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.

“Our refineries simply cannot operate at their current productivity levels without Vince’s on-line instruments.”

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 26^th 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 brining 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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