heavy Engineering for the manufacture of supercritical boilers and turbines. In the supercritical segment, L&T has set up manufacturing capabilities in Hazira for several crucial equipment and components including high pressure piping, coal pulverizers, ESPs and heavy forgings.
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Monday, 28 February 2011
India Ministry of Power to make supercritical technology mandatory for all future power projects
The government may soon come out with directives which makes mandatory for companies to switch to energy-efficient supercritical technology for their upcoming coal based power projects as it looks at playing a major role in global efforts to fight climate change by cutting down emission of greenhouse gases.
The coal-based power projects have been identified as major contributor to environmental pollution. They contribute over 65 per centof the country's total installed power generation capacity at present.
Coal-fired power plants based on supercritical technology are less polluting than conventional plants. The energy efficiency of these plants is 45 per cent against 30-32 per cent for conventional plants.
"Indian power sector is predominantly based on coal and this will remain there for a long time in the new projects. Keeping this in mind, the government has already started several initiative to reduce emission from coal-based projects. Mandatory use of supercritical technology will be step in this direction," said an official in power ministry in the know of the development.
It is expected that the government may announce a new policy soon for mandatory use of supercritical technology based power projects. As adoption of new technology for all projects is a time-consuming process, the government wants this to start from the 13th Five-Year plan period starting from 2017.
Equipment for a large portion of capacity for the 12 th Plan (2012-17) has already been ordered and it is feared that any new regulation for these projects may impact the capacity addition programme. "We expect that even in the 12th plan half of the capacity addition (of the total 100,000 Mw) is based on supercritical technology," said the power ministry official.
The country's largest power producer, NTPC, has already adopted supercritical technology in a big way. Its first project based on this technology may get partially commissioned next month with the start of 660 Mw unit at Sipat. In the 12th Plan, close to 90 per cent of NTPC's capacity is expected to be based on supercritical technology. A few private sector power projects have also ordered these equipment or 11th Plan projects.
"While the technology will definitely contribute towards improving the efficiency of coal-fired projects and reduce their emission levels, mandatory rules may impact small power projects as supercritical technology is available in large unit sizes of 660 Mw and above," said an industry expert.
"The government is not in favour of small coal- based power projects and will discourage such projects," said a official of the Planning Commission. He said incentive schemes like including use of supercritical technology for giving mega power policy benefits could be used to promote its use. Under the mega power policy thermal units of 1,000 Mw and get complete waiver from import duty on equipment purchase, income tax incentives and deemed export benefits.
The biggest bottleneck to large-scale introduction of supercritical technology comes from the shortage of manufacturing capacity for such high-end equipment. Only Bhel has recently started to manufacture supercritical equipment. Private sector major L&T is expected to start manufacturing it shortly. Other companies like Alstom-Bharat Forge, Toshiba-JSW and Italian company Ansaldo Caldie have shown interest is setting up domestic manufacturing of supercritical equipment.
Earlier, the Planning Commission had also suggested induction of supercritical to help overcome the shortage of coal being faced by several thermal power plants.
In 2009-10, the country is expected to import 29 million tonnes (mt) coal for power plants. This would increase to 50 mt by 2011-12 and 120 mt in the subsequent year.
The commission has said that coal is not available for 28,000 MW of linkages granted in November 2008. Moreover 1,00,000 Mw applications are pending for linkages with the power ministry.
Keeping the projected pollution in mind, the government is also thinking of introducing ultra supercritical technology and power projects based on integrated gassification combined cycle (IGCC) or clean coal technology.
A pilot project on IGCC technology is already in works in the country. The country is also working to increase the share of renewable power in the total power basket and increase generation from nuclear fuel.
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The coal-based power projects have been identified as major contributor to environmental pollution. They contribute over 65 per centof the country's total installed power generation capacity at present.
Coal-fired power plants based on supercritical technology are less polluting than conventional plants. The energy efficiency of these plants is 45 per cent against 30-32 per cent for conventional plants.
"Indian power sector is predominantly based on coal and this will remain there for a long time in the new projects. Keeping this in mind, the government has already started several initiative to reduce emission from coal-based projects. Mandatory use of supercritical technology will be step in this direction," said an official in power ministry in the know of the development.
It is expected that the government may announce a new policy soon for mandatory use of supercritical technology based power projects. As adoption of new technology for all projects is a time-consuming process, the government wants this to start from the 13th Five-Year plan period starting from 2017.
Equipment for a large portion of capacity for the 12 th Plan (2012-17) has already been ordered and it is feared that any new regulation for these projects may impact the capacity addition programme. "We expect that even in the 12th plan half of the capacity addition (of the total 100,000 Mw) is based on supercritical technology," said the power ministry official.
The country's largest power producer, NTPC, has already adopted supercritical technology in a big way. Its first project based on this technology may get partially commissioned next month with the start of 660 Mw unit at Sipat. In the 12th Plan, close to 90 per cent of NTPC's capacity is expected to be based on supercritical technology. A few private sector power projects have also ordered these equipment or 11th Plan projects.
"While the technology will definitely contribute towards improving the efficiency of coal-fired projects and reduce their emission levels, mandatory rules may impact small power projects as supercritical technology is available in large unit sizes of 660 Mw and above," said an industry expert.
"The government is not in favour of small coal- based power projects and will discourage such projects," said a official of the Planning Commission. He said incentive schemes like including use of supercritical technology for giving mega power policy benefits could be used to promote its use. Under the mega power policy thermal units of 1,000 Mw and get complete waiver from import duty on equipment purchase, income tax incentives and deemed export benefits.
The biggest bottleneck to large-scale introduction of supercritical technology comes from the shortage of manufacturing capacity for such high-end equipment. Only Bhel has recently started to manufacture supercritical equipment. Private sector major L&T is expected to start manufacturing it shortly. Other companies like Alstom-Bharat Forge, Toshiba-JSW and Italian company Ansaldo Caldie have shown interest is setting up domestic manufacturing of supercritical equipment.
Earlier, the Planning Commission had also suggested induction of supercritical to help overcome the shortage of coal being faced by several thermal power plants.
In 2009-10, the country is expected to import 29 million tonnes (mt) coal for power plants. This would increase to 50 mt by 2011-12 and 120 mt in the subsequent year.
The commission has said that coal is not available for 28,000 MW of linkages granted in November 2008. Moreover 1,00,000 Mw applications are pending for linkages with the power ministry.
Keeping the projected pollution in mind, the government is also thinking of introducing ultra supercritical technology and power projects based on integrated gassification combined cycle (IGCC) or clean coal technology.
A pilot project on IGCC technology is already in works in the country. The country is also working to increase the share of renewable power in the total power basket and increase generation from nuclear fuel.
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Indian Finance Ministry rejects proposal to impose import duty on chinese power equipments
Independent and state owned power producers can have sigh of relief as ministry of finance rejected planning commission's recommendations to impose import duty on Chinese power equipment. The domestic engineering majors such as BHEL and L&T were lobbying hard for imposition of import duty.
The domestic capital goods manufacturers were lobbying hard with the government to get this proposal passed for over 2 years. The proposal was approved by a committee of secretaries (CoS), based on the recommendations made by a committee headed by Planning Commission member Arun Maira.
The CoS, in its July 12 meeting, had approved a duty structure of 5 per cent customs duty, countervailing duty of 10 per cent and 4 per cent special additional duty, on the import of foreign power equipment.
In January this year, Arun Maira had recommended a 14 per cent import duty on power generation equipment to strike a balance between protecting local manufacturers and the need to import equipment to boost power production.
However, the finance ministry's decision takes into account the view that domestic manufacturers are not able to plug the demand-supply gap for power equipment.
"More than 50 per cent of the total orders have been placed with BHEL. The performance of BHEL has never been entirely satisfactory, with the actual achievement against targets having never gone beyond 70 per cent in the immediate preceding years," said an internal note of the finance ministry.
The ministry of power was also against levying of any import duty as it could have resulted in shortfall in capacity addition target for the 11th Plan.
The finance ministry has also said that levying of import duty will result in increase in power tariffs to the tune of 15-20 paisa per unit.
Indian power companies have placed orders with Chinese equipment manufacturer to the tune of 26,000 Mw because of the slow delivery cycle of local manufacturers to meet growing demand. .
While the per Mw cost of completion of a thermal power project using Chinese equipment is around Rs 3.5 crore to Rs4 crore, it works out to Rs 4 crore to Rs 5.5 crore for projects using equipment from elsewhere.
Taking note of the Maira committee's recommendations, the ministry of finance has called the problems faced by the Indian manufacturers "generic".
This analysis (Maira committee's) does not factor in the related advantages of India as a manufacturing base; ignores the fact that the extent of imported element in ingenious manufacture is only about 30 per cent and seeks to address infrastructure related disadvantages through taxation measures.
Maira expressed his disappointment with the remarks of the finance ministry, saying, "Both domestic and foreign manufacturers should get a level playing field. Otherwise you will handicap the domestic sector. Even the exchange rate scenario in the country will give added advantage to foreign manufacturers, as imports will get cheaper."
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The domestic capital goods manufacturers were lobbying hard with the government to get this proposal passed for over 2 years. The proposal was approved by a committee of secretaries (CoS), based on the recommendations made by a committee headed by Planning Commission member Arun Maira.
The CoS, in its July 12 meeting, had approved a duty structure of 5 per cent customs duty, countervailing duty of 10 per cent and 4 per cent special additional duty, on the import of foreign power equipment.
In January this year, Arun Maira had recommended a 14 per cent import duty on power generation equipment to strike a balance between protecting local manufacturers and the need to import equipment to boost power production.
However, the finance ministry's decision takes into account the view that domestic manufacturers are not able to plug the demand-supply gap for power equipment.
"More than 50 per cent of the total orders have been placed with BHEL. The performance of BHEL has never been entirely satisfactory, with the actual achievement against targets having never gone beyond 70 per cent in the immediate preceding years," said an internal note of the finance ministry.
The ministry of power was also against levying of any import duty as it could have resulted in shortfall in capacity addition target for the 11th Plan.
The finance ministry has also said that levying of import duty will result in increase in power tariffs to the tune of 15-20 paisa per unit.
Indian power companies have placed orders with Chinese equipment manufacturer to the tune of 26,000 Mw because of the slow delivery cycle of local manufacturers to meet growing demand. .
While the per Mw cost of completion of a thermal power project using Chinese equipment is around Rs 3.5 crore to Rs4 crore, it works out to Rs 4 crore to Rs 5.5 crore for projects using equipment from elsewhere.
Taking note of the Maira committee's recommendations, the ministry of finance has called the problems faced by the Indian manufacturers "generic".
This analysis (Maira committee's) does not factor in the related advantages of India as a manufacturing base; ignores the fact that the extent of imported element in ingenious manufacture is only about 30 per cent and seeks to address infrastructure related disadvantages through taxation measures.
Maira expressed his disappointment with the remarks of the finance ministry, saying, "Both domestic and foreign manufacturers should get a level playing field. Otherwise you will handicap the domestic sector. Even the exchange rate scenario in the country will give added advantage to foreign manufacturers, as imports will get cheaper."
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Larsen & Toubro India has cancelled plans to expand power equipment manufacturing capacity
Engineering major Larsen & Toubro has decided to shelve the plans to expand its existing power equipment manufacturing capacity of 5,000 MW per annum in the wake of the government's refusal to impose duty on imported equipment, especially from China.
"Out of the question… We are even apprehensive of utilising the current capacity, would want to increase the capacity once the policy on chinese equipment import is clear," Larsen & Toubro Chairman A M Naik said
It is believed finance ministry has objected to the imposition of import duty on power equipment sourced from overseas, even though domestic manufacturers had made several representations for a level-playing field with Chinese equipment firms.
Power equipment-makers like state-run BHEL and L&T had asked for imposition of import duty on power equipment sourced from abroad.
According to sources, domestic players have lost several contracts for sourcing power equipment within the country to Chinese companies, which have an advantage due to the zero duty structure on imports.
Under the Mega Power Policy, imports of power equipment for thermal projects with a capacity of 1,000 Mw and above and hydel plants of more than 500 Mw are exempted from excise and customs duty.
Earlier, the Ministry of Power had proposed imposing a 10 per cent import duty on power equipment, besides a 5 per cent countervailing duty and a 4 per cent special additional duty.
Domestic equipment makers like BHEL and L&T are said to have favoured the imposition of duty on imported power equipment to create a level-playing field for homegrown companies in the backdrop of cheaper imports from other countries.
However, independent power producers(IPP) like Reliance Power and Tata Power have opposed the duty.
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"Out of the question… We are even apprehensive of utilising the current capacity, would want to increase the capacity once the policy on chinese equipment import is clear," Larsen & Toubro Chairman A M Naik said
It is believed finance ministry has objected to the imposition of import duty on power equipment sourced from overseas, even though domestic manufacturers had made several representations for a level-playing field with Chinese equipment firms.
Power equipment-makers like state-run BHEL and L&T had asked for imposition of import duty on power equipment sourced from abroad.
According to sources, domestic players have lost several contracts for sourcing power equipment within the country to Chinese companies, which have an advantage due to the zero duty structure on imports.
Under the Mega Power Policy, imports of power equipment for thermal projects with a capacity of 1,000 Mw and above and hydel plants of more than 500 Mw are exempted from excise and customs duty.
Earlier, the Ministry of Power had proposed imposing a 10 per cent import duty on power equipment, besides a 5 per cent countervailing duty and a 4 per cent special additional duty.
Domestic equipment makers like BHEL and L&T are said to have favoured the imposition of duty on imported power equipment to create a level-playing field for homegrown companies in the backdrop of cheaper imports from other countries.
However, independent power producers(IPP) like Reliance Power and Tata Power have opposed the duty.
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Sunday, 27 February 2011
HPCL to more than double Vizag Refinery capacity
State-run refiner Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) plans to more than double capacity at its Vizag site in 5-6 years with about $2.2 billion of investment, its head S. Roy Choudhury said on Friday.
"We have to get environment clearance which I hope we should get in July. It will take 4-5 years to build the refinery ... should be ready by 2016-2017," he told reporters.
He said HPCL planned to boost capacity at the 8.3 million tonne per year plant, located in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, by 9 million tonnes per year with investment of Rs 10,000 crore ($2.20 billion).
HPCL currently also has a 130,000 bpd plant in Mumbai.
It has previously said it plans to expand overall capacity to 42 million tonne per year, or 840,000 barrels per day (bpd) from 16 million tonne in FY10 as it expects to nearly double products sales in FY17.
It said in September last year it could revive a refinery-cum-petrochemicals project in Vizag and was talking to both Indian and international companies. The project was put on hold in 2007 when petrochemical demand was seen too weak to justify the investment.
