Big-Time Condition Monitoring Condition monitoring is more than walking around the plant with a data logger and a clipboard. Done big time, it can save you millions of dollars. Advanced Process Control at Goodyear November 2010 What’s New in Valve Design? CT1011_01_CVR.indd 3 Taking the Long View Keeps Milwaukee Warm Exclusive to the Web Process Automation News from Europe 10/26/10 11:22 AM CONT CONTRL_IFC_1110_Control Design 10/13/10 4:07 PM Page 1 Where Do I Go for Automation Products? of Course! omegamation.com, Your single source for process measurement and control products! Solenoid Valve Island Starts at $ 631 OMEGAFLEX® Polyurethane, 95A Shore Durometer, Ether-Based Tubing Starts at $ 8 TYUTH95 Series MADE IN USA VM10 Series Visit omega.com/tyuth95 Visit omega.com/vm10_series Rotary Actuators—Pneumatic, Flange Mountable DRF DirectConnect TM Series DRF Series Starts at 351 $ Starts at 6550 $ No Adapto r Plates Required! Rotary Positioning MADE IN Visit omega.com/drf_075m USA For Sales and Service, Call TOLL FREE 1 - 8 8 8 - 5 5 - 6 6 3 4 2 TM 1-888-55-OMEGA Cover Art: Printed by permission of the Norman Rockwell Family Agency. Copyright © 1934 of the Norman Rockwell Family Entities. CT1011_full page ads.indd 2 Norgren Excelon® Modular Filter/Regulators B72G Series Visit omega.com/b72g Visit omegamation.com to order your FREE Premier Edition omegamation.com Complete Automation Handbook and Encyclopedia. It’s loaded Hard Handbobound with thousands of Automation Encyclook and products and over 200 pages of pedia technical reference! FREE! Shop Online at omegamation.com sm © COPYRIGHT 2010 OMEGA ENGINEERING, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 10/22/10 3:01 PM CONTRL_FRHP_1110_Layout 1 10/11/10 3:52 PM Page 1 What’s New at omega.com Please Call to Receive Your FREE Dilbert CONTROLCAT New Horizons in Temperature, Pressure, Flow and More! TM ® or Visit Our Web Site: omega.com/literature HOT OF F THE PRESS! 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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 10/22/10 3:01 PM System 800xA Extended Automation The Power of Integration Profitable collaboration. Operational excellence can only be achieved through collaboration between people and systems. ABB’s System 800xA Extended Automation platform provides the collaborative environment necessary for various organizations and departments to work as one. Utilizing System 800xA’s patented Aspect Object Technology, information is integrated from various plant systems, applications, and devices and presented as one plant-wide view enabling informed, real-time decision making. That’s the power of integration. For more information visit www.abb.com/controlsystems US_Adv_800xA.indd 1 CT1011_full page ads.indd 4 2010-09-21 10/22/10 13.39 3:02 PM November 2010 • Volume XXIII • Number 11 f e at u r e s a d v a c o n t nc r o e l d p r o c e ss 41 / Goodyear Gives Variability a One-Two Punch Advanced process control lets a refinery’s staff optimize their isoprene unit’s distillation process, balance operating parameters, save energy and reduce product loss. by Jim Montague v a l v e s 47 / Valves Turn-Around Because they serve in the beating heart and vital junctions of every process application, valves, actuators and positioners get plenty of attention in the form of upgraded designs, improved transmitters, enhanced diagnostics, better networking and new safety functions. by Jim Montague W E B E X C L US I V ES The European Report Nick Denbow gives us the view from over there. www.controlglobal.com/IAI Cover Story 28 / Big-Time Condition Monitoring Condition monitoring is more than walking around the plant with a data logger and a clipboard. Done big time, it can save you millions of dollars. by Dan Hebert, PE CONTROL (ISSN 1049-5541) is published monthly by PUTMAN Media COMPANY (also publishers of CONTROL DESIGN, CHEMICAL PROCESSING, FOOD PROCESSING, Industrial Networking, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, and PLANT SERVICES ), 555 W. Pierce Rd., Ste. 301, Itasca, IL 60143. (Phone 630/467-1300; Fax 630/467-1124.) Address all correspondence to Editorial and Executive Offices, same address. Periodicals Postage Paid at Itasca, IL, and at additional mailing offices. Printed in the United States. ©Putman Media 2010. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or part without consent of the copyright owner. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CONTROL, P.O. Box 3428, Northbrook, IL 60065-3428. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Qualified-reader subscriptions are accepted from Operating Management in the control industry at no charge. To apply for qualified-reader subscription, fill in subscription form. To non-qualified subscribers in the U.S. and its possessions, subscriptions are $70.00 per year. Single copies are $15.00 domestic, $17.00 foreign. Subscriptions for Canada and Mexico are $112.00. Foreign subscriptions outside of Canada and Mexico accepted at $125.00 per year for surface and $210.00 for airmail. CONTROL assumes no responsibility for validity of claims in items reported. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 40028661. Canadian Mail Distributor Information: Frontier/BWI,PO Box 1051,Fort Erie,Ontario, Canada, L2A 5N8. N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 www.controlglobal.com CT1011_05_07_TOC.indd 5 5 10/26/10 9:52 AM Competence is knowing how it all fits together. More than 100,000 customers in every industry around the globe trust Endress+Hauser to make their processes safe, efficient and repeatable. Just like a puzzle, many pieces must come together at the right time and place to manufacture a product profitably. Endress+Hauser understands there is a world of difference between a good fit and a perfect fit for your critical process measurement needs. This is evidenced by the hundreds of thousands of instruments we deliver every year worldwide – the widest range available from any one supplier. When you need support with planning, engineering, project management, automation, or just need help with a difficult process, Endress+Hauser is the partner you can depend on. Endress+Hauser, Inc 2350 Endress Place Greenwood, IN 46143 inquiry@us.endress.com www.us.endress.com CT1011_full page ads.indd 6 Sales: 888-ENDRESS Service: 800-642-8737 Fax: 317-535-8498 10/26/10 3:17 PM November 2010 • Volume XXIII • Number 11 High Quality - Low Price! D E PA RT M E N T S 9 / Editor’s Page Doing it with Less—or Happy Thanksgiving. Be grateful you have a job, and work very hard to keep it. 53 / Technically Speaking Dan Hebert says intrinsic safety is often your best protection option. 54 / Ask the Experts 11 / Feedback Readers of our blogs weigh in on Stuxnet and Automation Week 2010. Pre-1985 SCADA systems and why fossilfuel-based economies are batch processes. Easy online ordering! 57 / Roundup 12 / Lessons Learned Software for Renewable Energy Processes, Part 4. Get your PLC and controller technology here. 61 / Products 19 / On the Bus Okay, we get it. Wireless works. Now, vendors, how about addressing some other process automation challenges? The latest in process automation technology, plus Endress+Hauser’s new interface level measurement system 63 / Control Talk 20 / In Process Retrofit projects and getting flow right GE Energy buys Dresser, Invensys gets it together, and other automation news. 65 / Ad Index Don’t miss these pages. 27 / Resources This month’s focus is on level technology information online. 66 / Control Report The long view at Valley Power. Jim Montague talks about the long-term commitment of keeping Milwaukee warm. CT1011_05_07_TOC.indd 7 50 years of expertise built into every E-direct product. Visit www.e-direct.us to shop for and purchase the measurement and component products you need anytime. You’ll fi nd complete product information, technical specifications, dimensional drawings, selection guide advice and pricing. Most orders ship within two business days. • Level • Pressure • Temperature • Analysis • Displays • Recorders • Power supplies High quality, Low prices, Fast delivery, Easy online ordering. Circulation aUdited JuNE 2010 Chemicals & Allied Products Food & Kindred Products Paper & Allied Products Primary Metal Industries Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services System Integrators & Engineering Design Firms Quality that’s on the mark. 12,548 12,638 3,470 5,445 3,116 8,912 Rubber and Miscellaneous Plastic Products Stone, Clay, Glass & Concrete products Textile Mill Products Petroleum Refining & Related Industries Tobacco Products Total circulation 4,403 2,057 1,361 3,877 115 63,006 www.e-direct.us 10/26/10 9:53 AM Easiest to configure system you’ll ever meet Use the technology built into the Productivity3000 programmable controller to make your job easier. Build systems with up to 33 total base groups - one local and 32 remote (Ethernet). Each base group can have up to five local (USB) bases for over 115,000 possible I/O points. The convenient USB port on each remote slave module lets you program and monitor from any remote location. One click is all it takes to auto-configure all I/O hardware connected to the system, including up to 64 AutomationDirect AC drives on the Ethernet I/O network, saving you hours of setup. And most analog modules are software configurable with easy dialog boxes. The FREE Productivity Suite software makes it all possible! Read more, watch free videos, and download the FREE software at: www.productivity3000.com CT1011_full page ads.indd 8 10/22/10 3:03 PM EDITOR’S PAGE Doing with Less or Happy Thanksgiving! The good news is that the recession is over. The bad news is that the growth curve is barely off zero, and it is going to be several years before we’re back to where we were before the greedmongers brought the economy to a crashing halt. “I said ‘Greed is good,’ but I didn’t know they were going to make it legal!” says Michael Douglas, reprising his role as Gordon Gekko in the movie Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. For all the rest of us, we need to try to get through the next four or five years with jobs and savings more or less intact and with retirement plans more or less on track. Yeah. That’s going to be easy. Let’s break it down. If you’re in the 55 to 65 age group, as I am, you’re probably going to have to work past 65, maybe long past. If you like what you’re doing, that works out fine. If you’re just hanging on until retirement, you might want to try on that blue vest with the orange piping. Even at our ages, there are things we can do to make ourselves more marketable, so we don’t get let go in a “resizing” that is actually getting rid of the older, higher paid workers. Keep up. Read the journals. Attend seminars and webinars. Join Facebook and LinkedIn professional groups for automation professionals. Make an effort to pass your knowledge along to younger workers and be seen by your management doing so. It will make you more valuable in their eyes, and if they do lay you off, it may get you brought back as a $250-an-hour consultant. If you are in the early part or the middle of your career, much the same advice applies, just more so. I’ve written before about the letter I received from a recently laid-off engineer who had spent 37 years with the same company doing basically the same job. His skills were 37 years old, and he had no resume. It’s that blue vest again. Your skills are yours. They belong to you and they go with you wherever you go. Time was, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” Now it is, “He who has the most skills wins.” As automation professionals, we should have the largest skill set in all of manufacturing. You think that’s bunk? Well, take a look at what we know, and what we’re expected to know. ISA developed a profile of the automation worker for the U.S. Department of Labor a few years ago, and I reprinted it in my book, The Instrumentation Reference Book, 4th Edition. See also www.careeronestop.org/CompetencyModel/ pyramid.aspx?AT=Y. You work all week, and the last thing you want to do is to study and read technical stuff on evenings and weekends. You have a family. You have a life. Well, make time during your work day to expand your skills. Campaign with your management to make that essential. If they won’t help you, consider going where management will. Remember, there is very little loyalty left, and you shouldn’t have any qualms about going somewhere better. Above all, differentiate yourself as an automation professional by knowing as much as you can about the business of the company you work for, or you are doomed to be in the same job forever. Engineers’ salaries typically top out at about 40 years old, while managers’ salaries keep going up. Why? Because managers are worth more to CEOs than engineers are. Yes, I know that’s wrong. So? If you want more respect as an engineer, you have to get the attention of the suits on the top floor. That means being able to talk to them about how your job directly affects their bottom line. It might not be the job you signed on for in engineering school, but it’s the one you’ll need to master now if you want any job at all. Meanwhile, be thankful for the job you do have. Happy Thanksgiving! Walt boyes Editor in chief wboyes@putman.net Your skills are yours. They go where you go. Time was, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” Now “He who has the most skills wins.” N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 www.controlglobal.com CT1011_09_Edit.indd 9 9 10/25/10 12:51 PM Mechanical Ads 2010:Control 10/18/10 8:27 AM Page 1 0% electronic. 100% state-of-the-art. Mechanical Level Switches from Magnetrol. Sometimes there’s no better solution. M arket proven for decades, Magnetrol’s Mechanical Level Switches are esteemed for their toughness, reliability, and prolonged operating life. For over 77 years, our level switches have been at work in thousands of the toughest industrial applications worldwide. In the most critical of these, Magnetrol’s Mechanical Level Switches are positioned as the last line of defense because they’ll do the job. Our offering of Mechanical Level Switches ranges from top-mounting float or displacer designs to external cages built to ASME and NACE standards. Common switch applications include: • Sumps • Storage Vessels • Seal Pots • Boiler Low Water Cutoff • Gas/Oil Separators • Feedwater Heaters • Flash Tanks • Condensate Drip Pots • Scrubbers When you decide that your best option (and value) in level switches is a mechanical one, then Magnetrol has the solution you’re looking for. Visit us at magnetrol.com to review our extensive line of float- and displacer-based switches. Worldwide Level and Flow SolutionsSM 1-800-624-8765 • magnetrol.com info@magnetrol.com CT1011_full page ads.indd 10 10/22/10 3:03 PM 555 W. PIERCE RD., SUITE 301 • ITASCA, ILLINOIS 60143 G N I K A E P S YL L A C I N H C E T FEEDBACK administrative team [Editor’s note: The following are posts and comments taken from our “Unfettered” and “The Great Kanduski” blogs at www.controlglobal.com.] publishing team Group Publisher/VP Content: KEITH LARSON klarson@putman.net Midwest/Southeast Regional Sales Manager: GREG ZAMIN gzamin@putman.net 630/551-2500, Fax: 630/551-2600 Western Regional Sales Manager: LAURA MARTINEZ 310/607-0125, Fax: 310/607-0168 lmar tinez@putman.net Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional Sales Manager: DAVE FISHER 508/543-5172, Fax 508/543-3061 dfisher@putman.net Inside Accounts Manager: POLLY DICKSON pdickson@putman.net Ad Traffic Supervisor: ANETTA GAUTHIER agauthier@putman.net Subscriptions/Circulation: JERRY CLARK, JACK JONES 888/64 4-1803 foster reprints Reprints Marketing Manager: JILL KALETHA 1-866-879-914 4 ex t. 121, Fax 219.561.2019 jillk@fosterprinting.com editorial team Editor in Chief: WALT BOYES wboyes@putman.net Executive Editor: JIM MONTAGUE jmontague@putman.net Digital Managing Editor: KATHERINE BONFANTE kbonfante@putman.net Managing Editor: NANCY BARTELS nbar tels@putman.net Senior Technical Editor: DAN HEBERT dheber t@putman.net Contributing Editor: JOHN REZABEK Columnists: BÉLA LIPTÁK, GREG MCMILLAN, STAN WEINER Editorial Assistant: LORI GOLDBERG design & production team Group Art Director: STEVE HERNER sherner@putman.net Art Director: DEREK CHAMBERLAIN dchamberlain@putman.net Associate Art Director:BRIAN HERTEL bher tel@putman.net JESSE H. NEAL AWARD WINNER ELEVEN ASBPE EDITORIAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS TWENTY-FIVE ASBPE EXCELLENCE IN GRAPHICS AWARDS ASBPE 2009 MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR FINALIST FOUR OZZIE AWARDS FOR GRAPHICS EXCELLENCE Thoughts on Stuxnet On his “Unfettered” blog, Joe Weiss posted “Stuxnet and the Smart Grid,” which stated: “Stuxnet has at least two major implications for Smart Grid. The first is Smart Grid uses key management. Stuxnet is one of the first cyberattacks to use compromised digital keys. Since then, at least three other cyber vulnerabilities have used compromised digital keys. There should be a reassessment of the key management process for Smart Grid. The second is the more insidious aspect of Stuxnet that attacks control system logic. Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and other controllers with Windows front ends are used throughout the Smart Grid for controlling renewable resources, and for modern automated substations and other grid systems. These systems can be vulnerable to Stuxnet-type attacks. Control system policies and procedures need to be developed and implemented immediately to at least minimize these types of attacks.” Blog reader ab3a commented: “This [first] problem isn’t as new as many might think. This article from the Feb. 21, 2005, edition of eweek.com (http://tinyurl.com/5xcm6s) is about the lack of security in a digitally signed key. Digital signatures are the foundation to trusted computing. However, the more keys one has to trust, the more likely it is that something will sneak in through a compromised key. Few give any thought to that aspect of trusted computing. Now that Stuxnet is well-known, perhaps this attitude will change.” Later, ab3a added: “Stuxnet attacked the STEP 7 development environment and inserted some new library routines. Then, when the developers or integrators downloaded a new version of the software, the rogue code was inserted in the PLC program. “Back to reality. There are many inte- grated development environment (IDE) packages for many platforms. Authenticating the code in the foundation libraries is something that I have heard of only among the most paranoid installations. Almost nobody does it. People authentiWorst cate entire installafears tion programs, but realized I’ve never heard of anyone authenticating a working IDE or an HMI. This measure is possible, but is it practical? How far should our paranoia about protecting our infrastructure go?” A scary piece of malware named Stuxnet is in town. Remember its name. ExclusivE to thE WEb OPC and SeCurity SimulatiOn SuCCeSS POrtraitS autOmatiOn newS frOm eurOPe Big JOB fOr COriOliS imPrOving nerC-CiP flOwmeterS StandardS OctOber 2010 President & CEO: JOHN M. CAPPELLETTI Vice President: JULIE CAPPELLETTI-LANGE VP, Circulation: JERRY CLARK CT1010_01_CVR.indd 3 Automation Week 2010 Ian Verhappen, “The Great Kanduski,” gave a positive review of the new ISA Automation Week (AW) 2010, and asked for suggestions for improving it next year. Jon DiPietro had a list: “1. Free wireless will make it easier for people to attend—they can stay in touch— and promote AW through social media and sharing. I hope we really promote that as I think it’s a big deal for attendees. 2. We should think about ways to increase the interaction between exhibitors and attendees. I’m not sure why the exhibits were closed during the sessions—there were two occasions when I wanted to see exhibits and couldn’t. 3. The contingent of journalists present was pretty thin. Maybe there are accommodations we can make in order to get more of them there to cover our event. 4. I would like to see one of the tracks run as an “unconference.” We could create a website/page where conference attendees submit abstracts and then publicly vote on the subjects that interest them. The top three vote getters end up getting a speaking slot. 5. We could borrow Emerson’s idea and set up a social media help booth. Emerson employees signed up hundreds of people and showed them how to use Twitter. This created a small army of people promoting the Emerson event.” N O V E M B E R / 2 0 1 0 www.controlglobal.com CT1011_11_Feedback.indd 11 9/27/10 10:02 AM 11 10/25/10 12:52 PM LESSONS LEARNED Software for Renewable Energy Processes – 4 Solar technology began in 212 BCE when Archimedes concentrated the sun’s rays to ignite Roman ships. Now our space stations are powered by solar panels and lifted into BÉL A LIPTÁK liptakbela@aol.com Solar is the fastest growing powergeneration technology in the world, increasing at an annual rate of 60%. 