Date: 2 June 2008
Emerson Process Management has been selected by the Zhejiang Changxing Glass Co and the Zhejiang Pinghu Glass Co to automate their new glass plants in the Zhejiang Province.The projects will be the first plant wide use of Foundation fieldbus in the Chinese glass industry.
A core component of PlantWeb architecture, Emerson DeltaV digital automation systems will power the smart plant operation with the most advanced automation technology in the glass industry.
In addition to installation savings, the PlantWeb architecture with Foundation fieldbus is expected to improve product output and quality through digital reliability and functionality, highly accurate measurement, and advanced diagnostics from the intelligent field devices.
Zhejiang Changxing Glass has invested RMB800M (73M Euros) in its new plant, which went into operation in March 2008.
This plant has a designed capacity of 450tons per day of float glass to meet the rising demand for building materials created by the on-going construction boom in China.
The Zhejiang Pinghu plant is expected to produce 500 tons of ultra-thin glass per day, starting in June 2008, from a total investment of RMB600M (55M Euros).
Ultra-thin glass is used for LEDs and other electronics applications.
"Emerson was chosen as our main instrument supplier to take advantage of its advanced fieldbus technology, high quality products, and the excellent integration capabilities of the Emerson technical personnel," according to Zhejiang Changxing Project Manager, Yang Kuang: "In addition to project and commissioning advantages, we expect digital automation to give us sustained operations and maintenance advantages".
In addition to the DeltaV automation systems for each plant, Emerson is supplying smart Rosemount temperature and pressure transmitters, Fisher control valves equipped with Fieldvue digital valve controllers, and its AMS Suite predictive maintenance software.
Diagnostic data produced by the smart field instruments is accessed over the fieldbus networks by AMS Device Manager, which maintains a complete device database, processes acquired information, presents it in graphical format for use by both maintenance and operating personnel, and automatically documents interaction with field devices.
This software will be useful during instrument commissioning.
Using it as a means of communicating with the field instruments, technicians will spend as much as two-thirds less time for commissioning than with time-consuming conventional procedures.
Beyond commissioning, the AMS Device Manager predictive diagnostics will improve plant availability and performance.
"We are pleased that our advanced technologies, excellent engineering and integration capabilities in China, and reputation for post-sales support, enabled our selection to participate in these landmark projects," commented Mike Train, president of Emerson Process Management Asia Pacific: "We are committed to delivering the same process manufacturing advantages to these customers as we have done in our many other installations in China".
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