ABB received an order from TEPCO Fuel & Power, Incorporated (TEPCO F & P) to upgrade the control and input/output (I/O) systems for the Futtsu liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminals, one of the largest and most important LNG terminals in Japan.
The existing control systems are based on ABB's BRC100 and Harmony Block I/O module, comprising 250 system cabinets, 200 controllers and 2,000 Harmony Block (I/O) modules. ABB secured the order to replace the hardware, following a strategy of cooperation with TEPCO F & P's subsidiary company, Tokyo Power Technology Ltd. (TPT), to install, commission and perform site work, and replace the existing I/O blocks with the latest generation of flexible control and I/O modules, Symphony Plus SD series.
In line with ABB's commitment to protect customer's investment, ABB developed a new Symphony Plus SD I/O base that fits perfectly on the existing Harmony Block I/O base. This solution base provides a direct module replacement while allowing uninterrupted collection of essential plant data for analysis, without shutting down the plant.
Delivering the right amount of data for users while allowing an equal dose of experience and intuition is the hallmark of the Symphony Plus total automation system, helping customers maintain plant availability and efficiency, and improve performance and profitability.
Begun in 2015, the final round of upgrade is scheduled for completion in 2021. Given its size and the absolute need to avoid any plant disturbance, the plant upgrade project has been divided into six parts. The controls and I/Os of each part will be carefully replaced year by year.
The Futtsu terminal supplies natural gas fuel to the Futtsu power station (5,040 MW) and adjacent TEPCO power stations, including the key industries in the Tokyo Bay area. Its ten LNG receiving tanks have a capacity of 1,200,000 kiloliters, with two berths for LNG carriers and 60 LNG pumps. The facilities cannot be shut down for any reason, even during replacement work.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leading global technology company in power and automation that enables utility, industry, and transport & infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people.