12 space by hydrogen peroxide engines. It was in 1861 when Auguste Mouchout created the fi rst steam engine powered by solar energy, and in 1883 Charles Fritz fi rst turned the sun’s rays into electricity. It took almost a century until, in 1954, Calvin Fuller and his team at Bell Laboratories constructed the first silicon solar panels, which had an efficiency of 6% and a cost of $300 per watt of electricity produced. Today, solar cell efficiency can exceed 30%, and the installed costs have dropped below $10/ Wp. Wp is the peak electricity produced under “standard conditions”—equivalent to bright sun in the tropics (25 °C and light intensity of 1 kW/ m2). On average, each Wp produces about 5 kWh/day. The key limitation of PV cells is that any given semiconductor only responds to a certain wavelength of radiation and can therefore convert only a portion of it to electricity. This limitation is gradually being overcome. The cost of conventionally generated electricity in the United States averages about 10¢/ kWh. In contrast, solar electricity costs around 15¢ to 17 ¢ per kWh. Once installed, the fuel (solar energy) is practically free, and the useful life of the cells range between 25 to 35 years. The energy payback period (the number of years it takes for the cells to generate the energy that was needed to manufacture them) ranges between one and four years. As of 2010, the total global electricity generating capacity is 4800 gW, the installed solar generating capacity in only around 25 gW or 0.5%. On the other hand, solar is the fastest growing power-generation technology in the world, increasing at an annual rate of 60%. Last year the First Solar Co. ranked Number 7 on Fortune’s list of the fastest growing companies, and thin-film and nano-solar technologies might even exceed that rate. Today’s market share of thin-film solar cells (copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) is approximately 15%. The commercially available thin-film solar cells have an efficiency of 11%. The total use of renewable energy in the United States (including hydraulic and biomass) is around 10%, and the total use of solar energy is about 0.2%, while that of Portugal, for example, is nearly 50% (Figure 1). On the other hand, the trend suggests that we will be catching up in the coming years. For example, the Westland Solar project in the San Joaquin Valley will be the world’s largest solar power plant. It will generate 5 gW on 30,000 acres of land. Increased use of solar energy is also motivated by factors such as the high transportation expenses of gasoline. In Afghanistan, for example, the cost of delivering gasoline is hundreds of dollars per gallon. Solar Energy Storage and Transportation In the coming articles, I will concentrate on the software needs for control and optimization of solar energy storage and transportation systems, giving particular emphasis to my reversible fuel cell design (http://belaliptakpe.com/ solar-hydrogen-power-plant/). Some of these software packages might seem overly complex, PORTUGUESE SUNSHINE Figure 1: A solar power installation in Serpa, Portugal. Nearly 50% of Portugal’s energy is derived from solar power. www.controlglobal.com N O V E M B E R / 2 0 1 0 CT1011_12_16_Lessons.indd 12 10/26/10 10:15 AM Replacing obsolete field wiring used to cost a fortune. Now wireless tank gauging can save you one. A wireless Rosemount tank gauging solution from Emerson will open up new possibilities for your tank farm. Replacement of old wiring will be a cost of the past. And stranded tanks can easily be integrated into a modern radar based tank gauging system. The self-organizing WirelessHART mesh network ensures that your measurement information will always be available. A Rosemount TankRadar Rex system gives custody transfer precision enabling you to keep accurate track of your valuable bulk liquid assets. Improved safety, higher operational efficiency and less maintenance costs are additional benefits. It has never been easier for you to profit from improved tank inventory management. TankRadar Rex. Wireless Tank Gauging Visit www.rosemount-tg.com or call your Emerson representative today Emerson Process Management Rosemount Tank Gauging Tel US main office Houston: +1 7137229199 Tel global main office Sweden: +46 313370000 www.rosemount-tg.com, sales.rtg@emerson.com The Emerson logo is a trademark and service mark of Emerson Electric Co. © 2010 Emerson Electric Co. CT1011_full page ads.indd 13 10/22/10 3:04 PM Lessons Learned but at a time of unmanned drones and Google’s unmanned cars, they should be feasible. I will start the discussion with small units serving individual homes and smaller industrial plants. The optimization software needed for PV systems with both storage and grid connections has to 1) provide total automation, including record-keeping, 2) provide capability to reconfigure the system to automatically maximize profitability and 3) provide self-diagnostics. In developing the software package, the primary goal must be simplicity, so its operation does not require more understanding from the homeowner than what’s needed for operating a thermostat. To provide this requires total automation, so that the system will safely operate on its own, without the need for the homeowner to take any action at all. On the other hand, the software must allow the homeowner (or preferably the electric company) to update any data or setpoint, such as changes in the price of electricity (during normal, night or peak periods, if they differ). If the home has electric car(s) charging during the night, the software package must be provided with the target amount of electricity needed to be in battery storage in the morning. Grid Connected PV System with Net-Billing Meter The main components of a simple installation are the solar collectors and the intelligent, bi-directional electric meter, which is furnished by the electric utility company. Such a sys- Only from Keller... • • • • • Standard 0.25% or optional 0.1% FS Total Error Band 4-20mA or 0-10VDC + RS485/MODBUS Hytrel®, Polyethylene, or Tefzel® cable Custom ranges up to 15,000 PSI 1/4” NPT pressure connection. Toll Free! 877-253-5537 www.kelleramerica.com CT1011_12_16_Lessons.indd 14 sales@kelleramerica.com tem has no electricity storage capability. Therefore, when solar electricity is insufficient or unavailable (at night or on cloudy days), it obtains some or all of the electricity needed from the grid (red direction of electricity flow in Figure 2). Inversely, when excess solar energy is available (beyond the needs of the household) it is sent to the grid (green direction in Figure 2). Billing is done on the basis of net electricity used (or generated) during the month. This net amount is a function of the size of the solar collectors, the insolation in the area, the weather conditions and other factors (dirt buildup or collector maintenance, etc.) The economics of the operation is a function of the contract with the electric utility and is also affected by government support. The utility either charges (or pays) a flat rate for the electricity or a rate that changes with the time of the day. If the second is the case, it’s likely that the night rate is the lowest, and the “peak rate” is the highest. Peak rate is usually applied when the power plant is operating at nearly full capacity (usually because of high air conditioning loads on hot summer days). Under these conditions, receiving the excess solar energy is advantageous to the utility because it does not need to start up its emergency generators. Sending “peak electricity” to the utility is also advantageous to the homeowners if the rate paid is higher. It is the utility company that takes government subsidies and regulations into consideration, so that the homeowner just receives a monthly statement without requiring any additional paperwork. Besides direct subsidies, the government in some countries guarantees a fixed rate for the solar energy sent to the grid. This rate is often higher than its “market value.” In such cases the utility is required to distribute that extra cost among the “non-solar” households. As shown in Figure 2, the electric meter is an intelligent one that auto- 10/26/10 10:17 AM Plastic Toys Just Don’t Cut It. 8 Neither Do Plastic Signal Conditioners. Multi-Channel Analog Signal Isolators, Converters, Boosters, Repeaters and Splitters in Industrial Metal Housings What Can Signal Conditioners Do For You? ? Minimum Footprint Only 1 inch (25.4mm) wide, get up to four low-cost I/O in a 0.25 inch (6.35mm) per channel footprint! Moore Performance Get our reputation for reliability with rugged and RFI/EMI protected metal housings at the “Plastic Guy’s” price. Get our NEW Digital, G “Interactive White Paper” at: “Inte www.miinet.com/miniMOORE Signal Conditioners That Cut It. United States • info@miinet.com Tel: (818) 894-7111 • FAX: (818) 891-2816 Australia • sales@mooreind.com.au Tel: (02) 8536-7200 • FAX: (02) 9525-7296 CT1011_full page ads.indd 15 Belgium • info@mooreind.be Tel: 03/448.10.18 • FAX: 03/440.17.97 The Netherlands • sales@mooreind.nl Tel: (0)344-617971 • FAX: (0)344-615920 China • sales@mooreind.sh.cn Tel: 86-21-62491499 • FAX: 86-21-62490635 United Kingdom • sales@mooreind.com Tel: 01293 514488 • FAX: 01293 536852 10/22/10 3:05 PM Lessons Learned matically considers the electricity flows in both directions and displays the net total (cost or payment) at any time during the month. The software provided by the utility is automatically adjusted for times of day variations in cost rate or times of “peak periods,” so the homeowner is not burdened with adjusting them. The software in the intelligent electric meter should also be able to perform other control tasks, such as to automatically charge the batteries of the electric car(s) when the electricity is inexpensive (“night time”), and to maximize the amount of electricity sent to the grid (by temporarily turning off optional users) during periods when peak electricity rates apply on hot summer days. None of this software, nor the intelligent net-billing utility meters themselves exist today, but as energy costs increase, they will. The purpose of this series of articles is not only to describe software that is available, but also to describe the control software needs of the future as renewable energy systems become more complex and sophisticated. Our tax dollars should be invested in new technologies that guarantee an energy future that is inexhaustible, clean Unlock Your Smart HART® Transmitter’s Hidden Secrets HART Loop Interfaces: • Convert HART to 4-20mA Signals Breaker Panel Photovoltaic Solar Collectors DC Disconnect 120/240 VAC to Household loads Inverter DC/AC Net-metering or Net-billing Electric Meter 120 VAC to Recharge Electric Car(s) Utility Grid your next meter reading? Figure 2: Grid-connected solar collector system with two-directional utility meter for net-billing. and free. The use of solar shingles is already cost-effective in the southern half of the United States and installing them would not only eliminate unemployment, oil imports, energy wars and the destruction of nature, but would also lower unemployment, because of the millions of carpenters, electricians and laborers that their installation would require. MONITOR VISCOSITY SIMPLY Sense Motor Horsepower with Universal Power Cell EASY INSTALLATION • “Break Out” Up to Three Analog Signalss • No holes in tanks or pipes • Away from sensitive processes VERSATILE • Provide High/Low Process Alarm Trips (Contact Closure) • One size adjusts for motors, from small up to 150 HP • Works on 3 phase, fixed or variable • Convert HART to MODBUS RTU frequency, DC and single phase power SENSITIVE • 10 times more sensitive • Monitor HART Instrument Diagnostics css than just sensing amps CONVENIENT OUTPUTS • For meters, controllers, computers • Work with Every HART-Compatible Transmitter and Valve 4-20 milliamps, 0-10 volts • Set Up in Minutes Using FREE PC Configuration Software www.miinet.com/HART CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE 30-DAY TRIAL 888-600-3247 WWW.LOADCONTROLS.COM Moore Industries_CONTROLmag_HIM_QtrPg_vert_11-2010.indd 1 CT1011_12_16_Lessons.indd 16 12-Oct-10 10:45:30 AM 10/26/10 3:24 PM Import your Modicon 984™ ladder logic programming into a state-of-the-art PLC ® With the LL984 Editor in the Unity™ Pro programming software, you can. And it’s free. Your Modicon 984 Ladder Logic programs are as unique as your business. Perfected over time, you trust them to run, monitor, and manage your automation systems without issue, 24/7/365. And now, with the new LL984 Editor within the Unity Pro software, you can retain your valuable ladder logic programs and still upgrade to a state-of-the-art programming environment absolutely free. With the latest version of Unity Pro software, you import existing ladder logic programs directly into the development software, saving commissioning time and eliminating the need to rewrite code. Your old applications look and behave just as they did before, meaning no surprises and no unplanned downtime. Plus, when you’re ready to expand or update your plant, you won’t have to choose between your legacy systems and a newer, more powerful PLC. With the LL984 Editor, you can maximize your prior ladder logic investments and still benefit from today’s faster networks and communications, such as Ethernet I/P, embedded web-based services, and open connectivity with enterprise-wide business systems. The LL984 Editor within the Unity Pro software gives you the best of both worlds, free. Upgrade today. Improve your control with a Modicon Quantum™ PLC Schneider Electric Modicon PLCs have advanced the state of controller technology to make them faster, easier to use, and more flexible, giving you the opportunity to improve cycle times and visibility to your processes. We also provide software tools and quick wiring adapters that reduce the risk, time, and cost of upgrading your existing Modicon PLCs to our state-of-the-art Modicon Quantum PLCs. Make the most of your energy SM Hurry! Register to get your FREE copy of Unity Pro with its new LL984 Editor! Visit www.SEreply.com Key Code w823w Call 866-776-8945 ©2010 Schneider Electric Industries SAS, All Rights Reserved. Schneider Electric, Modicon, 984, Unity, Quantum, and “Make the most of your energy” are owned by Schneider Electric, or its affiliated companies in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. • 8001 Knightdale Blvd, Knightdale, NC 27545 (Schneider Electric Automation and Control Center of Excellence) • Tel. +1-919-266-3671 • 998-3497 CT1011_full page ads.indd 17 10/22/10 3:05 PM trusted protection Gaining trust comes With consistency And proven reliability As a market leader of solutions for hazardous areas, Pepperl+Fuchs has built trust and confidence into every element of our product portfolio. With over 60 years of hazardous location and intrinsic safety protection experience we’ve established ourselves as a trusted partner in the process industry. Our versatile isolated barriers for DIN rail and termination board applications together with our cost-effective zener diode barriers have made us the world’s leading supplier of intrinsic safety barriers. With a global sales and support organization, we are able to provide any plant with an adaptable range of interface and network products for advanced process control. For intrinsically safe solutions, go to: www.pepperl-fuchs.us Pepperl+Fuchs, Inc. Twinsburg, Ohio 330.486.0002 www.pepperl-fuchs.us CT1011_full page ads.indd 18 10/22/10 3:06 PM 10-10 ON THE BUS We Get It – Wireless Works A few months back, I received a quote from my instrument salesman that was shockingly devoid of the previously ubiquitous WirelessHART attachment. Every prior quote—in my case almost exclusively for wired devices—contained an added attachment extolling the virtues of wireless. So when I opened the one with no such addendum, I wrote him back about the missing attachment. “You must have lost it,” I joked. Can anyone remember an instrument technology that was marketed with such persistence and zeal? Perhaps that’s because WirelessHART emerged in products well before the completion of the ISA 100.11 wireless specification. Consensus standards are messy and difficult for suppliers. It’s much easier to create the standard and then just dish it up. Isn’t this how we ended up with multiple fieldbus standards? Well now we have multiple wireless standards. The “freedom to choose” that was so fundamental to the mission of ISA SP50 and later Foundation fieldbus is not particularly strong in the wireless arena. If you have the wrong system, you may not be free to choose your favorite field device—unless you’re happy with two wireless backhauls, one for ISA 100.11 devices and one for WirelessHART. There’s some talk of convergence, but what convergence can avoid stranding hundreds of existing WirelessHART users? The Fieldbus Foundation is working on a specification for a backhaul to serve both, but host suppliers would need to push forward support of Foundation High-Speed Ethernet, instead of preempting an open solution with proprietary ones. I worked for one of the companies that installed early betas of WirelessHART before 2005. The effort at a fairly modern refinery on the West Coast included measurements of rotating equipment bearing temperatures, which turned out to be of extraordinary value, allowing the plant to predict failures before they caused an unplanned outage. But, to this day, I’ve never understood why such valuable measurements—claimed to have saved tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars—couldn’t justify running wires. And, none of us sitting around at that 2004 Technology Information Exchange (TIE) had applications that were aching for a wireless solution. We already had wireless solutions that were rarely used because they were rarely needed. We had a lot of aging legacy systems that needed a path to modern digital integration, and most of the legacy systems had wires connecting the DCS to field devices. We had scores of new safety interlock applications requiring SIL-rated safety instrumented functions—no one saw wireless helping us with that. Even tank farms, where we always dreamed of using wireless, required SIL-capable systems. No one could imagine wireless measuring up in that area. The mountain of measurements stranded due to the expense and/or complexity of running wire—that could be solved with a Zigbee or Dust radio mesh—were off the radar, as it were, of many process industry users. WirelessHART products have been available since at least 2007, and today one can obtain compatible products from ABB, Endress+Hauser, Siemens, Pepperl+Fuchs, Emerson and others. Given the numerous installations already in the field at diverse end users, and the prestige of the excellent suppliers who support it, I’m happy to say I’m sold. WirelessHART works and delivers as advertised. Is there anyone remaining out there who thinks otherwise? I haven’t installed any personally, but I have plenty of neighbors and friends who have, and none of them are ripping it out. Wireless is not a hard sell—most managers are ready to approve it if the expense seems justifiable. They are typically already big users of wireless, from their laptops to their iPhones and Blackberries. Maybe it is our overly conservative process culture, but I think it’s really “fitness for purpose” that causes most users to just keep yanking in their copper twisted pairs. john Rez abek contributing Editor jrezabek@ispcorp.com Wireless is not a hard sell—most managers are ready to approve it if the expense seems justifiable. N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 www.controlglobal.com CT1011_19_OTB.indd 19 19 10/25/10 12:54 PM IN PROCESS GE Energy Acquires Dresser Inc. $3-billion deal brings Dresser’s valve business into GE fold. GE has announced that it has signed a contract to acquire Dresser Inc., a global energy infrastructure technology and service provider. The $3 billion deal is the latest in a series of acquisitions over the last 10 years that has helped grow GE’s energy business and deliver record profitability. Dresser’s portfolio, which includes technologies for gas engines, control and relief valves, measurement, regulation and control solutions for gas and fuel distribution, will expand GE’s core energy offerings, and extend its reach into adjacent offerings for its energy and industrial customers. