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January 31, 2008
The Ups and Downs of Taking the Bus
“Sure, I’d like to take advantage of Fieldbus but, I’m in the pharmaceutical business and I just don’t think that stuff is ready for my demanding applications.”
If you are in the pharmaceutical business it is fair to say that Foundation fieldbus is probably not the technology deployed at most installations today. Gary Forrest, PhD and Associate Director – Bioprocess Development, Wyeth Research, penned the first of a two part series on the pluses and minuses of deploying Foundation fieldbus in a Biopharmaceutical process facility. The first installment ran in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing magazine titled, “The Ups and Downs of Taking the Bus (1.51MB PDF).” He reviews the challenges of installing Foundation fieldbus technology at a new Bioprocess development facility at Wyeth’s Pearl River location.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 31, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 29, 2008
DeltaV Video Case Study: Shriram
The DeltaV Video Case Study, Shriram: Smart Safety Integration Delivers Results, documents how Fertilizer maker Shriram integrates DeltaV Smart SIS with automation system upgrades for increased uptime and availability. (12:27 minutes)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 29, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 28, 2008
Workstation Hardware Product Data Sheet Update
The DeltaV selection of workstations provides the performance you need to engineer your control strategy and operate your process. (153KB PDF)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 28, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 25, 2008
Emerson's Flexible Approach to Control System Migration
Recent reports by the ARC Advisory group estimate that there is about $65 billion (yes billion with a “B”) worth of seriously outdated automation equipment still installed and running in processing facilities today. That’s a lot of old stuff! So why aren’t folks jumping at the chance to replace these aged controls?
It basically boils down to folks unwilling to face the risk of downtime and starting-up with new equipment acting as a major damper on sensible efforts to modernize. If you would like to take advantage of the new capabilities in current systems but are concerned that getting there is too risky, you may find help in a new report published by the ARC Advisory Group, "Emerson’s Flexible Approach to Control System Migration (953KB PDF).” Larry O’Brien, an ARC analyst, examined Emerson’s capabilities for migrating customers from a variety of platforms to the DeltaV system. He discusses the compelling case for migrating to a new system with a partner you can trust.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 25, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 22, 2008
Connectivity Options between Honeywell® and DeltaVTM Systems Whitepaper Update
This paper describes the methods of implementation and the benefits of adding DeltaV™ system components to an existing Honeywell® installation. (1,393KB PDF)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 22, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 21, 2008
FlexConnect PROVOX MUX Discrete I/O (Series 10) to the DeltaV System Product Data Sheet Update
PROVOX MUX Discrete I/O (Series 10) Field Termination Cards can be connected to standard DeltaV Discrete I/O modules using the FlexConnect MUX Discrete interface card. (215KB PDF)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 21, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 17, 2008
2008 Emerson Global Users Exchange -- Call for Papers!
"Where ideas become solutions” has been selected for the theme of the 2008 Emerson Global Users Exchange conference. Attendees confirm that the single largest success factor of the Emerson Global Users Exchange conference is the wealth of solutions, knowledge, and experience shared by users and industry experts in Workshop and Short Course presentations.
We invite everyone to share DeltaV best practices, implementation successes, tips & tricks, or proven project solutions by presenting a paper at this year's conference.
Event Details: September 29th – October 3rd at the new Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center just outside Washington, DC
Abstract Deadline: March 17, 2008
If you would like to contribute, additional details including paper submission guidelines are available online at EmersonExchange.org.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 17, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 16, 2008
The Funnier Side of Retirement for Engineers and People of the Technical Persuasion in the DeltaV Bookstore
Greg McMillan's The Funnier Side of Retirement for Engineers and People of the Technical Persuasion is now available in the DeltaV Bookstore. Just released on Monday, this book takes a far-out look into what retirement offers for geeks.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 16, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 15, 2008
FlexConnect PROVOX MUX Analog I/O (Series 10) to the DeltaV System Product Data Sheet Update
PROVOX MUX Analog I/O (Series 10) Field Termination Cards can be connected to standard DeltaV Analog I/O modules using the FlexConnect MUX Analog interface card. (220KB PDF)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 15, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 11, 2008
Software for Automation: Architecture, Integration, and Security in the DeltaV Bookstore
Software for Automation: Architecture, Integration, and Security by Jonas Berge is now available in the DeltaV Bookstore.
This implementation-oriented book "how-to" information for all phases of the system lifecycle from configuration, system integration, troubleshooting, and engineering, to administration. Software for Automation explains the application of key software technologies in automation terms: OPC, DDE, ActiveX, VBA, SQL, ODBC, ADO, OLE, COM/DCOM, XML,.NET, and more. Written for automation people, the introduction gives a cursory understanding of the architecture and technologies themselves, but the focus and examples are on automation applications. This book is a must-have for systems integrators and automation engineers who either need to integrate a system from components or want an older system to coexist with a new. It is ideal for training courses and for self-paced study and will remain a handy reference.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 11, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 10, 2008
EDDL: Unlocking Device Information
“Of course I want to get the benefits of intelligent field devices, but I’m an engineer and I want to find out what is going on in the “black boxes” I use for configuration. Can I trust them? Do they work with devices from multiple vendors? How can I be sure this stuff will all work together?”
If you want to know just a bit more about how field bus systems communicate and what is the glue that holds this disparate group of devices together, you are a candidate to read Jonas Berge’s article, “EDDL: Unlocking Device Information,” (353KB PDF) published in the September issue of Control Engineering. Jonas demystifies the EDDL standard describing what it is, how it works, and why you should be interested in it.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 10, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 8, 2008
Press Release: Emerson acquires The Automation Group
Acquisition expands Emerson’s process control engineering and project management capabilities for refining, petrochemical and related industries
AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 8, 2008) – Emerson today announced that it has acquired The Automation Group (TAG) of Houston, Texas. TAG becomes part of Emerson Process Management, expanding Emerson’s capabilities for providing technical and management services for the design, engineering and implementation of process automation systems for the refinery, petrochemical, oil and gas production and other industries. Terms of the deal were not announced.
