ABB wins monitor and control contract for world’s largest membrane bioreactor
17 Nov 2020
Singapore has granted ABB the $30 million contract that will ensure the security of its massive Tuas Water Reclamation Plant
ABB will deliver a complete site-wide plant monitoring and control system for the site, which has a treatment capacity of 800,000m³? per day – equivalent to more than 300 Olympic-size swimming pools.
One of the world’s most water-stressed nations, the city state has no natural water sources and is investing heavily in technology that will provide high-quality water for its rapidly growing population of nearly 6 million people and businesses.
Tuas WRP is a key component of the second phase of Singapore's Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS), which is estimated to cost about $4.8 billion (S$6.5 billion). It will receive used water flows from the western part of Singapore via two separate deep tunnels and apply membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology to treat and purify 650,000m3/day of domestic used water, with a further 150,000m3/day of used industrial water treated and sent back to industries for reuse.
The plant is the world’s largest site for MBR – the filtration process employing membranes to separate different substances.
President of ABB Industrial Automation Peter Terwiesch commented: “Water demand in Singapore is currently about 430 million gallons a day, with homes consuming 45 percent and industry taking up the rest. By 2060, the need for water is expected to almost double.
“To meet this demand, it is essential to close the water loop and ensure every drop is collected, treated, and reused. We are happy to support this quest to treat and purify water at the Tuas Water Reclamation Plant, and simultaneously help to manage and save energy needed in the process.”
Alarm monitoring and security systems will also be deployed to help ensure industrial control and comply with Singapore’s stringent cyber security requirements. ABB service teams will provide continuous asset, system monitoring and preventative maintenance for a further eight years after construction.
