SCA’s Expanded Pulp Mill Contracts ABB for Control System, Software

ABB (Switzerland) a global power and automation technology group, announced this week it will provide integrated solutions to one of the world's most ambitious and innovative pulp mill projects with a System 800xA and custom-engineered software for pulp processes. The solution includes engineering for the control system and optimization of all processes at SCA Östrand's expanded pulp mill in Timrå, Sweden, opening in 2018, as well as the design of the control room.

Traditionally, in a pulp mill, different operations such as woodyard, digester, recovery boiler, etc., are controlled from separate control rooms. By integrating the management and control systems of the entire production process of the mill into a single control room, the efficiency and productivity of all processes will be increased. The fully integrated control system will provide unparalleled connectivity and full plant overview of the whole process and all devices.

The control center where the control room will be situated will be designed to apply the latest advances in ergonomics, design, and layout to ensure the operator environment is attractive, efficient, and conducive to cooperation between all employees at the mill, resulting in one of the best operator environments in the world. To this end, all operators will monitor and control the entire mill from eight extended operator workplaces, fully integrated operator solutions that provide process control, and access to the right information and unrivaled opportunities for personal intelligent ergonomics, all in a single solution.

A fully integrated control system provides unparalleled connectivity and full plant overview of the whole process and all devices. The result is improved operations, engineering, control, and maintenance through a collaborative environment. This type of environment aims to create proactive control centers that will also attract a new generation of operators to the pulp and paper industry.

The order also includes a simulator for testing the control of all processes in the mill before delivery, and for operator training and process optimization over time. To ensure that the commissioning of the entire plant is as smooth as possible, five simulators will be used at the same time before and during start up.

"By utilizing our systems as an integrated platform for the entire plant, we can contribute to SCA Östrand's goal of creating the world's most modern and efficient softwood kraft pulp mill." said Roger Bailey, managing director of ABB’s Process Industries business.

ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility, industry, and transport and infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people.

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