"TAG’s depth of expertise for upgrading existing facilities and delivering new projects is highly complementary to our own existing capabilities," said John Berra, president, Emerson Process Management. "The acquisition expands our ability to address industry needs for automation engineering and project management solutions. We are committed to growing our worldwide design, engineering and implementation capabilities and this acquisition will make a substantial contribution to that goal."
"Emerson's global reach and technological leadership will help us to better serve our valued existing customers, as well as new ones," said Steve Paulson, president of TAG. "Our organizations are well aligned in terms of our strong focus on meeting customer needs and our shared commitment to the refining, petrochemical and oil and gas production industries. Joining Emerson will make it possible to deliver a broader advantage in the implementation of process control systems required to meet increasingly complex needs."
TAG provides process automation/control system engineering, instrument and electrical design, project management services to the refining, petrochemical, chemical and coal power industries. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and has branches in Corpus Christi, Texas; Bloomington, Minnesota; Concord, California; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. TAG supports all of the leading process automation systems and will continue to do so.
TAG's expertise covers a wide range of process automation technologies including distributed control systems (DCSs), safety shutdown systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human machine interfaces (HMIs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), process analyzers, control networks, control room design and system documentation.
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, pharmaceutical and other industries. The company combines superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services. Its brands include PlantWeb®, DeltaV™, Fisher®, Micro Motion®, Rosemount®, Mobrey®, Bristol®, Daniel®, 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 2007 were $22.6 billion. For more information, visit www.Emerson.com.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 8, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 7, 2008
Press Release: Emerson announces next generation preset controller for batch measurement and control
Increased accuracy and integrity for the measurement of hydrocarbon liquids
HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 7, 2008) – Emerson Process Management introduces the DL8000 microprocessor-based batch delivery controller to meet increasingly high industry standards for accuracy and integrity. A result of Emerson’s commitment to deliver best-in-class solutions for liquid flow measurement, DL8000 is the next generation of the DanLoad line of Preset Controllers, designed to resolve batch control requirements for liquid custody transfer applications.
Changing industry standards, the high cost of hydrocarbon products, and the need to manage operation costs fuel the new technology. Preset controllers accurately set the amount of liquid to be delivered and loaded into a truck, railcar, or ship, and control the valves and pumps to load the liquid while monitoring critical circuits to ensure safe loading. These processes must all meet standards set by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The API continually updates its measurement standards and Emerson improves its products to help our customers keep in step.
With the high price of oil, other liquid hydrocarbon products, and chemicals, precise measurement of delivered quantities for revenue metering is more critical than ever. The accuracy of the DL8000 is enhanced with the capability for double-precision math computations supplied by Emerson's high performing Fisher® ROC-Series remote operations controller technology. This not only satisfies API requirements, but also provides extremely accurate measurement and reliable control, local or remote.
Because hydrocarbons expand and contract with changes in temperature and pressure, converting the flow measurement to standard conditions provides a more accurate measurement. The DL8000 calculates flow for custody transfer using average measured product flow rates, measured temperature, pressure, and density to achieve a measurement of flow at standard conditions. This conversion capability provides potential savings of million of dollars over time.
The DL8000 is easy to configure for different batch loading applications using ROCLINK™ 800 software and is fully programmable for PLC tasks using FST (Function Sequence Tables) or any of the languages defined by IEC Standard 61131-3, including ladder logic, structured text, function block diagrams, instruction list, or sequential function chart language. Connectivity of the DL8000 to Emerson’s DeltaV™ Process Control Systems with ROConnect enables the customer to drive maximum benefit, performing remote device diagnostics using Emerson’s AMS™ Suite predictive maintenance software. This improves productivity and reduces maintenance cost.
Learn more about the DL8000 and other Remote Automation Solutions from Emerson Process Management at www.EmersonProcess.com/Remote.
Hi-Res Photo is 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 water and wastewater, chemical, oil and gas, refining, power, pulp and paper, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and other industries. Remote Automation Solutions (www.emersonprocess.com/Remote), a division of Emerson, is the leading worldwide supplier of flow computers, remote automation units, presets, instruments, and engineered services for the oil, gas, water, wastewater and process industries. Remote Automaton Solutions products and systems are an example of Emerson's combining of superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services. Emerson brands include PlantWeb®, Bristol®, ControlWave®, FloBoss™, ROC, Daniel®, Brooks®, Fisher®, Micro Motion®, Rosemount®, Mobrey®, 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 2007 were $22.6 billion. For more information, visit www.Emerson.com.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 7, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 4, 2008
Improve Control Loop Performance
“Distributed automation systems don’t control chemical processes -- control valves do.” OK, this may seem like splitting hairs, but it is important to understand that control valves themselves are tricky, complicated devices that, if not designed, installed and treated properly, can send your process into the weeds no matter how many advanced control loops you’re running.
Emerson’s Greg McMillan outlines five factors that impact control valve performance in his piece in the October issue of Chemical Processing magazine, “Improve Control Loop Performance.” (715KB PDF) This overview article is a good primer (or reminder) on how to get the best performance out of your final control elements.
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 4, 2008 | TrackBack (0)
January 3, 2008
DeltaV SISnet Repeater Product Data Sheet Update
The SISnet Repeater is used when safety-critical inter-trip signals are needed across a physically spread-out plant. (443KB PDF)
Posted by Emerson's EasyDeltaV.com on January 3, 2008 | TrackBack (0)