| Emerson implements
automation that brings profitability to magnesium oxide plant in Mexico
PlantWeb digital plant architecture selected by Industrias Peñoles
for major plant upgrade
AUSTIN, TX (25 July 2002) — Emerson Process Management has
implemented a $1 million optimization project at the Quimica del Rey
magnesium oxide plant in Laguna del Rey, Coahuila, Mexico. The project
has returned operational savings of at least $238,000 over the past
year, according to Raul Jacobo, manager of industrial process control at
the parent company of Química del Rey — Industrias Peñoles S.A. de C.V.,
of Torreon Coahuila, Mexico.
Peñoles is one of the world's largest silver producers and also
operates mines that produce gold, lead, zinc, copper, and tungsten.
Comprising more than 50 companies, Peñoles is the world's largest
producer of refined silver, metallic bismuth and sodium sulfate. The
company's chemical group includes Química del Rey, the world's largest
magnesium oxide plant, which has a capacity of 100,000 metric tons per
year.
Commenting further on the Emerson automation project, Raul Jacobo
said that the savings resulted from improved production efficiency and
reduced waste that were made possible by replacing the plant's aging
control system with state-of-the-art PlantWeb digital plant architecture
that includes the DeltaV™ digital automation system
and Emerson's FOUNDATION
fieldbus
instrumentation. Reengineering the process, staff reductions, and tight
fiscal control all contributed to the company's improved economic
condition.
The new automation architecture provides better control of the
Química magnesium oxide plant's rotary kilns, magnesium hydroxide
reactors, gypsum reactors, and other process equipment. Substantial
savings ensued through reduced fuel usage, lower power consumption, and
reduced maintenance costs. In addition, product quality is higher along
with greater process availability.
Further valuable though non-quantified benefits include lower process
variability provided by
Fisher®
digital control valves, availability of advanced control
strategies, and better knowledge of the process by utilizing information
generated by Rosemount® smart,
microprocessor-based field transmitters and instruments, and
Micro Motion®
Coriolis flowmeters.
The PlantWeb
architecture was selected by Peñoles design engineers for the Química
del Rey plant based largely on its ability to integrate the FOUNDATION
fieldbus technology with the control environment to take advantage of
the vast amount of information provided by the intelligent field
devices. This information is utilized for better processing, more
effective maintenance, and corresponding cost reductions. It is also
easily integrated with administrative networks already in place at
Química del Rey.
"Selection of the PlantWeb architecture and DeltaV host by Peñoles
two years ago was early recognition of the potential power of this
technology," said Sergio Montes, General Manager of Emerson Process
Management in Mexico. "That decision has taken on even greater
significance as the technology proves its ability on a daily basis to
improve operations and increase the profitability of this heavy chemical
production facility here in Mexico."
Components of the PlantWeb architecture include the high capacity
DeltaV digital automation system with six workstations, and
AMS (Asset Management Solutions)
predictive maintenance software that works with the intelligent field
devices on six FOUNDATION fieldbus segments, plus numerous HART devices.
The AMS software is useful in the commissioning, startup, and
calibration of the field instrumentation. During ongoing operations, it
utilizes the field-generated information to provide performance
monitoring and predictive maintenance that helps Quimica avoid
shutdowns, and deliver improved reliability and increased quality. |
About Emerson Process Management
Emerson Process Management (www.emersonprocess.com),
an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their
production, processing and distribution in the chemical, oil and gas,
refining, pulp and paper, power, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and other
industries. The company combines superior products and technology with
industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and
maintenance services. Its brands include PlantWeb®, Fisher®, Micro Motion®,
Rosemount®, DeltaV™, Ovation®, and AMS.
About Emerson
St. Louis-based Emerson (www.gotoemerson.com)
is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to
provide innovative solutions to customers in process control; electronics
and telecommunications; industrial automation; heating, ventilating and air
conditioning; and appliance and tools. Sales in fiscal 2002 were $13.8
billion.
# # #
PlantWeb, Fisher, Micro Motion, Rosemount, DeltaV, and Ovation are marks
of Emerson Process Management. FOUNDATION is a mark of the Fieldbus
Foundation. Other marks are property of their respective owners.
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