Process control loop management services

March 2005 Valves, Actuators & Pump Control Products & Solutions

Protea Automation Solutions has introduced a range of comprehensive loop management services. The services are available for the I/A Series automation system from Foxboro as well as other process control systems. This new service represents an important component within Protea Automation Solutions' expanding suite of LifeTime Performance Improvement Services which now also includes alarm management and network security services. These services work together to help customers maximise the performance of their installed automation assets.

The new loop management services begin with a thorough evaluation of all current plant or unit control loops utilising best-in-class diagnostic software tools. This includes comprehensive online diagnostics of all control valves. Loop and valve diagnostics are performed utilising models created from a combination of realtime data and historical information collected via OPC. This important service is available for virtually all process control systems and all field devices. Foundation Fieldbus or other digital field protocols are not required.

Critical under-performing loops are prioritised for remediation, and if desired, Protea Automation Solutions' experts can perform the actual loop tuning and recommend appropriate valve maintenance activities. Following remediation, Protea Automation Solutions provides a report documenting the loop performance improvements that were achieved. Ongoing remote monitoring, reporting, prioritisation and on-site remediation services are available to help ensure optimal loop performance over time.

According to Protea Automation Solutions, these new services fill a critical gap created when many process manufacturers made the decision to downsize their engineering, maintenance and operations staff in response to business pressures.

As a result of this downsizing, many process loops, including critical 'money' loops are often operating sub-optimally, resulting in decreased product quality, increased raw material and energy usage, or the need for frequent operator intervention.

Poorly performing control loops, and particularly oscillating loops, also often result in excessive valve wear, thus increasing maintenance requirements. By off-loading day-to-day loop management to Protea Automation Solutions, process manufacturers can realise optimal control loop performance, while freeing typically overworked plant personnel to perform other critical plant tasks.

For more information contact Keith Guest, Protea Automation Solutions, 011 719 5700, keithg@protea.co.za, www.protea.co.za

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