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions, and is expected to close promptly after receiving regulatory approval. “Dresser is a great fit for the GE business model,” said John Krenicki, vice chairman of GE and president and CEO of GE Energy. “Dresser’s technology complements our existing gas engine portfolio, and adds offerings complementary to those of GE in the $45-billion flow technology industry, including product offerings in the highly engineered valve segment. Eighty-five percent of Dresser’s revenue is from energy customers, and it has developed a large installed base of equipment, which is a big reason why 40% of its total revenue is derived from aftermarket service offerings, and there is a lot of room for future expansion.” David Clayton, senior analyst at ARC Advisory Group, commented on the acquisition: “With its acquisition of Dresser, GE immediately becomes one of the world’s leading control valve suppliers. With 2009 revenues exceeding $500 million, Dresser is the second largest global control valve supplier. Dresser’s portfolio includes final control elements for general service, engineered solutions for severe service applications, 20 “GE now has the potential to address the full scope of process automation, from field instrumentation to process automation systems and software. Only a handful of companies in the industry can do all this.” – Larry O’Brien, ARC. and digital solutions that can communicate with nearly any control system. Dresser’s Valscope Pro and ValVue OVD diagnostic tools enable Dresser to evaluate and diagnose nearly the entire spectrum of installed control valves still in service—intelligent or conventional. As the world’s demand for both energy and predictive maintenance solutions continues to grow, gaining access to a key automation component in the energy markets and the ability to properly assess their health should enhance GE’s position in the global energy markets.” Larry O’Brien, ARC’s research director for automation, added, “Between the combined automation-related businesses of GE Energy and GE Intelligent Platforms, the company now has the potential to address the full scope of process automation, from field instrumentation and control valves to rotating equipment diagnostics, process automation systems and related software. Only a handful of companies in the industry can do all this.” Headquartered in Addison, Texas, Dresser operates in more than 100 countries, delivering compression, flow technology, measurement and distribution infrastructure and services to customers in more than 150 countries. Dresser had revenues of $2 billion and earnings of $318 million in 2009. This deal is the latest in a series of moves by GE Energy to expand its business. On Sept. 27, it announced a joint venture in China to expand further into the world’s largest wind market. On Oct. 1, it closed on its purchase of the assets of Calnetix Power Solutions, which expands GE’s capabilities to recover waste heat from industrial processes for electricity generation, and will also complement GE’s gas engine business. On Oct. 4, the company also signed a $700 million contract with Saudi Electricity Co. for a new, high-efficiency power plant in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. IOM Gets It Together This year’s Invensys Operations Management (IOM) user group meeting held in October in Orlando, Fla., demonstrated that the latest reinvention of Invensys has finally achieved what the company has been working on since the original British-owned Invensys kludged together several disparate companies to compete in the automation space in the 1980s and 1990s. It has been a struggle, but now it appears that the venerable brands of Foxboro, Eurotherm, Sim-Sci Esscor, Avantis and Wonderware have been brought together in such a way as to leverage their strengths and diminish their weaknesses. In a year, IOM has completed the reorganization, finalized branding, and is working on leveraging the strengths of its varied distribution channels, from direct sales to manufacturers’ reps to stocking distributors to control system integrators. Steve Blair, president of IOM-USA, said, “Our objective is to not mess up, and if we can do that, we’ll come out of www.controlglobal.com N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 CT1011_20_25_InPro.indd 20 10/26/10 10:19 AM e 10-10-23 Control ad_DXAdvanced_ADB1002.indd 1 CT1011_full page ads.indd 21 10/15/10 2:48 PM 10/22/10 3:07 PM IN PROCESS this with an immensely stronger distribution organization. We’re working on the ‘who does what’ right now.” Sudipta Bhattacharya, IOM’s CEO and president, presented a roadmap that indicates that InFusion, ArchestrA and InTouch are the future for the software part of I/A, and the 100 Series controllers will be upgraded and improved. IOM also introduced a new programmable automation controller (PAC) bearing the Foxboro name. The Foxboro PAC and I/O subsystems are integrated with Wonderware’s software. He also noted that the Eurotherm control system that has mostly been treated as a red-headed stepchild by the true Foxboro believers will be going forward as the smaller control system it was intended to be. The marketing term for Invensys going forward is “Enterprise Control System (ECS).” Invensys’ Neil Cooper describes it as “a meta-integration of control, production control and business control with a real-time feedback system.” In the case of Invensys, that’s InFusion based on the ArchestrA software platform backbone. An ECS component is any Invensys offering or any third-party offering that communicates with the ArchestrA backbone software. On the plant floor, that would be the DCS, SCADA, PAC, historian, HMI and safety systems from Foxboro, Triconex, Wonderware, Eurotherm or from third parties. At the site-wide or multi-site level, the term ECS incompasses production and performance applications, such as quality, performance, batch, mobile worker management, MES, asset man- agement, optimization, simulation and workflow, business process management and collaboration, EMI/intelligence, enterprise integration and visualization, with solutions available from Avantis, IMserv, Sim-Sci Esscor, Skelta and Wonderware. Trade Shows Rebound The death of the old mega-trade shows, which attracted thousands of exhibitors and even more thousands of attendees, may have been exaggerated. These week-long extravaganzas fell on hard times thanks to the double whammy of the Internet and economic hard times. But some of the venerable giants are stirring again. For instance, SPS/IPC/Drives 2010—Electric Automation, Systems The exact automation products you need, faster. TURCK fills your automation gaps with over 80,000 sensing, connectivity, interface and communications solutions. Standard and customized products in any quantity, with the shortest lead times in the industry. Over 5,000 specialists worldwide are ready to respond to your application needs. Contact us with your application: SENSORS | NEtwORkS/fiEldbuS | Rfid | cONNEctivity | iNtRiNSic SafEty ©2010 TURCK, Inc. 1-800-544-7769 www.turck.us TU-1241 Service & delivery ad_Control.indd 1 3/15/10 10:01 AM CT1011_20_25_InPro.indd 22 10/26/10 10:20 AM PTPA- get all your devices on the same page. Data Station Plus. Protocol conversion. Ethernet gateway. IT-ready data logging. It’s all here. Red Lion’s Data Station Plus is the single-device solution for protocol conversion. One remarkable device bridges the communication gap between serial only, fieldbus, and Ethernet devices—unlocking untold information from PLCs, drives, motion controllers, and more. Red Lion’s free, robust Crimson® software enables drag-and-drop register mapping that lets a Siemens ® PLC to talk to an Allen Bradley ® drive in just seconds. The built-in Ethernet gateway lets you network-enable serial or fieldbus machines onto a common communications backbone in minutes, and convert your old PLC’s and drive’s proprietary protocol into a single modern and open standard. But that’s just the beginning. Use the integrated web server to quickly set up secure, real-time remote monitoring, operation, diagnostics and data acquisition from any web-enabled PC, PDA or phone. Easily create a web based HMI depiction of your machine or process with the included 5000+ image graphics package. Receive alarms or event notification remotely via e-mail or SMS text. Collect performance data, display it, store it for evaluation, or trigger PLC functions—live or remotely. And seamlessly port logged “IT-ready” trending data to web pages, e-mail, ftp sites or other applications. The no-risk asset and data management solution. Data Station Plus is the evolutionary, non-invasive device and software platform that expands and unifies the capabilities of your legacy processes into a modern, completely integrated control solution. And it does it for literally tens-of-thousands less. See what Data Station Plus can mean to your process at www.redlion.net/DSP Operator Interface Protocol Conversion Signal Conditioning Panel Meters Data Acquisition Red Lion Controls ph: (717) 767-6511 fax: (717) 764-0839 www.redlion.net Trademarks used herein are property of their respective owners. CT1011_full page ads.indd 23 RL-277 21-0409-02 DSP Ad _Control 10/22/10 3:08 PM MODERNIZING Level Measurement Solids Handling with VEGAPULS 68 Liquids Handling with VEGAFLEX 66 With Ohmart/VEGA pulse radar technology, level With no moving parts, guided microwave radar eliminates measurement of solids is unaffected by difficult many measurement and maintenance issues associated process conditions such as dust, making radar the with mechanical float systems. The sensor is available in superior solids measurement technology over coaxial, rod, or cable versions for continuous measurement ultrasonic, capacitive, and guided microwave. in applications with high pressure and temperature. Advantages Advantages • Two -wire loop-powered • Two-wire loop-powered • Non-contact measurement • Unaffected by vapor, buildup, and condensation • Measures during fill and empty cycles • Hastelloy C22 wetted parts available on • HART, Profibus PA, and Foundation Fieldbus outputs coaxial and rod probes • HART, Profibus PA, and Foundation Fieldbus outputs www.ohmartvega.com info@ohmartvega.com 800.FOR.LEVEL CT1011_full page ads.indd 24 10/22/10 3:08 PM IN PROCESS and Components, the yearly gathering of European process automation vendors, is reporting exhibitor space bookings matching its pre-economic blowup numbers in 2008—a whopping 90,000 square meters. Conference organizers report that approximately 1300 exhibitors will present products and services at this year’s event in Nuremberg, Germany, on Nov. 23-25. Meanwhile, Deutsche Messe, organizers of Hannover Fair, the world’s largest industrial technology trade fair, is adding Industrial Automation North America to its international expansion plans. For the last few years, Hannover Fair has included the Interkama Exhibition, which attracted 150,000 visitors this year. This new show will be held Sept. 1215, 2012, alongside the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) at McCormick Place in Chicago. It will showcase products and solutions for production automation, complementing the IMTS focus on machine tools, metalworking and precision manufacturing. The move stems from a strategic alliance with AMT—The Association for Manufacturing Technology, which organizes of IMTS. ISA Announces the 2011 Testing Window Application Deadlines ISA has announced the three testing dates and application deadlines in 2011 for its Certified Automation Professional (CAP) and Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) certification awards. To take the certification exam in the preferred testing window, applications must be postmarked or submitted online by that testing window’s application deadline: Window 1: To take the exam between March 1–April 30, 2011, the application postmark/online submission deadline is Friday, Jan. 14, 2011 Window 2: To take the exam between July 1– Aug. 31, 2011, the application postmark/online submission deadline is Friday, May 13, 2011 Window 3: To take the exam between Nov. 1–Dec. 31, 2011, the application Postmark/Online Submission Deadline is Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011 More information about the certifications and preparation for the tests can be found at www.isa.org. Electronics and moisture don’t mix. ©2010 Pentair Technical Products The Hoffman brand H2OMIT® Dehumidification System quickly removes moisture from the air inside your enclosure–up to 8 oz. per 24 hour period–protecting components from damaging condensation. Installs easily, equalizes air pressure and maintains the UL Type rating* of virtually any enclosure brand. hoffmanonline.com *maintains UL Type rating with proper installation 0:01 AM PTPA-141 H2Omit Ad_Control.indd 1 CT1011_20_25_InPro.indd 25 7/2/10 11:15 AM 10/26/10 10:21 AM WORLD’S FIRST SIL2 CERTIFIED MAGNETOSTRICTIVE LEVEL TRANSMITTER MAGNETOSTRICTIVE LEVEL TRANSMITTERS If reliable, maintenance-free and accurate level measurement is required, consider the K-TEK AT100/AT200 Magnetostrictive Level Transmitter - the only magnetostrictive level transmitter in the world to acquire the coveted SIL2 certification. Used as a stand-alone level transmitter with “donut” style float or in conjunction with a magnetic level gauge, the AT series provides over 20 years of reliable and repeatable performance in the field. The AT series of magnetostrictives meets your challenging demands for applications ranging from critical boiler feedwater drum levels to liquid inventory management. When your application requires SIL2 Certified, SIL2 suitable is not “suitable.” Learn more about K-TEK’s AT100/AT200 Magnetostrictive Level Transmitter at www.ktekcorp.com/controlatsil or call 1-800-735-5835. IEC61508 SIL 2 Certified Transmitter The Leader in Level Detection 6100 West by Northwest #140 | Houston, TX 77040 toll free: +1.800.245.7056 | tel: +1.713.462.7665 | fax: +1.713.462.7684 sales@kteksolidslevel.com | www.kteksolidslevel.com/controlatsil CT1011_full page ads.indd 26 10/22/10 3:10 PM swa4 RESOURCES On the Level about Level Measurement Control’s Monthly Resource Guide Every month, Control’s editors take a specific product area, collect all the latest, significant tools we can find, and present them here to make your job easier. If you know of any tools and resources we didn’t include, send them to wboyes@putman.net, and we’ll add them to the website. LEVEL MEASUREMENT BASICS LEVEL BASICS—THE MOVIE Omega Engineering 888/826-6342 www.omega.com Transactions in Measurement & Control, Vol. 4, Flow and Level Measurement, from Omega Engineering, is a 113-page, free, downloadable PDF covering the basics of level measure- ControlGlobal www.controlglobal.com In this video, Control’s editor in chief, Walt Boyes, talks about the basics of measuring level and how to select the correct level technology for your applications. Topics include wireless standards, hydrostatic level measurement, level measurement basics and more. Watch the video at www.controlglobal.com/multimedia/2008/024.html. LEVEL LIMIT SWITCHES 888/363-7377 ment. Beginning on p.age 72, level topics include level sensor selection, pressure/density, RF/capacitance and radiation-based instrumentation, and speciality level switches. The direct link is www.omega.com/ l iter at u re / t r a n s ac t ion s / Tr a n s ac tions_Vol_IV.pdf. STEAMY TUTORIAL 800/575-0394 Spirax Sarco www.SpiraxSarco.com/us/ “Methods of Detecting Water Level in Steam Boilers” is an online tutorial from Spirax Sarco that discusses the application of level controls and alarms, plus an overview of different level-detection methods, including f loat-type controls, conductivity probes and capacitance devices. The direct link is at http://preview. tinyurl.com/3al6ow9. ging. A customer has a horizontally mounted tank that is 144 in. long and 64 in. in diameter. The ends are f lat. The customer would like to know the daily usage of the liquid in the tank via a measurement in the morning and another at the end of the day. The customer wants accuracy of up to 1 gallon changes in this tank measurement. Some say this is impossible, given it is a horizontally mounted tank and that the sensor cannot detect those extreme small changes. Follow the discussion and possible solutions at http://tinyurl. com/2fmlsju. Endress+Hauser www.us.endress.com This article discusses in detail the characteristics of a universal limit switch for liquids using a vibronic limit switch as an example. Starting with the general requirements of such an instrument, this switch may be used in approximately 80% of all applications occurring in practice. It demonstrates both the physical measurement principle and the electronic units for frequency evaluation and signal transmission. The focus is on using a limit switch for overspill protection to guarantee safe operation, even under extreme conditions. The direct link is http://preview.tinyurl.com/35yqvv8 LEVEL ADVICE PLCS.net www.plcs.net This is an online discussion that begins with a problem about horizontal-tank level measurement and log- SOLIDS LEVEL MEASUREMENT Blue Level Technologies 888/615-3835 www.blueleveltechnologies.com Continuous level measurement is about one thing, which is answering the question, “How much stuff do I have?” Usually the desired engineering unit is expressed in terms of volume or weight. “Measuring” volume or weight is not always the most practical approach. Sometimes it isn’t even viable. This is where continuous level measurement sensors and systems come into play and offer a viable and cost-effective approach. “Application Considerations for Continuous Level and Inventory Monitoring of Powder and Bulk Solids” is a white paper from Blue Level Technologies that discusses the challenges of powder and bulk solid level measurement. The downloadable PDF is found at www.controlglobal. com/whitepapers/2010/046.html. N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 www.controlglobal.com CT1011_27_Resources.indd 27 27 10/25/10 12:56 PM Condition monitoring Big-Time Condition Monitoring Condition monitoring is more than walking around the plant with a data logger and a clipboard. Done big time, it can save you millions of dollars. by Dan Hebert, PE To some, condition monitoring (CM) means installing vibration sensors on a few critical motors, and then having a maintenance technician with a handheld data logger check sensor readings on a more or less regular basis. To others, such as Romel Bhullar, senior technical fellow/director at the engineering and construction giant Fluor (www.fluor.com), CM is a very big deal, requiring a systems approach. “At Fluor, working as systems integrators on mega projects, we routinely incorporate conditioning monitoring solutions to control and manage capital assets,” says Bhullar. (Figure 1) “Besides huge upfront capital layouts of several hundred million dollars or more, these assets are directly responsible for delivering very valuable products like several hundred thousands barrels per day of petroleum or billions of cubic feet of natural gas. Unplanned interruptions can shut down operations and cost companies millions,” adds Bhullar. Condition monitoring to keep modern process plants up and running are necessarily complex. “A conditioning monitoring project typically involves integrating and marrying diverse and competing commercial technologies, systems and parameters,” explains Bhullar. “It also requires very high-speed, real-time input monitoring, signal conditioning and processing. We have to deal with different sensor suppliers, vibration systems and 28 system integration problems—using a variety of networks, communication protocols, media, servers, and application hardware and software.” However, it pays off, especially in process industry applications, where plant shutdowns due to equipment failure can cost millions of dollars per day. The dollars and the challenges may seem daunting, but the rewards can be significant, and there are ways to cut the project down to a manageable size. Getting Started While a plant-wide CM and asset management system isn’t a simple project, the approach to it can be fairly straightforward, according to Michael Gurney, co-CEO of Concept Systems (conceptsystemsinc.com), a systems integrator in Albany, Ore. “When it comes to the actual implementation of a CM solution, there are two options,” he advises. “The first is using control hardware already in place, and the second is equipping assets with new instrumentation and controls.” Much hardware installed in a plant already has diagnostic capabilities. “In virtually all cases we’ve looked at, there are capabilities already on the plant floor for capturing data on an asset, but most go underutilized,” says Gurney. www.controlglobal.com N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 CT1011_28_38_CoverStory.indd 28 10/26/10 11:22 AM Sometimes, you don’t even have to install sensors, as everything you need may already be there. InduSoft (www.indusoft.com), for example, installed a SCADA system at the University of Texas in