KBR has announced it has been awarded a contract by Samsung Engineering Company, Ltd. to provide a technology license, basic engineering design package, and supply of proprietary equipment for a 1,200 MTPD ammonia fertilizer plant in Carrasco, Bolivia.

The fertilizer ammonia complex will be designed using KBR’s Purifier Technology. KBR will additionally supply proprietary operator training simulators and a steam dynamic simulation study to ensure a safe, fast, efficient startup of the ammonia plant and continued support to the operations. This project is part of the Bolivian government’s strategic initiatives for monetization of natural gas and demand for urea in the region, with production operations expected to begin in mid-2015.

“We look forward to working with Samsung Engineering on this project which contributes to both strategic initiatives and overall development of the country of Bolivia,” said John Derbyshire, President, KBR Technology. “This award represents an opportunity to further expand KBR’s footprint in the Latin American market.”

Fluor Corporation recently announced today that it was awarded a contract by Williams (NYSE: WMB) to provide preliminary engineering services for a proposed propane dehydrogenation (PDH) project near Redwater, Alberta, Canada. Fluor booked the contract in the fourth quarter of 2012 for an undisclosed value.

The proposed PDH facility would primarily use the propane recovered at Williams’ existing fractionation facility in Redwater, Alberta, and convert it into polymer-grade propylene, a petrochemical feedstock used in plastics manufacturing.

“Fluor is pleased to have been selected by Williams to provide preliminary engineering services for what would be Canada’s first propane dehydrogenation facility,” said Peter Oosterveer, president of Fluor’s Energy and Chemicals Group. “We are encouraged by the opportunities that the expansion of the Canadian oil sands provides for the chemicals industry in North America.”

Fluor’s offices in Calgary, Alberta, and Greenville, South Carolina, will be responsible for the design services along with support from the company’s office in New Delhi, India.

Invensys Operations Management, a global provider of technology systems, software solutions and consulting services to the manufacturing and infrastructure operations industries, has enhanced its Triconex® critical control and safety offerings for industrial operations. The new Triconex Safety View solution is the world’s first software for effective alarm and bypass management certified by TÜV Rheinland to IEC61508 Systematic Capability 3 for use in applications up to Safety Integrity Level 3. Additionally, the company’s market-leading Triconex Trident® and Triconex General Purpose safety instrumented systems now support OPC Universal Architecture for greater communications connectivity.

“Changing market dynamics and emerging technologies require a fundamental rethinking of how companies will manage their operations today and in the future,” said Gary Freburger, president of the company’s Systems business. “To address these new and ever-more complicated challenges, companies need to become more agile without jeopardizing plant safety. Our new Triconex products provide this agility by reducing risks when bypassing safety systems during startup and shutdown, as well as the risks associated with integrating safety systems across different vendor platforms. In addition, they provide a pathway for modernizing existing plant operations, one that links business processes with production processes; removes traditional barriers to collaboration; and empowers our customers’ most valuable resource - their people.”

Triconex Safety View provides the highest levels of safety integrity for critical alarm management applications. The world’s first TÜV-certified software solution for alarm and bypass management for use in applications up to SIL3, Safety View improves situational awareness and broadens visibility into the risks that come with system startups, shutdowns and other critical process transitions that must be managed by plant personnel. It draws attention to changes in process conditions that require immediate attention, giving operators, maintenance engineers and shift personnel better visibility into the process so they can take actions that reduce risk, optimize total cost of ownership and increase overall asset performance. It is built on the company’s industry-leading ArchestrA® System Platform and Wonderware® InTouch® HMI software, which have been adapted specifically for use in safety applications.

“End users realize that they need new solutions to help them remain agile, particularly as they react to changing business variables and process conditions,” said Barry Young, principal analyst, ARC Advisory Group. “By clearly indicating level-1 alarms to operators, maintenance engineers and shift supervisors, and then showing them all the safety-critical devices that have been placed in bypass, the Triconex Safety View solution reduces the likelihood of unscheduled downtime and subsequent loss of production. And because it provides contextual information in real time, it helps operators and other plant personnel make better decisions.”

Jacobs Automation, the leader in intelligent track technology, and Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation solutions, announced today a collaborative effort to offer closer integration between theJacobs Automation iTRAK System and the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system. The effort will result in a tightly integrated motion solution for the global machine-builder market.

“iTRAK is a disruptive technology that is reshaping the motion control industry. This collaboration will allow us to create the premier intelligent track solution to better serve our mutual customers” said Keith Jacobs, founder and CEO, Jacobs Automation.

The two companies will work together on connectivity between their respective platforms using EtherNet/IP networking technology. The iTRAK System, a Rockwell Automation Encompass referenced product, provides independent control of multiple magnetically propelled movers on straight and curved paths. The Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system features the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix programmable automation controller families. Featuring high-performance capabilities, such as integrated motion, safety, EtherNet/IP connectivity and reusable development tools, the system allows customers to standardize on a single control platform for small- to large-scale applications.

“We believe that the combination of Jacobs' iTRAK technology with our Integrated Architecture will be a game changer for machine builders. They are going to be able to provide their customers with the most innovative machines in the market,” said Victor Swint, vice president, Motion Control Business, Rockwell Automation.