Secunda-based process engineering company CDE Process built a new drafting and piping department in the first quarter of 2013.

This comes in response to changing needs for support and services from integrated energy and chemicals company Sasol’s South African plants.

The department will be fully operational by the end of the month and will aim to achieve high efficiency and increased productivity through effective maintenance, says CDE Process GM Peet van Wyk.

“Sasol’s operations worldwide are doing well, with its Secunda plant being the largest facility of its kind in the world. Despite the opportunities created for CDE Process by Sasol’s expansion projects in the US and Uzbekistan, we also remain committed to the South African need for engineering support to ensure the sustainability of such large plants,” he points out.

Van Wyk adds that CDE Process is not only ideally suited to undertake process engineering for Sasol’s plants but is expanding its scope of work to include draughting, piping, mechanical and electrical and instrumentation engineering to also accommodate the group’s need for engineering and maintenance related work.

“CDE Process has an in-depth and com- prehensive portfolio of petrochemicals capabilities and experience ranging from biodiesel plants to column design and performance rating. Our team of engineers lead the way in petrochemicals process design and engineering, not only nationally but arguably abroad. Over the years, our proven reliability and quality has resulted in a strong working relationship with Sasol, where we are actively involved in new projects and maintenance projects,” says CDE Process MD Derrick du Preez.

He points out that the CDE Process drafting and piping department will focus on support for the day-to-day operations of the existing Sasol Secunda works. In addition to establishing the department, the company mentions that it has also invested in the latest three-dimensional software, which handles engineering and design information of the plant in an “intelligent” cross-discipline environment.

This greatly streamlines cross-discipline information flow and also provides superb integration between existing plant and any new addition or modification.

The company believes that this venture will further prove its competence in providing a cradle-to-grave service and that it will be in line with its proven capabilities locally and internationally.

CDE Process has previously provided designs for various international petro- chemicals projects. These include Sasol’s international portfolio, which includes projects in the European Union and China – for a strategic project between the British and Chinese government – as well as a partnership with a major international company to assist with one of three bids for Sasol’s new Uzbekistan plant.

CDE Process’s latest project involves its own third-generation underground coal gasification (UCG) design for a major South African power project.

“CDE Process is responsible for the design, implementation, execution and management of the project, with the first phase aiming to provide 50 MW for the national grid by 2016. The official implementation of this project will set a new trend in the international oil and gas, mining and power generation industries,” explains Du Preez.

He highlights that South Africa’s enormous coal reserves serve as the lifeblood for energy generation, pointing out that the country needs more electricity. UCG is a clean and cost-effective way of meeting this demand in the long term, as it uses deep coal that is currently inaccessible through standard mining practices. “This ground-breaking project is set to bring the oil and gas industry to the forefront of coal mining and we are proud to be at the cutting edge of this initiative, which has the potential for almost unlimited growth,” he notes.

Van Wyk states that the company has also developed a strong reputation for pro- viding mine water treatment solutions, particularly in Gauteng, where acid mine drainage remains a major concern and authorities are investing more capital to deal with the challenge. As a knowledge leader in this field, CDE Process is confident that it can obtain measurable growth in the coming years.

CDE Process’s water treatment capabilities also extend to pioneering pollution control and increasing plant-effluent loading and water and effluent treatment for reuse.

“Although external factors, such as the unstable economy, remain a concern, CDE Process has registered a significant increase in projects, including strategic partnerships for two major international oil and gas projects. Africa is on the cusp of an oil and gas boom and no company with technical expertise is better positioned than CDE Process,” states Du Preez.

Van Wyk adds that the company plans to employ about 20 people – excluding management and engineers – at its new drafting and piping department by March next year. “We believe that this will be a long-term project that will further enhance our high-quality service offered to the petrochemicals industry locally and inter- nationally,” he concludes.