Austin. “The system monitors more than 1200 meters from more than 100 buildings on the campus,” explains Fabio Terezinho, InduSoft’s VP of Consulting Services. “The InduSoft system combines real-time data acquired from an OPC server with historical data retrieved from the historian, and displays information from electrical, chilled water, domestic water and steam on dashboards— and makes the information available to remote users anywhere via a web browser.” The system also generates reports with a log of events, such as calibration/verification of the meters, which is used to schedule preventive maintenance and check the integrity of the data. Alarm and remote notification allows the university to detect and fix defects in a timely manner. According to InduSoft, installation went smoothly. “Integration of the open architecture InduSoft Web Studio with third-party systems previously installed at the site was straightforward,” says Terezinho. Another example of a relatively easy condition monitoring implementation occurred at Centro Energia Teverola Photo courtesy of Fluor Condition monitoring keeping things humming is part of the deal. Figure 1: When Fluor designs and builds huge process plants for its clients, the condition-monitoring system is a key deliverable. (www.centroenergia.it), a 150-MW combined-cycle cogeneration power plant in Teverola, Italy, about 20 miles north of Naples. The plant already had CM sensors installed on instruments and valves, all wired into the ex- Condition Monitoring Tells All Fluor designs and builds huge process facilities such as chemical plants, refineries and power plants. Romel Bhullar, senior technical fellow/director at Fluor, says, “In almost every project we do—refineries, energy, petrochemical, biochemical, pharmaceutical or power—asset condition monitoring (CM) is an integral part.” One such project at Potomac Electric Power Co. (Pepco) involved a plant supplying power to the city of Washington, D.C. “It’s critical that the power generation turbines, generators and auxiliary systems have a CM system that monitors impending failures and identifies reasons to do preventive maintenance.” Putting together such a system isn’t easy. “Standard commercial off-the-shelf solutions weren’t flexible and functional enough to match our needs,” he says. “There were mountains of challenges: technical, people, commercial, multiple company cultures and organizations,” he adds. “In these days of tough economic times, all vendors are protecting their markets and providing proprietary and expensive solutions. It makes integration very difficult.” Things are improving, but problems still exist when tying together different communication protocols. “There have been significant developments in networking technologies and communications equipment, but major issues in the bottom two layers of the OSI model still need lot of work,” he notes. “Management may have different objectives than the people in operations, IT and control systems—not to mention suppliers. It’s a maze out there.” Bhullar says the cost to install the CM system at Potomac Power “…was several million dollars.” The data being gathered is extremely important to more than just the power company. EPRI (www.epri.org), a power industry consortium in Palo Alto, Calif., contributed to the project, so it could see the data. “The conditioning monitoring system provides data in real time to all the EPRI stakeholders across the U.S.,” Bhullar explains. “GE is looking at their new gas turbine/generator and collecting performance parameters to improve their design. Westinghouse/Mitsubishi is collecting data on their newest gas turbines/ generators. Potomac Power’s operations and maintenance staff are looking at impending failures. And Fluor is collecting data for validating our methods for predicting failures.” The system works, too. “The cooling system on one of the turbine blades had failed due to plugging of the passages,” he says. “The system identified the problem, and Potomac was able to replace the blade in off peak hours without any loss in power.” It works for EPRI too. The information is being used by member utilities to make decisions relating to equipment selection, design configurations, maintenance and replacement policies. The data is also being used by these same utilities to validate supplier sales claims and promises of newer technologies before making the huge required capital outlays for a comprehensive CM system. N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 www.controlglobal.com CT1011_28_38_CoverStory.indd 29 29 10/26/10 11:19 AM Photo courtesy of Emerson Process Management Condition Monitoring isting legacy control system. But it was experiencing unexpected performance degradation because of clogged filters on the gas turbines, and the legacy system wasn’t helping. To obtain the advanced analysis needed to identify the problems, Centro Energia installed Emerson Process Management’s (www.emersonprocess.com) AMS Performance Monitor. Emerson wrote a macro to acquire the necessary data from the legacy control system’s historian. (Figure 2) Data is sent to Emerson’s centralized service site in Teesside in northeastern England, where Emerson analyzes the data and provides Centro Energia with actionable information. Vincenzo Piscitelli, general manager at Centro Energia, reports, “The return on investment was very fast. A single filter change has already paid for this service for two years.” Improving Existing CM Systems Some plants may already have a conditioning monitoring system that isn’t doing the job. Vectren (www.vectren. com), a power company in southwest Indiana, wanted to monitor more than 500 existing assets. Vectren’s engineers were using a combination of software and spreadsheets to analyze more than 15000 equipment readings. The trend analysis software checked for problems and reported instances when assets were broken or not running efficiently. Alarms indicated problems that needed im- teverola, this is england calling Figure 2: Centro Energia’s 150-MW, combined-cycle cogeneration power plant in Teverola, Italy, is monitored remotely by Emerson Process Management in the U.K. Attacking the Problem Systems integrator Concept Systems in Albany, Ore., has implemented many high-level asset condition monitoring (CM) solutions. Michael Gurney, coCEO, says that a CM project takes a twolevel approach: First, use control hardware already in place; next, equip assets with new instrumentation and controls. Much of the equipment in a plant already has diagnostic capabilities. “A typical automation system will control the equipment, but stop short of pulling data off the controller or motor drives. With some simple programming, a system can collect key data such as motor start/stops, cylinder cycles, fault counts, drive current, downtime, cycle time/flow rates, valve position, pressure readings and more,” says Gurney. “Collecting and correlating this data finds problems,” he explains. “For example, monitoring the flow rate at known valve positions will point to issues with the valve prior to catastrophic failure. All this informa30 tion can be used to make better sense of the data and better manage that asset.” Some equipment may not have the sensors needed for CM. In this case, the asset has to be equipped with sensors and tied into the control system. “The possibilities are really endless and depend on the type of asset being monitored,” points out Gurney. “Because of this, a crucial step is evaluating what assets really need to be monitored and how. The question is what assets put my processing line at greatest risk. In many cases this may not be known, and that is where data gathered from existing control hardware can help.” Critical areas where a CM solution could be usefully employed include: mechanical systems for vibration and current monitoring; pneumatic systems for temperature, pressure, condensation, air flow and filter monitoring; hydraulic systems for oil pressure, temperature, level, flow, accumulator and filter monitoring; and electrical systems for power quality and temperature monitoring. Gurney says several options exist for analyzing data. “In many cases, data can be fed directly into a computerized maintenance management software system, and the data never needs to be directly presented to maintenance personnel,” he says. “Companies will also offer to take on this function for customers—where they analyze the data directly and work with the maintenance staff or with thirdparty mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical specialists.” The other critical element of a CM solution is measuring the results. “Overall equipment effectiveness determines gains recognized by a CM solution,” he explains. “Having this data prior to the CM implementation will deliver quantifiable data on the improvements when viewed before and after the project.” www.controlglobal.com N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 CT1011_28_38_CoverStory.indd 30 10/26/10 11:20 AM © 2009 Swagelok Company he el ne he he g ur In addition to tube fittings, we also make valves, regulators, filters, and happier customers. swa4778-02_Control_AR_20090709.indd 1 CT1011_full page ads.indd 31 Contrary to what you may think, we’re much more than a tube fitting company. And we have our obsession with Customer Focus to thank for that. Yes, we’re known throughout the world for our tube fittings. And yes, we’ve been at it for over 60 years. But when companies are looking harder than ever for greater value, it’s our broad range of products, including orbital welders, modular systems, and a complete line of hose, that helps us offer more than you expect. See for yourself at swagelok.com/moreproducts. 7/9/09 10:58:39 AM 10/22/10 3:11 PM Condition Monitoring mediate attention, but the existing (www.invensys.com) “The monitoring procedures were time-consuming, and approach had several drawbacks. “Dangerous conditions could evolve the cause of problems couldn’t always quickly and undetected, increasing the be determined immediately. Alarms likelihood of costly unplanned outages,” were also repetitive and didn’t reflect notes Isauro Martinez-Cairo, director problems that a combination of condiEthernetio_Half_CM.ai 3:53:29 PM tions might have triggered.” at Invensys Operations5/5/2010 Management A C R O M A G E T H E R N E T I / O S O L U T I O N S Dependable Value. C 7-YEAR WARRANTY M Y CM MY CY CMY K Industrial-Strength Ethernet I/O With High-Density Efficiency Some may say that we’ve over-engineered these products. We say they’re engineered to exceed your expectations and live up to our 50-year reputation for performance, reliablity and value. Better I/O means more uptime and productivity. Higher-density means a lower cost per channel. • BusWorks® I/O provides compact monitoring and control for applications with fewer channels • EtherStax® I/O is a ruggedized, high-density solution to interface a lot of analog or discrete I/O Acromag Signal Conditioning Solutions Transmitters Signal Isolators www.acromag.com • All trademarks are the property of their owners. CT1011_28_38_CoverStory.indd 32 Hig h Reliabil it y Media Redund ancy For a copy of our white pape paper on redundant d d t Ethernet Eth t I/O, I/O visit i www.acromag.com/ethernetio 8B I/O Modules sales@acromag.com • 877-295 -7066 Invensys helped Vectren achieve a better solution by implementing Avantis Condition Manager, an automated CM software solution. It tracks the performance of assets to determine exactly when maintenance should be performed, generating alerts as conditions are triggered. Staff receive warnings when conditions begin to degrade, enabling them to perform maintenance as needed, rather than as dictated by an arbitrary schedule. This reduces unplanned downtime, and enables a highly effective predictive and proactive maintenance strategy. “The preventive maintenance functionality alone provides enough savings to pay for the entire implementation,” reports Scott Brown, a reliability engineer at Vectren. “Instead of wasting an engineer’s time reviewing charts, that engineer is freed to do other tasks.” Marathon Oil (www.marathon.com) had a similar problem. Marathon operates the East Brae gas platform in the North Sea, 165 miles northeast of Aberdeen, Scotland, and it had an aging vibration monitoring system that monitored and reported on the condition of the equipment. The former system was rapidly becoming obsolete, so Marathon turned to Rockwell Automation (www. rockwellautomation.com) for an upgrade. The first phase of the work was replacing the vibration systems on the three gas export compressors, and installing Allen-Bradley XM Series intelligent I/O modules (Figure 3). These modules process, in real-time, critical parameters used to assess the health of the rotating machinery on the platform. The condition monitoring system predicts the future health of the machines, providing machinery protection where needed. Results of the upgrade included more reliable vibration monitoring and improved reliability and availability of the compressors. Advanced Monitoring We’ve discussed a few examples of companies replacing older CM and 10/26/10 11:20 AM Filters Regulators Lubricators Filter/regulator combos Relief valves Get best prices on ALL the components you need to complete a pneumatic control system! Directional solenoid valves and mainfolds The NITRA family now includes rugged directional solenoid valves and air prep components: • Solenoid valves with 24 VDC or 120 VAC control voltages, starting at $16.75 • Regulators in ranges of 20-130 psi or 7-60 psi start at $17.00 CHECK OUT OUR PRICES ON PNEUMATICS • Mist-type air lubricators start at $12.25 AutomationDirect MSC Product Description McMaster-Carr NITRA • Air filters start at $11.25 Directional Solenoid Valve $84.81 $60.78 $26.75 5-port, 4-way, 2-position, 1/4” NPT, 84470475 6124K513 AVS-5312-24D Other NITRA components available in the most popular styles and sizes • • • • • Stainless Steel cylinders and switches Polyurethane and nylon tubing Most popular fittings Meter-in, -out, and inline flow control valves Stop, check and manual hand valves 24 VDC, single solenoid Combination Filter/Regulator 1/4” NPT, gauge, mounting bracket $29.00 AFR-3233 $115.47 42007401 $72.76 7390K17 Grainger $90.15 3JCN6 $104.20 4ZK92 All prices are U.S. published prices. Many other part numbers are available from all vendors. Items are closest equivalents; some minor differences may exist. Automationdirect prices are from October 2010 Price List. MSC prices are from www.mscdirect.com 9/6/10. McMaster-Carr prices are from www.mcmaster.com 9/6/10. Grainger prices are from www.grainger.com 9/6/10. Prices subject to change without notice. www.automationdirect.com/pneumatic-parts www.automationdirect.com Go online or call to get complete information, request your free catalog, or place an order. 1-800-633-0405 CT1011_full page ads.indd 33 10/22/10 3:12 PM OCT10 Under Pressure? Count on Meriam. New M200 Pressure Ranges! M1500 Digital Pressure Transmitters! Meriam’s M200 line of digital manometers has been expanded to better meet your needs! Meriam’s Digital Transmitters deliver the best accuracy possible to your control or data acquisition systems. Absolute Barometer Differential Gauge Vacuum Compound Absolute Zero • • • • • • • • ±0.05% FS (opt. ±0.025%) over -20º to +50º C 8 NEW Compound ranges, -14.7 to 3000 PSIG 5 dry DP ranges from 10” to 2000” H2O 7 wet DP ranges from 1 to 500 PSID 8 Gauge ranges from 15 to 3000 PSIG 4 Absolute ranges from 17 to 1000 PSIA Intrinsically Safe option Selectable engineering units New M330 OEM Pressure Instruments! Meriam Model M330 is a highly accurate, fully compensated, digital pressure measurement instrument designed to be tightly integrated into your systems. Ideal for integrators and designers familiar with C/C++, Visual Basic or LabVIEW® programming over UART or I2C hardware layers. Apply Meriam’s 25 years of digital pressure measurement expertise to your OEM solution! • UART or I2C • ±0.025% F.S. (typ) • No temp. effect from -20º to +50º C • Gauge, Compound, Differential or Absolute • -14.7 to 3000 PSI • Field re-calibration • Optional second pressure sensor • Contact factory for custom configurations • ±0.025% F.S. (typical) over -20º to +50º C temperature range • RS-232, RS-485 or USB communication • Program with Meriam Serial Protocol, Modbus or LabVIEW® • USB also powers the M1500 • Gauge, Compound, Differential and Absolute Pressure for -14.7 to 3000 PSI • Field re-calibration • DIN rail or panel mounting LabVIEW® is a registered trademark of National Instruments. M201 Enhanced Rotary Gas Meter Tester! Meriam’s M201 has new features to make drop testing Rotary Natural Gas Meters even easier! • Live pressure readings in Measure Mode • Live pressure readings during test period • Drop Test Mode automatically times test • Final test time and average DP display • New equalizing options for integral push-to-read valve or quarter turn valve manifold • Pete’s Plug kits available LabVIEW® is a registered trademark of National Instruments. Meriam Process Technologies; 10920 Madison Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102 Main Line: 216.281.1100 CT1011_full page ads.indd 34 Fax: 216.281.0228 www.meriam.com Email: sales@meriam.com 10/22/10 3:13 PM Condition Monitoring Under Pressure To Calibrate Faster? Powerful Condition Monitoring The installation at Centro Energia Teverola’s 150-MW combined cycle cogeneration power plant in Teverola, Italy, near Naples, illustrates two key aspects of modern condition monitoring (CM) and asset management systems. First, it may not matter what kind of new or legacy control system is installed at your plant because modern CM software packages can work with almost any system. Second, you don’t have to develop specific knowledge about CM because outside services exist that will analyze the data and recommend best courses of action. Centro Energia had a legacy Bailey Infi-90 control system with 5000 I/O, and it wanted to monitor clogging problems with inlet filters on its gas turbines as well as other operations. The data Centro Energia needed to analyze was already being collected by the control system, so all the company had to do was install Emerson Process Management’s AMS Performance Monitor software and contract for Emerson’s remote analysis services. It’s necessary to monitor the gradual deterioration in filter performance and calculate the cost of the resulting reduction in turbine performance. By comparing this with the cost of the maintenance required, the most appropriate point to replace the blocked filter can be determined. But Centro Energia doesn’t make the determination: Filter and other data from Teverola is transmitted to Emerson’s performance monitoring center of expertise in Teesside, in northeastern England, where experienced engineers analyze the data and produce reports showing performance. These reports can be accessed via any standard web browser, and are based on thermodynamic models developed for each machine. In addition to the online information, Emerson also provides advice about the operational efficiency of machinery. Existing or potential problems are highlighted, as well as new opportunities to improve overall efficiency. Vincenzo Piscitelli, general manager, Centro Energia Teverola, says, “We can assess the effectiveness and economic return of our maintenance activities, which allows us to determine what maintenance work is required to improve equipment performance.” This improved planning has also enabled Centro Energia Teverola to reduce average repair times from seven hours to two hours. Make Connections Fast, Calibrate Faster! • For transmitters, control valve actuators and pressure sensing instruments • No wrenches or thread sealants • Eliminates thread damage • Reduces contamination risks • Twist-to-connect and handle actuated connectors save time • Leak-tight sealing to 5000 psi guaranteed • 1/8" to 1/2" NPT, AN37˚ flare and metric with additional sizes available • For recessed and side manifold ports, NPT threads and conduit FasTest FasCal Kits The connectors you need in one service case. www.fastestinc.com 800.444.2373 Free Calibration Brochure! FT-536C Under Pressure to Calibrate Faster_Control.indd 1 CT1011_28_38_CoverStory.indd 35 7/30/10 2:36 PM 10/26/10 11:20 AM Condition Monitoring articles/2010/WorkersUnchained1004. html), we discussed how wireless technology makes it easy to add assets to a CM system and eliminates the need for operators to walk around the plant with a data logger. Most of the major process control Photo courtesy of Rockwell Automation manual systems, and the rush may be on. As asset management and CM hardware and software become less expensive and easier to use, it pays companies to invest in the technology. For example, in our April 2010 cover story (www.controlglobal.com/ CM goes to sea Figure 3: Marathon Oil gathers data with Rockwell Automation’s intelligent I/O modules to monitor the operation of gas compressors on this platform in the North Sea. Beamex® MC5 Fieldbus Calibrator Fieldbus transmitters must also be calibrated. The Beamex® MC5 Fieldbus Calibrator is a combination of a Multifunction Calibrator and a Fieldbus Configurator. The MC5 is a compact, easy-to-use and field compatible calibration solution that offers a lot of functionality. The MC5 can be used for various other calibrations as well. Portable calibrators Workstations Calibration software Professional services Industry solutions CT1011_28_38_CoverStory.indd 36 www.beamex.com info@beamex.com system vendors understand the need for CM and offer packages that work with their control systems. Or, as we saw in the Centro Energia case, their software works with other vendors’ new and legacy systems as well. Some exotic technology is available to solve tough problems. Tony Amato, president of Swantech (www. swantech.cwfc.com), Falls Church, Va., a systems integrator and supplier of CM technology, explains how one company diagnosed problems with a stress wave energy (SWE) analyzer. “The company detected increased stress wave energy on a bottoms pump for a distillation column. The system had been in place for more than a year, and the SWE had been trending low and consistent during that time. By correlating increases in SWE to historical process data, the customer found the increases in SWE coincided with decreased and/ or erratic pump f low. Further analyzing the differential pressure and 10/26/10 11:21 AM OCT10-CAT (CM).qxd:CONTROL DESIGN 9/13/10 3:40 PM Page 1 t s e B The l o o T p Deskto When you need breadth of product for a wide range of applications… Turn to the 2011 Allied Catalog. • Over 20,000 New Products • Over 120,000 Product Solutions • Over 300 World Class Suppliers • Enhanced Automation & Control Section Order your 2011 Allied Catalog today! THINK ALLIED SM 1.800.433.5700 © Allied Electronics, Inc 2010. ‘Allied Electronics’ and the Allied Electronics logo are trademarks of Allied Electronics, Inc. CT1011_full page ads.indd 37 An Electrocomponents Company. 