I'm sorry but you just quoted from the background section "Description of the Related Art," not the invention of US 20140264172 A1. That's where they are showing the limitations that they have improved upon. It's how you get a patent, by exhibiting novel advancements on prior art. Read further down the text, that's where you will find the description of Nanoco's invention.

No offense intended, but I'm guessing you are not a Ch.E. or working for a chemical company. If you were, you would probably know that all of Dow's plants have been automated for decades and this new one will certainly be as well. It would be silly for any of us to hope otherwise.

http://www.controlglobal.com/assets/knowledge...vision.pdf