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"We have to get environment clearance which I hope we should get in July. It will take 4-5 years to build the refinery ... should be ready by 2016-2017," he told reporters.
He said HPCL planned to boost capacity at the 8.3 million tonne per year plant, located in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, by 9 million tonnes per year with investment of Rs 10,000 crore ($2.20 billion).
HPCL currently also has a 130,000 bpd plant in Mumbai.
It has previously said it plans to expand overall capacity to 42 million tonne per year, or 840,000 barrels per day (bpd) from 16 million tonne in FY10 as it expects to nearly double products sales in FY17.
It said in September last year it could revive a refinery-cum-petrochemicals project in Vizag and was talking to both Indian and international companies. The project was put on hold in 2007 when petrochemical demand was seen too weak to justify the investment.
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Thursday, 24 February 2011
Brighton Group, USA to set up Rs 2880 Cr Nuclear Power Equipment Facility at Vizag, India
The US-based Brighton Group today signed a memorandum of understanding with the Andhra Pradesh government for setting up a Rs 2,880 crore nuclear power equipment manufacturing facility near Visakhapatnam.
This is the maiden venture in India of the Brighton Group that has a major presence in China apart from the US.
Brighton President and Chief Executive Officer Kit Kung and Andhra Pradesh Principal Secretary (Industries) B Sam Bob signed the MoU in the presence of state Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Major Industries Minister J Geeta Reddy and other officials in the state Secretariat.
"Brighton will invest Rs 2,880 crore and provide direct employment to 2,500 highly-skilled personnel, including 500 engineers, and indirect employment to another 10,000 persons. The proposed plant will be set up on an 800-acre site at Nakkapalli in Visakhapatnam district," Geeta Reddy said.
"In the next five years, as many as one lakh people will get employment, both direct and indirect, with the setting up of Brighton facility as well as several ancillary units," she added.
Brighton has sought Special Economic Zone status for their facility which would be ready for commercialisation in 24-30 months.
"The Indian plant will be a replica of the Chinese one. The proposed facility near Vizag will service not only the Indian nuclear power plants but also the international markets," Kung added.
Stating that 30,000 tonnes of steel would go into manufacturing the nuclear reactor units, Kung said they would mostly use 'scrap' brought from ship-breaking units in India and abroad.
The Vizag facility would manufacture three to four nuclear reactor units per annum at a cost of USD 200 million each.
Founded by Kung in 1980, Brighton Group is a heavy equipment and forged steel manufacturing company. It manufactures the largest forged steel components used in third generation nuclear power plants besides conventional power plants, ship-building and petrochemicals.
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This is the maiden venture in India of the Brighton Group that has a major presence in China apart from the US.
Brighton President and Chief Executive Officer Kit Kung and Andhra Pradesh Principal Secretary (Industries) B Sam Bob signed the MoU in the presence of state Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Major Industries Minister J Geeta Reddy and other officials in the state Secretariat.
"Brighton will invest Rs 2,880 crore and provide direct employment to 2,500 highly-skilled personnel, including 500 engineers, and indirect employment to another 10,000 persons. The proposed plant will be set up on an 800-acre site at Nakkapalli in Visakhapatnam district," Geeta Reddy said.
"In the next five years, as many as one lakh people will get employment, both direct and indirect, with the setting up of Brighton facility as well as several ancillary units," she added.
Brighton has sought Special Economic Zone status for their facility which would be ready for commercialisation in 24-30 months.
"The Indian plant will be a replica of the Chinese one. The proposed facility near Vizag will service not only the Indian nuclear power plants but also the international markets," Kung added.
Stating that 30,000 tonnes of steel would go into manufacturing the nuclear reactor units, Kung said they would mostly use 'scrap' brought from ship-breaking units in India and abroad.
The Vizag facility would manufacture three to four nuclear reactor units per annum at a cost of USD 200 million each.
Founded by Kung in 1980, Brighton Group is a heavy equipment and forged steel manufacturing company. It manufactures the largest forged steel components used in third generation nuclear power plants besides conventional power plants, ship-building and petrochemicals.
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Aquatech Systems Asia & AECOM in pact for wastewater treatment projects in India
AECOM which is a provider of professional technical and management support services to markets like transportation, facilities, environmental, etc has signed an exclusive agreement with Aquatech Systems Asia, for its biological treatment technology for industrial and municipal applications in the India market.
Aquatech Systems Asia, based in the city, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aquatech International, USA. AECOM's design-build business in the UK has signed this agreement with Aquatech.
Following extensive screening of the market for the most efficient and competitive sequence batch reactor (SBR) technology, we have identified that AECOM's cyclic activated sludge system fits our needs. We are pleased to be working with AECOM's design-build business. With this advanced SBR technology, we will enhance our position in the Indian waste water treatment market, Devesh Sharma, managing director, Aquatech said.
Cyclic activated sludge system (CASS), an advanced SBR process, is a combination of biological selector and variable volume reactor process.
The process operates with a single sludge in a single reactor basin to accomplish both biological treatment and solids-liquid separation, thereby minimising the plant footprint.
We are very excited about Aquatech's capabilities and the enormous market potential for our CASS technology in India. Now we have found the right local partner and we are looking forward to pioneering this technology together in India, said Malcolm Watchorn, programme manager for AECOM design-build. CASS SBR technology has successfully been applied in a large number of varied industrial and municipal plants round the globe. Some of these references have capacities in excess of 150 million liters per day and have innovative constructional features.
The two partners have already secured an assignment with Aquatech recently being awarded the integrated waste treatment and recycle-reuse project at Mumbai International Airport, which will feature CASS technology.
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Aquatech Systems Asia, based in the city, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aquatech International, USA. AECOM's design-build business in the UK has signed this agreement with Aquatech.
Following extensive screening of the market for the most efficient and competitive sequence batch reactor (SBR) technology, we have identified that AECOM's cyclic activated sludge system fits our needs. We are pleased to be working with AECOM's design-build business. With this advanced SBR technology, we will enhance our position in the Indian waste water treatment market, Devesh Sharma, managing director, Aquatech said.
Cyclic activated sludge system (CASS), an advanced SBR process, is a combination of biological selector and variable volume reactor process.
The process operates with a single sludge in a single reactor basin to accomplish both biological treatment and solids-liquid separation, thereby minimising the plant footprint.
We are very excited about Aquatech's capabilities and the enormous market potential for our CASS technology in India. Now we have found the right local partner and we are looking forward to pioneering this technology together in India, said Malcolm Watchorn, programme manager for AECOM design-build. CASS SBR technology has successfully been applied in a large number of varied industrial and municipal plants round the globe. Some of these references have capacities in excess of 150 million liters per day and have innovative constructional features.
The two partners have already secured an assignment with Aquatech recently being awarded the integrated waste treatment and recycle-reuse project at Mumbai International Airport, which will feature CASS technology.
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Wednesday, 23 February 2011
UK companies eye tie-ups with Indian nuclear businesses
UK civil nuclear industry has firmed up plan for technical as well as financial tie-ups with the Indian counterparts.
As a beginning, UK's industrial major Sheffied has signed a joint venture pact with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) to make forging equipment not only to cater to the needs of nuclear industries from India and the UK but also the global market. Besides, Hindustran Construction Company has inked MoU with Amec plc for consulting services for fabrication of nuclear plants. UK's Nuvia, which is the nuclear specialist, covering both civilian and defence sectors, across the complete lifecycle from New Build, through Operations and Maintenance, to final decommissioning and waste disposal, has joined hands with Punj Lloyd.
Lady Judge, former chairman of UK Atomic Energy Authority and business ambassador told Business Standard BHEL chairman has offered to set up a working group to finetune JV arrangement in order to global assignments. She informed that India's engineering giant L&T has tied up with Rolls Royce to work in the field of instrumentation control. Moreover, Serco, which offers operational, management and consulting expertise in nuclear sector, plans to increase its presence in India's nuclear sector. Undoubtedly, India is leading the present nuclear renaissance and industries from the UK and India will have amply opportunities of mutual benefits. She said Indian and UK universities and educational institutions are currently spending 1.4 sterling each on research and training in the nuclear sector.
Lady Judge, who was in Mumbai along with a high level delegation of British companies engaged in civil nuclear sector headed by Keith Parker, said UK has launched nuclear addition of 16 GW through private sector companies and the first unit is expected to be commissioned in 2018. On the other hand, India plans to increase its nuclear capacity to 25 per cent at 63 GW by 2032 from the present level of 3 per cent.
One thing is clear that nuclear energy will help provide energy security, energy independence and address climate change issue. The business communities of both sides have a very important role to play in making sure that they do continue. UK and Indian industries can explore number of opportunities in nuclear support, equipment manufacturing and installation, operation and maintenance, monitoring and control system and education and training, she added.
As far as India's regulatory set up for nuclear sector is concerned, Lady Judge said the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board is doing fine job. I do not expect India to follow regulatory set up of US, UK or other nuclear countries but should strengthen on its own. India's regulatory system is well established, she opined.
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As a beginning, UK's industrial major Sheffied has signed a joint venture pact with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) to make forging equipment not only to cater to the needs of nuclear industries from India and the UK but also the global market. Besides, Hindustran Construction Company has inked MoU with Amec plc for consulting services for fabrication of nuclear plants. UK's Nuvia, which is the nuclear specialist, covering both civilian and defence sectors, across the complete lifecycle from New Build, through Operations and Maintenance, to final decommissioning and waste disposal, has joined hands with Punj Lloyd.
Lady Judge, former chairman of UK Atomic Energy Authority and business ambassador told Business Standard BHEL chairman has offered to set up a working group to finetune JV arrangement in order to global assignments. She informed that India's engineering giant L&T has tied up with Rolls Royce to work in the field of instrumentation control. Moreover, Serco, which offers operational, management and consulting expertise in nuclear sector, plans to increase its presence in India's nuclear sector. Undoubtedly, India is leading the present nuclear renaissance and industries from the UK and India will have amply opportunities of mutual benefits. She said Indian and UK universities and educational institutions are currently spending 1.4 sterling each on research and training in the nuclear sector.
Lady Judge, who was in Mumbai along with a high level delegation of British companies engaged in civil nuclear sector headed by Keith Parker, said UK has launched nuclear addition of 16 GW through private sector companies and the first unit is expected to be commissioned in 2018. On the other hand, India plans to increase its nuclear capacity to 25 per cent at 63 GW by 2032 from the present level of 3 per cent.
One thing is clear that nuclear energy will help provide energy security, energy independence and address climate change issue. The business communities of both sides have a very important role to play in making sure that they do continue. UK and Indian industries can explore number of opportunities in nuclear support, equipment manufacturing and installation, operation and maintenance, monitoring and control system and education and training, she added.
As far as India's regulatory set up for nuclear sector is concerned, Lady Judge said the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board is doing fine job. I do not expect India to follow regulatory set up of US, UK or other nuclear countries but should strengthen on its own. India's regulatory system is well established, she opined.
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Monday, 21 February 2011
NMDC in talks with Tata Steel for setting up 2-mtpa steel plant at Bastar in Chhattisgarh
Iron ore miner NMDC today said it is in talks with Tata Steel to sign an equal joint venture for setting up a 2-mtpa steel plant at Bastar in Chhattisgarh.
"We are in talks with Tata Steel to set up 50:50 JV for a 2-mtpa steel plant in South Bastar," NMDC Technical Director N K Nanda told reporters on the sidelines of a conference here.
Nanda, however, declined to divulge any further details on the proposed joint venture.
"Nothing has been finalised, only an MoU has been signed between Tata and us. Probably after sometime, NMDC and Tata may come together to set up a 2 million tonne per annum (mtpa) steel plant," he said.
"To take it forward, both the Boards will have to discuss it further," Nanda added.
State-run NMDC and Tata Steel had signed the MoU in January last year to examine the possibility of a strategic alliance for acquisition, exploration and development of mines and setting up integrated steel plants.
The iron ore miner has, however, started working on its own 3-mtpa steel plant in Chhattisgarh.
"We are going ahead with our own steel plant (of 3 MTPA). We have already floated nine tenders for that. Two of them -- main plant and blast furnace -- have been finalised. We are expecting that production will begin by 2014," he said.
Rgds,
ANUP SHAH
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(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
"We are in talks with Tata Steel to set up 50:50 JV for a 2-mtpa steel plant in South Bastar," NMDC Technical Director N K Nanda told reporters on the sidelines of a conference here.
Nanda, however, declined to divulge any further details on the proposed joint venture.
"Nothing has been finalised, only an MoU has been signed between Tata and us. Probably after sometime, NMDC and Tata may come together to set up a 2 million tonne per annum (mtpa) steel plant," he said.
"To take it forward, both the Boards will have to discuss it further," Nanda added.
State-run NMDC and Tata Steel had signed the MoU in January last year to examine the possibility of a strategic alliance for acquisition, exploration and development of mines and setting up integrated steel plants.
The iron ore miner has, however, started working on its own 3-mtpa steel plant in Chhattisgarh.
"We are going ahead with our own steel plant (of 3 MTPA). We have already floated nine tenders for that. Two of them -- main plant and blast furnace -- have been finalised. We are expecting that production will begin by 2014," he said.
Rgds,
ANUP SHAH
ADROITT FLOW CONTROL PVT. LTD.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Europe's largest speciality chemical company, Lanxess AG, sees India as one of its largest markets outside Europe.
Q&A: Joerg Strassburger, MD, Lanxess India
Europe's largest speciality chemical company, Lanxess AG, sees India as one of its largest markets outside Europe. Joerg Strassburger, country representative and managing director of Lanxess India, talks of its growth plans in an interview. Edited excerpts:
Lanxess has been present in India for the past six years. How do you view the growth story so far?
Lanxess was incorporated in India on February 2004 under the name Bayer Chemicals India. Being part of the Bayer group for over 100 years, we have a long relationship with India, dating back to 1888. Bayer was also having agency relationships with India for pigments and other products and started a production facility at Thane in 1967. In the past three years, Lanxess AG has invested over 50 million (Rs 310 crore) here, realising India's potential for our products. It is the second largest investment by Lanxess in any developing economy, after Brazil. In 2007, Lanxess decided to build a new ion exchange resin plant in Jhagadia, Gujarat, and also closed a rubber chemicals plant in Thane and moved it to Jhagadia. A major breakthrough was acquisition of the chemical businesses and assets of Gwalior Chemicals. Last year was an important one for our Indian operations, since we started the rubber chemical plant and ion exchange resin plant and commissioned co-generation steam and power plants at the Jhagadia and Nagda (Madhya Pradesh) sites.
How do you view the potential for Lanxess' growth in India?