10/22/10 3:15 PM Condition Monitoring Keep Your Process Flowing with our proven solutions KING-GAGE ES2 Liquid Level Transmitter new slimline design embodies robust protection against a full range of environmental challenges such as extreme washdown practices, aggressive cleaning agents, and extreme humidity. • Flush mount slimline design • Loop powered (4-20 mA output) • Suitable for washdown (IP68 rated connections) KING-GAGE LP3 Tank Level System simplifies process control integration, inventory monitoring, and even shares data plant wide via Ethernet. Now with data logging for reporting and compliance monitoring. • Monitor up to 32 tanks • 10.4" color touch screen HMI display • Data logging and Ethernet connectivity To learn more call or visit our website. 800-242-8871 734-662-5691 King Engineering Corporation Ann Arbor, MI Fax 734-662-6652 Advantages of Condition Monitoring Challenges of Condition Monitoring 1.Reduces downtime 2.Improves performance 3.Allows proactive instead of reactive maintenance 4.Identifies problems before they occur 5.Uncovers difficult to discover issues 6.Pays for itself quickly 1. Finding time and personnel to implement and operate 2.Integrating different hardware systems 3.Integrating different software systems 4.Coordinating efforts across operations and maintenance departments 5.Obtaining initial and ongoing funding the column level indicated the problem was fouling in the column packing or trays, leading to increased stress on the bottoms pump. The column was inspected and fouling was present. Following cleaning, SWE returned to normal levels,” explains Amato. Gurney of Concept Systems says companies should consider two underused technologies: statistical process control (SPC) and digital video recorders (DVRs). “SPC tools offer better data analysis and earlier, more accurate detection of problems,” he explains. “Small variances, oftentimes operating within normal high/low limits, reveal equipment issues well before catastrophic failure.” As for DVRs, Gurney says they offer the ultimate troubleshooting device by giving personnel the ability to record processing lines when upset conditions or downtime are detected. “This way, plant personnel can go back and look at the video captured during these events and determine the root cause of the problem,” he says. As CM capabilities increase and costs come down, the challenge for many will be finding the time to install and operate these systems. Despite proven payback, plant personnel often are so burdened with day-to-day operation that they can’t find the time to use proven CM tools. Lack of skilled personnel to analyze and interpret condition monitoring data is another continuing challenge. A solution may be off-site analysis of CM data by third-party suppliers, with actionable data provided to plant personnel on an exception basis as is the case with Centro Energia’s use of Emerson’s off-site analysis services. State-of-the-art CM is still not easy or inexpensive, but it’s also not an insurmountable challenge, and the expense and effort are well-spent when weighed against the cost of downtime for critical assets. Dan Heber t is Control’s senior technical editor CT1008 www.king-gage.com CT1011_28_38_CoverStory.indd 38 10/26/10 11:21 AM INTRODUCING THE Vantage Combination Measurement System The VEGAMAG Vantage utilizes VEGAPULS through-air radar to report level by tracking the float, which is also coupled to the magnetic level indicator. An optional full port ball valve provides isolation in order to take the gauge out of service without interrupting the process. Constructed in a 2” schedule 40 pipe as standard, the Vantage’s small profile fits into nearly any mounting arrangement. The Vantage is ideal for processes with low dielectric constant values, flashing, foaming, or in light hydrocarbons. Key Specifications • -328 to 842°F (-200 to 450°C) operating temperature • Up to 2,320 psi (160 bar) operating pressure • Visual indication from up to 200 ft • SIL2 Qualified (IEC 61508/61511 Standards) • Compliant with ASME B31.1/31.3 Standards 877.411.VIZE | info@vizellc.com | www.vizellc.com CT1011_full page ads.indd 39 10/22/10 3:16 PM Isn’t it time to evolve? We Think So. Engineering on the Cloud for: HMI SCADA Business Intelligence Real Time Dashboard OPC Applications Facility Automation Factory Automation Smart Grid Enterprise Energy Management Tatsoft’s FactoryStudio provides highly evolved design solutions for process automation applications inlcluding HMI, SCADA, and real time business intelligence. High speed, fully integrated database? Yep. Game worthy graphical interfaces? Got that, too. Built in historian, trend, report generator. All on fully managed code in a .NET framework. Plus, we’re the irst automation solution to offer both on premise and on the cloud collaboration, so your team can work together on the same project anywhere or everywhere in the world, saving time, money and frustration. Evolve your solutions today. Start at www.Tatsoft.com CT1011_full page ads.indd 40 10/22/10 3:41 PM AdVANCED PROCESS CONTROL Goodyear Gives Variability a One-Two Punch Advanced process control lets a refinery’s staff optimize their isoprene unit’s distillation process, balance operating parameters, save energy and reduce product loss. It takes plenty of raw materials and energy to make rubber for tires but managing all those feedstocks and handling all that energy can be changeable and difficult. For example, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s largest U.S. chemical plant in Beaumont, Texas, produces huge amounts of rubber and C5 high-purity isoprene, but it had been facing ongoing hurdles in its high-purity monomer recovery unit, according to Kaylynn Johnston, Goodyear Chemical’s senior engineer. “We have fluctuations in feed composition, and this leads to variability in our operations, which means we may need to compensate with changes in temperature or other setpoints,” says Johnston. “The Beaumont plant also is Goodyear’s largest energy consumer, and our C5 refinery and its distillation columns are the plant’s largest energy consumer, mainly due to the all the steam they use. Because of these challenges, we thought advanced process control (APC) could help.” Johnston and Jon Cimino, of Emerson sales representative Scallon Controls, presented “Sustaining and Extending Advanced Control Value in an Operating Plant” at Emerson Process Management’s recent Global Users Exchange 2010. Johnston reports that the C5 refinery’s main operating challenges include: • A product purification unit that involves multiple distillation trains with 11 columns, both conventional and extractive; • Ultra-high purity product specifications that require very tight quality controls; • Multiple large, 200+ tray columns that result in extremely long time constants; • Different feedstock suppliers with different qualities;. • Large energy demands and complex production requirements; and • Safety margins required to compensate for disturbances in feed quality. by Jim Montague As part of a DeltaV migration project at the Beaumont plant, Goodyear also implemented Emerson’s SmartProcess distillation optimizer, which uses embedded DeltaV APC, and has on-line key performance indicator (KPI) calculations. SmartProcess includes reusable applications that can be pre-engineered and used multiple times. They include a combination of DeltaV composite blocks, modules and templates, APC tools like PredictPro and Neural, DeltaV graphics, documentation tools, sample configurations, and a simple dynamic simulator. The project also included Emerson’s APC Consulting Services, functional designs, control performance audits and implementation assistance. First Project: Balancing Distillation The initial phase only covered the first column in the series, to gradually give the plant’s staff experience with APC technology, nurture operator acceptance, and show APC’s value to Goodyear’s management. APC will be added in later phases and other C5 columns by Goodyear’s engineers themselves with support from Emerson’s APC consultants. “At first, the C5 refinery’s operators were uncomfortable with APC, but the engineers explained its strategic value to them, and this helped their comfort level,” says Cimino. “It also helped as the operators got more run-time experience with the APC tools. The dynamic simulator in SmartProcess was helpful, too. For example, we wanted to know ahead of time about controller loading issues, and the simulation showed us that controller loading wouldn’t be a problem.” N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 www.controlglobal.com CT1011_41_45_Feature2.indd 41 41 10/26/10 10:25 AM Orion - Harsh Conditions:Control3 10/18/10 3:40 PM Page 1 LIQUID LEVEL MEASUREMENT When the going gets tough, the tough get an Orion. Orion level gauges take on the toughest measurement challenges in the world’s harshest conditions. O rion level controls are built tough. Our Aurora Magnetic Level Indicator (MLI) combines floatoperated and leading-edge electronic measurement in a single, redundant indicator. Orion MLIs not only serve industry’s most demanding applications and environments, they’re built to thrive in these extremes. Learn more about new or replacement solutions in liquid level indication at orioninstruments.com. • Onshore/Offshore Oil & Gas • Oil and Gas Refining • Thermal & Nuclear Power • Chemical Processing Moving into our new Baton Rouge state-of-the-art production/office facility in January 2011 CT1011_full page ads.indd 42 AURORA® Float-based level indicator with a redundant Guided Wave Radar transmitter ATLAS™ Float-based Magnetic Level Indicator (MLI) JUPITER® Float-based Magnetostrictive level transmitter shown mounted to an Atlas MLI 6646 Complex Drive • Baton Rouge, LA 70809 1-866-556-7466 • info@orioninstruments.com 10/22/10 3:44 PM AdVANCED PROCESS CONTROL Goodyear also used SmartProcess’ Distillation Control Module, which includes standard distillation calculations, module library, predict block and pre-configured neural blocks. “The first column in the C5 refinery separates chemical components based on different boiling points. Tray temperatures reflect composition on that tray, but they need to be compensated for pressure. As a result, control strategies are based on ‘what comes in must go out,’ and so we need material balance of overhead and feed ratio and an energy balance of reflux and feed ratio,” explains Johnston. (Figure 1) To optimize the distillation column, Johnston and her colleagues use SmartProcess’ function blocks to set objectives for manipulated variables (MVs), controlled variables (CVs) and constraints for overall objective functions, and then view them all in the software’s optimizer window. “We were able to set minimums or maximums for critical variable, and also prioritize those variables,” adds Johnston. “We also could establish target setpoints for the column, and calculate setpoint for multiple variables.” When Goodyear turned its newly optimized controllers on, it immediately gained positive results. “Because the column consumes so much energy, Goodyear’s engineers wanted to minimize steam use and reduce the amount of product going out of the overhead,” adds Johnson. “Once it was optimized, the controller immediately started reducing distillate rate and overhead (OH) concentration. Average product loss via OH was approximately 22%. Product impurities were within specifications, and there were new opportunities to reduce safety margin. And, we reduced overall steam use by 7%.” Second Project: Optimizing Extraction The second project’s challenge was to optimize the C5 column’s extractive distillation system for isoprene, which involves four variables. “The tempera- CT1011_41_45_Feature2.indd 43 ture setpoint needs to be such that the sidedraw contains most of the impurities, but not too much product,” says Johnston. “We first need good information for our manipulated variables, and then we can run tests in manual or automatic.” (Figure 2) These process variables include MVs, CVs, disturbance variables (DVs) and constraints: • M Vs consist of controller setpoints written to by the model-predictive controller (MPC). For example, they can include first-column, A center-driven winder drive that runs without encoders? Absolutely. SIs, OEMs, Users tell us they also control induction (open loop or closed loop), servo or permanent magnet motors – making the ACSM1 the most adaptable center-driven Winder Drive in the market. No encoders required for precise load control. Plus, a removable firmware/parameter memory module (which means that, if the power unit or control unit is replaced, the drive can be re-commissioned by you, in minutes, with identical settings). Get started at http://www.drivesanswers.com/223 or call ABB at (262) 785-3200. ABB, Inc. Discrete Automation and Motion New Berlin, WI Tel: 800-365-4357 10/26/10 10:25 AM DRE-26 Control 6/15/10 3:00 PM Page 1 The “Big Easy” comes to guided wave radar. Easy to install. Easy to set up. Easy to use. All at an affordable price. TDR technology doesn’t get any simpler than our new Impulse level sensor. Just input tank height, material type and blocking height, then set your lower/upper range values. D ® K On the tank or on the bench, set-up’s a snap using its onboard keypad display or a laptop using HARTWin software. Plus, Impulse level technology’s low price brings Drexelbrook quality and reliability within easy reach. And its rugged housing design makes it an easy choice for tougher environments. X E L BROO RE All this, backed by an industryleading 2-year warranty plus 50 years of Drexelbrook experience 1960 - 2010 and performance. ANNIVERSARY Could your decision be any easier? Learn more at 800-553-9092 or: www.drexelbrook.com CT1011_full page ads.indd 44 10/22/10 3:46 PM Bottoms Main Product ADVANCED PROCESS CONTROL Complicated OH condenser system TI Temperature SP needs to be such that the sidedraw contains most of the impurities but not too much product LC Lt Ends Impurities This flow sets the material balance (D/F) Feed 2 Feed 1 At constant OH rate, this temp sets the energy balance (R/F). TC MV Product Before APC Impurities Feed TC Steam After APC FC Solvent Bottoms Main Product FIRST PROJECT PROCESS OVERVIEW Rolling AVG Product Loss CV Solvent Btms product returned to previous column SECOND PROJECT PROCESS OVERVIEW 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Days BIG SAVINGS Figure 1: The first distillation column in the C5 Figure 2: This process involves a very active, two-col- Figure 3: Among the two projects’ multiple refinery/isoprene unit at Goodyear’s plant umn extractive distillation system, which was opti- gains, the second’s advanced process separates components based on different mized using manipulated variables (MVs), controlled control (APC) greatly reduced product loss boiling points. variables (CVs) disturbance variables (DVs) and in the C5 refinery/isoprene unit’s distillation constraints. process. Temperature SP needs to be such that the sidedraw contains most of the impurities but not too much product CV Feed MV TC FC Steam Solvent side-draw temperature setpoints. concentration in the purge stream. Overhead product qualRolling AVG Product Loss • CVs include process variables to be maintained at a speity was not negatively impacted. We reduced product losses Product Impurities cific value or set point, such as column OH pressure. by 7,000 pounds per day. And we reduced energy consump• DVs are measured variables that may also affect the tion a moderate amount,” adds Johnston. (Figure 3) Before APC value of controlled variables, such as solvent concentraTo maintain its new APC tools and system in the future, tion, feed flowrate, reflux remperatures and first-column Goodyear may need to change the limit ranges of its manipOH pressure. ulated, controlled or constraint variables if feed rate or comAfter APC Solvent • Constraints (LV) are variables that must be kept within position change significantly. “We may also need to tweak or Btms product returned to an operating range, such as product stream impurity rebuild our models at some point, and we might need to reprevious column 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 level and percent of product in the impurity stream. generate the controller to adjust performance versus robustDays Models were developed for the four process variables, and ness, such as in ‘penalty on move’ versus ‘penalty on error’ Goodyear’s engineers used their own knowledge to adjust situations,” she concludes. the models’ parameters. Actual process data were then used Goodyear plans to install SmartProcess Distillation modto validate the models. ule and APC models on its additional distillation columns Johnston said the modeling and tuning resulted in im- in the C5 refinery process unit, and explore the potential for proved temperature control, further reduced product loss, using APC in other units on non-distillation applications. and improved impurity levels. “The new control scheme in Jim Montague is Control’s executive editor our second project also reduced the rate and the product Rolling AVG Product Loss Before APC After APC 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Days CT1011_41_45_Feature2.indd 45 VibIO_Con_Nov10 o.indd 1 10/26/10 10:26 AM AM 10/18/10 10:52 When Precision Means Everything. At Badger Meter, we’re continually focused on enhancing our product offerings to be even more accurate, more precise and more effective for your most critical and demanding applications. From chemical and food and beverage processing to research, Badger Meter can provide a standard or custom-designed control valve to help improve every application. Every time. 800-656-3837 | www.badgermeter.com/valvefam23.aspx © 2010 Badger Meter, Inc. CT1011_full page ads.indd 46 High Performance Solutions 10/22/10 3:48 PM Valves TurnAround Because they serve in the vital junctions of every process application, valves get plenty of attention in the form of upgraded designs, improved transmitters, enhanced diagnostics, better networking and new safety functions. Everyone must love valves because they’re always trying to of steam per hour for two nearby soda-ash (sodium carbonhelp them out. As a result, for a basic and traditional piece ate) production plants. (Figure 1). The feedwater is obtained of hardware, valves get more attention than your average from the River Dane, cooled and pre-treated to remove any algae or silt, then passed through one of the six starlet. Some fans bring technical fixes to the valves and actuators themselves, but more often by Jim Montague filters before being sent to a holding tank. Consequently, E.ON installed