Challenge
Wolfspeed set out to construct the world’s largest 200mm silicon carbide facility in Siler City, NC. The manufacturing process includes silicon carbide crystal furnaces that utilize various gases, including lethal gases, in the fabrication process which require monitoring due to life safety concerns.
Solution
Hallam-ICS provided engineering, programming, and installation services as a design-build subcontractor for the toxic gas monitoring system (TGMS). The Hallam-ICS design team worked with Wolfspeed to develop the TGMS requirements and continued to work with the construction team during installation of the system.
The TGMS is designed to support over 1600 hardwired I/O points to Siemens PLCs integrated with an Ignition SCADA platform. The system is designed in a ring configuration utilizing redundant PLCs to allow for continuous operation if one part of the ring fails. In addition to the four (4) redundant PLC panels, the system includes twelve (12) remote I/O panels, sixteen (16) power panels, four (4) switch panels, and four (4) fire alarm interface panels, all produced by Hallam-ICS. In addition, there are four (4) HMI panels, four (4) multi-gas monitoring units, multiple single gas monitoring units, and multiple alarm only and gas off push buttons.
Hallam-ICS was also responsible for the system installation. Working with a local subcontractor, Hallam-ICS was responsible for the electrical installation (network, power, signal) and pneumatic tubing installation. Hallam-ICS also performed start-up and commissioning of the system, including gas challenging of the sensors.
