Honeywell Launches AI Platform to Enhance Petrochemical Operations in Nigeria

Image: Illustrative image · Aeronautical Division, Minneapolis-Honeywell · Public domain · Source

Honeywell Technologies collaborates with Nvidia and Dell to deploy its Forge Plant Cognition AI platform at Dangote Group's Nigerian refinery, aiming to optimize petrochemical plant efficiency and boost operational margins.

Honeywell Technologies has partnered with Nvidia and Dell to develop and deploy an artificial intelligence platform designed to revolutionize operations in the petrochemical industry. This initiative centers on Honeywell's Forge Plant Cognition platform, which combines process technology, industrial automation, and AI to streamline complex industrial environments. The first major deployment is underway at Dangote Group's expansive petroleum refinery in Nigeria. This platform is built to do more than conventional AI systems that typically recommend actions based solely on data. Forge Plant Cognition aims to identify operational constraints, predict potential issues, and interpret vast quantities of site data to uncover additional profit margins, maintain uninterrupted production, and enhance performance using Honeywell's process expertise. The platform leverages a Dell infrastructure integrating various Nvidia AI technologies and digital twin capabilities to support these advanced analytics. Honeywell officials highlight the vast complexity of industrial plants and the untapped potential for improved performance through digital technologies. Additionally, the project emphasizes skill development, with an objective to have 70% of its workforce at the Dangote refinery be Nigerian, providing local economic benefits. While the initial focus is on the petrochemical sector, Honeywell Technologies is also exploring applications in liquified natural gas and broader industrial markets, underscoring the platform's scalability and versatility.