ABB has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Carbon Re, an industrial artificial intelligence provider, to assess ways to accelerate the decarbonization of cement production while improving productivity.
Building on the success of an exploratory project, ABB will explore opportunities to integrate Carbon Re’s AI platform on top of its existing ABB Ability Expert Optimizer for cement advanced process control (APC) solution. Carbon Re leverages AI and machine learning technologies, which could add continuously updating, cloud-based optimization software to ABB’s portfolio.
With the addition of this AI layer, Expert Optimizer targets – such as post combustion oxygen to improve combustion efficiency – would automatically be set based on ever-changing plant conditions. These automated adjustments would deliver enhanced operational and energy efficiency benefits.
“At Carbon Re we are accelerating industrial decarbonization through the use of cutting-edge AI – our models have demonstrated that AI can find efficiencies within the complex chemical processes of material production, especially cement,” said Josh Vernon, CEO at Carbon Re. “ABB has led the way in the cement industry for decades, consistently pushing the boundaries of innovation. However, the next set of challenges, including carbon reduction in an increasingly complex production environment, requires a new approach and advanced technology. We’re excited to work with ABB to bring forward the AI-driven solutions necessary to meet the industry’s evolving needs.”
This announcement follows the recent launch of ABB’s ‘Do More With Digital’, a global campaign highlighting the opportunities for the process industries to realize their full potential through digital transformation.