Emerson Digitally Automates China's Huaneng Dandong Unit 1; Project Includes Deployment of Smart Wireless Technologies


Emerson performs WDPF®-to-Ovation® control system migration as part of 50-day scheduled outage

PITTSBURGH, PA (Jan.26, 2009) - Emerson Process Management announced today it has updated the controls at Unit 1 of the Huaneng Dandong power plant with its PlantWeb® digital plant architecture. Notably, the project also includes the deployment of Emerson's Smart Wireless technologies.

The 700-MW power plant, consisting of two 350-MW coal-fired units, is owned by Huaneng International Electric Power Group and is located near the city of Dandong in Liaoning Province. As part of the Unit 1 upgrade project, Emerson migrated its previous-generation WDPF® control system to the Ovation® expert control system.

From its inception, Emerson's Ovation system was designed to allow a straightforward migration path for users of its WDPF systems. Emerson's migration path allows WDPF customers the option to retain much of their investment including existing I/O cards, field cabling, terminations and cabinets; as well as their system engineering investment in control logic, graphics and the database. This enables customers to take advantage of the latest control system technologies in a cost-effective manner.

The migration took place during a 50-day scheduled outage that began in September 2008. Since its return to commercial operation in early November, Huaneng Dandong Unit 1 has been utilizing a fully integrated Ovation control solution that unifies boiler and turbine operations. Such coordinated control of the boiler and turbine not only enhances unit-wide compatibility, but also contributes to improved unit stability, responsiveness and thermal efficiencies; tighter overall control of plant operations; and a more streamlined view of key plant and turbine parameters.

At Unit 1, Ovation technology monitors and controls all major plant processes and equipment. More specifically, the Ovation system performs data acquisition; monitors and controls the boiler, sequence control system, electrical control system, modulating control system and furnace safeguard supervisory system, as well as the turbine and feedwater turbine control system. Ovation, which also monitors and controls a system common to both units, manages a total of approximately 6,000 I/O points.

"This modernization project was vital to our ability to continue to efficiently and reliably supply electricity to the Liaoning Provincial Power Grid," said Zhiyong Wang, I&C specialist, Huaneng Dandong power plant. "Emerson's automation and control technologies are already utilized by several plants owned by Huaneng Group, so we had great trust and confidence in selecting them for this project."

Other components of Emerson's digital automation solution include AMS® Suite predictive maintenance software and a Smart Wireless package featuring Rosemount® wireless pressure and temperature transmitters. Huaneng Dandong's deployment of wireless technologies reinforces how the power generation industry is beginning to adopt wireless technology as a means to improve the operation and economics of power generation facilities. At Huaneng Dandong Unit 1, the SmartWireless technology is used to measure the cycle water temperature.

"We commend Huaneng Group for their incorporation of wireless technologies in the Unit 1 upgrade," said Bob Yeager, president of the Power & Water Solutions division of Emerson. "Wireless technology is being used extensively in the process industry to help solve common problems and provide access to information that was previously out of economic or technical reach. Now we're seeing how wireless is gaining momentum in the power generation industry as forward-thinking organizations like Huaneng Group seek out technologies that can help them best achieve their operational and financial objectives."

About Emerson Process Management

Emerson Process Management (www.emersonprocess.com), an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution in the power, water and wastewater treatment, metals and mining, chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and other industries.

Emerson's Power & Water Solutions division (emersonprocess-powerwater.com), is a global supplier of advanced distributed process control and information systems. The Pittsburgh-based company is a recognized leader in developing plant-wide process control solutions for the power generation, water treatment and wastewater industries. Power & Water Solutions plays a key role in the Emerson mission of combining superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services.

About Emerson

Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to create innovative solutions for customers through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Sales in fiscal 2008 were $24.8 billion. For more information, www.Emerson.com.

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