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April 30, 2007
Automation Project Management at Baxter: On Time and Within Budget
“I need to be flexible on my pharmaceutical project and keep all of my priorities equally balanced to get the best results.” According to an article published in the March 2007 issue of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing magazine, Automation Project Management at Baxter: On Time and Within Budget (339KB PDF), this is exactly the wrong approach to take when setting priorities on a project.
Steve Gorsler of Baxter, and Tony Gansen and Luiz Correa of Emerson suggest that it is imperative to pick one priority and communicate it to the project team to make sure that the effort stays focused. This helps the entire team make the necessary adjustments and tradeoffs as the project unfolds. They suggest an approach that:
- Sets goals and priorities at the outset
- Communicates openly and honestly – shares data
- Adopts a project methodology and sticks to it
- Develops test plans for the life of the project
- Takes a broad view of how the entire team is involved.
The article doesn’t suggest that any one priority is right, or that change over time can’t be accommodated. It does suggest that without a single clear objective in mind, the team’s focus and therefore project progress could get sidetracked.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 30, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 26, 2007
Foundation Support for DeltaV Service Data Sheet
Foundation Support provides direct technical telephone support, remote system diagnosis, software updates, and access to online service information. (118KB PDF)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 26, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 25, 2007
The DCS as Enabling Platform
“I would like to get rid of some of my older specialty analyzer equipment but how can I justify changing stuff that’s proven to work?”
This is a predicament that Andy Smith faced at the Huntsman paraxylene production facility in Teesside, England. He reported on his solution to that problem in the March issue of Measurement + Control magazine in, The DCS as enabling platform. (74KB PDF)
He was controlling crystallizers using 15 special-purpose meltpoint analyzers equipped with custom PROMs for the meltpoint calculations. Andy was able to take temperature readings directly into his DeltaV system, perform meltpoint calculations directly in function blocks. As a result of eliminating the rigidly operating meltpoint analyzer, he is able to make continuous improvement in the operation of his facility. And, by using the DCS as the meltpoint analyzer he avoided replacement of the failing analyzers saving 92% of the projected project cost.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 25, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 23, 2007
DeltaV 8.4 German Product Data Sheet Update
The DeltaV system makes automation easy using German operator and diagnostic applications. (813KB PDF)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 23, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 19, 2007
Get with the Right Plan
“We’re doing our next round of capital planning next week. Please come down to my office this Friday and give me your strategic plan for our automation investments.” If this request could make your blood run cold on a hot day, perhaps help can be found in an article published in the March issue of Control magazine by Steve Elwart, Maurice Wilkins, and Steve Loranger, Get With the Right Plan. (112KB PDF) The article discusses a step-wise method of identifying those elements that make up a strategic plan, including:
- Discovery
- Benefit quantification
- Benchmarking
- Takeaways
- The three “Ps” of Presentation.
Normally processing facilities have many competing demands for capital budgets. By developing a strategic plan for your automation assets you may improve your odds of getting the resources necessary to get the results you want.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 19, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 18, 2007
New DeltaV SIS Conditioning Components Product Data Sheet
The DeltaV SIS conditioning components allow you to use DeltaV SIS with a variety of different field signal requirements. (280KB PDF)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 18, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 17, 2007
Safety in the Spotlight
“I’ve heard about these new ‘integrated’ safety instrumented systems, but our company doesn’t have any installed yet and I’m nervous about being the first person to adopt this new technology, particularly since it involves a safety function. Where can I turn to find out what is right for me?”
If you’ve had a conversation like this then you may be interested in a new article published in Control Engineering Asia’s March issue, Safety in the Spotlight. (596KB PDF) A variety of industry experts and industry analysts provide objective insights on the safety issues facing process manufacturers, safety jargon and comparison of traditional versus next generation safety instrumented systems. If you’re faced with a choice on how to protect your assets this article can help you come to a decision.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 17, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 16, 2007
DeltaV 8.4 Simplied Chinese Product Data Sheet Update
DeltaV applications available with Simplified Chinese DeltaV v8.4 (for China). (784KB PDF)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 16, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 13, 2007
DeltaV Control Network Hardware Product Data Sheet Update
The DeltaV Control Network is a standard Ethernet network dedicated to the DeltaV system. You connect the DeltaV workstations and the controllers using the Control Network. (401KB PDF)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 13, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 12, 2007
DeltaV Zone 1 Remote I/O Product Data Sheet Update
Unlike any other remote I/O solution, DeltaV shared remote I/O connects with any DeltaV controller for maximum installation flexibility. (473KB PDF)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 12, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 11, 2007
DeltaV ATEX Instruction Sheets
New ATEX Instruction Sheets:
KJ6001X1-CA2 Fieldbus H1 Carrier
KJ6001X1-BA2 Fieldbus H1 Carrier with Enclosure
KJ1740X1-BA1 Four Port Fiber Switch
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 11, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 6, 2007
Safety Users Group Insights Video Presentation
The Safety Users Group Insights video presentation is a discussion on safety integrated systems in the plant environment by Emerson's DeltaV SIS Business Development Manager Thomas Steiner. (16:54 minutes)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 6, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 4, 2007
Press Release: Emerson powers IMC training laboratory at leading New Zealand educational institute
Emerson's PlantWeb® digital architecture provides ideal environment for industrial measurement and control curriculum
AUSTIN, TEXAS (April 4, 2007) - Emerson Process Management products and technologies have been selected to power the Industrial Measurement and Control (IMC) training laboratory at New Zealand's renowned Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec). The college is the only provider of IMC training at Level 4 and Level 5 of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority National Framework.
