OREANDA-NEWS. Yokogawa Electric Corporation and KBR announced the signing of a technology alliance for a fertilizer automation package (FAP) that will form part of the ammonia process technology solutions that KBR offers to its customers worldwide. Under the terms of this alliance, KBR will incorporate Yokogawa's high value-added process control solutions in the FAP.

The fertilizer automation package will couple KBR's ammonia process technology expertise with Yokogawa's know-how of process control systems to streamline work processes, standardize configurations, and simplify product interfaces. Yokogawa will supply the CENTUM integrated production control system, the ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system, and selected solution-based software. KBR will provide know-how for the enhancement of the distributed control system (DCS) configuration and advanced applications used in operation management, performance monitoring, advanced process control, operator training, and dynamic simulation at fertilizer plants. It is expected that this package improve plant reliability, reduce energy, increase capacity and improve operator effectiveness in fertilizer plants. Further consolidation of these functions will reduce lifecycle costs for plant control, automation and management systems.

Furthermore, it is believed that this alliance will provide measureable economic benefits and lead to improved process performance at fertilizer plants across the globe.

"This alliance is consistent with KBR Technology's growth strategy for our fertilizer business," said John Derbyshire, President, KBR Technology. "We are very proud that Yokogawa has agreed to partner with KBR and we look forward to pursuing opportunities to apply the fertilizer package both in our new and numerous existing facilities worldwide."

"Through our alliance with KBR, Yokogawa is demonstrating its long-term commitment to providing high quality and innovative technology to the ammonia and fertilizer industry," said Satoru Kurosu, President, Yokogawa Electric International.