All the 13 business units of Lanxess AG have operations in India and we are a leading supplier of performance polymers, advanced intermediaries and performance chemical products. Among these, seven business units have production facilities in India. I see maximum growth for the company from the automobile and paint sectors, which are growing above the GDP rate. Our rubber chemicals technologies are used worldwide and we are working with several Indian automobile OEMs (original equipment makers) to develop more fuel-efficient, lighter metal and plastic combined designs for automobiles. Water treatment is another area which will be a bigger one for us in India in future. We had revenues of close to 128 million (Rs 790 crore) in 2009 and the soon-to-be announced figures for 2010 will be much higher, since some revenues of the acquired Gwalior Chemicals will be reflected in this year's revenues.
What are your growth strategies for the coming years? Are you looking at further acquisitions?
We will start a semi-crystalline products manufacturing facility at Jhagadia and this will start production by 2012. The recently started ion exchange unit at Jhagadia will be oriented mainly as an export unit. We are also constantly looking at expanding in India. Our leather and material protection unit in Madurai, spread across 25 hectares with a production capacity of 12,000 tonnes per annum, will be relocated to the integrated Jhagadia site. Basic chemicals are produced at Nagda, from the acquired facility. We now employ about 750 people in India and this will increase significantly in the coming years. We are always on the lookout for suitable targets for acquisitions, at suitable prices. But money will not be a constraint in acquiring the right target.
How do you view the business envir onment in India? Many multinational corporations are complaining about procedural delays due to environment issues, land acquisitions and other various clearances.
So far, we have not encountered such major issues. It is necessary for the growth of this country to have the rules implemented properly. The rules applicable for one particular company should be the same for another company 100 metres away. I have seen this (problem) in India. Lots of clearances and bureaucratic objections at project development and execution stage will cause fear among corporations willing to invest in India.
Rgds,
ANUP SHAH
ADROITT FLOW CONTROL PVT. LTD.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Europe's largest speciality chemical company, Lanxess AG, sees India as one of its largest markets outside Europe. Joerg Strassburger, country representative and managing director of Lanxess India, talks of its growth plans in an interview. Edited excerpts:
Lanxess has been present in India for the past six years. How do you view the growth story so far?
Lanxess was incorporated in India on February 2004 under the name Bayer Chemicals India. Being part of the Bayer group for over 100 years, we have a long relationship with India, dating back to 1888. Bayer was also having agency relationships with India for pigments and other products and started a production facility at Thane in 1967. In the past three years, Lanxess AG has invested over 50 million (Rs 310 crore) here, realising India's potential for our products. It is the second largest investment by Lanxess in any developing economy, after Brazil. In 2007, Lanxess decided to build a new ion exchange resin plant in Jhagadia, Gujarat, and also closed a rubber chemicals plant in Thane and moved it to Jhagadia. A major breakthrough was acquisition of the chemical businesses and assets of Gwalior Chemicals. Last year was an important one for our Indian operations, since we started the rubber chemical plant and ion exchange resin plant and commissioned co-generation steam and power plants at the Jhagadia and Nagda (Madhya Pradesh) sites.
How do you view the potential for Lanxess' growth in India?
All the 13 business units of Lanxess AG have operations in India and we are a leading supplier of performance polymers, advanced intermediaries and performance chemical products. Among these, seven business units have production facilities in India. I see maximum growth for the company from the automobile and paint sectors, which are growing above the GDP rate. Our rubber chemicals technologies are used worldwide and we are working with several Indian automobile OEMs (original equipment makers) to develop more fuel-efficient, lighter metal and plastic combined designs for automobiles. Water treatment is another area which will be a bigger one for us in India in future. We had revenues of close to 128 million (Rs 790 crore) in 2009 and the soon-to-be announced figures for 2010 will be much higher, since some revenues of the acquired Gwalior Chemicals will be reflected in this year's revenues.
What are your growth strategies for the coming years? Are you looking at further acquisitions?
We will start a semi-crystalline products manufacturing facility at Jhagadia and this will start production by 2012. The recently started ion exchange unit at Jhagadia will be oriented mainly as an export unit. We are also constantly looking at expanding in India. Our leather and material protection unit in Madurai, spread across 25 hectares with a production capacity of 12,000 tonnes per annum, will be relocated to the integrated Jhagadia site. Basic chemicals are produced at Nagda, from the acquired facility. We now employ about 750 people in India and this will increase significantly in the coming years. We are always on the lookout for suitable targets for acquisitions, at suitable prices. But money will not be a constraint in acquiring the right target.
How do you view the business envir onment in India? Many multinational corporations are complaining about procedural delays due to environment issues, land acquisitions and other various clearances.
So far, we have not encountered such major issues. It is necessary for the growth of this country to have the rules implemented properly. The rules applicable for one particular company should be the same for another company 100 metres away. I have seen this (problem) in India. Lots of clearances and bureaucratic objections at project development and execution stage will cause fear among corporations willing to invest in India.
Rgds,
ANUP SHAH
ADROITT FLOW CONTROL PVT. LTD.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Coal shortage forces NTPC to shut down four units of 500MW at Kaniha
Power generation from 3000Mw NTPC-Kaniha plant, the second largest power plant in India, has drastically come down with four out of six 500 Mw units of the thermal station being shut down due to lack of coal.
The power plant is currently producing about 700Mw against a normal daily generation of 3000MW. NTPC-Kaniha provides power to 17 states.
The company authorities have been forced to shut down four units as coal supply to the plant has come to a grinding halt from Thursday last due to rail blockade agitation by local people near Talcher coalfields. Not a single tonne of coal has reached the plant from Friday due to the stir.
We are running only two units with partial load of 700 Mw with the available coal at our stock yard, said a top NTPC official warning that even this minimal operation of the plant cannot be possible beyond Sunday (today) if coal supply through Merry-go-round system of linked Lingaraj mine is not resumed by this evening. The steep slash in generation has had an adverse impact on national grid, he stated.
The power plant has been running with hand to mouth coal supplies for the last three years. As a result the authorities have not been able to build up coal stock to meet such eventuality. Besides drawing coal from Mahanadi Coalfield Limited (MCL), the plant has been using imported coal to meet the shortfall. But the rail blockade, cutting off coal supply from all sources, has jeopardized the functioning of the plant.
According to the official, four units of the NTPC-Kaniha plant are dedicated for the southern states. These states are now drawing only 350 Mw from running Unit 4 instead of normal drawal of 2000 Mw. Similarly, another 350 Mw is evacuated to eastern grid from Unit 2 against the normal supply of 1000 Mw.
Alleging chronic negligence of Railways to Talcher station, hundreds of locals led by local MP Tathagat Satpathy and MLA Braja Kishore Pradhan resorted to rail roko stir near the Talcher station from last Thursday blocking coal supply from Talcher coalfield. Talcher coalfield of MCL provides coal not only to different industries within Orissa but also to power stations in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and other states.
All the power stations in these states, dependant on Talcher, are now in super critical state, according to a colliery officer.
The striking locals demand that all the Intercity and Express trains plying on Sambalpur and Bhubaneswar line should come to Talcher station instead of by-passing the station and running through Talcher Road, a few Kms away. We have been demanding this for a long time, but Railways is not listening to us, said MLA Pradhan announcing to continue the agitation indefinitely.
Rgds,
ANUP SHAH
ADROITT FLOW CONTROL PVT. LTD.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
The power plant is currently producing about 700Mw against a normal daily generation of 3000MW. NTPC-Kaniha provides power to 17 states.
The company authorities have been forced to shut down four units as coal supply to the plant has come to a grinding halt from Thursday last due to rail blockade agitation by local people near Talcher coalfields. Not a single tonne of coal has reached the plant from Friday due to the stir.
We are running only two units with partial load of 700 Mw with the available coal at our stock yard, said a top NTPC official warning that even this minimal operation of the plant cannot be possible beyond Sunday (today) if coal supply through Merry-go-round system of linked Lingaraj mine is not resumed by this evening. The steep slash in generation has had an adverse impact on national grid, he stated.
The power plant has been running with hand to mouth coal supplies for the last three years. As a result the authorities have not been able to build up coal stock to meet such eventuality. Besides drawing coal from Mahanadi Coalfield Limited (MCL), the plant has been using imported coal to meet the shortfall. But the rail blockade, cutting off coal supply from all sources, has jeopardized the functioning of the plant.
According to the official, four units of the NTPC-Kaniha plant are dedicated for the southern states. These states are now drawing only 350 Mw from running Unit 4 instead of normal drawal of 2000 Mw. Similarly, another 350 Mw is evacuated to eastern grid from Unit 2 against the normal supply of 1000 Mw.
Alleging chronic negligence of Railways to Talcher station, hundreds of locals led by local MP Tathagat Satpathy and MLA Braja Kishore Pradhan resorted to rail roko stir near the Talcher station from last Thursday blocking coal supply from Talcher coalfield. Talcher coalfield of MCL provides coal not only to different industries within Orissa but also to power stations in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and other states.
All the power stations in these states, dependant on Talcher, are now in super critical state, according to a colliery officer.
The striking locals demand that all the Intercity and Express trains plying on Sambalpur and Bhubaneswar line should come to Talcher station instead of by-passing the station and running through Talcher Road, a few Kms away. We have been demanding this for a long time, but Railways is not listening to us, said MLA Pradhan announcing to continue the agitation indefinitely.
Rgds,
ANUP SHAH
ADROITT FLOW CONTROL PVT. LTD.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Saturday, 19 February 2011
Vortex Valves Introduces Titan Series Abrasion Resistant Slide Gate Valve
Vortex Valves North America will introduce the new Vortex Titan Series Abrasion Resistant Slide Gate at GEAPS 2011, Booth 254, February 27 to March 1, in Portland, Ore. The new gate is as robust as the Vortex Aggregate Gate(tm), but has the superior dust-tight seal of the Vortex Roller Gate.
The Vortex Titan Series Abrasion Resistant Slide Gate is the perfect gate for abrasive materials such as whole grains, coal, metal powders or minerals up to 400 Deg.F (204 Deg.C). The heavy duty valve frame construction is based on formed carbon steel channel with a beveled, abrasion resistant steel blade and a displacement pocket on the closing end of the valve. The Titan Gate is available in standard sizes from 6" to 30" (100mm to 750mm) with custom square or rectangular sizes up to 72" (1.8m) and larger.
The Vortex Titan Series Abrasion Resistant Slide Gate closes through a standing column of abrasive material and still has a dust-tight seal.
The slide gate features "live loaded" wear compensating seals that prevent material from escaping into the bonnet area of the gate. These seals are easily replaced without removing the valve from the processing line. The gate utilizes easily accessible, hardened steel cam-adjustable rollers instead of blade guides - a feature that is critical to maintaining a positive seal.
Other Vortex Valves products that will be displayed at GEAPS 2011 will be the Vortex Seal Tite(tm) Diverter, the Vortex Roller Gate, and the Vortex Aggregate Diverter(tm). Vortex utilizes precision laser cutting and bending technology to manufacture these leading-edge valves.
Additional Information:
For more than 30 years, Vortex has provided quality Slide Gates, Diverters, and Iris Valves designed specifically for handling dry bulk solids in gravity, vacuum, dilute, or dense phase applications. Vortex valves are engineered for dependability, durability, easy maintenance, and offer proven solutions to material handling and process efficiency problems. With an in-house team of engineers, Vortex valves can be completely customized for individual applications or special installations.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
The Vortex Titan Series Abrasion Resistant Slide Gate is the perfect gate for abrasive materials such as whole grains, coal, metal powders or minerals up to 400 Deg.F (204 Deg.C). The heavy duty valve frame construction is based on formed carbon steel channel with a beveled, abrasion resistant steel blade and a displacement pocket on the closing end of the valve. The Titan Gate is available in standard sizes from 6" to 30" (100mm to 750mm) with custom square or rectangular sizes up to 72" (1.8m) and larger.
The Vortex Titan Series Abrasion Resistant Slide Gate closes through a standing column of abrasive material and still has a dust-tight seal.
The slide gate features "live loaded" wear compensating seals that prevent material from escaping into the bonnet area of the gate. These seals are easily replaced without removing the valve from the processing line. The gate utilizes easily accessible, hardened steel cam-adjustable rollers instead of blade guides - a feature that is critical to maintaining a positive seal.
Other Vortex Valves products that will be displayed at GEAPS 2011 will be the Vortex Seal Tite(tm) Diverter, the Vortex Roller Gate, and the Vortex Aggregate Diverter(tm). Vortex utilizes precision laser cutting and bending technology to manufacture these leading-edge valves.
Additional Information:
For more than 30 years, Vortex has provided quality Slide Gates, Diverters, and Iris Valves designed specifically for handling dry bulk solids in gravity, vacuum, dilute, or dense phase applications. Vortex valves are engineered for dependability, durability, easy maintenance, and offer proven solutions to material handling and process efficiency problems. With an in-house team of engineers, Vortex valves can be completely customized for individual applications or special installations.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Bina Refinery in India to start production soon
Bina Refinery is likely to start commercial production by this month-end or next month. The company has already done trial production. Company's Managing Director UK Joshi and state government officials have said they will start production this month, State chief secretary Avani Vaish said. The Rs 11,000 crore refinery, the first in central India, is coming up in Agasod village near Bina in Sagar district. Joshi said, We have done trial production for few products and commercial production may start this month-end. The company is learnt to have been waiting for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's response who is likely to inaugurate the project.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
L&T, Gammon-Ansaldo fear losing to Chinese Equipment Manufacturer
Larsen & Toubro, Gammon-Ansaldo and other equipment makers, who hope to rival BHEL in India's power equipment market, fear they would lose out heavily to Chinese rivals as private power firms are willing to place orders only with tough conditions that add costs to their supplies.
Private power firms such as Tata Power, Reliance Power , Patel Engineering , Visa Power and Moser Baer Projects are asking equipment suppliers to give an undertaking that their foreign technology suppliers will ensure proper functioning of the equipment after delivery, industry officials said.
Technology providers, mostly in Europe, US and Japan, are not reluctant to provide such assurances, certification particularly to developing countries like India, and they would give such an assurance, called joint deed of undertaking, only if they also get royalty payment, equipment makers say. This would make it uncompetitive against Chinese equipment.
Industry experts said private power firms are demanding such undertakings, following the trend set by state-run companies like NTPC, Damodar Valley Corporation and state generation companies.
"Deed of joint undertaking is a double-edged sword. On one side it protects interest of the customer. The flip side is that outside partner also has a major say in which jobs and which terms to participate," L&T Power managing director and chief executive officer Ravi Uppal told the ET.
"When local players have established their credentials this kind of thing should not be insisted upon. The undertaking is being asked from local Indian companies for a joint venture, which they form with technology suppliers. In case of Chinese companies this doesn't apply. Suppliers charge a cost for making domestic suppliers uncompetitive," he said.
