Japan Plastic Recycling Plant Controlled with System302

The Japanese company IHI - Ishikawajima-Harima Industries developed a pilot plant with a recycling system for producing petrochemical raw materials. The raw materials are processed utilizing the recyclable polyolefin (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene) as the major component with employment of a gallium-based zeolite catalyzer.

Supported by the Japanese government basic technological program, IHI is conducting an on-line test with a five-year plan. This has been initiated through NEDO, the Organization for the Development of New Industrial Energies and Technologies and with the cooperation of the Muroran Institute of Technology, the Hokkaido National Science Institute for Advanced Industrial Technology and the KITRI, Kanagawa Institute for Technological Research. The tests are being conducted at a continuously operating plant with a capacity for 10 kg/hr and a maximum output of benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX) and hydrogen derived from high density polyethylene greater than 60%.

The plant integrated IHI´s research and development (R&D) policy which aims to increase plant efficiency, viability and durability, while reducing negative environmental impact. Due to impetus on project innovations and quality R&D content, and concentrating on progressive industrial growth, Fieldbus was the chosen automation technology. The control system is based on Smar System302 and contains approximately 60 devices distributed in 11 Fieldbus channels.

According to Satoru Kusaka, from Japanese Nohken´s Engineering Systems Department responsible for the project, the highlight during startup was the easy configuration of the Foundation Fieldbus system utilizing Syscon, and that over a period of only five days. Another emphasis was the ease of model interoperability, since much of the equipment was from separate manufacturers, but communication was exchanged smoothly and efficiently with the Smar solution.