"As the only institute in New Zealand that offers this program, it is essential that our facilities are equipped with the latest technology solutions," said Simon White, principal tutor and IMC program leader at Wintec. "We are very proud of our laboratory and truly value the Emerson equipment it houses."
Wintec, which has been offering IMC courses for just over 20 years, recently made a significant investment in new process control equipment with Emerson as the principal supplier. The institute's DeltaV™ digital automation system was upgraded to include six engineering workstations with the latest DeltaV software, part of Emerson's PlantWeb® digital plant architecture. Other equipment from Emerson includes Rosemount® differential pressure transmitters, magnetic flowmeters, and pH and conductivity transmitters.
"It is important that our students have access to reliable, state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the skills that they obtain in our laboratory are as close as possible to what they will be exposed to in the industry," added White. "We recognize that Emerson is the market leader, which makes Emerson products the perfect choice for our learning environment."
In December 2006, Emerson donated the latest Micro Motion® ELITE™ Coriolis flowmeter to the Wintec technology laboratory. This instrument measures the mass flow rate directly, which eliminates the need to compensate for changing temperature, viscosity and pressure conditions.
"We are truly grateful to Emerson for demonstrating their support through the kind donation of this state-of-the-art flowmeter," said White. "By mounting it on a standard panel, it is easily connected to the different processes within the lab and all other flow measuring equipment can now be referenced to this standard instrument."
Additional Emerson products currently in use in the Wintec laboratory include: Rosemount pressure transmitters with FOUNDATION fieldbus, flowmeters, and a hand-held field communicator; Micro Motion mass flow and volume density sensors; Rosemount Analytical analyzers; and a Baumann control valve equipped with a Fisher® FIELDVUE® digital valve controller.
"Equipped with this latest-technology laboratory, Wintec provides the ideal environment for students to develop skills in fault analysis, design and maintenance of equipment," said Steve Baillie, manager, Emerson Process Management New Zealand. "Emerson is proud to contribute to the advancement of this valuable vocational program."
The Waikato Institute of Technology provides high quality, vocational skills based on professional education and training. Included in its industry-focused curriculum is the National Certificate Industrial Measurement and Control (Level 4), a two-year, full time program offering by distance learning and block courses. The course is suitable for people seeking a career in the installation, commissioning and maintenance of industrial control and instrumentation equipment for use in a wide range of industrial applications and includes on-job assessment. Wintec is the only institution in New Zealand that offers this course.
Hi-Res Photos are available.
About Emerson Process Management
Emerson Process Management (www.emersonprocess.com), an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution in the chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, power, water and wastewater treatment, food and beverage, life sciences and other industries. The company combines superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services. Emerson brands include PlantWeb®, Fisher®, Micro Motion®, Rosemount®, Mobrey®, Daniel®, Bristol®, DeltaV™, Ovation®, and AMS™ Suite.
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Sales in fiscal 2006 were $20.1 billion. For more information, visit www.GoToEmerson.com.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 4, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 3, 2007
Monitoring and Control Tools for Implementing PAT
“I have hundreds of control loops in my pharmaceutical facility and we run over six different products lines in our equipment. It just isn’t possible to tune all of these loops to work optimally all the time. I’ve installed loop tuning that just keeps us out-of-the-weeds for all of our different processes. That is as good as I can do without making loop tuning a full-time job.”
If you’ve said this, or something similar, to yourself you may want to check out an article by Terry Blevins and James Beall in the March supplement to Pharmaceutical Technology, Monitoring and Control Tools for Implementing PAT. (450KB PDF) They discuss the FDA PAT initiative that encourages improvements to pharmaceutical processes and a new technology that has shown to dramatically reduce process variability, even in complicated multi-product batch operations.
The DeltaV InSight capability quickly and easily analyzes process responses, develops models for improved PID tuning settings that can help reduce process variability, and can point out areas where those improvements will have the most impact.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 3, 2007 | TrackBack (0)
April 2, 2007
Express Module Replacement (for DeltaV) Services Data Sheet Update
Supports the essential spares requirement for your DeltaV digital automation system, by providing direct access to required spares from Emerson Process Management (275KB PDF)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on April 2, 2007 | TrackBack (0)