The problem is typical to private equipment companies' dealing in supercritical technology while state-run monopoly Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) said it was in a position to ask for an exemption from the liability clause.
The energy-efficient, supercritical technology is a forte of players in China, Korea and Russia but a relatively new area for Indian manufacturers. Cost of initial supercritical units in the country as it is more due to higher import content and low volumes.
Private power producers feel that fixing responsibility of foreign collaborators is a logical move as power equipment market in India is at a nascent stage. They said most lending institutions also compel generating companies to ask for equipment guarantees.
But such guarantees are not easily available.
"As a matter of fact no foreign technology leader is prepared to sign a deed of undertaking covering total equipment. Technology providers are willing to sign back-to-back liability clauses. But besides loading to cost for the risk coverage, it is one of the serious bottleneck in up bringing power sector with world class technology at the speed it is required to meet national expectations," an Ansaldo Caldaie India spokesperson said.
Thermax India managing director M S Unnikrishnan said NTPC historically had the principle of taking joint deed of undertaking from technology suppliers. "But it is unfair on private companies' part to ask for it. We have been trying to negotiate with the private companies and inform them about our abilities."
BHEL chairman and managing director BP Rao said, "The company is in a position to bargain with the independent power producers and the trend is more prevalent in supercritical (technology).
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Private power firms such as Tata Power, Reliance Power , Patel Engineering , Visa Power and Moser Baer Projects are asking equipment suppliers to give an undertaking that their foreign technology suppliers will ensure proper functioning of the equipment after delivery, industry officials said.
Technology providers, mostly in Europe, US and Japan, are not reluctant to provide such assurances, certification particularly to developing countries like India, and they would give such an assurance, called joint deed of undertaking, only if they also get royalty payment, equipment makers say. This would make it uncompetitive against Chinese equipment.
Industry experts said private power firms are demanding such undertakings, following the trend set by state-run companies like NTPC, Damodar Valley Corporation and state generation companies.
"Deed of joint undertaking is a double-edged sword. On one side it protects interest of the customer. The flip side is that outside partner also has a major say in which jobs and which terms to participate," L&T Power managing director and chief executive officer Ravi Uppal told the ET.
"When local players have established their credentials this kind of thing should not be insisted upon. The undertaking is being asked from local Indian companies for a joint venture, which they form with technology suppliers. In case of Chinese companies this doesn't apply. Suppliers charge a cost for making domestic suppliers uncompetitive," he said.
The problem is typical to private equipment companies' dealing in supercritical technology while state-run monopoly Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) said it was in a position to ask for an exemption from the liability clause.
The energy-efficient, supercritical technology is a forte of players in China, Korea and Russia but a relatively new area for Indian manufacturers. Cost of initial supercritical units in the country as it is more due to higher import content and low volumes.
Private power producers feel that fixing responsibility of foreign collaborators is a logical move as power equipment market in India is at a nascent stage. They said most lending institutions also compel generating companies to ask for equipment guarantees.
But such guarantees are not easily available.
"As a matter of fact no foreign technology leader is prepared to sign a deed of undertaking covering total equipment. Technology providers are willing to sign back-to-back liability clauses. But besides loading to cost for the risk coverage, it is one of the serious bottleneck in up bringing power sector with world class technology at the speed it is required to meet national expectations," an Ansaldo Caldaie India spokesperson said.
Thermax India managing director M S Unnikrishnan said NTPC historically had the principle of taking joint deed of undertaking from technology suppliers. "But it is unfair on private companies' part to ask for it. We have been trying to negotiate with the private companies and inform them about our abilities."
BHEL chairman and managing director BP Rao said, "The company is in a position to bargain with the independent power producers and the trend is more prevalent in supercritical (technology).
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Reliance Industries plans $30 bln investment
Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Ind is planning major investments, totalling up to $ 30 billion over next five years in its various businesses, including energy and telecom sectors.
These investments of $ 25-30 billion (well over Rs 1,00,000 crore) would be mainly targetted at petrochemicals, exploration and production and telecom businesses of the corporate conglomerate.
The bullish investment outlook was disclosed by RIL at an investor conference hosted by Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofA-ML) last week.
The company expects its five main business in the next 5-10 years to be petrochemicals, refining, E&P, retail and telecom.
As per the proposed capex (capital expenditure) investment plan, RIL would invest $ 10-12 billion in petrochemicals, while spending another $ 10 billion on exploration and development of (oil and gas) discoveries already made in shale gas in India and US.
Besides, RIL would invest $ 4.5-4.7 billion (over Rs 20,000 crore) in telecom over the next five years, Bank of America-Merrill Lynch (BofA-ML) said in a research note about its investor conference.
RIL has already spent $ 2.8 billion on acquiring 4G licenses and spectrum, which it got last year through acquisition of Infotel Broadband Services.
Infotel was the only entity to get pan-India license in the auction of Broadband Wireless Access spectrum conducted by the government last year.
RIL is currently in the process of finalising arrangement with leading global technology players, service providers, infrastructure providers, application developers, device manufacturers and others for its 4G (fourth-generation) telecom service offerings.
BofA-ML also said that RIL has indicated a surge in its EBTDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) to $ 15 billion by FY15, from about $ 6.4 billion in the last fiscal ended March 2010.
Last month, RIL reported a 28.14 per cent rise in its third-quarter net profit at Rs 5,136 crore, helped by robust performance in its refining and petrochemicals businesses.
The turnover rose by about six per cent to Rs 62,399 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, from Rs 58,848 crore in the year-ago period.
Commenting on the results, RIL chief Mukesh Ambani had said: "Reliance had another record quarter as both refining and petrochemical margins continued to improve and certain products recorded historic levels."
"Robust demand growth in home markets and highly competitive assets enabled Reliance to have industry leading operating rates and margins," he added.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
These investments of $ 25-30 billion (well over Rs 1,00,000 crore) would be mainly targetted at petrochemicals, exploration and production and telecom businesses of the corporate conglomerate.
The bullish investment outlook was disclosed by RIL at an investor conference hosted by Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofA-ML) last week.
The company expects its five main business in the next 5-10 years to be petrochemicals, refining, E&P, retail and telecom.
As per the proposed capex (capital expenditure) investment plan, RIL would invest $ 10-12 billion in petrochemicals, while spending another $ 10 billion on exploration and development of (oil and gas) discoveries already made in shale gas in India and US.
Besides, RIL would invest $ 4.5-4.7 billion (over Rs 20,000 crore) in telecom over the next five years, Bank of America-Merrill Lynch (BofA-ML) said in a research note about its investor conference.
RIL has already spent $ 2.8 billion on acquiring 4G licenses and spectrum, which it got last year through acquisition of Infotel Broadband Services.
Infotel was the only entity to get pan-India license in the auction of Broadband Wireless Access spectrum conducted by the government last year.
RIL is currently in the process of finalising arrangement with leading global technology players, service providers, infrastructure providers, application developers, device manufacturers and others for its 4G (fourth-generation) telecom service offerings.
BofA-ML also said that RIL has indicated a surge in its EBTDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) to $ 15 billion by FY15, from about $ 6.4 billion in the last fiscal ended March 2010.
Last month, RIL reported a 28.14 per cent rise in its third-quarter net profit at Rs 5,136 crore, helped by robust performance in its refining and petrochemicals businesses.
The turnover rose by about six per cent to Rs 62,399 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, from Rs 58,848 crore in the year-ago period.
Commenting on the results, RIL chief Mukesh Ambani had said: "Reliance had another record quarter as both refining and petrochemical margins continued to improve and certain products recorded historic levels."
"Robust demand growth in home markets and highly competitive assets enabled Reliance to have industry leading operating rates and margins," he added.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Shaw Group awarded contract for QAPCO 720,000 TPA Ethylene Plant
The Shaw Group Inc. has been awarded a contract by Qatar Petrochemical Company Ltd. Q.S.C. (QAPCO) to provide basic engineering services for the expansion of a 720,000 tpa ethylene plant in Mesaieed, Qatar. The project will provide the design needed for expanding the plants capacity by up to 25%. The undisclosed value of the basic engineering services contract will be included in Shaw's Energy & Chemicals segment's backlog of unfilled orders in the second quarter of fiscal year 2011. An established leader in ethylene technology, Shaw has provided technology, design, engineering and/or construction for more than 120 plants. Current projects underway around the world include the following:
In India, Shaw is providing proprietary technology and basic engineering for a new 450,000 tons per annum ethylene plant for GAIL (India) Limited.
In Turkey, Shaw is providing engineering and procurement services for an ethylene plant capacity expansion of approximately 10 percent for Petkim Petrochemical Holding AS.
In Singapore, Shaw is providing technology, engineering, procurement and construction services for a 1,000 KTA olefins recovery facility and a 220 megawatt power cogeneration unit for ExxonMobil Chemical.
In 2010, Shaw announced full commercial operation of a grassroots 1,320 KTA ethylene plant in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia, for Eastern Petrochemical Company (SHARQ).
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
In India, Shaw is providing proprietary technology and basic engineering for a new 450,000 tons per annum ethylene plant for GAIL (India) Limited.
In Turkey, Shaw is providing engineering and procurement services for an ethylene plant capacity expansion of approximately 10 percent for Petkim Petrochemical Holding AS.
In Singapore, Shaw is providing technology, engineering, procurement and construction services for a 1,000 KTA olefins recovery facility and a 220 megawatt power cogeneration unit for ExxonMobil Chemical.
In 2010, Shaw announced full commercial operation of a grassroots 1,320 KTA ethylene plant in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia, for Eastern Petrochemical Company (SHARQ).
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) gave clearance to Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) for its 6mtpa integrated steel plant and 1,000 MW power plant in Orissa
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on Monday gave its conditional go-ahead to Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) for its six mtpa (million tonnes per annum) integrated steel plant and 1,000 Mw captive power plant in Orissa, which was stalled for some months. The Ministry had issued a showcause notice to the company in November 2010, asking reasons for not revoking earlier clearances.
This is the latest instance, where Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh is seen to have softened his stand on issues on which he was quite rigid earlier.
Recently, the minister gave a conditional clearance to South Korean steel-maker Posco for its $12-billion steel plant and also to SAIL for extracting iron ore from the Chiria mines in Jharkhand.
On November 22, 2010, the Ministry had issued a showcause notice to Jindal Steel and Power under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, asking the company to furnish more data in order to be granted the required environmental clearance for the six mtpa integrated steel plant and the captive power plant at Angul.
NEW CONDITIONS
* JSPL to install coal gasification technology using non-coking coal. Adopt dry quenching of coke to conserve water and mitigate pollution
* Fly ash generated from various activities to be used in cement, brick manufacturing and filing of mined-out area but not to fill low-lying area
* 2 per cent of the profit earmarked for CSR
* Continuous monitoring of air quality; publish reports on website
* Adopt water conservation measures. Avoid water drawal from Derjang dam
* Introduce energy conservation measures for integrated steel plant
On December 7, 2010, JSPL requested the Ministry to grant one month's time for furnishing the reply. The Ministry, in the same month granted extension of two weeks time and asked JSPL to respond by December 22, 2010. A personal hearing was also fixed on December 29, 2010.
JSPL gave additional documents sought by the Ministry in January 2011. The Ministry has now added six additional conditions which JSPL has to follow, failing which the Ministry will be forced to take necessary action. The directions given include that the company shall adopt dry quenching of coke to conserve water and mitigate pollution and the fly ash generated should be used for cement and brick manufacturing.
The company should not use fly ash in filling low-lying areas as proposed earlier. The company should earmark two per cent of their net profit for corporate social responsibility (CSR).
The company shall monitor the air quality and stack emissions in respect to PM10, SO2 and mercury. Drawal of water from the Derjang dam should be avoided and rain harvesting measures taken. Energy conservation measures for an integrated steel plant should be introduced.
Reacting to the conditional nod JSPL said: The company will comply with all directions given in the MoEF communication. Earlier in the month, Jindal Steel and Power had said it would commence phase-I of its three mtpa steel plant in Angul district of Orissa by the end of this year.
The company, which is headed by a senior Congress MP Naveen Jindal, plans to invest Rs 40,000 crore in Orissa to produce 12.5 mtpa steel in phases and generate 2,500 Mw of power over the next decade. The company is investing Rs 45,000 crore for coal gasification.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
This is the latest instance, where Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh is seen to have softened his stand on issues on which he was quite rigid earlier.
Recently, the minister gave a conditional clearance to South Korean steel-maker Posco for its $12-billion steel plant and also to SAIL for extracting iron ore from the Chiria mines in Jharkhand.
On November 22, 2010, the Ministry had issued a showcause notice to Jindal Steel and Power under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, asking the company to furnish more data in order to be granted the required environmental clearance for the six mtpa integrated steel plant and the captive power plant at Angul.
NEW CONDITIONS
* JSPL to install coal gasification technology using non-coking coal. Adopt dry quenching of coke to conserve water and mitigate pollution
* Fly ash generated from various activities to be used in cement, brick manufacturing and filing of mined-out area but not to fill low-lying area
* 2 per cent of the profit earmarked for CSR
* Continuous monitoring of air quality; publish reports on website
* Adopt water conservation measures. Avoid water drawal from Derjang dam
* Introduce energy conservation measures for integrated steel plant
On December 7, 2010, JSPL requested the Ministry to grant one month's time for furnishing the reply. The Ministry, in the same month granted extension of two weeks time and asked JSPL to respond by December 22, 2010. A personal hearing was also fixed on December 29, 2010.
JSPL gave additional documents sought by the Ministry in January 2011. The Ministry has now added six additional conditions which JSPL has to follow, failing which the Ministry will be forced to take necessary action. The directions given include that the company shall adopt dry quenching of coke to conserve water and mitigate pollution and the fly ash generated should be used for cement and brick manufacturing.
The company should not use fly ash in filling low-lying areas as proposed earlier. The company should earmark two per cent of their net profit for corporate social responsibility (CSR).
The company shall monitor the air quality and stack emissions in respect to PM10, SO2 and mercury. Drawal of water from the Derjang dam should be avoided and rain harvesting measures taken. Energy conservation measures for an integrated steel plant should be introduced.
Reacting to the conditional nod JSPL said: The company will comply with all directions given in the MoEF communication. Earlier in the month, Jindal Steel and Power had said it would commence phase-I of its three mtpa steel plant in Angul district of Orissa by the end of this year.
