Company to use virtual reality to enhance offering for refineries

Spray technology distributor Monitor Engineering is currently ordering a virtual reality system that will enable the company to show clients how its spray nozzles and spray systems operate in their applications.

The company supplies a range of spray nozzles specifically for gas conditioning pollution control. This covers applications such as injection lances, gas cooling, gas scrubbing and flue-gas desulphurisation.

“We service a number of oil refineries in the country and we are geared towards the optimisation of the refineries’ systems using virtual reality,” says Monitor Engineering MD Grant Orsmond.

Clients will be able to see how the precision sprays interact with gases and liquids, “using virtual reality goggles, which effectively place you inside the system – whether it is a chamber, pipe or vessel”, he adds.

Meanwhile, Orsmond highlights that South Africa has been slow to catch onto the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), owing to costs and labour-related challenges.

He states that, while 4IR may bring about the reality of job losses, it could also present added benefits that the country may not be aware of as yet.

“There are jobs that exist in 4IR that are yet to be created. If we do not embrace it as a country, we are going to get left behind.”

Orsmond does warn, however, that without an adequately skilled labour force, many industries will face the challenge of having automated systems and machinery that workers cannot operate and service.

Therefore, he emphasises the need for rigorous technical training to upskill the country’s workforce.

He mentions that the company will embark on a roadshow towards the end of this year to promote the spray nozzles, and invite specifically oil refineries, and officially present the virtual reality system to that market. Orsmond says Monitor Engineering will also look towards displaying spray visualisation software on the roadshow.

“We are certainly seeing opportunity for growth going forward in different industries. It will be beneficial for us when the carbon emissions Bill comes fully into effect, as companies are now under pressure to comply,” he concludes.