ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has launched Knowledge Manager Production Scheduler, a new software solution to manage and optimize production scheduling in cement plants. It provides the customers with optimal planning functionalities based on real-time information, considering production goals, business constraints as well as volatile energy tariffs to increase the overall process efficiency.
Frequently varying production constraints in a cement plant – like lower performance of equipment, fast increasing material stock or failure in one of the production lines – demand immediate adjustments in the production schedule. Thus, production scheduling is one of the most important activities for plant or production managers in order to achieve maximal operational efficiency.
ABB bundled its outstanding cement process knowledge to develop its Knowledge Manager Production Scheduler. This application allows the user to create, evaluate and compare multiple scenarios before deciding which one to use. These scenarios are readily available when a production situation changes so that plant managers can quickly activate them. This enables a very agile response, for example when it comes to an unplanned repair activity.
So, Production Scheduler optimizes the decision-making process leading to a more efficient operation and higher productivity. Making the right changes can bring vast benefits: cost savings for energy consumption, optimized stock management or enhanced equipment performance.
Knowledge Manager Production Scheduler main features are:
- Forecast of inventory and energy consumption
- Setting of goals and configuration of constraints
- Scenario management
The solution has been successfully tested for over a year at selected pilot plants at Holcim, one of the world’s leading cement and building materials company, leading to the decision of rolling out the Production Scheduler globally. Over 20 installations have been completed during 2014, with more planned for the coming months.
The Production Scheduler is a new add-on to Knowledge Manager, one of ABB’s Collaborative Production Management solutions (CPM) for cement industries. Knowledge Manager collects, stores, consolidates and presents relevant information while making it easily accessible to all relevant stakeholders. With ABB’s CPM solutions all operation, control, optimization and business systems are integrated into one.
Nike Kyrie
The launch of the Rotork CQ Compact introduces a range of fully concentric, balanced design pneumatic and hydraulic valve actuators that deliver a reliable and efficient self-contained solution for applications demanding functional integrity and safety where space is limited.
Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces that its subsidiary, Yokogawa Engineering Asia, has received an order from Toshiba Plant Systems & Services Corporation to deliver control systems for the Thai Binh coal-fired thermal power plant in Vietnam. Toshiba Plant Systems & Services will be responsible for installing the electrical and other facilities at this power plant.
Emerson has announced the following senior management appointments and changes, effective after Emerson’s February 3, 2015 board of directors meeting:
One of the international wireless standards for industrial use, ISA10 0.11a, was first established in 2009. Since then, wireless has been introduced into many industrial areas, and the recognition of industrial wireless technology has continued to grow as application examples increase. Nowadays, the use of wireless is spreading further, and various types of sensors are beginning to be required. Even for existing systems using wired communications, wireless technology is considered as a communication means to collect information from already installed field devices, for example, diagnostic information concerning the devices.
ABB has announced that its operations in Canada have been certified by TÜV SÜD as having in place and applying a Functional Safety Management System (FSMS) for the design and engineering of safety instrumented system (SIS) projects in accordance with industry good practice safety standards. These standards include IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 for the integration and implementation of safety instrumented systems.
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Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has announced that it received a contract from BP Chembel N.V. for basic and detailed engineering services to upgrade its facilities in Geel, Belgium. Under the terms of the contract, Jacobs is installing new equipment and performing upgrades in the facility’s PTA units. BP’s Geel site is a major producer of purified terephthalic acid and paraxylene, typically used in the manufacture of polyesters. The goal of this project is to optimize operational performance of the BP Geel facilities.
KBR Inc., a world leader in ammonia technology, announced today that it has been awarded the license and engineering contracts to perform front end engineering and design for a potential expansion of Mosaic’s Ammonia Plant in St. James, La.