an 8-in. Fisher than not, lately this parade of assistance includes more capable and wireless transmitters, improved diagnos- Control-Disk rotary valve from Emerson Process Management (www.emersonproces.com) to replace its original buttics components and software and many other accessories. Truth to tell, however, valves get so much affection be- terfly valve. Control-Disk’s thicker disk profile and true cause their users’ applications and continued employment equal-percentage characteristics enable it to adapt to changdepend on them and because they also wear down, hinder ing process conditions and provide control over a wide range. performance and even break with startling regularity. Even The valve provides 15% to 70% travel without compromising valves that are less in the spotlight, such as those in safety or capacity, which is a big improvement compared to standard emergency-shutdown settings, usually get regular check-ups butterfly valve designs that offer 25% to 50% of travel. E.ON adds its new rotary valves dramatically improved and updates for obvious reasons. its backwash flow control without compromising capacity at peak demand. Since it was installed, the plant hasn’t lost Butterfly to Rotary Sometimes true devotion to valves is expressed in a sim- any filter media or experienced any downtime due to waple redesign or shift to a new method that better serves a ter filter problems. “The Fisher Control-Disk valve not only given application. For instance, E.ON’s combined heat and controls the backwash flow rate more accurately, but when power (CHP) plant in Northwich, Cheshire, U.K., used to 100% open, it delivers a flow rate adequate to meet the water have problems with backwash flows when air scouring and plant’s demands without restrictions. Its performance and backwashing the six filters used to pre-treat feedwater for its reliability led to savings of £3500 a year and enabled us to make-up boiler. The original butterfly valve used in this pro- improve our customer service,” says Neil Price, E.ON’s imcess couldn’t provide a steady flow rate, causing media to be provement and performance coordinator. Though necessary to maintain production, profitabillost through the filters. As a result, the filter media had to be ity and safety, valve redesigns and technical shifts still can replaced or refilled at an average cost of £3500 a year. E.ON’s CHP facility in Northwich is one of the largest of be jarring to plant-floor staff, so they understandably avoid its type in the U.K. It generates 130 megawatts of electricity them as long as possible. To ease these transitions, K-Tork for local residents and can supply approximately 500 tons Actuators and Controls (www.ktork.com) reports that trainN O V E M B E R / 2 0 1 0 www.controlglobal.com CT1011_47_50_Feature3.indd 47 47 10/26/10 10:29 AM VA LV E S ing remains vital to making sure users are comfortable with, believe in and can see improvements from their new valves. “The best way is to ship a new product and send a qualified technician to demonstrate it in the user’s own pipeline,” says Jeff Butler, K-Tork’s field services technician and project manager. “Three or four years ago, I was at Pacificorp’s coalfired power station in Huntington, Utah, where they were changing out 88 actuators and drives on their combustion air control process, and the training impressed their staff with how easy the replacements were to set up. In fact, they were able to do it on their own from the first day. Traditional positions take about 15 minutes to calibrate, but the new smart positioners took about 5 minutes each.” Smarter Means Safer One of the most significant evolutions in valve technology lately has been its growing links to more sophisticated diagnostics and supporting software via fieldbuses, Ethernet and now wireless networking. And, despite some initial reluctance, these ties are proving they can help valves function better and at least as safely as their traditional counterparts. BATTLING BACKWASH Figure 1: To better clean filters that pre-treat water from the River Dane, E.ON’s combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Northwich, Cheshire, U.K., switched from butterfly to rotary valves in its air scouring and backwash process. “ We Deliver ToTal QualiTy.” Failure is not an option in a Cashco valve or regulator application. Your business and our reputation depend on total quality and reliability. That’s why every Cashco employee is involved in our ISO 9001:2000 Quality Assurance Program. It’s why we test every unit to ensure 100 percent product functionality before it leaves the factory. And it’s the reason the return rate on Cashco warranted products is less than one percent. Holly Fries, Inside Sales Engineer 4 Years Industry Experience www.cashco com Innovative Solutions CAS-181A.indd 1 CT1011_47_50_Feature3.indd 48 Cashco, Inc., P.O. Box 6, Ellsworth, KS 67439-0006, Ph. (785) 472-4461, Fax: (785) 472-3539 11/25/08 11:43:32 AM 10/26/10 10:30 AM CT1011_full page ads.indd 49 10/22/10 3:52 PM Va lv e s Historically speaking, Eric van Gemeren, vice president of R&D for Flowserve’s (www.flowserve.com) valve division, says valve actuators and positioners are at an evolutionary inflection point because users are waking up to three major changes in their applications and businesses. “First, many petrochemical and power facilities are losing older technicians, so a lot of diagnostic competency and knowledge is walking out the door,” says van Gemeren. “Second, there’s more heightened awareness of the need for safety and security in process applications because of recent incidents. And, third, the technology and costs of valve technologies are changing dramatically, so that now it’s possible to add awareness affordably to even the simple devices that move valves up and down. This allows more actuators and positioners to be placed in more critical points and then give users more useful information than before. As a result, many actuators and positioners are taking on roles that some operators and technicians used to do.” Likewise, when an automation upgrade project at La Vertiente gas plant in the Villamontes tropical zone in Bolivia required implementation of motorized valve equipment with Safety Integrity Level 2 (SIL 2) certification, the CT1011_47_50_Feature3.indd 50 plant’s engineers researched and settled on using 31 of Rotork Fluid Systems’ (www.rotork.com) spring-return failsafe, quarter-turn, Scotch-yoke, pneumatic actuator packages with mechanical, partial-stroke test capabilities. Owned by BG Bolivia, La Vertiente processes gas from the remote Escondido, Los Suris, Palo Marcado and La Vertiente gas fields, and supplies natural gas and stabilized condensate to YPFB, the country’s national hydrocarbon company. The new actuators are installed on emergency shutdown (ESD) valves in La Vertiente’s most critical processing areas. Their applications consist of hydrocarbon condensates and water, leaving the raw gas separators, glycol and hot oil in the regenerator, and natural gas throughout many of these processes, including the gas inlet manifold and the power gas for the compressors. Besides providing La Vertiente with its new, more capable actuators, Rotork also supplied 28 CPrange and three GP-range, SIL 2, actuated-ball-valve packages. These were delivered by Prosertec, Rotork’s representative in Bolivia, which also provided on-site support with installation, commissioning and start-up. Jim Montague is Control’s executive editor. 10/26/10 10:31 AM CntrlProdMigration_Ad.qxd:CntrlProdMigration_Ad 10/17/08 9:19 AM Page 1 GE Energy This won’t take long. A controls migration from GE Energy makes it fast and easy to upgrade your Mark* IV or Mark V control system, with less disruption to your operation. Our innovative migration packages enable you to retain more of your existing infrastructure without impacting onsite wiring or turbine devices—minimizing critical installation time and cost. The migration embeds our most advanced Mark VIe technology into your GE legacy control system, providing a seamless path for future enhancements and life cycle support. Improved performance software capability offers faster and more efficient maintenance using one modern tool for organizing networks, I/O devices, processors, diagnostics—and gives you the advantage by using our OEM knowledge, experience, and quality service to streamline your migration process. For faster migration with less downtime, call your local controls sales contact, or visit www.ge-energy.com/controlsystems. * Mark is a trademark of the General Electric Company. CT1011_full page ads.indd 51 10/22/10 3:53 PM What are the best choices for the future of my APACS+ system? You have the choice, we have the options. Let Siemens show you how to fully protect the investment in your current APACS+ system. By supporting you through 2020, Siemens provides a range of modernization options to keep your plant productive and up-to-date with the fast-paced changes in the marketplace today. Learn more about available products and solutions for your APACS+ and QUADLOG systems by visiting us online at www.usa.siemens.com/apacs2020. Answers for industry. APACS_Ad_1_Control_Nov_2010.indd 1 CT1011_full page ads.indd 52 9/21/2010 1:12:14 PM 10/22/10 3:55 PM T E C H N I C A L LY S P E A K I N G Intrinsic Safety Often the Best Option Installing electrical and automation panels in hazardous areas requires use of one of three protection methods: explosion-proofing (Exd), purge and pressurization (Exp) or intrinsic safety (IS). Exd contains the pressure of the explosion, and then cools it through a critical flame path to a level that will not ignite the surrounding environment. Exp protects the environment by segregating hazardous material from the ignition source before equipment is powered. First, explosive mixtures are purged from the enclosure; then a positive pressure is maintained inside the enclosure to insure hazardous gasses do not propagate back in during operation. IS protection limits the energy entering the hazardous area to a level incapable of igniting the easiest ignitable concentrations of gas/air mixtures under fault conditions. “None of the protection methods can provide absolute certainty of preventing an explosion,” observes Robert Schosker, product manager for intrinsic safety and HART at Pepperl+Fuchs (www.pepperl-fuchs.com). “However, statistically, the probabilities are so low that not even one incident of an explosion has been verified when a standardized protection method has been properly installed and maintained.” Joe Zullo, IS business unit manager for the Americas at Cooper Crouse-Hinds MTL (www.cooperindustries.com), adds that, “The common methods of IS are Exia (safe under two faults) and Exib (safe under one fault). Though the United States and Canada do have zone classifications on the books, most installations fall under the division concept, which requires Exia equipment.” IS is feasible only when total power requirements are relatively low. Electrical distribution panels aren’t candidates for IS, nor are most analyzers and some instruments, all because of their relatively high power requirements. But, if the components in the panels have low powerneeds, then IS is often the best solution. “IS is the only method permissible in all classes, divisions and zones—and the only method accepted for Zone 0. No special wire, cable, enclosures, conduits, seal-offs or alarms are required. Hot maintenance is allowed. The flexibility and ease of installation and maintenance make it very effective for process control and measurement,” explains Zullo. Despite its advantages, IS isn’t widely used in some parts of the world. “IS is very popular in Europe and Asia, but not so much in the United States or the Middle East,” notes Rob Stockham, general manager of Moore Industries-Europe (www.miinet.com). Many observers chalk up the relatively low use of IS to nothing more than greater familiarity with other protection methods. If so, this prevents an opportunity for money saving in these areas by thinking outside the explosionproof and purged-enclosure boxes. “Relative to maintenance costs, intrinsic safety is the most advantageous because it allows live maintenance with no need for plant shutdown. Intrinsic safety is also more reliable because of the use of de-rated components as prescribed by the standards,” says Schosker. “Comparing the three most widely used protection methods, intrinsic safety is preferred for safety and reliability reasons. Intrinsic safety is also the most economical for installation and maintenance. The use of intrinsic safety provides the best mix of an affordable system and safety requirements.” Stockham seconds Schosker’s opinion, but adds some caveats. “With IS, there is never enough energy to initiate an explosion, so conventional panels, wiring and glands can be used. The costs of devices and installations can be less, and the devices can be accessed and worked on live,” explains Stockham. “However, IS systems have to be planned and designed using certified components matched to meet safe electrical system parameters. Not all devices can be made IS, and some site policies may prohibit mixing of protection methods to avoid confusion.” DAN Hebert Senior Technical Editor dheber t@putman.net Not one incident of an explosion has been verified when a standardized protection method has been properly installed and maintained. N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 www.controlglobal.com CT1011_53_TechSpeak.indd 53 53 10/25/10 12:57 PM ask the expertS Microprocessor Control of Remote Pipeline Sites “Ask the Experts” is moderated by Béla Lipták (http://belaliptakpe.com/), process control consultant and editor of the 3-volume Instrument Engineer’s Handbook (IEH). He is recruiting co-authors for the 5th edition now and welcomes contribution offers from qualified colleagues. Also, if you have questions for our team of experts, please send them to liptakbela@aol.com. Q I am working on a fun historical project and am trying to find information on the SCADA systems used on gas pipelines in the late 1970s and early 1980s. I have found a few articles, but because it is preInternet, information is sparse. In particular, I am looking for information on the RTU, MTU and compressor automation technologies used on projects that were installed on projects such as the Alaskan Pipeline: • Who manufactured these systems? In those days, the players seem to be companies like AGTL/NOVA, Baker and DATAP, not the ones we see today. • How was SCADA deployed and what were the design strategies? How active was the control at the MTU? How were critical systems like compressor control managed on the SCADA system? • What were the underlying processors and operating systems? This was pre-PC, so I guess VAX and 8080, but there were also HP projects from around then. Were most of the RTUs “home-grown” or did companies like Siemens have their early S-Series processors in this market? • What was considered leading-edge technology and who was working on it? Calgary had a very vibrant community of SCADA inventors. Does anyone know any of the people involved in those early projects? • Does anyone have ideas where else to ask? I was a very young engineer in those days and never really got involved in the SCADA technology from that period. After 1986, I have enough information, but by then the systems had started evolving to the PC-based systems we see today. Eric Byres P.Eng eric@byressecurit y.com A In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Modcomp computer systems were widely used in SCADA and pipeline systems. They are still in business, but no longer make computers. They competed against the Data General and Digital Equipment Co. (DEC). (Two more names that have not lasted.) I did software support on the Modcomp II computers running the Max 2 operating systems on the Alaskan pipeline. 54 The Modcomp systems were designed for real-time applications, including steel mills, nuclear power plants, refineries, chemical plants and pipelines. I had heard, but can’t confirm, that Modcomp received the business because Digital did not want to take the liabilities for running in these risky applications. In the SCADA system, the MTUs were PLCs that performed local control. They used radio transmitters and receivers connected to modems to send periodic updates (I seem to remember about 5 minutes or more) to the Modcomp II SCADA system. The SCADA system was implemented in Fortran (remember that language?), and was custom-built for the pipeline. The system provided pipeline operators with real-time visibility into the operation of the pumping stations and material flows and pressures. They could send commands to the MTUs and pumping stations using the same method for control. The Modcomp SCADA system sent its data to a corporate system that provided overall (across the U.S.) visibility of the status. I think this system was also custom-built for the company. Here is a link to information about Modcomp: www.cs.uiowa.edu/~jones/ modcomp/ Dennis Br andl DnBrandl@BRLConsulting.com A I worked for ModComp in the late 1970s. That was before the PLC era really started. I don’t know what equipment ModComp used for the RTUs then, but later they developed the Modex, a small ModComp CPU with integrated I/O. Before that, most of the RTUs were built from Computer Products I/O boards. One of the largest SCADA projects that I worked on was for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). They had RTUs with PDP-11 computers at every dam site. Each was equipped with a local control center, but connected by leased telephone lines to SCADA remote master stations. As I remember, this system with more than 100 remote and master nodes was supplied by a Swiss or German supplier with a proprietary communications protocol. The other SCADA system I remember was made by EMC, and was based on the DEC PDP-11 at first and the VAX later. Eventually, the RTU for this SCADA system was www.controlglobal.com N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 CT1011_54_55_ATE.indd 54 10/26/10 10:36 AM ask the expertS built with the TI-550 PLC, but later was switched to use one of the Siemens Simatic series after Siemens purchased the PLC division of Texas Instruments. Solar Energy CO2 CO2 Richard H. Caro, CAP E-mail: RCaro@CMC.us Q You wrote about the suitability of the process control principles to control the economy, the weather, the protection of our rivers, the stabilizing of global warming, etc. You also mentioned that the delayed conversion from exhaustible to inexhaustible energy sources can change the process of human evolution from a “continuous to a batch” one. What did you mean by that? Solar Energy Oxygen CO2 CO2 Food (Energy) Mammals Solar Energy Rain Evaporation Vegetation Oxygen Solar Energy Rain Organic Wastes Food (Energy) Evaporation Solar Energy Mostly Mammals Vegetation Oceans CO2 CO2 Untouched Organic Wastes Energy Deposits Oxygen Mostly Solar Energy Oceans Rain Fossil/U 235 Untouched Food (Energy) Evaporation Energy Rivers & Ground Water (H 0) 2 Mammals Vegetation Deposits Fossil/U Organic Wastes 235 Rivers & Ground Water (H20) Mostly Oceans Pre-industrial age until about 1700 AD this process was “continuous” Untouched CO2 CO2 Energy Deposits Fossil/U235 Solar Energy CO2 Oxygen Water (H20) Solar Energy CO2 Rivers & Ground Solar Energy Rain CO2 Food (Energy) Evaporation Mammals Vegetation Oxygen Solar Energy Rain Organic Wastes Food (Energy) Evaporation Solar Energy CO2 Exhausting Mammals Vegetation Oceans CO2 CO2 The Planet’s Organic Wastes Energy Deposits Oxygen Exhausting Solar Energy Oceans Rain Fossil/U235 The Planet’s Food (Energy) Evaporation Energy Rivers & Ground Water (H20) Vegetation Mammals Deposits Fossil/U Organic Wastes 235 CO2 Nichol as Wagoner nickwagoner@rogersa.com A As you know, a batch process is one that has a beginning and an end. The figure on the right illustrates the “process of life” as it operated prior to the industrial age, during it, and how it should operate during the coming post-industrial age. During the pre-industrial age, the food energy from the vegetation plus water and oxygen were sufficient to maintain the continuous process of life on the planet indefinitely. In the present industrial age, more and more exhaustible energy is obtained from the diminishing fossil and uranium deposits (shown in red). This cannot continue forever, and therefore I call the present operation a batch process. In the future, when the exhaustible deposits are gone, hopefully we will have converted to a solar-hydrogen based energy economy that depends on the free, clean and inexhaustible energy supply from the sun. You can find a detailed description of such a power plant and reversible fuel cell (RFC) at http://belaliptakpe.com/solar-hydrogen-power-plant/. Bél a Lipták liptakbela@aol.com Rivers & Ground Water (H20) Exhausting Oceans The Planet’s Energy Solar Energy Deposits Fossil/U During about 1700 - Solar 2200Energy this process became 235 Oxygenthe industrial age between CO CO an unsustainable 2“batch” process asWater mankind Rivers & Ground (H20) 2started to depend on Solar Energy exhaustible fuel deposits. Solar Energy Oxygen Oxygen Solar Energy Rain CO Inexhaustible H2 Energy 2 CO2 Food (Energy) Energy From Evaporation Solar-H2 RFC Mammals Vegetation Oxygen Power Solar Energy Rain Organic Wastes Solar Energy H2 Energy Inexhaustible Plants Food (Energy) Energy From Evaporation Solar Energy Solar-H2Oxygen Mostly RFC Mammals Vegetation Oceans CO2 CO2 Power Exhausted Organic Wastes Plants Energy Deposits Oxygen Mostly Solar Energy Oceans Rain Fossil/U Inexhaustible H2 Energy 235 Exhausted Food (Energy) Energy From Evaporation Energy Rivers & Ground Water (H 0) Solar-H2 2 RFC Mammals Vegetation Deposits Power Fossil/U Organic Wastes 235 Plants Rivers & Ground Water (H20) Mostly Exhausted Energy Deposits Fossil/U235 Oceans Rivers & Ground Water (H20) In the post-industrial age after about 2200 this process can again become “continuous” if mankind converts to using inexhaustible solar energy to generate the hydrogen. Figure 1. The pre-industrial, the industrial and the post-industrial cycle of energy generation and consumption shown as batch and continuous processes. N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 www.controlglobal.com CT1011_54_55_ATE.indd 55 55 10/26/10 10:36 AM Setting the Standard in Process Measurement Applications Integral or Remote-Mounted Transmitter Compatible with all Ronan Detectors Ideal for Continuous Level, Density, Mass Flow and Weight Applications Rigid Crystal Flexible Detector Density Introducing the NEW X96SI/R The Only Radiometric Transmitter With Full Ethernet Capability! Ronan pioneered the use of low-level sources to improve efficiency and safety. Only Ronan manufactures the RLL low-level source, which does not require the stringent documentation, training or handling procedures of other gauges. THE STANDARD IN NUCLEAR MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGY Ronan Engineering is dedicated to manufacturing radiometric measurement systems that are tailored to your specific needs and requirements. We provide customized solutions to solve your toughest process measurement challenges. 