ABB To Increase Efficiency And Productivity At SCA's Expanded Pulp Mill

For the first time ever an integrated automation solution will manage end-to-end production in the pulp industry — from the woodyard to the baling line — from a single control room

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, will provide integrated solutions using ABB’s market-leading automation platform 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 June 2018, as well as the design of the control room.

Traditionally, in a pulp mill, different operations such as woodyard, digester, recovery boiler etc., is 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, access to the right information and unrivaled opportunities for personal intelligent ergonomics, in a single solution. To this end, all operators will monitor and control the entire mill from eight Extended Operator Workplaces, with a fully integrated control system that provide 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.