PT SMM — Online Ash Monitoring System Implementation
Owner’s Engineering, Coal Quality Monitoring & Project Management | Indonesia | 2023
Project Overview
Client: PT Suprabari Mapanindo Mineral (PT SMM)
Location: Indonesia
Industry: Coal Mining & Mineral Processing
Project Year: 2023
Services: Owner’s Engineering, Equipment Procurement, Systems Integration & Commissioning Management
Contracting Entity: Eptoscore (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
Project Status: Completed
As part of its ongoing technical advisory and plant optimisation programme for PT Suprabari Mapanindo Mineral (PT SMM), Eptoscore recommended the implementation of an online ash monitoring system at the client’s Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) in Indonesia.
The project aimed to improve the availability of real-time coal quality information, enabling continuous assessment of feed and product ash content and supporting improved process control and operational decision-making.
Following the technical evaluation, PT SMM appointed Eptoscore to manage the implementation project, acting as the client’s owner’s engineer and project management team.
The assignment encompassed system evaluation, OEM selection, engineering coordination, procurement, international logistics, mechanical and electrical integration, automation interfaces, installation, commissioning and handover.
The project was completed, with commissioning, performance testing and handover for beneficial use undertaken in accordance with Eptoscore’s established commissioning and acceptance procedures.
Scope of Services
Eptoscore provided engineering and project management services for the implementation of the online coal ash monitoring system.
The scope included:
- Technical Requirements & System Evaluation: Assessment of the operational requirements for continuous ash monitoring and integration with the existing plant process and control systems.
- OEM Evaluation & Selection: Technical assessment of available equipment solutions and selection of a suitable original equipment manufacturer.
- Engineering & Installation Design: Coordination of system positioning, installation arrangements and interfaces with existing materials handling equipment.
- Mechanical & Electrical Integration: Engineering coordination of installation requirements, electrical supply and associated mechanical interfaces.
- Instrumentation & Automation Integration: Coordination of the monitoring system’s interfaces with the existing plant automation and process-control infrastructure.
- Procurement & International Logistics: Coordination of equipment procurement, manufacturing, packing, international transportation, importation and site delivery.
- Installation & Commissioning Management: Project scheduling, installation coordination, commissioning preparation, performance testing and formal handover.
Engineering & Project Execution
System Evaluation & OEM Selection
The project commenced with an assessment of the operational requirements and integration considerations for the proposed online ash monitoring system.
Critical factors included system functionality, positioning relative to the existing processing equipment, mechanical and electrical requirements, automation integration and the overall implementation schedule.
Following evaluation of these requirements, Scantech was selected as the preferred original equipment manufacturer.
Manufacturing proceeded following review and approval of the proposed equipment design.
Engineering & Plant Integration
The installation required integration of the monitoring equipment into an existing operational coal processing facility.
Engineering considerations included equipment positioning, mechanical interfaces, electrical connections and integration with the existing process-control systems.
Eptoscore coordinated the associated engineering activities and technical interfaces between the client, equipment supplier and project execution teams.
Procurement & International Logistics
Following design approval and manufacturing, the equipment was prepared for international transportation and delivery to the Indonesian project site.
Eptoscore coordinated the procurement and logistics activities, including packing, transportation, importation and site delivery.
These activities were completed within the planned project timeline.
Installation, Commissioning & Handover
Installation and commissioning activities were planned and coordinated in advance to ensure the relevant project participants were prepared for safe and timely execution.
Eptoscore coordinated the implementation activities, including commissioning preparation, technical verification and performance testing.
Commissioning, performance testing and formal handover for beneficial use were completed using Eptoscore’s structured commissioning and acceptance procedures.
Technical Challenges & Project Highlights
Real-Time Coal Quality Monitoring
The implementation of online ash monitoring technology provided the plant with a means of obtaining real-time estimates of feed and product coal quality.
This capability supports more timely process assessment and provides information that can be used to improve operational control and optimisation.
Integration With Existing Plant Infrastructure
The monitoring equipment had to be incorporated into the existing coal processing and materials handling arrangements.
System positioning, mechanical interfaces, electrical requirements and automation integration were important design considerations.
International Equipment Procurement
The project involved specialist equipment manufacturing and international delivery to an operational mining facility in Indonesia.
Coordinated engineering, procurement and logistics activities were essential to maintaining the implementation schedule.
Structured Commissioning & Acceptance
Eptoscore coordinated the commissioning and performance verification activities using established procedures for technical assessment, sign-off and handover.
The project was successfully commissioned and handed over to PT SMM for beneficial use.
The assignment demonstrates Eptoscore’s capabilities in industrial instrumentation projects, technical equipment procurement, multidisciplinary systems integration, international project management and commissioning.
Project Gallery
Selected photographs illustrating the online ash monitoring equipment, its installation within the PT SMM coal processing facility, associated materials handling infrastructure and commissioning activities.
