SSAB: A unified automation concept strengthens blast furnace and power plant operations
Aug 20, 2021
SSAB’s Raahe steel mill manufactures standard, premium and specialty steel. A comprehensive Valmet automation system provides greater safety and reliability for the blast furnace motor fan. Founded in 1960, the Raahe steel mill has a long tradition. Today, it is part of the international SSAB steel group, whose blast-furnace production is one of the world’s most carbon efficient.
The automation for the MP01 blast furnace air blower has been integrated with the power plant’s main automation system. Now, we have one unified automation concept that combines the various systems – control, protection and continuous condition monitoring.
Tapani Seppälä, Lead Designer of the automation concept from SSAB's investment service department.
Summary
Location
Raahe, Finland
Customer challenge
The motor fan control system had to be modernized. The security was implemented with PLU cards.
Solution
The automation for the MP01 blast furnace air blower has been integrated with the power plant’s main automation system. Now, the customer has one unified automation concept that combines the various systems; control, protection and continuous condition monitoring.
Results
The integrated automation and unified user interface facilitate process control and monitoring. Valmet’s overall concept is also applicable to other fans and processes at the steel mill, allowing it to gain greater benefits from the best practices being applied.
Keywords
blast furnace, unified automation, power plant, user interface, control concept