The company, which is headed by a senior Congress MP Naveen Jindal, plans to invest Rs 40,000 crore in Orissa to produce 12.5 mtpa steel in phases and generate 2,500 Mw of power over the next decade. The company is investing Rs 45,000 crore for coal gasification.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Monday, 14 February 2011
BHEL receives USD 436 million order from Yemen
State-owned BHEL on Monday said it has bagged an USD 436 million (approximately Rs 2,000 crore) contract for setting up a gas-based power project in Yemen.
"BHEL has received an order for a Gas Turbine-based power plant from Yemen. The USD 436-million contract is for the Marib Gas-Based Power Project (Phase II)," a company statement said.
The project is financed by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the Saudi Fund for Development and the Government of Yemen.
Yemen plans to add another 3,000 MW of installed capacity in the next 4-5 years, which will present an opportunity to BHEL to further expand its operations in this country.
So far, projects totalling to over 12,500 MW have been contracted from overseas market by BHEL.
BHEL is presently executing 45 contracts in 23 countries, which include major turnkey projects in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Libya, Syria and Sudan.
Meanwhile, the PSU recently signed an agreement with Spain's Abengoa to set up solar power projects in India.
The agreement will enable both the organisations to leverage their capabilities in offering EPC solutions for solar power projects in India, as well as give them the opportunity to explore cooperation on energy projects in other parts of the world.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
"BHEL has received an order for a Gas Turbine-based power plant from Yemen. The USD 436-million contract is for the Marib Gas-Based Power Project (Phase II)," a company statement said.
The project is financed by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the Saudi Fund for Development and the Government of Yemen.
Yemen plans to add another 3,000 MW of installed capacity in the next 4-5 years, which will present an opportunity to BHEL to further expand its operations in this country.
So far, projects totalling to over 12,500 MW have been contracted from overseas market by BHEL.
BHEL is presently executing 45 contracts in 23 countries, which include major turnkey projects in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Libya, Syria and Sudan.
Meanwhile, the PSU recently signed an agreement with Spain's Abengoa to set up solar power projects in India.
The agreement will enable both the organisations to leverage their capabilities in offering EPC solutions for solar power projects in India, as well as give them the opportunity to explore cooperation on energy projects in other parts of the world.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
L&T receives Rs 1100 Cr order for 375MW Gas Based Power Project of GSECL
Engineering major Larsen & Toubro on Monday said it has received a Rs 1,100 crore order from Gujarat State Electricity Corporation (GSECL) for setting up a 375-MW gas-based power plant at Dhuvaran, near Baroda.
The project, which will be executed by the gas-based power projects business unit of Baroda-based L&T Power, will be commissioned during the next Five-Year Plan, L&T said in a statement.
L&T will design, supply, install and commission the entire power project on a turnkey basis. It will procure advance gas turbines and high-efficiency steam turbines for the plant from Siemens AG, Germany.
"The EPC order was bagged by L&T under global competitive bidding against stiff competition from domestic and international power plant equipment manufacturers," L&T said.
L&T has already executed a number of gas-based power projects and recently commissioned a 238.5-MW co-generation power plant for Indian Oil Corporation at Panipat. It is also executing a 2x384-MW gas-based power plant for GMR Group at Vemagiri, in Andhra Pradesh.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
The project, which will be executed by the gas-based power projects business unit of Baroda-based L&T Power, will be commissioned during the next Five-Year Plan, L&T said in a statement.
L&T will design, supply, install and commission the entire power project on a turnkey basis. It will procure advance gas turbines and high-efficiency steam turbines for the plant from Siemens AG, Germany.
"The EPC order was bagged by L&T under global competitive bidding against stiff competition from domestic and international power plant equipment manufacturers," L&T said.
L&T has already executed a number of gas-based power projects and recently commissioned a 238.5-MW co-generation power plant for Indian Oil Corporation at Panipat. It is also executing a 2x384-MW gas-based power plant for GMR Group at Vemagiri, in Andhra Pradesh.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Sunday, 13 February 2011
US lifts sanctions off ISRO, India
With the US lifting sanctions on ISRO, a top NASA laboratory has approached the Indian space agency with a proposal to collaborate for a moon mission aimed at getting back a kilogram of rocks from the lunar surface.
The iconic Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which has sent missions to Mars and Venus, wants ISRO to put a satellite around the moon which will be a link between its lunar lander probe and the earth.
"The mission is similar to the Chandrayaan-I mission. JPL has asked ISRO to put a satellite around the moon," ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said here.
The Space Commission, India's apex space policy body, has given ISRO the go-ahead to partner with JPL for the project named 'Moon Rise' which could be launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under its New Frontiers Programme announced in 2009.
As part of the project, JPL plans to drop a robotic lander into a basin at the moon's south pole to send lunar rocks back to Earth for study.
The mission, if selected, would be launched in 2016. The 400-500 kg satellite is being planned to have a life of up to five years and could also carry some scientific experiments of ISRO, Radhakrishnan said.
He said the proposal was an outcome of India-US cooperation announced during the visit of President Barack Obama to India last year.
He said India's contribution to the project could amount to about 150 million dollars.
The mission is part of a joint proposal with JPL which will be put up before NASA.
"We will take forward the proposal and work out a detail plan once NASA selects the proposal," Radhakrishnan said.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
The iconic Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which has sent missions to Mars and Venus, wants ISRO to put a satellite around the moon which will be a link between its lunar lander probe and the earth.
"The mission is similar to the Chandrayaan-I mission. JPL has asked ISRO to put a satellite around the moon," ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said here.
The Space Commission, India's apex space policy body, has given ISRO the go-ahead to partner with JPL for the project named 'Moon Rise' which could be launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under its New Frontiers Programme announced in 2009.
As part of the project, JPL plans to drop a robotic lander into a basin at the moon's south pole to send lunar rocks back to Earth for study.
The mission, if selected, would be launched in 2016. The 400-500 kg satellite is being planned to have a life of up to five years and could also carry some scientific experiments of ISRO, Radhakrishnan said.
He said the proposal was an outcome of India-US cooperation announced during the visit of President Barack Obama to India last year.
He said India's contribution to the project could amount to about 150 million dollars.
The mission is part of a joint proposal with JPL which will be put up before NASA.
"We will take forward the proposal and work out a detail plan once NASA selects the proposal," Radhakrishnan said.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Power Ministry hopes to get clearance for Orissa 4000MW Ultra Mega Power Project
The Power Ministry is hopeful of receiving conditional forest clearance for coal to be mined in blocks attached to the proposed 4,000 MW UMPP in Orissa tomorrow, as invitation of preliminary bids has been hanging fire for a long time due to environment issues.
"The Ministry of Environment and Forests is likely to send the clearance report for the Orissa ultra-mega power project (UMPP) tomorrow... They have put certain conditions for the same," a senior Power Ministry official told PTI. The MOEF may provide conditional forest clearance to the project, stating that the two coal blocks which fell in "no-go" areas will be only be given to two power projects, though three fall within the area.
"Two coal blocks may be pulled out of the no-go area, thereby allowing mining in those mines... But that is likely to be for only two projects," the official said, adding that there are three power projects being developed in that particular area.
One project is the 4,000 MW ultra mega power project at Bedabahal, the second one is an NTPC project and the third is a state government project.
The MOEF is believed to have asked the Power Ministry to decide which of these two projects should get the coal blocks, as providing mines for all three projects would be difficult.
"We will see what can be done after we receive the official documents from the MoEF," he added.
Power Finance, the nodal agency for implementation of ultra-mega power projects in the country, has already postponed the process of inviting preliminary bids for the Orissa project till March next month.
This is the seventh time the bidding process for the project has been delayed due to environmental hurdles.
The MoEF had put three coal blocks allotted to the project -- Meenakshi, Meenakshi B and the dipside of Meenakshi -- in "no-go" areas, which means mining cannot take place in these areas, as it may cause damage to the environment.
This had resulted in delaying the bidding process for the project, as developers are shying away from committing their capital in the absence of the requisite clearances.
The government has so far allotted four UMPPs, of which three -- Sasan (Madhya Pradesh), Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Tilaiya (Jharkhand) -- have been bagged by Reliance Power and the one at Mundra in Gujarat by Tata Power.
These UMPPs are going to contribute significantly towards the government's ambitious plans of adding about 1,00,000 MW of electricity in the next Five-Year Plan (2012-17).
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
"The Ministry of Environment and Forests is likely to send the clearance report for the Orissa ultra-mega power project (UMPP) tomorrow... They have put certain conditions for the same," a senior Power Ministry official told PTI. The MOEF may provide conditional forest clearance to the project, stating that the two coal blocks which fell in "no-go" areas will be only be given to two power projects, though three fall within the area.
"Two coal blocks may be pulled out of the no-go area, thereby allowing mining in those mines... But that is likely to be for only two projects," the official said, adding that there are three power projects being developed in that particular area.
One project is the 4,000 MW ultra mega power project at Bedabahal, the second one is an NTPC project and the third is a state government project.
The MOEF is believed to have asked the Power Ministry to decide which of these two projects should get the coal blocks, as providing mines for all three projects would be difficult.
"We will see what can be done after we receive the official documents from the MoEF," he added.
Power Finance, the nodal agency for implementation of ultra-mega power projects in the country, has already postponed the process of inviting preliminary bids for the Orissa project till March next month.
This is the seventh time the bidding process for the project has been delayed due to environmental hurdles.
The MoEF had put three coal blocks allotted to the project -- Meenakshi, Meenakshi B and the dipside of Meenakshi -- in "no-go" areas, which means mining cannot take place in these areas, as it may cause damage to the environment.
This had resulted in delaying the bidding process for the project, as developers are shying away from committing their capital in the absence of the requisite clearances.
The government has so far allotted four UMPPs, of which three -- Sasan (Madhya Pradesh), Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Tilaiya (Jharkhand) -- have been bagged by Reliance Power and the one at Mundra in Gujarat by Tata Power.
These UMPPs are going to contribute significantly towards the government's ambitious plans of adding about 1,00,000 MW of electricity in the next Five-Year Plan (2012-17).
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
CDMA +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
NTPC-BHEL JV should focus on BOP equipment
Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today said the joint venture between state-run NTPC and BHEL should focus on building equipment other than boilers, turbines and generators, as there is a dearth of companies engaged in the construction of such machinery in the country.
"There is a shortage of balance of plant (BOP) equipment in the market. Lot of companies are developing boilers, turbines and generators," Shinde said at the Operational Performance and excellence awards organised by NTPC.
"For sometime, NTPC-BHEL JV company should do only the balance of plant equipment, after that, they may go BTG sets," he added.
NTPC-BHEL Power Projects is a 50:50 JV firm formed in April, 2008, with a focus on engineering, procurement and construction contracts, besides the manufacture and supply of equipment for power plants.
The JV has an order book of about Rs 450 crore. It is targeting an order book of Rs 7,000 crore by the end of the current fiscal (2010-11).
At present, NBPPL is working on the 100-MW Namrup Power Station in Assam and the 726-MW combined cycle power plant being set up by ONGC Tripura Power Corporation at Palatana, in Tripura.
It is also executing the 500-MW Singrauli thermal power plant and the 600-MW thermal power plant of Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGENCO) at Rayalseema.
Meanwhile, the JV firm is also looking for a global technology provider and may offer them a minority stake in the company.
NTPC-BHEL Power Projects falls under the administrative control of the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Industries.
The Ministry of Power has set a target for adding 62,000 MW of power generation capacity during the ongoing XI Five-Year Plan Period (2007-12).
The minister also said, "We would be able to add 15,000 MW by March 31, 2011."
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
"There is a shortage of balance of plant (BOP) equipment in the market. Lot of companies are developing boilers, turbines and generators," Shinde said at the Operational Performance and excellence awards organised by NTPC.
"For sometime, NTPC-BHEL JV company should do only the balance of plant equipment, after that, they may go BTG sets," he added.
NTPC-BHEL Power Projects is a 50:50 JV firm formed in April, 2008, with a focus on engineering, procurement and construction contracts, besides the manufacture and supply of equipment for power plants.
The JV has an order book of about Rs 450 crore. It is targeting an order book of Rs 7,000 crore by the end of the current fiscal (2010-11).
At present, NBPPL is working on the 100-MW Namrup Power Station in Assam and the 726-MW combined cycle power plant being set up by ONGC Tripura Power Corporation at Palatana, in Tripura.
It is also executing the 500-MW Singrauli thermal power plant and the 600-MW thermal power plant of Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGENCO) at Rayalseema.
Meanwhile, the JV firm is also looking for a global technology provider and may offer them a minority stake in the company.
NTPC-BHEL Power Projects falls under the administrative control of the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Industries.
The Ministry of Power has set a target for adding 62,000 MW of power generation capacity during the ongoing XI Five-Year Plan Period (2007-12).
The minister also said, "We would be able to add 15,000 MW by March 31, 2011."
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Remote Canadian Destination for Rotork Pipeline Valve Actuators
The remote area of north eastern British Columbia in Canada, where ambient seasonal temperatures can fluctuate between +30C and -40C, is the destination for a major order for Rotork GO range gas-over-oil pipeline valve actuators.
The application is a new Class 300 sour gas (0.1% H2S) gathering system and pipeline owned by the Murphy Oil Company. Known as the Tupper West Gathering System, the project follows Murphy Oil's acquisition of the Tupper Field leases in 2007. Twenty Rotork GO actuators have been ordered, three for barrel isolation and seventeen for pipeline ESD (emergency shutdown) duties.
The Rotork actuator design was selected due to the remote geographic location and challenging environment of the application, demanding both long term reliability and low maintenance.
Rotork GO actuators are designed to use pipeline gas as the power source and are available with control configurations to suit virtually any operational requirement. Low or high pressure control logic options, speed control in both directions and hydraulic manual override are amongst the standard features.
With torque outputs up to 600,000Nm (5,000,000lbf-in), Rotork GO actuators are certified to IP66M/67M, ATEX 94/9/EC and in accordance with PED 93/27/EC. For this project the actuator electrical components are CSA Class 1, Division 1 approved. A separate sweet fuel gas line provides the power source for the actuators.
The order has been supplied by Rotork Fluid Systems' agent in Alberta, C E Franklin. Franklin has also fitted the actuators to 16in ASME Class 300 ball valves in its workshop facilities at Edmonton. The Tupper West Gathering System project, which is being engineered by Equinox Engineering of Calgary, is a major installation for Rotork GO actuators in Canada. The project is also utilising Rotork pneumatic actuators at manned compressor station valve sites.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
The application is a new Class 300 sour gas (0.1% H2S) gathering system and pipeline owned by the Murphy Oil Company. Known as the Tupper West Gathering System, the project follows Murphy Oil's acquisition of the Tupper Field leases in 2007. Twenty Rotork GO actuators have been ordered, three for barrel isolation and seventeen for pipeline ESD (emergency shutdown) duties.
