Greenfield Scottish Plant
Burkert has shown off its systems capability in a recently completed project on a new plant and wastewater treatment facility for Mersen in Holytown, Scotland, a manufacturer of carbon-based thermal insulation materials. The plant incorporates many Burkert level and flow measurement instruments, plus its 8644 Airline Process Actuation Control System. This integrates with the Allen Bradley PLCs used for plant overall control, actuating the Burkert butterfly and T-ported ball valves, plus other valves: an approach said to save up to 40% on total system costs through engineering efficiencies. The Type 8644 provides a remote field I/O network which is compact and not exclusive to any specific communication protocol. It is said to combine digital I/O, including a full complement of solenoid pilot valve outputs, analog I/O and fieldbus connectivity into a single node.
"What this project highlights is our unique ability to cover the complete control loop in process applications, " said Neil Saunders, Burkert U.K. & Ireland sales manager: "Our current product range extends from solenoid valves to process and analytical valves, mass flow controllers, pneumatic actuators and one of the widest ranges of sensors for process applications. In this project we have taken a broad cross section of these products and integrated them to provide a complete control solution—including system design, panel building and commissioning—from a single source, and one that exactly meets our customer's needs.""
Total project value was not specified, but this was not a bad result, based on an original request to quote for some level and flow transmitters!
The Burkert Group has acquired BBS Systems AG of Switzerland, a developer and supplier of products and process engineering for hygienic applications in the biopharma, food and dairy business area. BBS Systems was formed in 1993 from the combination of Hematech, founded by Heinz Bolli in 1985, and Wyss Werkzeugbau, founded by Markus Wyss in 1982.
