ABB awarded $39m

ABB has been awarded a $39m contract by Dubai Aluminium Company (Dubal) to upgrade rectifier, transformer and automation systems at its 480-hectare smelter complex in Dubai.

The project includes replacing five high-voltage regulating rectifier transformers (rectiformers) with larger units rated at 86 megavolt amperes (MVA), to increase capacity and allow Dubal to combine two smelting potlines. Rectifiers convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).

ABB is also supplying control and protection systems as well as 250 kiloampere (kA) field-oriented measuring equipment. ABB will upgrade existing systems including high-voltage cables, low-voltage and control cables, fire-detection and fire-fighting equipment.

Dubai Aluminium operates the largest single-site aluminium smelter in the western world, with an annual output exceeding 850,000 metric tons. Commissioning of the new ABB systems will begin during July 2007 and is set for completion in March 2008.