Auma actuators head for ‘pioneering’ plant

17 July 2009

A pioneering eco-mineral fly ash processing plant in Widnes, UK has turned to Auma to supply actuators to control valves that manage the processing procedure. The processing technology developed by RockTron has been hailed as “a landmark environmental breakthrough”.

The new plant, which is still in commissioning, will convert 800,000 tonnes of coal-fired power station waste-ash annually into minerals for a number of manufacturing sectors including cement, car and aviation industries. Five minerals will be produced as a result and RockTron says the cost of ash dumping in land-fill sites will be eradicated.

John Bance, director of operations at RockTron said: ‘AUMA actuators were selected to control a number of valves that are key to managing the ash processing procedure. New generation Profibus digital technology has been adopted to provide enhanced communication and data management. AUMA’s modular ‘plug and play’ design is also assisting automation of the plant as this ensures easy connection/disconnection of field devices from the bus line.’

The range of actuators supplied by AUMA to RockTron for the eco-mineral initiative at Fiddler’s Ferry include modulating duty for control valves and open / close duty for knife gate valve applications.