To strengthen its global competitiveness, JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp. (JXE) is working hard to ensure safe and stable operations at all of its refineries in Japan. One way to accomplish this is through the consolidation of control rooms, facilitating faster decision making and improving efficiency by allowing the different refinery units to share more information. Consolidation of the control systems will enable the refinery's various processing units to share more production data, leading to more integrated operations and improved efficiency.
Yokogawa Solution Service Corp., a subsidiary of Yokogawa Electric Corp. that oversees Yokogawa's IA and control business in Japan, has received an order from JXE to execute the front-end engineering design (FEED) for a project to consolidate the control rooms and systems at its Mizushima-A oil refinery.
Preparing a Master Plan
During the planning phase of this project, Yokogawa conducted a feasibility study of control systems. Yokogawa will now prepare a master plan to introduce a CENTUM VP production control system that will integrate monitoring and control functions, currently handled by multiple control systems, for units throughout the refinery complex. This master plan will also address the introduction of ProSafe -RS, a safety-instrumented system to ensure the safety of processes throughout the refinery.
Yokogawa will also propose to JXE solutions such as software packages for remote monitoring and online diagnosis that improve maintenance efficiency; field wireless solutions that enable the installation of measuring instruments at previously difficult-to-install locations; advanced control rooms with designs that enhance operability and the visibility of data; and operator training systems. These solutions will ultimately enhance operational safety and stability.
In addition to helping Japanese energy and material companies improve their production efficiency and operational safety, Yokogawa provides various high value-added solutions that will allow them to make full use of their existing facilities. Yokogawa believes that this approach will lead to the expansion of its solution service business.