The Rotork actuator design was selected due to the remote geographic location and challenging environment of the application, demanding both long term reliability and low maintenance.
Rotork GO actuators are designed to use pipeline gas as the power source and are available with control configurations to suit virtually any operational requirement. Low or high pressure control logic options, speed control in both directions and hydraulic manual override are amongst the standard features.
With torque outputs up to 600,000Nm (5,000,000lbf-in), Rotork GO actuators are certified to IP66M/67M, ATEX 94/9/EC and in accordance with PED 93/27/EC. For this project the actuator electrical components are CSA Class 1, Division 1 approved. A separate sweet fuel gas line provides the power source for the actuators.
The order has been supplied by Rotork Fluid Systems' agent in Alberta, C E Franklin. Franklin has also fitted the actuators to 16in ASME Class 300 ball valves in its workshop facilities at Edmonton. The Tupper West Gathering System project, which is being engineered by Equinox Engineering of Calgary, is a major installation for Rotork GO actuators in Canada. The project is also utilising Rotork pneumatic actuators at manned compressor station valve sites.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
DRDO-India & US jointly developing projects
The chief of India's Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) today made the startling revelation that his organisation is in partnership with US entities in developing at least 30 high-technology defence projects.
Addressing a press conference at the Aero India 2011 air show in Bangalore today, DRDO Chief V K Saraswat broadly described the areas of the joint DRDO-US research. He said they were jointly developing about 30 programmes related to materials, services, and manufacturing technologies. There are some related to advanced communications systems. There are many (projects) that are related to low-intensity conflict.
This indicates Washington's rapid relaxation of the stringent technology denial controls that the US Congress had placed on DRDO after India tested five nuclear weapons in May 2008. Until January 25, several DRDO laboratories had featured on Washington's Entity List, a list of agencies and institutions that are banned from receiving dual-use items from the US. A dual use item is one that has military, as well as civil, uses.
Controversially, Saraswat also revealed DRDO was permitting American inspectors to examine equipment that was being imported from the US for use in DRDO projects. We already have some agreements with them what is called post-delivery inspection. Suppose they give some equipment, they can verify they are at liberty to come and check whether we have used this equipment in the place that I have indicated in my order. It is something like the End User Monitoring Agreement.
DRDO has worked for years with Russian and Israeli defence companies in developing weaponry, but featuring on the Entity List had ruled out cooperation with the US. The US departments of state and commerce, which must grant licences for defence-related export and cooperation, automatically block licenses to any agency on the Entity List. Key DRDO platforms, including the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft; the Akash missile; and the Arjun tank, suffered years of delay after the technology denial regime imposed by the US in 1998.
Saraswat said DRDO had long hankered for partnership with US companies. A lot of technology areas were identified for working with the US, but because we were on the Entity List clearances were not coming. I presume that there will be acceleration in our research & development programmes with the US.
Despite the DRDO-US projects under way, Saraswat pointed out that DRDO's removal from the Entity List did not mean that automatic clearance was granted for whatever DRDO needed. US law mandates that all dual-use items, which essentially includes everything related to defence, needs export licences from the US departments of commerce, state and defence.
That licensing process is the law (in the US) and it will not change. So we have to see in the years to come what kind of trust is going to develop between [the DRDO] and the US on the issue of licences for dual use items for the DRDO and other defence agencies. That process will become lenient only if there is a level of trust, Saraswat said.
Meanwhile, Washington has stressed on high-tech cooperation that was one of the highlights of President Barack Obama's visit to India last November. US Commerce Secretary, Gary Locke, with his delegation of 24 US companies -- among them a dozen aerospace and defence companies, including Lockheed Martin, Oshkosh Corporation, Boeing and Aero Controls -- has dangled high technology as a carrot to induce New Delhi to provide trade incentives to US companies. Saraswat's revelations could ease scepticism among Indian defence policymakers about whether Washington intends to part with high technology to India, or to merely cite the sale of high-tech defence platforms like the C-130J as evidence of its commitment.
Speaking to Business Standard, US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro insisted that Washington viewed India as a strategic partner. The removal of nine Indian entities from the Entities List was a significant accomplishment, declared Shapiro. We've just had a successful delivery of the C-130J and we hope to win the MMRCA competition.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Addressing a press conference at the Aero India 2011 air show in Bangalore today, DRDO Chief V K Saraswat broadly described the areas of the joint DRDO-US research. He said they were jointly developing about 30 programmes related to materials, services, and manufacturing technologies. There are some related to advanced communications systems. There are many (projects) that are related to low-intensity conflict.
This indicates Washington's rapid relaxation of the stringent technology denial controls that the US Congress had placed on DRDO after India tested five nuclear weapons in May 2008. Until January 25, several DRDO laboratories had featured on Washington's Entity List, a list of agencies and institutions that are banned from receiving dual-use items from the US. A dual use item is one that has military, as well as civil, uses.
Controversially, Saraswat also revealed DRDO was permitting American inspectors to examine equipment that was being imported from the US for use in DRDO projects. We already have some agreements with them what is called post-delivery inspection. Suppose they give some equipment, they can verify they are at liberty to come and check whether we have used this equipment in the place that I have indicated in my order. It is something like the End User Monitoring Agreement.
DRDO has worked for years with Russian and Israeli defence companies in developing weaponry, but featuring on the Entity List had ruled out cooperation with the US. The US departments of state and commerce, which must grant licences for defence-related export and cooperation, automatically block licenses to any agency on the Entity List. Key DRDO platforms, including the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft; the Akash missile; and the Arjun tank, suffered years of delay after the technology denial regime imposed by the US in 1998.
Saraswat said DRDO had long hankered for partnership with US companies. A lot of technology areas were identified for working with the US, but because we were on the Entity List clearances were not coming. I presume that there will be acceleration in our research & development programmes with the US.
Despite the DRDO-US projects under way, Saraswat pointed out that DRDO's removal from the Entity List did not mean that automatic clearance was granted for whatever DRDO needed. US law mandates that all dual-use items, which essentially includes everything related to defence, needs export licences from the US departments of commerce, state and defence.
That licensing process is the law (in the US) and it will not change. So we have to see in the years to come what kind of trust is going to develop between [the DRDO] and the US on the issue of licences for dual use items for the DRDO and other defence agencies. That process will become lenient only if there is a level of trust, Saraswat said.
Meanwhile, Washington has stressed on high-tech cooperation that was one of the highlights of President Barack Obama's visit to India last November. US Commerce Secretary, Gary Locke, with his delegation of 24 US companies -- among them a dozen aerospace and defence companies, including Lockheed Martin, Oshkosh Corporation, Boeing and Aero Controls -- has dangled high technology as a carrot to induce New Delhi to provide trade incentives to US companies. Saraswat's revelations could ease scepticism among Indian defence policymakers about whether Washington intends to part with high technology to India, or to merely cite the sale of high-tech defence platforms like the C-130J as evidence of its commitment.
Speaking to Business Standard, US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro insisted that Washington viewed India as a strategic partner. The removal of nine Indian entities from the Entities List was a significant accomplishment, declared Shapiro. We've just had a successful delivery of the C-130J and we hope to win the MMRCA competition.
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Hyderabad Industries in Rs 100cr expansion mode
Hyderabad Industries Limited (HIL), a CK Birla group company engaged in the production of asbestos cement products, has embarked on a Rs 100-crore expansion plan besides shifting its focus on manufacturing green building products.
HIL managing director Abhaya Shankar told Business Standard that the company was in the process of adding another asbestos sheets production line at its Satharia plant in Uttar Pradesh involving an investment of Rs 50 crore.
Anup Shah
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HIL managing director Abhaya Shankar told Business Standard that the company was in the process of adding another asbestos sheets production line at its Satharia plant in Uttar Pradesh involving an investment of Rs 50 crore.
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India can generate 68,000MW Power from renewable energy
The World Bank today said 68,000 MW of power costing less than Rs 6 per unit can be generated from renewable energy sources, which can play an important role in increasing India's energy security.
A report by the multilateral funding agency said that the 68,000 MW of wind, hydro and biomass energy can be harnessed at less than Rs 6 per unit.
"Developing indigenous renewable energy sources, which have low marginal costs of generation, are more economically viable in the long run," the study --Potential of Renewable Energy in India -- said.
India's electricity demand is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 7.4 per cent in the next 25 years. Generation capacity will have to increase five-fold to keep pace with the growth of demand.
The installed capacity of the country stands at about 1,70,229 MW from all sources of energy, as per official data.
The report also suggested that renewable energy development can also be an important tool for regional economic development within the country.
The states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand have 65 per cent of India's small hydropower resources. Much of the economically attractive wind potential in Orissa or the biomass potential in Madhya Pradesh also lies largely undeveloped, it added.
The report emphasised that coal , gas and oil have witnessed considerable price volatility in recent years, renewables are the only free hedging mechanism against price volatility of fossil fuels.
The risk-adjusted cost of renewable energy is lower than that of fossil-based fuels, and their use enhances the price certainty of the portfolio and increases energy security, it said.
Small hydropower, one of the least expensive and most attractive forms of renewable energy, lies largely untapped, the generation costs of small hydropower are comparable with thermal generation sources, and the generation costs of biomass are comparable to those of wind.
This resource is the most attractive in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttaranchal.
The entire renewable potential, including solar, is less expensive than diesel, where existing 20,000 MW of diesel based installed capacity points to innovative possibilities of scaling up renewable in a big way, said N Roberto Zagha, World Bank Country Director in India.
The government has set an ambitious target of installing at least 40,000 MW of additional capacity of renewables in the next 10 years.
The report is based on data from nearly 180 wind, biomass, and small hydropower projects in 20 states, as well as information from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission .
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A report by the multilateral funding agency said that the 68,000 MW of wind, hydro and biomass energy can be harnessed at less than Rs 6 per unit.
"Developing indigenous renewable energy sources, which have low marginal costs of generation, are more economically viable in the long run," the study --Potential of Renewable Energy in India -- said.
India's electricity demand is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 7.4 per cent in the next 25 years. Generation capacity will have to increase five-fold to keep pace with the growth of demand.
The installed capacity of the country stands at about 1,70,229 MW from all sources of energy, as per official data.
The report also suggested that renewable energy development can also be an important tool for regional economic development within the country.
The states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand have 65 per cent of India's small hydropower resources. Much of the economically attractive wind potential in Orissa or the biomass potential in Madhya Pradesh also lies largely undeveloped, it added.
The report emphasised that coal , gas and oil have witnessed considerable price volatility in recent years, renewables are the only free hedging mechanism against price volatility of fossil fuels.
The risk-adjusted cost of renewable energy is lower than that of fossil-based fuels, and their use enhances the price certainty of the portfolio and increases energy security, it said.
Small hydropower, one of the least expensive and most attractive forms of renewable energy, lies largely untapped, the generation costs of small hydropower are comparable with thermal generation sources, and the generation costs of biomass are comparable to those of wind.
This resource is the most attractive in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttaranchal.
The entire renewable potential, including solar, is less expensive than diesel, where existing 20,000 MW of diesel based installed capacity points to innovative possibilities of scaling up renewable in a big way, said N Roberto Zagha, World Bank Country Director in India.
The government has set an ambitious target of installing at least 40,000 MW of additional capacity of renewables in the next 10 years.
The report is based on data from nearly 180 wind, biomass, and small hydropower projects in 20 states, as well as information from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission .
Anup Shah
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Friday, 11 February 2011
CESC to invest Rs 3,000 cr in 600Mw Haldia projects
RPG Enterprises flagship CESC will invest Rs 3,000 crore in its 600MW thermal power projects at Haldia in West Bengal.
Work was scheduled to be completed by March 2014 and there would be two units of 300MW each, CESC vice chairman, Sanjiv Goenka said. We have finalised the bids for boiler turbine generator (BTG) and balance of plant (BOP) for our Haldia power project. BTG goes to Shanghai Electric and BOP to Punj Lloyd, he added.The bids will be awarded by March this year. For the BTG the lowest quote comes from Shanghai Electric, that is 2.14 crore per MW. And for the BOP the lowest quote is from Punj Lloyd, which is 1.99 crore per MW, Goenka said. BOP includes cooling towers, chimney, ash and coal handling systems, air-cooled heat condensers and others while BTG is part of the main plant package. The coal linkages for the plant has also been finalised as it would import 30-40 per cent while the rest will come from Eastern Coalfield.
CESC is also seeking to raise up to Rs 1,000 crore from private equity (PE) players for Haldia Energy (HEL) which is the holding company for three power projects including that of Haldia.
The power major is talking to eight overseas firms for the PE infusion for two 600Mw projects at Haldia in West Bengal and Chandrapur in Maharashtra, respectively, and another 1,300 Mw plant at Talcher in Orissa. We are in talks with eight overseas firms. We hope to finalise this by April this year, CESC vice chairman said.
Goenka, however, was reluctant to divulge the names of the PE firms. He also said that progress at Chandrapur Power Project in Maharastra was satisfactory.
We are happy with the work progress at Chandrapur power plant. We are 11 days ahead of schedule there. he said.
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Work was scheduled to be completed by March 2014 and there would be two units of 300MW each, CESC vice chairman, Sanjiv Goenka said. We have finalised the bids for boiler turbine generator (BTG) and balance of plant (BOP) for our Haldia power project. BTG goes to Shanghai Electric and BOP to Punj Lloyd, he added.The bids will be awarded by March this year. For the BTG the lowest quote comes from Shanghai Electric, that is 2.14 crore per MW. And for the BOP the lowest quote is from Punj Lloyd, which is 1.99 crore per MW, Goenka said. BOP includes cooling towers, chimney, ash and coal handling systems, air-cooled heat condensers and others while BTG is part of the main plant package. The coal linkages for the plant has also been finalised as it would import 30-40 per cent while the rest will come from Eastern Coalfield.
CESC is also seeking to raise up to Rs 1,000 crore from private equity (PE) players for Haldia Energy (HEL) which is the holding company for three power projects including that of Haldia.
The power major is talking to eight overseas firms for the PE infusion for two 600Mw projects at Haldia in West Bengal and Chandrapur in Maharashtra, respectively, and another 1,300 Mw plant at Talcher in Orissa. We are in talks with eight overseas firms. We hope to finalise this by April this year, CESC vice chairman said.
Goenka, however, was reluctant to divulge the names of the PE firms. He also said that progress at Chandrapur Power Project in Maharastra was satisfactory.
We are happy with the work progress at Chandrapur power plant. We are 11 days ahead of schedule there. he said.
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Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
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(sent via vodafone blackberrry)
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Projects worth Rs 20,000 cr up for clearance in Andhra Pradesh, India
The State Level Investment Promotion Committee, headed by the chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh, would discuss incentives to new investment proposals worth Rs 20,421 crore under the mega project category on Thursday.
