Korean power plant opts for digital architecture

An Emerson Process Management - Power + Water product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 10, 2006

Emerson Process Management has been awarded a $13 million contract to install its PlantWeb digital plant architecture in Units 3 and 4 of the Yonghung Thermal Power Plant.

Emerson Process Management has been awarded a $13 million contract to install its PlantWeb digital plant architecture in Units 3 and 4 of the Yonghung Thermal Power Plant.

Yonghung, which is owned by Korea South East Power Co, serves the Seoul metropolitan area and surrounding cities and is the largest coal-fired plant in Korea, with a current generating capacity of 1600MW.

The facility is classified as a "supercritical" plant, meaning that it uses new clean coal technology enabling operation at elevated steam temperature and pressure for increased efficiency and reduced fuel-related emissions.

Emerson's comprehensive control solution consists of its PlantWeb digital plant architecture with the Ovation expert control system, SmartProcess optimisation software and AMS Suite asset management software with CSI 9210 machinery health transmitter and CSI 4500 machinery health monitors.

PlantWeb architecture's Ovation expert control system will provide boiler control, automatic mill/burner control, furnace temperature monitoring, scrubber control and emissions monitoring.

The units also will use Emerson's SmartProcess advanced control software to optimise steam temperature, combustion and sootblowing.

Using fuzzy logic, neural networks and model-based predictive controls, SmartProcess identifies the precise control settings for continuous optimal performance, and incorporates self-learning features that enable it to adapt to long-term changes in the plant.

In doing so, plants are able to balance conflicting objectives - for example, achieving lower NOx levels while improving boiler efficiency.

The predictive intelligence of Emerson's AMS Suite will further increase availability and performance of Yonghung's power generation facility.

Capturing and analysing real-time predictive diagnostic information from plant assets such as intelligent field devices and the critical main power turbine offers a window into plant operations and allows for fast decision making.

Emerson's CSI 4500 machinery health monitors collect and distribute diagnostics from the critical main power turbine; they deliver alerts and trend data to Ovation on an exception basis and diagnostics for predictive maintenance to AMS Suite.

For optimum productivity, plant operators will monitor processes for all units from a central, integrated control room.

Additionally, an Emerson simulator that was part of the control system installation at Units 1 and 2 will streamline startup of Units 3 and 4 by validating control/logic loops prior to commissioning.

The simulator will also serve as a training tool, enabling operators to fine-tune their skills and familiarise themselves with the new controls, further boosting efficiency.

Emerson's Power and Water Solutions industry centre will co-ordinate and supervise the project in partnership with Duon Systems of South Korea.

Units 3 and 4 will each be capable of generating 870MW of power and are slated to be operational by June 2008 and March 2009, respectively.

Emerson also provided the automation solution for Yonghung Units 1 and 2 which were commissioned last year.

"The Yonghung Thermal Power Plant plays a critical role in meeting the region's growing demand for electricity and this control system is vital to the smooth, reliable and efficient operation of plant processes", said YB Kim assistant manager, KOSEP.

"The combination of these advanced control technologies, technical expertise and industry experience, along with the successful implementation of the control system for Units 1 and 2, made Emerson and Duon the logical choice for this important project".

The Yonghung plant was recognised as one of the world's top power plants of 2005 by Power magazine.

"We are gratified by Korea South East Power's ongoing confidence in Emerson technologies and people", said John Berra, President, Emerson Process Management.

"We're pleased to be able to continue our affiliation with this award-winning plant by providing a comprehensive digital automation solution that will serve as a model for future plants in the region".