BeAM, a leading machine manufacturer in the field of DED (Directed Energy Deposition) technology for additive manufacturing, and the global technology company Siemens announced at EMO 2019 their plans to further intensify their already successful collaboration. This is based on the successful piloting of Sinumerik One, the new CNC generation from Siemens. As a “digital native”, the new controller features software for the creation of digital twins, which supports the seamless integration of hardware and software. BeAM is the first machine builder to equip an additive manufacturing machine – Modulo 250 – with a Sinumerik One. At EMO 2019, the world’s first AM machine equipped with a Sinumerik One will be presented to the public at the Siemens booth in Hall 9, Booth H50. Visitors to EMO can see how the program simulation is operated on the machine using the Digital Twin of Production in the NX Virtual Machine software. „We are very excited to close the loop in the additive digital chain by bridging virtual simulation and actual deposition on our new Modulo 250 thanks to the integration of the new Sinumerik One. It opens up new possibilities for our industrial customers willing to integrate further DED in their value chain and optimize its usage “, explains BeAM’s CEO Vincent Gillet.
A leading industrial gas company recently selected Siemens to supply three Dresser-Rand® 5HHE-VL-NL reciprocating compressors for a new, state-of-the-art steam methane reformer (SMR) in Texas. The SMR will provide high-purity hydrogen for the gas company’s customers throughout the region.
Commissioning of the compressors is expected in 2020. Once completed in 2021, the SMR will become the largest hydrogen production unit in the U.S., increasing the gas company’s hydrogen capacity to more than 1.5 billion cubic feet per day.
“Over the past two decades, Siemens has established trustful cooperation with this customer to expand its U.S. Gulf Coast hydrogen pipeline system, which is one of the largest in the world,” said Patrice Laporte, Vice President, Siemens Gas and Power, Oil & Gas for the Americas. “This recent order builds on our companies’ longstanding partnership and will mark the 23rd, 24th, and 25th reciprocating compressors that Siemens has supplied to this gas company since 2001.”
With the goal of maximizing efficiency and reducing costs, the customer selected a standardized product design for the SMR. The three 12.75-inch-stroke 5HHE-VL reciprocating compressors will feature similar configurations to units that have been supplied to the customer in the past. Critical to the design is the non-lubricated cylinder construction, which eliminates the need for a costly oil removal system. Additional design features include integrated lube oil consoles, a cooling water console, purge panels, pulsation vessels, intercoolers, aftercooler, relief valves, and process control valves. A slow-speed synchronous motor will drive the compressors.
Designed for continuous service, maximum availability, and flexible operation, Siemens reciprocating compressors continue to be a preferred choice for customers in applications from refineries to pipelines.
Interest in hydrogen is growing and driven in large part by increased demand by secondary users where hydrogen is a significant component to the manufacture of their end products.
“Working early on to develop a standardized compressor design is yielding significant benefits by reducing plant design, engineering, and installation costs, decreasing personnel training requirements, and will allow our customer to minimize its inventory for spare parts,” added Laporte. “We look forward to helping them efficiently and reliably supply hydrogen to their customers across the Gulf Coast region.”
Arja Talakar has been appointed CEO of Siemens Oil & Gas, effective April 1, 2019. He will be based in Houston, Texas, the global headquarters for Oil & Gas and its parent operating company, Siemens Gas and Power.
Arja brings to this position extensive leadership experience. Prior to taking this new role, he was responsible for Siemens Saudi Arabia, a market and area of the world very important to the oil and gas and power businesses. Together with his team, Arja has developed close ties and strategic partnerships with leading global oil and gas, energy and petrochemicals companies, and has succeeded in securing and executing large infrastructure projects. His focus has also provided broad exposure to Siemens’ products, projects, solutions, and services.
Arja began his career with Siemens in 1996 as a rotating equipment and automation systems engineer and has since held several roles of increasing responsibility across the globe. His 23 years of experience with Siemens provides valuable perspective to the power and oil and gas businesses as energy markets continue to evolve in this transitionary period.
Arja will provide a luncheon keynote address at the 50th annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston on Tuesday, May 7th at 12:15 – 1:45 p.m. (CST). The title of his presentation is Fostering a Smarter Energy Transition – from Cleaner Hydrocarbons to Cost-competitive Renewables.
“The energy industry is transforming amidst a digital and technological revolution, which moves us toward evermore complex, multi-modal and decentralized systems,” said Arja. “Managing this complexity is the true challenge of shaping the new energy future requiring us to think and plan how we will, together with our customers, transform from today to tomorrow’s energy ecosystem.”
Abengoa, a Spanish engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, recently selected Siemens to supply a compressor train for Fulcrum BioEnergy’s Sierra BioFuels Plant that will use gasification technology to produce low-carbon fuels from municipal solid waste. The plant will be located in Storey County outside of Reno Nevada and is expected to produce approximately 11 million gallons of biofuel per year that will be used by the aviation industry.
Fulcrum’s Sierra BioFuels Plant will divert municipal solid waste that would otherwise be landfilled and will convert it into low-carbon transportation fuel. The fuel produced at the plant will reduce carbon emissions by more than 80%.
Siemens scope of supply includes a steam turbine, three synthesis gas
Dresser-Rand DATUM compressors, and balance of plant equipment including coolers, filters and valves. The equipment is expected to ship to Fulcrum’s plant in mid-2019.
Synthesis gas, which is created from the gasification of municipal solid waste, needs to be compressed to high pressures. The highly efficient DATUM compressors, driven by Siemens steam turbine, reduce the plant’s demand for electricity.
Additionally, the DATUM compressor’s modular bundle assembly enables rapid change-out of rotating elements in one cartridge-style unit. The modular bundle allows a DATUM module to be replaced in the field, typically in less than a day – compared to a traditional design that could require a plant to shut down for more than five days – which greatly reduces maintenance time and improves plant availability.
“Abengoa selected Siemens for this important project because of our unique technology offering and proximity to the site,” said Matthew Chinn, Executive Vice President Sales for Siemens Oil & Gas. “The DATUM compressors will be built and tested at our world-class manufacturing operation in Olean, New York, facilitating quick delivery and convenience for inspection and maintenance,” Chinn added.