859.342.8500 sales@ronanmeasure.com www.ronanmeasure.com CT1011_full page ads.indd 56 10/26/10 10:33 AM ROUNDUP PLCs and Industrial Computers The latest PLCs, PACs, embedded units and other computing goodies. PLC/PC HYBRID FANLESS EMBEDDED COMPUTER The 758 Series IPCs pair CoDeSys V2 software, Linux OS, IEC programming languages and multiple onboard fieldbus protocols for realtime control applications. Independent Ethernet ports provide fieldbus connectivity and support Profibus and CANopen protocols. Direct connection to the 400+ modules in the Wago-I/O-System is possible. Wago 800/DIN-RAIL; www.wago.us The Uno-3084 fanless embedded automation computer with front-accessible I/O design features an Intel Core 2 Duo L7500 1.6 GHz processor, 2GB DDRII RAM (expandable to 4GB), dual DVI-I ports with support for up to three displays, two RS-232/422/485 ports with automatic flow control, and two 10/100/1000 Base-T RJ-45 ports and five USB 2.0 (one internal) ports. Advantech Industrial Automation 800/205-7940; www.advantech.com/ea CPU FOR HIGH-END CONTROL APPLICATIONS SMART PAC The RX3i CPU315 is ideal for applications where large amounts of data and application optimization are needed. The 1-Ghz processor enables applications to reduce machine cycle times. It has 20 Mbytes of battery-backed user memory and 20 Mbytes of flash user memory, configurable data and program memory, programming in Ladder diagram, structured text, function block diagram and C. GE Intelligent Platforms 800/433-2682; www.ge-ip.com. Smart SoftPLC includes a four-port managed Ethernet switch/router with PoE and fiber connection options, five serial ports and an option for an RS-485 or phone modem. It combines I/O control and logic, rich communications, an embedded firewall/VPN and an embedded web server in a small, value-priced package that can handle applications ranging from simple and small to large and challenging. SoftPLC 512/264-8390; http://softplc.com ePC LITE FANLESS PC PRODUCTIVITY IN PAC FORM The ePC Lite is a low-cost, fanless version of the ePCSeries industrial computers. It has an Intel-based, fanless Atom N270 CPU board and solid-state drive. Its 1.6 GHz processor provides processing power to HMI and SCADA applications. Windows XP Pro, SATA 40-GB solid-state drive, 15-in. XGA LCD, 1-GB DRAM, analog resistive fivewire touchscreen, and a NEMA 4 front panel are standard. Nematron 734/214-2000; www.nematron.com The Productivity3000 PAC combines features and capabilities of a PC-based control system with that of a typical PLC. It is a modular, rackbased system of up to 116,000 I/O points with local, expansion and remote I/O bases and a full lineup of discrete, analog and specialty I/O modules. The high-performance CPU has 50Mb memory, fast scan times and seven communication ports. Automation Direct 800/633-0405; www.automationdirect.com N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 www.controlglobal.com CT1011_57_60_RoundUp.indd 57 57 10/26/10 10:38 AM ROUNDUP COMPACT, BATTERY-LESS PLCS Simple, intuitive and exceptionally powerful, Modicon M340 PAC provides numerous cost and performance advantages over comparably priced PLCs. It requires no battery and is a compact 4 in. high and 3.7 in. deep with high-density, 64-point I/O cards, and is only 1.25 in. wide. It uses CANopen networks and USB cables. The PAC has 4 Mb of memory upgradeable to 16 Mb and a 70K instructions/ms execution speed. Schneider Electric 847/397-2600: www.us.schneider-electric.com/PLC WIRELESS PAC Snap-PAC-R1-W is a rack-mounted PAC with IEEE 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi networking, two independent 10/100Mbps wired interfaces for standard Ethernet networking, and one RS-232 serial port for PPP communication. It provides control, communication, I/O processing, remote monitoring and data acquisition, and is fully integrated with Opto 22’s PAC Project software and all Snap-PAC brains and I/O modules. Opto 22 951/695-3000; www.opto22.com GENERATE IEC CODE AUTOMATICALLY Simulink PLC Coder extends model-based design for the industrial automation segment by helping create source code in structured text (IEC 61131-3 ST) using Simulink models that can be easily integrated in B&R Automation Studio. It complements the Automation Studio Target for Simulink. Users can generate ANSI-C or structured text code alternatively, and automatically integrate it into the automation project. B & R Automation 770/772-0400; www.br-automation.com MICRO PLC WITH RS485 CAPABILITY MicroSmart Pentra is now available with optional RS485 communications. It is the only micro PLC on the market that allows control systems to seamlessly communicate with up to seven serial devices via RS232C or RS485. Now, with the new RS485 communication module, it can talk multiple communication protocols on the same system. For fast transmission speed, this unit also supports communication baud rates up to 115Kbps. IDEC 800/262-4332; www.IDEC.com/usa. CT1011_57_60_RoundUp.indd 58 10/26/10 10:39 AM ROUNDUP PACS FOR EXTREME APPLICATIONS NI cRIO-9023 and NI cRIO-9025 real-time controllers are ideal for high-performance measurement and control applications operating at extended temperatures. They operate in a range from -40 °C to 70 °C and are available with conformal coating for additional protection in harsh conditions. The 9023 has a 533 MHz PowerPC processor. The 9025 has an 800 MHz PowerPC processor and dual Ethernet ports. National Instruments 800/258-7022; www.ni.com/compactrio BetaProbe™ TI Precision Thermometer FLAT-PANEL MONITORS FOR DUSTY SPACES VisuNet Series industrial flat-panel LCD monitors have Class II Division 2 certification for use in dusty environments. They’re also available as general-purpose displays, as UL-listed Class I/Div 2 devices, and can be combined with a Bebco EPS purge system for Class I/ Div. 1 hazardous environment mounting. Touchscreen options are available. They come in 10-, 12- 15-, 18-, 19and 20-in. sizes, and are rated for use from -10 °C to 55 °C. Pepperl+Fuchs 330/486-0002; www.pepperl-fuchs.us MASTERLOGIC PLC MasterLogic PLCs bring power and robustness to highspeed logic, interlock and sequencing applications. They can be deployed in a standalone mode or used with the Experion Process Knowledge System architecture, and are compatible with Honeywell’s portfolio of process control systems, including the recently released Experion LS. MasterLogic CPUs, power supplies, rack sizes and I/O selection are suited to many applications. Honeywell 800/343-0228; www.honeywell.com/ps/hfs INDUSTRIAL-STRENGTH MONITOR NX Series enclosed industrial display system is a NEMA-sealed, commercial-grade, large monitor built in a rugged-steel 14-gauge enclosure. It can operate as a standalone monitor, or it can be integrated with a Modpak modular computer system, which allows easy serviceability, service removal and upgrading. It has a Lexan protective lens window and sealed connectors for power, Ethernet and USB ports. Dynix 734/677-6100; www.dynics.com. CT1011_57_60_RoundUp.indd 59 . .. . .. .. . . . . .. High performance model with wire wound RTD probe Accuracy: ±0.04°C Range: -90 to 300°C Standard model with thin film RTD sensor Accuracy: ±0.06°C Range: -50 to 160°C Integral adjustable angle probe Intrinsically safe (IEC Ex and ATEX) Replace multiple L-I-G thermometers User adjustable stability indicator Data logging with optional BetaLOG-TI™ software Large, bright display with backlight Min/Max capture Easy field recalibration 10/26/10 10:40 AM ROUNDUP 60 EXTREME-ENVIRONMENT PANEL PC ENERGY-SAVING EMBEDDED PC The Allen-Bradley Extreme Environment Panel PC combines intrinsic safety with the capacity to withstand extreme temperatures. With U.S. NEC Class 1, Division 2 hazardous location certification, it can be used in areas where explosive materials are present. It is rated to withstand temperatures from -20 °C to 70 °C inside the computer cabinet, and display side temperatures of -20 °C to 55 °C. Rockwell Automation www.ab.com/industrialcomputers/ The new CX5000 has Intel Atom technology and up to 1.6 GHz of processing power. It has a magnesium housing, making it lightweight, and improves its mechanical stability and resistance to EMC. The DIN rail-mountable PAC has a fanless design with a maximum power loss of 12.5 Watts. Just 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.6 in. (100 x 100 x 91mm), CX5000 also is exceptionally compact. Beckhoff Automation 952/890-0000; www.beckhoffautomation.com UPGRADED CONTROLLER BASE STATION INDUSTRIAL PCS WITH HIGH-SPEED PROCESSOR The upgraded base station for the Nanoline controller, nLC-055, is designed for small to mid-sized machines with limited I/O points. It can add, subtract, multiply and divide, as well as perform modulo (percentage) operations. Other new features include two analog inputs with 12bit resolution, eight digital inputs, two high-speed counters, a built-in real-time clock and four relay outputs. Phoenix Contact 800/322-3225; www.phoenixcontact.com/usa_home.htm Siemens introduces four industrial PCs built with the Intel Core i7 (i series) processor. The Simatic IPC627C box PC and the HMI IPC677C panel PC are suitable for high-speed measurement, open- and closed-loop control tasks, and their HMI functions directly at machine level. The 19-in. IPC847C rack and compact IPC647C rack PCs are designed for continuous, 24-hour service. Siemens Industry, Inc. www.sea.siemens.com TWO-NETWORK HMI SENSOR DATA VIA THE INTERNET G3 Series HMI is available with the new Ethernet expansion card, G3Enet. Now users can add a second Ethernet port to increase bandwidth and separate networks. G3 Series HMIs with the G3Enet card provide communication with devices on two distinct Ethernet networks simultaneously—without an industrial router. The expansion card can be easily fitted to any G3 series HMI. Red Lion Controls 717/767-6511; www.redlion.net RST-5001 network and webenabled 4-20 mA input controller is compatible with any 4-20 mA device, and sends email and text message alerts when user-defined limits are reached. It can be powered via either a standard 24 VDC supply or PoE. Conversion options include volume, level, distance, weight or user-defined units. No special programming software is required. Automation Products Group 888-525-7300; www.apgsensors.com www.controlglobal.com N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 CT1011_57_60_RoundUp.indd 60 10/26/10 10:41 AM Product introductions MANUAL VALVES WITH LIMIT SWITCHES UNIVERAL TRANSMITTER FOR VIBRATION MONITORING Online Configurator allows customers to build, view and price manual valve assemblies. Choices include twoway full-port valves, threeway diverter ball valves, flanged ball valves and resilient seated butterfly valves. Limit switch selection includes inductive proximity sensors, weatherproof and explosion-proof switches. Once virtual assembly is completed, users can view a color image of the final product, model number, product description and cost. Assured Automation 800/899-0553; www.assuredautomation.com. Model 682A16 universal transmitter for 24/7 vibration monitoring is designed to protect machinery by providing crucial information that avoids costly downtime. It’s ideal for vibration monitoring applications with IMI’s 4-20 mA sensors or its ICP accelerometers. It can be used with existing PLC, DCS and SCADA systems, leading to alarm, control or shutdown. It’s DIN rail-mounted and has an optional detachable front panel LCD display. IMI Sensors 800/959-4464; www.imi-sensors.com SUPER-FAST PROCESS TRANSMITTERS STRAIN GAGE SIGNAL CONDITIONER JH5000 Series DIN-rail transmitters have been redesigned to allow a fast response option, while maintaining their full accuracy specifications. Option HS (high speed) provides 1 millisecond response (95% complete). Faster response (or slower) is readily available on special order. Input styles include DC, thermocouple, RTD, strain gauge/ load cell and potentiometer/resistance. Also, math functions such as add/subtract, multiply/divide and square root are available. JH Technology 800/808-0300; www.jhtechnology.com Model 163MK strain gage signal conditioner accommodates ¼-, ½- and full-bridge strain gage applications. The unit offers 1/4-bridge completion and calibration for applications such as materials and structural testing. It has two built-in precision 1/2-bridge completion resistors for 1/2-bridge applications, and can also handle full-bridge applications. It has a high-gain differential amplifier, two-pole Butterworth filter and built-in excitation supply. Calex Mfg. Co. 800/-542-3355; www.calex.com ON YOUR RADAR LIGHT-WEIGHT MODULAR CABINETS The Optiwave 6300 C Radar instrument is ideal for solid measurement of uneven silo contents. It measures powder, granulates and bulk solids in buffer silos, hoppers, bulk storage containers and on conveyor belts. Choose a 3-in. diameter (DN 80) antenna made of polypropylene (PP) or Teflon (PTFE) or a 6-in. (DN150) PP antenna. Stainlesssteel horn antennas up to 6 in. with a built-in horn purging feature are also available. Krohne 800/FLOWING; www.krohne.com/northamerica Perfect for corrosion resistant applications and made from PVC or polycarbonate, this line of modular cabinets is available in sizes up to 72 in. Doors feature stainless-steel, lift-off hinges with a quarterturn locking provision with single or double doors. The cabinets include wall- or floormount features. When the product is shipped flat, assembly at the job site is simplified with exploded view drawings and factory-supplied hardware. Factory assembly is available. Midwest Plastic Fabricators 330/995/0992; www.midwestplasticfabricators.com N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 www.controlglobal.com CT1011_61_Products.indd 61 61 10/26/10 10:42 AM Control Exclusive Interface Level: Two Technologies are Better than One! Interface level is hard to do at all, and it is very hard to do well. This is because of the nature of interfaces and the physics and technology of the measurement of them. Roughly, an interface occurs when two fluids (or a gas and a fluid) meet that have dissimilar dielectric constants (Dk). Seldom is it this easy. There are gradients, rag layers, emulsions and other issues that make it difficult to measure interfaces. In fact, one vendor provides a camera-based system that looks through a thick Pyrex window to optically detect an interface. Interfaces where the top level changes or where the dielectric constant of one of the interface layers changes (adding water to the bottom layer for a diluent, for example) are even more problematic than when the interface is two liquids of static composition and the top level is constant. There are three basic technologies (other than the camera) that are used commonly to measure interface level in liquids. The first is capacitance or RF admittance, the second is TDR (guided wave radar), and the third is gamma nuclear gauging. Gamma gauges require licensing, and usually, for interface detection, they require an insertion source or inserted detector. Most vessels aren’t designed to permit this. Gamma gauges are also significantly expensive, costing approximately $1000 per foot of measured level. In addition, gamma gauges have other issues that make them prohibitive for all but the most difficult applications. Capacitance (or RF admittance) probes, while they must be inserted in the vessel, are designed to penetrate a standard ¾-in opening in the top of the vessel. Most vessels have at least one extra tank nozzle that can be used. The overall or “top” level must remain constant, so that any change in the capacitance/admittance reading reflects only a change in the interface level. Capacitance technology is not affected by emulsion or rag layers in the application. TDR radar provides the advantage of being able to measure both top level and interface level. But the technology requires the dielectric of the upper layer to be less than 10 Dk or not enough energy will get through the fluid to reflect off the interface itself. The one drawback of this technology is that it does not work well if the application has a rag or emulsion layer, as the signal gets lost and is not returned to the transmitter. Realizing that no one technology provides optimum measurement, Endress+Hauser has introduced the Levelflex FMP55 Multiparameter Transmitter. This transmitter fuses 62 the two technologies of capacitance and guided wave radar on the same rod or cable sensor, and provides the benefit of both technologies. The FMP55 is the first of a new series of instrumentation that Endress+Hauser is calling its Evolution Series. The capacitance part of the transmitter is responsible for making the interface measurement, while the TDR radar section measures the overall level. This means rag or emulsion layers no longer affect the ability to read the interface, and the use of the radar device allows the overall level to vary if required. The FMP55 features a multi-echo tracking algorithm that can track up to 20 tank echoes simultaneously as the tank level rises or lowers. This makes sure that the transmitter will not make a “jump” to an echo that is not the true level, such as a tank internal or a vapor blanket gradient. The FMP55, like many Endress+Hauser transmitters, is equipped with a HistoROM built into the main housing of the transmitter. All of the setup parameters are stored on the HistoROM and, in the event of an electronics changeout, all of the information can be fed directly into the new electronics package. In the case of multiple units being set up at the same time for the same measurement parameters, the same HistoROM information can be transferred into a removable display that can be removed and installed in the next transmitter, greatly reducing setup time during field commissioning. Endress+Hauser offers three different setup methods for the FMP55. The first method is the use of the removable display. Second, the device can be fully commissioned via the three buttons on the display itself, using a menu-guided six-step quick setup. Endress+Hauser’s free FTD/DTMbased FieldCare software program allows for a very flexible method for setup, and the software can be integrated into a complete lifecycle management system. HART and Profibus PA outputs are available. For more information, contact Endress+Hauser at www. us.endress.com, or by calling 1-888-ENDRESS. www.controlglobal.com N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 CT1011_62_Exclusive.indd 62 10/26/10 10:43 