Jordan Magnesia Co (Jormag), Ltd, based in Jordan, recently announced its decision to adopt PlantWeb field-based architecture to automate operations at its new magnesium oxide plant. Installation is expected to begin in the fall of 2000, with startup scheduled for the first half of 2001. AGRA Moneco of Toronto, Canada and Attila Dogan of Turkey are the project contractors. The Jormag plant plans to maximize use of the PlantWeb process automation solution to cut commissioning time and implementation costs dramatically.
The $1.25 million PlantWeb solution will be one of the first installations where Fisher-Rosemount's DeltaV automation system will seamlessly integrate field devices using Foundation fieldbus, Hart, AS-I Bus, and Profibus DP communications. As the key control platform of the PlantWeb architecture, the DeltaV system's integration abilities enable the architecture to deliver the extensive diagnostics in Fisher-Rosemount field devices. The AS-Interface and Profibus DP interface cards, which are engineered specifically for low-level plant automation needs, natively integrate with the DeltaV controller without the use of special gateways or protocol converters.
"Once again, the combined strength of Fisher-Rosemount has provided the best solution," says John Berra, senior vice-president and process group leader for Fisher-Rosemount's St. Louis-based parent company, Emerson Electric Co. "In this case, the Fisher-Rosemount team was able to demonstrate how open, integrated PlantWeb solutions and components make maximum use of fieldbus intelligence, from the DeltaV system's ease of engineering to the integration of discrete subsystems content into its field reports to our integrated Asset Management Solutions software."
The PlantWeb architecture's comprehensive use of Foundation fieldbus technology and its ability to integrate both fieldbus and conventional devices with one controller were key determining factors in AGRA Moneco's decision to recommend Fisher-Rosemount's product. The PlantWeb automation solution also provides the lowest total installed cost and greatly reduces engineering times (from order entry to site delivery).
"We were greatly impressed with the competitive performance/price points of the DeltaV control platform, as well as the Asset Management Solutions software's ease of calibration and startup, which will keep commissioning and precommissioning times down," says David Sloan of AGRA Moneco. "The Fisher-Rosemount team was also willing to go the extra mile to provide a single point of contact to support our work in Canada--support that would transfer . . . and remain local with the system in Jordan. That level of support is an invaluable asset to the success of the project."
