Emerson to control Samra combined-cycle power plant in Jordan

February 11, 2010 — Emerson Process Management won a contract from China Shandong Third Electric Power Construction Corporation (SEPCOIII) to install its PlantWeb digital plant architecture with the Ovation expert control system at the new Samra Combined-cycle Power Plant in Zarka, Jordan. The plant is owned by the Samra Electric Power Generating Company (SEPGCO) of Hashemite Kingdom, Jordan, which currently generates an estimated 25 percent of the total electricity consumed in Hashemite Kingdom. Once the new combined-cycle facility is operational in June 2010, it will greatly increase Jordan’s generation capacity, providing much-needed megawatts necessary for economic development in the area.

SEPGCO is currently converting two GE 9E combustion turbines (100 MW each) that have been operating as separate simple-cycle gas units since 2008 into a single 300-MW combined-cycle plant equipped with two heat recovery steam generators and one 100-MW steam turbine. The current contract calls for the Ovation system to monitor and control the heat recovery steam generators, Dongfang steam turbine and balance of plant processes, as well as interface to the existing gas turbine controls. Emerson will supply a total of six Ovation controllers and eight workstations, and the Ovation system will manage more than 3,300 I/O points.

Under the contract, Emerson will also supply its AMS Suite predictive maintenance software, which will provide operators with data from HART intelligent field devices throughout the plant. For new plant construction, AMS Suite streamlines device configuration and commissioning, which contributes to more efficient plant startup. AMS Suite also provides online access to instrument and valve process information, diagnostic status information, and automatic documentation of field device maintenance information – all contributing to ongoing efficiency of plant operations and maintenance activities.

“We researched alternatives and selected Emerson based on the Ovation system’s long track record of proven reliability and ease of operation,” said Qinhe Xiao, China SEPCOIII, who notes that two other gas turbines at the site are already controlled by Ovation. “Emerson also has the expertise and resources to help our personnel ramp up quickly to achieve our goal of delivering to the region a reliable power supply at a competitive price.”

“We are pleased to be able to apply the tremendous amount of experience we have with combined-cycle facilities to the new Samra plant,” said Bob Yeager, president of the Power & Water Solutions division of Emerson. “This is our first project with China SEPCOIII, and we are delighted that they selected us to help ensure this combined-cycle facility operates efficiently and reliably and, in turn, supports growth in the region.”

About Emerson Process Management
Emerson Process Management, an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution in the power, water and wastewater treatment, metals and mining, chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and other industries.

Emerson's Power & Water Solutions division is a global supplier of advanced distributed process control and information systems. The Pittsburgh-based company is a recognized leader in developing plant-wide process control solutions for the power generation, water treatment and wastewater treatment industries. Power & Water Solutions plays a key role in the Emerson mission of combining superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services. Emerson brands include: PlantWeb; Ovation; Scenario, SmartProcess; Syncade; Fisher; Micro Motion; Rosemount; Daniel, DeltaV; and AMS Suite.