AM C O N T R O L TA L K Retrofit Projects – Getting Flows Right Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner bring their wits and more than 66 years of process control experience to bear on your questions, comments, and problems. Write to them at controltalk@putman.net. Greg: In the 1970s and 1980s, we suspected valves and instruments were not delivering the performance listed in the catalogs. We got imaginative on how to shift loop setpoints and add biases to close material and energy balances. There was little published information on installation effects and drift. A few articles detailed the effects for a differential head orifice flow meter. One article in 1983 disclosed that total error for a 0.2% catalog accuracy DP was 2.1% due to zero and span shifts from process temperature and static pressure. The error introduced by changes in the tolerance of internal diameter and roughness of pipe and the wear on orifice edge can be 4%. If you consider changes in the fluid density and the deterioration in signal-to-noise ratio at low flows, the installed accuracy of these installations could be 5% to 10% even if the upstream piping run had enough straight lengths. Check out my November entry, “Secret Installation Effects,” at http:// modelingandcontrol.com/ for a list of vintage articles disclosing the real installed accuracy. New technologies such as radar level are independent of pressure, temperature, density and composition, and require no field calibration. The drift of these new sensor and transmitters technologies have often been reduced by a factor of five. Periodic calibration checks are not required for five years or more. If you have old technology, now is the time to upgrade. Greg Mcmill an Stan weiner, pe controltalk@putman.net Stan To help understand what is important in an instrument upgrade project, we continue our interview of Hunter Vegas, a senior project leader for Avid Solutions Inc., a system integrator in Winston Salem, N.C. Greg: What are the biggest problems with getting the right control valves? Hunter: Probably the hardest thing about control valves is getting the right information for sizing. The range of densities, flows, inlet and Stan One of my main objectives on projects was to use magnetic flowmeters and Coriolis mass flowmeters wherever feasible because they were largely unaffected by installation and operating conditions. Except for design and application mistakes, the calibration was not questioned whenever there was a problem in the control room. They also cost less to install and maintain. Greg: Modern measurements are either inherently less affected by installation or operating conditions or have intelligence to compensate for these conditions. Coriolis meters are much less sensitive to pipe vibrations. DP transmitters are corrected for static pressure and temperature. DP flowmeters are corrected for changes in fluid density for a constant composition. N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 www.controlglobal.com CT1011_63_64_ControlTalk.indd 63 63 10/26/10 10:45 AM C O N T R O L TA L K Stan: When do you use vortex flowmeters? through tube designs are are less likely to plug and have reduced pressure drop; however, the tube length must be long, or the meter’s sensitivity can be reduced. U-tube or other curved meters have high sensitivity, but often have higher pressure drops and are easier to plug. Liquids with entrained gas or foam can create high inaccuracies, but manufacturers are promising improved performance for these conditions in some higher-end product lines. The biggest deterrent against using Coriolis meters is their cost, especially in larger line sizes. Hunter: Unlike most other flow me- Stan What are the problems with ters, a vortex meter’s flow reading will fall to zero when the flow falls below the turbulent flow regime. Therefore, one has to be certain a vortex meter will never have to operate below the point where the reading will drop out. (This is the low-flow cutoff value cited in the meter specifications.) I have also had problems with the plugging of the pressure sensor ports with some designs, and the meter is sensitive to the velocity profile and varying kinematic viscosity. Despite that, the vortex meter offers many cost advantages over head type meters, and is an excellent choice in the right application. One item worth noting is that any flowmeter will be worthless if it is installed incorrectly. Upstream and downstream meter runs, proper line bracing and line fill are critical for proper operation. magnetic flowmeters? outlet pressures, and vapor pressures are usually provided for “normal operating conditions.” However it is the abnormal conditions (very high/low flow rates at high/low pressure drops) that dictate the sizing limitations of the valve. If it’s in batch service, the range of operating conditions can be very wide. I make certain to ask enough questions of operations and process engineering to make sure I understand the true requirements of the valve. Greg: I think Coriolis meters offer the possibility of a live process flow diagram (PFD) in specialty chemical, food and pharmaceutical production. What is important in Coriolis meter selection? Hunter: Coriolis meters are one of the few meters that measure mass directly, and provide a temperature and density signal as well as flow. However, there are some issues to consider. Straight64 Hunter: In some cases, large line sizes or process conditions dictate the use of differential head meters. Their installed costs can be very high, but if installed correctly, they are extremely accurate and are often used for custody transfer. You can use a pair of DP transmitters across a single orifice to get very high turndowns, and the addition of an RTD temperature and integral pressure measurement enables density compensation for a broad range of process conditions. A honed meter run can also eliminate the errors from differences in internal diameter and surface roughness. Greg: I can relate to this Top 10 list Hunter: Magmeters are an excellent meter with minimal pressure drop, but the liquid must have some conductivity for the meter to work. It is important to understand all of the conditions that the meter may experience to avoid problems. I had a magmeter measuring the blowdown on an ammonia vaporizer that worked well—provided there were trace amounts of water in the ammonia. When all of the water was blown down, the meter saw pure ammonia, and the very low conductivity made the meter stop working. Another source of problems can be the possibility of steam-out on the lines. Some plants will steam out a line and then block it, creating a very strong vacuum as the steam condenses. Some magmeters employ a sleeve-like Teflon liner, and when heated by the steam and subjected to vacuum, the liner will collapse and ruin the meter. A liner reinforced with a metal backing can handle these conditions. The last area of concern is using a magmeter in lined pipe. In this situation you must use ground rings to provide an electrical path for the meter to function. Greg: When do you use differential head meters? from Randy Reiss, who moved from Austin to NYC for a graduate degree in math, because I live in Austin but visit NYC to see my daughter perform at the Metropolitan Opera. Top 10 Reasons Why NYC is Friendlier than Austin 10. The subway rats tip their hats and say hello (where did they get the hats?) 9. Hell’s Kitchen now rivals Austin in rainbow banners. 8. The Hudson River is a prettier shade of gray than Brushy Creek (but smells the same). 7. The Chrysler Building is like a big University of Texas tower. 6. Its easier to drive into Manhattan than downtown Austin—really it is! (Duh, the benefits of light rail!) 5. The graffiti on the buildings in NYC rivals most art I saw in galleries on South Congress (SoCo). 4. “Houseton” street only has one name. 3. The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) moves faster than Loop 1 (Mopac). 2. We never needed the phrase “excuse me” anyway. 1. In-route subway stop schedule changes give your day that added extra variety that makes you smile! www.controlglobal.com N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 CT1011_63_64_ControlTalk.indd 64 10/26/10 10:47 AM Contact: Polly Dickson, pdickson@putman.net, 630-467-1300 ext.396 C L A SSI F IEDS A D I N DE X Advertiser��������������������������������������������� Page No. equipment & materials ABB Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 LOOKING to ABB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ADVERTISE? Acromag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Adalet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 ABB and Siemens Specialists Allied Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 ABB Advant, MOD 300 ABB Bailey Infi 90 Siemens Moore APACS Siemens Simatic S5 Large Parts Inventory Phone: 585 241-6010, Fax: 585 241-6014 www.classicautomation.com customerservice@classicautomation.com Ametek Drexelbrook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 AutomationDirect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 33 AVG Automation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Badger Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Beamex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Cashco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 United States Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (Requester Publications Only) Emerson Process Mgt/Systems . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Emerson Process Mgt/Saab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Endress + Hauser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7 FasTest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 GE Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Inline Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Keller America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 King Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 K-Tek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Load Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Contact: Polly Dickson pdickson@putman.net 630-467-1300 ext.396 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Publication Title: CONTROL Publication Number: 1049-5541 Filing Date: 9/30/2010 Issue Frequency: Monthly Number of Issues Published Annually: 12 Annual Subscription Price: $96.00 Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 555 West Pierce Road, Itasca IL 60143 Contact Person: Keith Larson Telephone: 630-467-1300 Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 555 West Pierce Road, Itasca IL 60143 Full Name and Complete Mailing Address of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor Publisher: Keith Larson, 555 West Pierce Road, Itasca IL 60143 Editor: Walt Boyes, 555 West Pierce Road, Itasca, IL 60143 Managing Editor: Jim Montague, 555 West Pierce Road, Itasca IL 60143 10.Owner: Putman Media, Inc. 555 West Pierce Road, Itasca, IL 60143 John M. Cappelletti 555 West Pierce Road, Itasca, IL 60143 Julie A. Cappelletti - Lange 555 West Pierce Road, Itasca, IL 60143 Jenny G. Cappelletti 555 West Pierce Road, Itasca, IL 60143 Nicholas G. Cappelletti 555 West Pierce Road, Itasca, IL 60143 Melody L. Cappelletti 555 West Pierce Road, Itasca, IL 60143 11.Known Bondholders, Mortagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgagees, or Other Securities. If none, check box: • None 12.Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates( (Check one) The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: • Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months 13.Publication Title: Control 14.Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 2010 LOOKING to ADVERTISE? Lumenite Control Technology . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Magnetrol International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Magnetrol/Orion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Martel Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Average No. Copies Each Issue No. Copies of Single Issue Contact: Polly Dickson, pdickson@putman.net, 630-467-1300 e During Preceding 12 Months Published Nearest to Filing Data 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation a. Total Number of Copies (Net press run) 52,028 54,280 b. Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail) (1) Outside County Paid /Requested Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541. (Include direct written request from recipient, telemarketing and Internet requests from recipient, paid subscriptions including nominal rate subscriptions, employer requests, advertiser’s proof and exchange copies). 48,772 48,038 . 24 (2) In-County Paid /Requested Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541. (Include direct written request from recipient, telemarketing and Internet requests from recipient, paid subscriptions including nominal rate subscriptions, employer requests, advertiser’s proof and exchange copies). 2,3 (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS 73 73 . 25 (4)Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes through the USPS c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation [Sum of 15b. (1), (2), (3), and (4)] 48,845 48,111 . 18 d. Non-requested Distribution( By Mail and Outside the Mail) (1) Outside-County Non-requested Copies Stated on Form 3541 (include Sample copies, Requests Over 3 years old, Requests induced by a Premium, . 23 Bulk Sales and Requests including Association Requests, Names obtained from Business Directories, Lists, and other sources) 1,740 4,867 . 56 (2) In-County Non-requested Copies Stated on Form 3541 (include Sample copies, Requests Over 3 years old, Requests induced by a Premium, Bulk 07_Looking_House.indd 1 Sales and Requests including Association Requests, Names obtained from Business Directories, Lists, and other sources . 17 (3) Non-requested Copies distributed Through the USPS by Other classes of Mail (e.g. First-Class Mail, Non-requestor Copies mailed in excess of 10% Limit mailed at Standard Mail or Package Services Rates) . 52 (4) Non-Requested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail (Include Pickup Stands, Trade Shows, Showrooms and Other Sources) 152 500 . 31 e. Total Non-requested Distribution (Sum of 15d (1), (2), and (3)) 1,892 5,367 7/28/05 9:15:34 f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c. and e.) 50,737 53,478 . 40 g. Copies Not Distributed 1,291 802 h. Total (Sum of 15f and g) 52,028 54,280 . 22 i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (15c divided by f times 100) 96.27% 89.96% 16. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the November 2010 issue of this publication. . 45 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner Jeremy L. Clark, VP of Circulation Date: 09/30/2010 . 67 I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this . 39 form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions(including civil penalties). Moore Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 16 Ohmart Vega . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Omega Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pentair Technical Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pepperl+Fuchs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Red Lion Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ronan Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Schneider Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Siemens Process Automation . . . . . . . . . . . . Swagelok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ClassicAutomation.indd 1 Tatsoft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Turck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yaskawa Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yokogawa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 CT1011_65_Class.indd 65 10/26/10 10:48 AM CONTROL REPORT The Long View and Valley Power Time speeds up as we get older, but 10 years is still a big chunk of chronology. And in this stressed-out era of 24/7 news, showbiz fads, financial scandals and other distracJim Montague e xecutive Editor jmontague@putman.net “Technology is only as good as the people that use it and interpret its data, so it takes a commitment to training, setup and implementation.” 66 tions, it can be difficult to focus on unglamorous commitments—good marriages, raising families, consistent professionalism— or staying warm next to Lake Michigan. Sure, global warming may one day turn Milwaukee into a tropical hotspot, but, for now, most of its downtown area by the lake needs the steam heat it gets from We Energies’ Valley Power Plant. This venerable plant is the largest utility-owned, co-generation facility in the United States. It haa two 280-megawatt units, and its four coal-fired boilers produce 1.25 million pounds per hour (MLb/hr) of steam. In the most recent decade of its continuing mission to provide and improve its service, Valley Power has steadily transitioned from using stand-alone laptop PCs and multiplexers and moved to using Emerson Process Management’s online AMS Device Manager and its Ovation interface. This journey was described by Todd Gordon, We’s instrument technician leader at Valley Power, at the recent Emerson Global Users Exchange in San Antonio, Texas. “Now, we all have to love technology, but we know it can create an overload unless training and implementation are coordinated,” says Gordon. “We’ve also learned that technology such as AMS can’t solve every problem. If your hardware and mechanics aren’t set up properly, then your overall system isn’t going to work. Technology is only as good as the people that maintain, use it and interpret the data, so it also takes a time commitment for training, proper setup and implementation.” Built in the 1960s, Valley Power initially used local, pneumatic controllers for pressure, temperature and level and an I/P converter, which was upgraded from E/P in 1993. Gordon reports the plant’s journey to AMS really began when it installed its first “smart,” non-HART transmitter in 1988. Then, in 1993-94, DCS controls were installed at Valley Power. Likewise, in 1993, the plant gained its first “smart,” non-HART positioner, which used DOS-based software that required a Windows 98 laptop. “The main question is can the newer, smart instrument do its job better than the older technology? We’ve usually found that the answer is yes,” says Gordon. “Fisher DVC positioners also provided an input to DCS for valve position from the HART signal. These were on our two most critical valves. So when the positioners told us the valves were getting sticky, we decided to replace them, and this saved us from tripping out units three times.” Later, Valley Power added Base Station with Multiplexers in 2004. These enabled online, continuous monitoring when hardwired to HART devices. “The base station communication from the handhelds and laptops are very useful, but we still like to go and see the valves move,” added Gordon. “There are still some things you can only see when you’re there.” Even newer devices at Valley Power include its HART diagnostic transmitters, and it plans to add wireless devices soon. Most recently, the plant replaced its multiplexers with Emerson’s Ovation interface and spent part of this year working on a new DCS controls upgrade, in which the base station will be integrated into the DCS controls. “In general, our performance monitoring has given us better tuning of controls, improved heat rates for reduced fuel consumption, faster ramp rates for changing load demands, centralized performance monitoring and predictive maintenance,” added Gordon. “All of this has been a journey, not a destination. We found that online capabilities increase effectiveness of smart instrumentation and supporting software. However, you can’t maximize a plant’s efficiency if you can’t accurately control and effectively manage the final drive elements.” Pretty cool, that is, if you can wake up from present-day distractions, become aware of some important history and take that longer view. www.controlglobal.com N o v e m b e r / 2 0 1 0 CT1011_66_ControlReport.indd 66 10/25/10 1:01 PM WaSHdoWn. duSt-tigHt. FooL-PRooF. The Yaskawa V1000-4X is specially coated to protect against harmful elements penetrating its enclosure. So, it is ready to provide dependable performance in tough washdown and dusttight environments common in food and beverage, processing, packaging, metal machining, woodworking, pumping, refrigeration, and printing. Get the fool-proof protection and performance you need in your drives. Call Yaskawa today. Follow us: ™ http://Ez.com/yai38 Ya s k a w a a m e r i C a , i n C . - D r i V e s & m o T i o n D i V i s i o n 1 - 8 0 0 - Ya s k a w a CT1011_full page ads.indd 67 Ya s k a w a . 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