Among the 25 proposals that would come up for clearance at tomorrow's meeting include a Rs 5,813-crore steel plant expansion project of SBQ Steel Limited in Nellore district, Rs 1,997 crore ferro alloys project proposed at Vizianagaram by Sarda Metals and Alloys Limited, Rs 1,687 crore inorganic chemical plant of KPR Chemicals, Rs 1,088 crore steel plant expansion project at Vizianagaram by Maa Mahamaya Industries Limited and a Rs 276-crore tractor manufacturing unit by Mahindra & Mahindra at its existing plant in Zahirabad.
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Among the 25 proposals that would come up for clearance at tomorrow's meeting include a Rs 5,813-crore steel plant expansion project of SBQ Steel Limited in Nellore district, Rs 1,997 crore ferro alloys project proposed at Vizianagaram by Sarda Metals and Alloys Limited, Rs 1,687 crore inorganic chemical plant of KPR Chemicals, Rs 1,088 crore steel plant expansion project at Vizianagaram by Maa Mahamaya Industries Limited and a Rs 276-crore tractor manufacturing unit by Mahindra & Mahindra at its existing plant in Zahirabad.
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Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Tetra Pak to invest Rs 600 crore to set up a new facility at Chakan, Pune, India
PUNE: Food processing and packaging solutions firm Tetra Pak on Wednesday said it will invest Rs 600 crore to set up a new facility at Chakan, near here to cater to the growing domestic and international demand.
"The total investment in the new factory is expected to be around Rs 600 crore. With strong economic growth, a dynamic consumer base and modernisation of distribution and retailing there is high demand across all categories," Tetra Pak Managing Director (South Asian Markets) Kandarp Singh told reporters here.
The Chakan plant would have an annual capacity of 8.5 billion packages. It could be further scaled up to 16 billion packages a year.
"With a capacity of 8.5 billion packages per year, we are gearing up to meet the growing demands of consumers," he said.
The company, which sells its packaging materials to various companies, including Parle Agro, Dabur and Amul, in the country at present has a manufacturing facility at Takwe, near Pune. The Takwe plant has a capacity of nearly five billion packages annually.
The new facility at Chakan, which would be operational by December 2012, will cater to both domestic and export markets.
"Besides supporting the expected strong growth in the Indian market, the plant will also support the company's growth in other key geographies such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East," Singh said.
The company, which posted sales of Rs 850 crore from India in 2010, is also looking to nearly double its revenues from the country by 2013.
"As the new facility gets operational by 2012 end, we expect to double our revenues from the Indian market," Singh said.
At present the company's existing capacity of five billion packages per year is utilised equally for meeting domestic and overseas demand but it expects the Indian demand to double by 2013.
"This would amount to nearly doubling our revenues from here," Singh added.
The Switzerland-headquartered company employs nearly 22,000 employees and operates in over 170 countries. Its global revenues for the year 2010 stood at 10 billion Euros .
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"The total investment in the new factory is expected to be around Rs 600 crore. With strong economic growth, a dynamic consumer base and modernisation of distribution and retailing there is high demand across all categories," Tetra Pak Managing Director (South Asian Markets) Kandarp Singh told reporters here.
The Chakan plant would have an annual capacity of 8.5 billion packages. It could be further scaled up to 16 billion packages a year.
"With a capacity of 8.5 billion packages per year, we are gearing up to meet the growing demands of consumers," he said.
The company, which sells its packaging materials to various companies, including Parle Agro, Dabur and Amul, in the country at present has a manufacturing facility at Takwe, near Pune. The Takwe plant has a capacity of nearly five billion packages annually.
The new facility at Chakan, which would be operational by December 2012, will cater to both domestic and export markets.
"Besides supporting the expected strong growth in the Indian market, the plant will also support the company's growth in other key geographies such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East," Singh said.
The company, which posted sales of Rs 850 crore from India in 2010, is also looking to nearly double its revenues from the country by 2013.
"As the new facility gets operational by 2012 end, we expect to double our revenues from the Indian market," Singh said.
At present the company's existing capacity of five billion packages per year is utilised equally for meeting domestic and overseas demand but it expects the Indian demand to double by 2013.
"This would amount to nearly doubling our revenues from here," Singh added.
The Switzerland-headquartered company employs nearly 22,000 employees and operates in over 170 countries. Its global revenues for the year 2010 stood at 10 billion Euros .
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Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
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Monday, 7 February 2011
Aditya Birla PE invests Rs 62 cr in GEI Industrial Systems
Aditya Birla Group's private equity arm today announced an investment of Rs 62.5 crore in Bhopal- based GEI Industrial Systems that manufactures critical industrial equipment for the energy sector.
GEI will be using the proceeds for its expansion plans to meet the growing requirements of customers in the power generation and, oil and gas sectors, according to a release issued by Aditya Birla Private Equity (ABPE).
The investment into the 40-year-old GEI has been done by ABPE's Fund I, which has earlier invested in companies like material handling equipments-maker Anupam Industries and ratings agency CARE, the release said.
Elaborating on the deal structure, it said the transaction involves fresh equity infusion of Rs 75 crore where ABPE will subscribe to cumulative convertible preference shares worth Rs 62.5 crore and the promoters of GEI will subscribe to equity warrants worth Rs 12.5 crore at the same terms.
ABPE's Chief Executive Bharat Banka said GEI holds a 70 % market share in the air-cooled heat exchangers and steam condensers category, supplying to an industry with tremendous growth prospects.
Additionally, its technology is environmentally relevant, helping customers meet the great challenge of water scarcity, Banka said in the statement.
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GEI will be using the proceeds for its expansion plans to meet the growing requirements of customers in the power generation and, oil and gas sectors, according to a release issued by Aditya Birla Private Equity (ABPE).
The investment into the 40-year-old GEI has been done by ABPE's Fund I, which has earlier invested in companies like material handling equipments-maker Anupam Industries and ratings agency CARE, the release said.
Elaborating on the deal structure, it said the transaction involves fresh equity infusion of Rs 75 crore where ABPE will subscribe to cumulative convertible preference shares worth Rs 62.5 crore and the promoters of GEI will subscribe to equity warrants worth Rs 12.5 crore at the same terms.
ABPE's Chief Executive Bharat Banka said GEI holds a 70 % market share in the air-cooled heat exchangers and steam condensers category, supplying to an industry with tremendous growth prospects.
Additionally, its technology is environmentally relevant, helping customers meet the great challenge of water scarcity, Banka said in the statement.
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USA tells India to open up its economy
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Monday said India needed to open up its economy by reducing trade barriers and tariffs to encourage direct international investment and fight poverty.
Locke, who is in India on a mission to encourage India-US business links to grow in line with warming political ties, said he was in talks with officials on areas of contention such as market access.
India has undergone dramatic economic liberalisation over the last 20 years, but international companies are still banned from many potentially lucrative sectors, such as supermarkets for the country's booming consumer classes.
"Even though India has made tremendous strides to open up its economy, there are still too many tariffs and too many barriers to foreign participation in the Indian economy," Locke said at a conference in New Delhi
"US businesses can help India achieve its goal of providing a better standard of living... but market barriers are restricting them."
Locke, who is accompanied by leaders of 24 companies including major players in defence and nuclear power, said "India's market barriers may seem to protect some domestic industries in the short term. But over time, these barriers will limit foreign direct investment."
French supermarket giant Carrefour recently opened its first wholesale store in India, but like other multi-brand supermarket retailers it is not allowed to sell direct to consumers.
Only single-brand foreign outlets by firms such as Reebok or Marks Spencer are allowed to operate.
Wal-Mart , one of the world's largest retailers, has already opened two wholesale stores and plans to open 10 more within four years.
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Locke, who is in India on a mission to encourage India-US business links to grow in line with warming political ties, said he was in talks with officials on areas of contention such as market access.
India has undergone dramatic economic liberalisation over the last 20 years, but international companies are still banned from many potentially lucrative sectors, such as supermarkets for the country's booming consumer classes.
"Even though India has made tremendous strides to open up its economy, there are still too many tariffs and too many barriers to foreign participation in the Indian economy," Locke said at a conference in New Delhi
"US businesses can help India achieve its goal of providing a better standard of living... but market barriers are restricting them."
Locke, who is accompanied by leaders of 24 companies including major players in defence and nuclear power, said "India's market barriers may seem to protect some domestic industries in the short term. But over time, these barriers will limit foreign direct investment."
French supermarket giant Carrefour recently opened its first wholesale store in India, but like other multi-brand supermarket retailers it is not allowed to sell direct to consumers.
Only single-brand foreign outlets by firms such as Reebok or Marks Spencer are allowed to operate.
Wal-Mart , one of the world's largest retailers, has already opened two wholesale stores and plans to open 10 more within four years.
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L&T set to exploit full potential after business restructuring
The restructuring of larsen & toubro (l&t) into nine independent businesses is essentially focused on reducing the burden on the chairman and the board. But it will also create opportunity for 80 old hands in the company to join the board of the nine new entities.
At present, chairman and MD A.M. Naik is working almost 24X7. His day meetings start from his house at Pali Hills in Bandra, Mumbai, and may end in some other country, says an L&T executive. Naik is involved in each and every business decision of the company. In the new setup, he will not have to look into minute issues. "He will get feedback from sectoral heads to take final decisions," says the executive.
Management consultants McKinsey and Bain have knitted the new structure for L&T to achieve four-fold growth in a decade. If the target is achieved, L&T will have a revenue of around Rs 2 lakh crore by 2020, about Rs 35,000 crore less than Reliance Industries' income in 2009-10. Profit may rise to Rs 3,800 crore. If similar growth is assumed in its stock valuation, L&T's share price would reach around Rs 6,600 — it is hovering around Rs 1,608 now (see 'Negative Reaction').
Four-fold growth implies a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 16 per cent, which is lower than the 22 per cent CAGR in revenues recorded in the past eight years. "In the past five years, L&T has grown three-fold, and some senior executives are retiring in the next three years. The new structure will help in an effective management transition," says director J.P. Nayak, who retires on 31 March 2011.
L&T's board is one of the oldest in the country, like Tata Sons. Four out of its eight directors will retire by 2012-13. Of the two retiring by 2015, chief financial officer Y.M. Deosthalee will leave L&T to head L&T Finance Holdings, which is looking to list when the market stabilises. L&T has about 10,000 executives. At the executive level, from manager to director, promotion is not as easy as in other private sector firms. The new structure will allow people to move up the ladder, and a few to the crucial decision-making level, says another analyst.
L&T operates in 152 businesses, including nuclear reactors, power equipment, airports, oil and gas pipelines, roads and financial services. The new boards will have nine members — a chairman, business head, three members from the business unit, three non-executive directors and a representative from L&T's board. The boards will have independent management powers and freedom to make investment decisions. However, the treasury management will remain with the parent board, says Nayak.
The nine independent companies are: heavy engineering, hydrocarbon, machinery and industrial products, water, power equipment, infrastructure, metals and minerals, electrical and automation, and mechanical and industrial products. In addition, large subsidiaries such as L&T Finance and L&T Infotech will also have independent boards of directors. "The growth of independent verticals will create an opportunity for unlocking value in future," says an executive with an international bank. The company has already sounded in favour of listing some of the newly carved businesses such as L&T Infotech and L&T Power.
For ensuring revenue for the parent, L&T is looking to put in place a payment system. Brand usage and communication activities will be paid services from the beginning. "We may even charge for corporate strategy in future," says Nayak. With the restructuring, the platform is ready for the next chairman.
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At present, chairman and MD A.M. Naik is working almost 24X7. His day meetings start from his house at Pali Hills in Bandra, Mumbai, and may end in some other country, says an L&T executive. Naik is involved in each and every business decision of the company. In the new setup, he will not have to look into minute issues. "He will get feedback from sectoral heads to take final decisions," says the executive.
Management consultants McKinsey and Bain have knitted the new structure for L&T to achieve four-fold growth in a decade. If the target is achieved, L&T will have a revenue of around Rs 2 lakh crore by 2020, about Rs 35,000 crore less than Reliance Industries' income in 2009-10. Profit may rise to Rs 3,800 crore. If similar growth is assumed in its stock valuation, L&T's share price would reach around Rs 6,600 — it is hovering around Rs 1,608 now (see 'Negative Reaction').
Four-fold growth implies a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 16 per cent, which is lower than the 22 per cent CAGR in revenues recorded in the past eight years. "In the past five years, L&T has grown three-fold, and some senior executives are retiring in the next three years. The new structure will help in an effective management transition," says director J.P. Nayak, who retires on 31 March 2011.
L&T's board is one of the oldest in the country, like Tata Sons. Four out of its eight directors will retire by 2012-13. Of the two retiring by 2015, chief financial officer Y.M. Deosthalee will leave L&T to head L&T Finance Holdings, which is looking to list when the market stabilises. L&T has about 10,000 executives. At the executive level, from manager to director, promotion is not as easy as in other private sector firms. The new structure will allow people to move up the ladder, and a few to the crucial decision-making level, says another analyst.
L&T operates in 152 businesses, including nuclear reactors, power equipment, airports, oil and gas pipelines, roads and financial services. The new boards will have nine members — a chairman, business head, three members from the business unit, three non-executive directors and a representative from L&T's board. The boards will have independent management powers and freedom to make investment decisions. However, the treasury management will remain with the parent board, says Nayak.
The nine independent companies are: heavy engineering, hydrocarbon, machinery and industrial products, water, power equipment, infrastructure, metals and minerals, electrical and automation, and mechanical and industrial products. In addition, large subsidiaries such as L&T Finance and L&T Infotech will also have independent boards of directors. "The growth of independent verticals will create an opportunity for unlocking value in future," says an executive with an international bank. The company has already sounded in favour of listing some of the newly carved businesses such as L&T Infotech and L&T Power.
For ensuring revenue for the parent, L&T is looking to put in place a payment system. Brand usage and communication activities will be paid services from the beginning. "We may even charge for corporate strategy in future," says Nayak. With the restructuring, the platform is ready for the next chairman.
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India has highest number of transfer pricing litigations
India has the highest number of litigations over transfer pricing , where MNCs have been charged of reducing their tax liability by transferring profits to group companies abroad, EY said in a survey.
The country has over 1,500 cases pending under the transfer pricing, it said.
The survey included 877 MNCs from 25 countries. A large number companies are accused of selling goods and services to their subsidiaries at inflated prices under transfer pricing, to reduce profits and hence tax liabilities.
The law requires that goods and services should be sold to subsidiary companies at arm's length price-the price at which goods are traded between unconnected companies.
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The country has over 1,500 cases pending under the transfer pricing, it said.
