In a bid to boost production efficiency and secure a safe workplace environment, Honeywell’s Integrated Controls and Safety System (ICSS) will be implemented at the $1.8 billion dollar Iluka Resources’ Eneabba rare earths refinery in Western Australia.
Made possible by a strategic partnership between the Australian Government and Iluka, the Iluka Eneabba rare earths refinery is primed to produce rare earth oxides that are instrumental inputs to defence systems, electric and hybrid vehicles, robotics, sustainable energy technologies, and consumer, industrial and agricultural applications.
Iluka Resources project director Craig Renner says the refinery project marks a turning point in the development of Australia’s critical minerals industry and energy transition.
“The Eneabba rare earths refinery is a significant project that underscores the importance of expanding the critical minerals sector in Australia and diversifying the rare earths supply chain,” he says.
Following completion, the refinery will snag the coveted title of the first fully integrated rare earths refinery in Australia. It is predicted to be commissioned in 2027.
Iluka’s refinery will eventually produce up to 6250 tonnes annually of separated neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium oxides. Such an abundance of critical minerals will accelerate the pursuit of an electrified national economy and elevate Australia’s domestic supply chain.
Honeywell’s systems revolutionise automation projects
Honeywell Experion® PKS, Universal Operation Controllers (UOC) and advanced remote-control systems comprise the suite of automation and safety controls that will be implemented by Iluka at the refinery. Honeywell’s Experion® distributed control system enables plant-wide control of the facility with a fully integrated automation system.
Renner praises Honeywell’s extensive experience in the automation realm and expresses confidence in the company’s ability to ensure worker safety.
“Honeywell brings decades of automation domain expertise to increase productivity at the refinery while keeping our most important assets, our workers, safe,” he says.
Honeywell’s safety and automation systems will reduce the likelihood of incident risks emerging both onsite and in the cloud while simultaneously bolstering production uptime. Additionally, systems will equip refinery operators with real-time data analytics to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.
Honeywell president of process solutions Pramesh Maheshwari says the Iluka refinery will be provided with the tools and resources to continue its mission of building a more sustainable future.
“Our partnership with Iluka demonstrates how automation is a key driver of the global energy transition supply chain,” he says.
“With Honeywell’s extensive expertise in automation, Iluka will be equipped with the necessary tools to enhance the safety and efficiency of its operations, which are vital for supporting a more sustainable future.”
Photography supplied.
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