Finland – Fintoil, in collaboration with Neste Engineering Solutions, has chosen Emerson automation software to optimize the operational performance of its biorefinery being built in the Finnish port of Hamina-Kotka.
The plant will be the world’s third-largest crude tall oil (CTO) biorefinery, producing advanced biofuel and biochemical feedstocks that will help reduce emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
CTO, a by-product of the wood pulping process, will be refined at the plant to produce a sustainable feedstock for renewable second-generation diesel, as well as rosin, sterol pitch, and turpentine, which are used in the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries. The carbon footprint of these CTO derivatives is up to 90% lower than that of their fossil-based counterparts.
Emerson will use its Project Certainty methodology, which digitalizes project execution and employs practices such as remote equipment testing, to reduce project risk and ensure that schedule and budget are met. Emerson consultancy services will also advise on the implementation of cybersecurity best practices to improve plant security performance.
Application software
Neste Engineering Solutions will deliver the entire application software for the new CTO biorefinery in addition to providing NEXPINUS and engineering, procurement, and construction management for the project. Fintoil will use Emerson’s DeltaV distributed control system, DeltaV safety instrumented system, and DeltaV Live operator interface software in conjunction with Neste Engineering Solutions to enable more efficient production, better visibility of operational performance and process, and emergency shutdown for improved plant and worker safety.
The facility’s construction is expected to be completed in 2022. The expected annual capacity of 200,000 tons will result in a reduction of 400,000 tons of CO2, or about 1% of Finland’s total emissions.