The survey included 877 MNCs from 25 countries. A large number companies are accused of selling goods and services to their subsidiaries at inflated prices under transfer pricing, to reduce profits and hence tax liabilities.
The law requires that goods and services should be sold to subsidiary companies at arm's length price-the price at which goods are traded between unconnected companies.
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NTPC will not invite fresh bids for 19000cr Equipment Tender
Country's top power generator NTPC will not invite fresh bids for its 19,000-crore equipment supply tender even if only one bidder qualifies, a move that would accelerate construction of power stations and bridge the large demand-supply gap , government officials said.
The state utility has clarified in bid documents that if only one bidder qualifies, NTPC has rights to award as many contracts as the company is willing to take up. Last June, NTPC had to call fresh bids for its 11,000-crore tenders for 11,660-MM boilers as Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) was the sole bidder after the disqualification of Larsen & Toubro. The original bids were called in October 2009 and the company had hoped to award the tenders by March 2010. The process was further delayed as one of the bidders - Ansaldo Caldaie India - challenged its disqualification from the tender in the Delhi high court.
" We have made guidelines clear this time. Bidders will be able to indicate maximum number of projects they want to take up. NTPC will have the right to award as many projects as declared by a bidder even if it is the only company to qualify. However, equipment suppliers will have to submit quotes for all the projects," a power ministry official said.
A BHEL official said the change was in interest of the nation as it faces acute power shortages. An official with Larsen & Toubro said the move was necessary. He, however, denied further comments before reading the "fine print."
Also, companies participating in the 19,000-crore NTPC tenders will not lose bid security in case they decide against matching the lowest price quoted for equipment supply. After an intervention by the Central Vigilance Commission, NTPC removed a clause from bid documents that allowed it to forfeit security of bidders vying the recently floated 800-MW boilers and turbines purchase contracts. The commission said the clause of forfeiture was illegal and led to coercion, the power ministry official said.
In addition to BHEL, Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge, JSW Energy , Ansaldo Caldaie India, BGR Energy and Cethar Vessels are likely to bid for 800-MM turbine and boiler contracts.
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The state utility has clarified in bid documents that if only one bidder qualifies, NTPC has rights to award as many contracts as the company is willing to take up. Last June, NTPC had to call fresh bids for its 11,000-crore tenders for 11,660-MM boilers as Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) was the sole bidder after the disqualification of Larsen & Toubro. The original bids were called in October 2009 and the company had hoped to award the tenders by March 2010. The process was further delayed as one of the bidders - Ansaldo Caldaie India - challenged its disqualification from the tender in the Delhi high court.
" We have made guidelines clear this time. Bidders will be able to indicate maximum number of projects they want to take up. NTPC will have the right to award as many projects as declared by a bidder even if it is the only company to qualify. However, equipment suppliers will have to submit quotes for all the projects," a power ministry official said.
A BHEL official said the change was in interest of the nation as it faces acute power shortages. An official with Larsen & Toubro said the move was necessary. He, however, denied further comments before reading the "fine print."
Also, companies participating in the 19,000-crore NTPC tenders will not lose bid security in case they decide against matching the lowest price quoted for equipment supply. After an intervention by the Central Vigilance Commission, NTPC removed a clause from bid documents that allowed it to forfeit security of bidders vying the recently floated 800-MW boilers and turbines purchase contracts. The commission said the clause of forfeiture was illegal and led to coercion, the power ministry official said.
In addition to BHEL, Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge, JSW Energy , Ansaldo Caldaie India, BGR Energy and Cethar Vessels are likely to bid for 800-MM turbine and boiler contracts.
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IFFCO's Mega Power Project stalled
Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd's (Iffco's) foray into the power sector with a planned 1,320-Mw coal pithead-based unit in Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh has failed to get the necessary environmental and forest clearances.
The ministry of environment has told us this (proposed coal mining area) comes under the government's no-go area, managing director U S Awasthi told Business Standard. These are areas where the ministry would not grant forest clearances.
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The ministry of environment has told us this (proposed coal mining area) comes under the government's no-go area, managing director U S Awasthi told Business Standard. These are areas where the ministry would not grant forest clearances.
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Friday, 4 February 2011
Matcon Pacific to Host Lean Manufacturing Conference in Indonesia
Matcon Pacific's Lean Manufacturing Conference is taking place on Tuesday 29 March 2011 in Indonesia. The conference will bridge the gap between lean theory and practical solutions to provide significant benefits for delegates such as:
Improved manufacturing flexibility
Drastically reduced inventory
Improved cash flow
Increased profits
The provisional agenda is as follows:
8.30am - Registration and morning coffee
9am - Introduction
9.15am - Lean manufacturing
10am - Client presentation
10.30am - Coffee break
11am - Ingredients tracking - Wayahead Systems (Australia)
11.45am - Lean formulation
12.15pm - Lean mixing technology
1pm - Buffet lunch
2pm - Inventory reduction
2.30pm - Lean packaging - Bosch (Germany)
3.30pm - Coffee break
3.45pm - Lean case study
4.30pm - Questions and answers
5pm - Drinks and networking
The conference will be held at the Novotel Hotel, Mangga Dua Square, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
Improved manufacturing flexibility
Drastically reduced inventory
Improved cash flow
Increased profits
The provisional agenda is as follows:
8.30am - Registration and morning coffee
9am - Introduction
9.15am - Lean manufacturing
10am - Client presentation
10.30am - Coffee break
11am - Ingredients tracking - Wayahead Systems (Australia)
11.45am - Lean formulation
12.15pm - Lean mixing technology
1pm - Buffet lunch
2pm - Inventory reduction
2.30pm - Lean packaging - Bosch (Germany)
3.30pm - Coffee break
3.45pm - Lean case study
4.30pm - Questions and answers
5pm - Drinks and networking
The conference will be held at the Novotel Hotel, Mangga Dua Square, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
NTPC in legal tangle with Ansaldo for 11,000cr bulk equipment supply tender
NTPC will not open price bids for 11,000-crore bulk equipment supply tender on Friday, after the Delhi High Court admitted a plea from Ansaldo Caldaie, challenging its disqualification from the bidding.
The state utility would, however, initiate bidding for Rs 19,000-crore equipment supply contracts for three upcoming power generation projects.
Ansaldo has accused a former chairman of NTPC of using his influence to get the Gammon India subsidiary out of race and facilitate another bidder that employs him. Gammon India holds 50% in Italy's Ansaldo Caldaie and 73% stake in Ansaldo Caldaie India. The former chairman has threatened to sue Ansaldo for "character assassination".
After the five-hour proceeding, the high court told NTPC that Ansaldo Caldaie India could not be isolated from the bidding process, Ansaldo Caldie India counsel Prashant Kumar told ET. "NTPC was asked by the high court to let Ansaldo furbish price bids. As NTPC was not comfortable with this, the court has asked them to come back on February 10 for direction as to why Ansaldo should not be allowed to put in price bids. Opening of the bids has however, been deferred till pronouncement of judgment," he said.
Following Ansaldo's disqualification, three companies-BHEL-Alstom, L&T-MHI and BGR-Hitachi-remain in fray for the bulk tenders. An NTPC official, who did not want to be identified, confirmed that price bids for procuring 11 steam generators of 660-MW each would not be opened as per earlier schedule of Friday.
The official said NTPC would on Friday invite fresh bids for main plant supercritical equipment for nine units of 800-MW totalling to 7,200-MW in capacity. Indigenous equipment manufacturers, including BHEL, Bharat Forge-Alstom, L&T-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, BGR Energy-Hitachi, JSW-Toshiba and GB Engineering-Ansaldo, will be vying the contracts.
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
The state utility would, however, initiate bidding for Rs 19,000-crore equipment supply contracts for three upcoming power generation projects.
Ansaldo has accused a former chairman of NTPC of using his influence to get the Gammon India subsidiary out of race and facilitate another bidder that employs him. Gammon India holds 50% in Italy's Ansaldo Caldaie and 73% stake in Ansaldo Caldaie India. The former chairman has threatened to sue Ansaldo for "character assassination".
After the five-hour proceeding, the high court told NTPC that Ansaldo Caldaie India could not be isolated from the bidding process, Ansaldo Caldie India counsel Prashant Kumar told ET. "NTPC was asked by the high court to let Ansaldo furbish price bids. As NTPC was not comfortable with this, the court has asked them to come back on February 10 for direction as to why Ansaldo should not be allowed to put in price bids. Opening of the bids has however, been deferred till pronouncement of judgment," he said.
Following Ansaldo's disqualification, three companies-BHEL-Alstom, L&T-MHI and BGR-Hitachi-remain in fray for the bulk tenders. An NTPC official, who did not want to be identified, confirmed that price bids for procuring 11 steam generators of 660-MW each would not be opened as per earlier schedule of Friday.
The official said NTPC would on Friday invite fresh bids for main plant supercritical equipment for nine units of 800-MW totalling to 7,200-MW in capacity. Indigenous equipment manufacturers, including BHEL, Bharat Forge-Alstom, L&T-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, BGR Energy-Hitachi, JSW-Toshiba and GB Engineering-Ansaldo, will be vying the contracts.
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
Thursday, 3 February 2011
NTPC plans to be 75 GW company by 2017
National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) should strive for inclusive growth by giving top priority to society. Along with this growth, it should utilise a strategic mix of options to ensure fuel security for its fleet of power stations, said KC Venugopal, Union minister of state for power.
The minister, who visited the NTPC office here on Wednesday, was briefed on the activities of the company by its chairman and managing director Arup Roy Choudhury and functional directors.
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
The minister, who visited the NTPC office here on Wednesday, was briefed on the activities of the company by its chairman and managing director Arup Roy Choudhury and functional directors.
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
Keventer plans Rs 400-cr expansion for food processing facilities
Indian foods major, Keventer is set to invest Rs 400 crore in setting up new food processing facilities across Gujarat, Karnataka, Bihar and West Bengal. Construction at all four projects is slated to begin by the end of this fiscal.
Of Rs 400 crore, the company will invest Rs 150 crore in Gujarat, where spread over 120 acres, Keventer will set up a processing unit for ready to eat foods. In Karnataka, on the other hand, the company will invest Rs 105 crore in setting up a food pulping unit on 100 acres.
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
Of Rs 400 crore, the company will invest Rs 150 crore in Gujarat, where spread over 120 acres, Keventer will set up a processing unit for ready to eat foods. In Karnataka, on the other hand, the company will invest Rs 105 crore in setting up a food pulping unit on 100 acres.
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
Biotech sector set for a booster dose in Tamilnadu
Tamil Nadu is revising its decade-old biotech policy in consultation with experts in the field, industry and academia to enhance performance of the state in biotechnology sector. The government is also planning to set up a Marine Biotechnology Park and a Medicinal Plant Biotech Park in the state in near future, said M K Stalin, deputy chief minister, Tamil Nadu.
Inaugurating a round table conference on the development of biotechnology and its enabled services to create inputs for Vision 2020, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Stalin said, Considering the need for a new policy to promote biotechnology, the state government is in the process of drafting a new biotech policy discussed by the high power TMCC (Tamil Nadu Manufacturing Competitive Council) in the meeting held on January 21, 2011.
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
Inaugurating a round table conference on the development of biotechnology and its enabled services to create inputs for Vision 2020, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Stalin said, Considering the need for a new policy to promote biotechnology, the state government is in the process of drafting a new biotech policy discussed by the high power TMCC (Tamil Nadu Manufacturing Competitive Council) in the meeting held on January 21, 2011.
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
Nestle, Bajaj among 374 units causing pollution in U'khand
The strong industrialisation owing to hill-based tax incentives during the past few years may be a feel good factor in Uttarakhand. But all that glitters is not gold.
The Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) has identified nearly 374 industries causing pollution in the hill state. These industries include some big names like Tata Motors, Hindustan Uniliver, ITC, Hero Honda, Hindustan Zinc, Bajaj Auto and Nestle.
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
The Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) has identified nearly 374 industries causing pollution in the hill state. These industries include some big names like Tata Motors, Hindustan Uniliver, ITC, Hero Honda, Hindustan Zinc, Bajaj Auto and Nestle.
Adroitt Flow Control Pvt. Ltd.
GSM +91 93200 01463
Control Valve Seat Leakage Classifications
Control valves are designed to throttle. However, this is not a perfect world, and control valves are also usually expected to provide some type of shut-off capability. A control valve's ability to shut off has to do with many factors. The type of valves for instance. A double-seated control valve will usually have very poor shut-off capability. The guiding, seat material, actuator thrust, pressure drop, and the type of fluid can all play a part in how well a particular control valve shuts off. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There are actually six different seat leakage classifications as defined by ANSI/FCI 70-2-1976. But for the most part you will be concerned with just two of them: CLASS IV and CLASS VI. CLASS IV is also known as METAL TO METAL. It is the kind of leakage rate you can expect from a valve with a metal plug and metal seat. CLASS VI is known as a SOFT SEAT classification. SOFT SEAT VALVES are those where either the plug or seat or both are made from some kind of composition material such as Teflon. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Valve Leakage Classifications | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class I. Identical to Class II, III, and IV in construction and design intent, but no actual shop test is made. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class II. Intended for double-port or balanced singe-port valves with a metal piston ring seal and metal-to-metal seats. Air or water at 45 to 60 psig is the test fluid. Allowable leakage is 0.5% of the rated full open capacity. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class III. Intended for the same types of valves as in Class II. Allowable leakage is limited to 0.1% of rated valve capacity. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class IV. Intended for single-port and balanced single-port valves with extra-tight piston seals and metal-to-metal seats. Leakage rate is limited to 0.01% of rated valve capacity. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class V. Intended for the same types of valves as Class IV. The test fluid is water at 100 psig or operating pressure. Leakage allowed is limited to 5 X 10 ml per minute per inch of orifice diameter per psi differential. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class VI. Intended for resilient-seating valves. The test fluid is air or nitrogen. Pressure is the lesser of 50 psig or operating pressure. The leakage limit depends on valve size and ranges from 0.15 to 6.75 ml per minute for valve sizes 1 through 8 inches. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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*Bubbles per minute as tabulated are a suggested alternative based on a suitable calibrated measuring device, in this case a 0.25-inch O.D. X 0.032-inch wall tube submerged in water to a depth of from 1/8 to 1/4 inch. The tube end shall be cut square and smooth with no chamfers or burrs. The tube axis shall be perpendicular to the surface of the water. Other measuring devices may be constructed and the number of bubbles per minute may differ from those shown as long as they correctly indicate the flow in milliliters per minute. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note: Provisions should be made to avoid overpressuring of measuring devices resulting from inadvertent opening of the valve plug. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taken from ANSI B16.104-1976 |
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