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| July 7, 2009
Worldwide Accolade for Alcoa Technology
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today that one of the world’s most prestigious
engineering accolades has been awarded to Vince Dooley of Alcoa’s global
refining research and development group based at Kwinana in Western
Australia.
Mr Dooley, an Electrical Engineering Specialist, with Alcoa’s Technology
Delivery Group, has received the ‘UOP Technology Award’ from the International
Society of Automation based in the United States. The annual award,
now in its 26th year, recognises outstanding achievement in
the conception, design, or implementation of instrumentation and/or
process control.
Over a 29 year career at Alcoa, Mr Dooley has invented and implemented a
range of sophisticated on-line analytical instruments, which have become
industry best practice in alumina refining. His inventions have seen
productivity benefits in every Alcoa alumina refinery around the world,
delivering multi-million dollar benefits to the company’s bottom line.
Mr Dooley’s inventions include a Production On-Line Liquor Analyser and
an On-Line Mud Level Instrument, known internally as the ‘Dooley Gauge’.
These devices measure the important components of Alcoa’s process
solutions, such as the dissolved alumina content and solids levels. They
allow the company to continuously optimise the circuit productivity to
minimise process upsets. Prior to these developments, the process relied
on a number of complex laboratory analyses which made on-line control
impossible.
Dr Ian Harrison, Director of Research and Development Global Refining,
said Mr Dooley’s inventions had significantly contributed to Alcoa’s
on-going sustainability and competitive edge.
“Our refineries simply cannot operate at their current productivity
levels without Vince’s on-line instruments.”
Alumina refining is a sophisticated, efficient industry in which
competitive advantage is obtained through research and development (R&D).
“On-line liquor analysis has been one of the alumina industry’s long
held dreams. Thanks to Vince, those dreams are now a reality for us at
Alcoa,” Dr Harrison said.
“Vince’s win is an incredible achievement because the development of
on-line instrumentation for the alumina industry is significantly more
complex than it is for many other industries.”
Award winner, Vince Dooley, said: “I’m thrilled to be receiving this
award - everyone in TDG makes an important contribution to Alcoa’s
performance and it’s great to receive some external recognition for our
efforts and achievements.”
Dave Olney, Vice President Technology - Global Refining, said Mr Dooley
was not only able to develop the concepts, but take them through to
commercial application to the extent that the instruments are now in
full operation across the entire Alcoa refining system around the world.
“His skills set ranges from the expert technical knowledge of the
refining process and instrumentation, through to the very practical
engineering and application ‘know-how’ - essential to bringing new
equipment into service on a commercial scale.”
About the Technology Delivery Group
The Technology Delivery (TDG) group is Alcoa’s global refining research
and development group. Based in Western Australia at Kwinana, TDG deploy
their inventions to Alcoa’s refineries around the world. TDG is
responsible for the technology development and implementation activity
for the alumina refining business across Alcoa’s global system.
About International Society of Automation
Founded in 1945, The International Society of Automation is a leading,
global, non-profit organisation that is setting the standard for
automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other
professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their
leadership and personal career capabilities.
Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards;
certifies industry professionals; provides education and training;
publishes books and technical articles; and hosts the largest conference
and exhibition for automation professionals in the Western Hemisphere.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary
aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its active
and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa
serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction,
commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design,
engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to
customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including
flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also
markets Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment
castings, and building systems. The Company has been named one of the
top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic
Forum in Davos, Switzerland and has been a member of the Dow Jones
Sustainability Index for seven consecutive years. Alcoa employs
approximately 63,000. www.alcoa.com
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