ABB secures control system modernization contract for wood pulp mill in Chile

ABB has been contracted by manufacturer of forest products, Arauco, to modernize its Licancel Cellulose Plant in Chile to deliver faster response times, greater cyber security, upgraded operator interfaces, enhanced process reliability and flexibility for remote working.

Arauco will continue to utilize ABB Ability™ System 800xA distributed control system (DCS) and extend its use as the foundation for all operations at the plant. This will be done in two key stages: updating the existing System 800xA to version 6.1 and migrating from older DCS Infi 90 systems to new process communication and termination units to modernize the communications, network and controllers.

Moving to an ABB Ethernet network will allow more flexibility with the control system, enabling remote working and reliability improvements. This will support Arauco’s process improvement plans for Licancel, its 154,000 ton capacity plant for unbleached kraft pulp (UKP) cellulose located in the Licantén district of Maule region. Arauco is driving sustainable forest management and use of renewable sources across the country through local research and development into technologies to meet these aims.

Following detailed engineering studies, teams from ABB will collaborate with Arauco staff on site to complete the upgrade and system commissioning, resulting in a fully-migrated system and a platform fit for future adaptations and trends. “This modernization marks a departure from technologies that have been in place since the 1990s,” said Jorge Mesa, Licancel Plant Manager, Arauco. “Having the new, improved distributed control system and applications in place will better equip us to facilitate tackling our additional technological development projects, and achieving our best ever process performance at Licancel.”

“The latest version 6.1 of the ABB Ability™ System 800xA offers the advantage of improved security, performance and interaction,” said Julio Arellano, Service Group Leader of ABB’s Minerals and Pulp & Paper Plant in Chile. “Operators will be able to quickly identify and respond to faults using new tools and protocols on the modern graphical interface units. Compared to the previous infrastructure, there will be fewer control system uncertainties to overcome, allowing Arauco’s people to focus on what they do best. This project builds on our existing and longstanding relationship with Arauco across its wood pulp and processing portfolio. The renewed activity with Licancel is testament to the quality and service of the original system, which served the plant for more than two decades. Arauco not only entrusted to us the technology involved, but also the integration process.”