Montreal, QC, Canada, June 21, 2006 – R2 announces today that CRISTAL, “The National Titanium Dioxide Company Limited” (NTD), has selected R2’s EMOS® (Electrolyser Management & Optimization System) for electrochemical process monitoring of bipolar membrane electrolysers for the chlor-alkali expansion project at its plant in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. This marks R2’s first contract with NTD, as well as the first EMOS® installation to take place in Saudi Arabia. “R2 is excited to engage in this new project, and relationship with National Titanium Dioxide. It presents an excellent opportunity for R2 to bring its technology to a developing market” said Michel Forest, Director of Projects and Product Development, on behalf of R2.
EMOS®‘s high fidelity real-time cell voltage data acquisition and analysis capabilities offers CRISTAL unparalleled visibility and reliability for electrolyser process monitoring. Beyond the basic safety (ESD) functions, EMOS® will provide electrolyser condition and performance monitoring. EMOS® will provide qualitative insight into the voltage performance of individual cells over time, as well as analyze membrane conditions for potentially harmful pinholes to potentially prevent routine pressure tests and prevent heavy caustic leakage. This will help generate a precise, proactive approach to electrolyser maintenance and scheduling, which in turn empowers CRISTAL to benefit from an increase in operational efficiency and significant reduction in operational costs, helping to ensure that their business objectives are realized.
R2 specializes in the design, development and implementation of solution based analytical advanced monitoring systems (intelligent systems) for industrial process optimization. Precise monitoring of critical process parameters and components helps R2’s clients achieve their business goals by maximizing process efficiency and reducing operating costs. R2 believes in strong relationships with its partners, allowing them to achieve common goals and objectives for the benefit of industrial technological advancement and growth.
NATIONAL TITANIUM DIOXIDE COMPANY LTD has been manufacturing TiO2 (using imported rutile ore) at its ultra-modern Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah plant in Saudi Arabia since 1991. They market their products under the increasingly well-known Cristal brand. In 2002, they increased the original TiO2 production capacity from 70,000 metric tonnes to 100,000 metric tones per year – in line with a projected annual rise in world demand of around 3% to 2005. This expansion makes Cristal the largest privately owned chemical company in Saudi Arabia. It also reinforces their position as one of the world’s most important suppliers of exportable TiO2.