MAN Energy Solutions and thyssenkrupp to work on autonomous operation of turbomachinery
Published by Pippa Luck,
Editorial Assistant
Hydrocarbon Engineering,
MAN Energy Solutions and the thyssenkrupp business unit Uhde are looking to drive forward the development, testing and marketing of autonomous turbomachinery systems operation for the nitric acid production industry and have signed a cooperation agreement to this effect. The two German companies will use artificial intelli-gence (AI) to aid decision-making in nitric acid plant operation. It will involve taking real-time account of data such as product price, yield, efficiency, emissions, energy costs, process stability, and forecast maintenance requirements.
"Combining human expertise with artificial intelligence is a milestone for the process industry. Autonomous operation of turbomachinery offers advantages in efficiency, machine availability and health, as well as emissions reductions. AI algorithms en-sure that machines and plants run reliably and at the optimum operating point at all times. This leads to fewer failures, greater efficiency and lower operating costs. In the final development stage, human intervention is only necessary for maintenance – which in turn leads to lower travel costs and reduced emissions. The development of autonomy thus combines the two strategic targets of digitalisation and decarbonisation," explained Dr Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions. "MAN Energy Solutions already holds a leading market position when it comes to the unmanned operation of complex compressor trains. Through our cooperation with thyssenkrupp, we hope to further consolidate our lead."
Dr Sami Pelkonen, CEO of the business unit Uhde, said: "As one of the leading sup-pliers of nitric acid plants, our cooperation with MAN Energy Solutions will soon open up a whole new world of possibilities for operating the plants in a way that is both in-telligent and resource-friendly. Our technology and digitalisation competences will be a perfect match in achieving this."
Within the framework of this cooperation, the AI algorithms and advanced automation systems developed by thyssenkrupp Uhde and MAN Energy Solutions, as well as a digital controller for MAN turbomachinery systems, will be further developed, tested and interconnected to form a joint digital technology solution that is market-ready.
Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/09062021/man-energy-solutions-and-thyssenkrupp-to-work-on-autonomous-operation-of-turbomachinery/
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