Advanced process control technology increases operator effectiveness

June 2007 System Integration & Control Systems Design

Honeywell's recently released Profit Suite R300 is the latest version of the company's advanced process control technology for optimising operations and improving business results at processing plants. Gerry Guiterrez, director of advanced solutions marketing says: "The new version increases operator effectiveness in the control room, troubleshoots a broader array of process issues, is easier to implement across third-party control systems and reduces the effort required for system maintenance."

The software suite comprises advanced process control technologies that enhance the capabilities of a facility's distributed control system (DCS). While the DCS maintains individual controller set points, this application continuously analyses a broad range of process information and determines how to improve a plant's overall economics. DCS set points are then automatically adjusted within operator-specified ranges to achieve the economic goals.

"Profit Suite, in a sense, is the brain of the plant because it finds ways to adjust the DCS' actions with the bigger business picture in mind," said Guiterrez. "An advanced process control system like this takes into account more than just inputs and outputs - it analyses that information, compares it against business data and makes the necessary adjustments for the best possible production results."

The new release features an improved human-machine interface (HMI) display that gives operators greater insight into processes. The new HMI Web APC Shape Library features customisable shapes and scripts that allow greater flexibility in designing operator displays. The graphics are compliant with Abnormal Situation Management (ASM) guidelines for effective alarm management and information display.

"Optimising a current processing system, as opposed to installing a completely new one, is one of the most efficient ways to consistently increase production at any plant," said Guiterrez. "Profit Suite has been enhanced to achieve that exact goal. By optimising a process, it addresses a bigger issue: better overall plant performance by increasing capacity and improving yields without the need for major investment in new or expanded process facilities."

For more information contact Julie Ann Brown, Honeywell SA, +27 (0)11 695 8000, [email protected], www.honeywell.co.za

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