System Integration & Control Systems Design


Honeywell's newest version of Experion PKS

August 2010 System Integration & Control Systems Design

Experion R400 protects manufacturers from the high cost of evolving technology and includes new turbine control capabilities for power generators.

Honeywell announced it has added several major enhancements to its flagship Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) to help process manufacturers more easily and cost effectively manage their automation and control systems in the face of constantly evolving technology. Experion R400 includes advancements that lower the cost of open system ownership, thanks to features such as an extended support life, flexible direct on-process migration paths, virtualisation, and easier installation and migration. These elements allow industrial facilities to focus on leveraging open systems benefits to improve business instead of managing the challenges with systems themselves.

In addition to these management features, Experion now also offers an integrated turbine control system that allows power generators to improve their plant performance through tighter integration between boilers and turbines. This gives plants better control of their turbines, allowing them to produce energy more efficiently by maximising demand swings while reducing fuel consumption and production costs.

In use at facilities in all major processing industries around the globe, Experion tightly integrates plant subsystems – including process control, safety instrumented systems, security and advanced control – to improve overall safety, reliability, efficiency and sustainability. Process operators, for instance, have greater visibility into how their processes are affecting the overall plant and can make better informed decisions in the control room.

“It is no secret that the introduction of open systems brought both great benefits as well as significant challenges to the processing industries,” said Scott Hillman, global solutions director, Honeywell Process Solutions. “The enhancements we have made to Experion are designed to help alleviate most of those challenges by giving plants an easier and much more cost-effective way to keep their operations running smoothly, even as operating systems and associated software are constantly changing.”

Operating Experion in a virtual environment, for example, can greatly reduce the number of PCs needed at plants, simplify management and ensure software continues functioning properly even as platforms are updated. Additionally, Experion R400 extends the availability of operating systems and key infrastructure components to help prevent them from becoming outdated or obsolete. Plants with older versions of Experion can now upgrade to R400 more easily with extended on-process migration and automatic-install features. This allows plants to more-quickly upgrade their systems on-process with larger jumps between releases.

The system also features a new Profibus Gateway that provides redundancy, further improving the reliability of critical process control applications such as intelligent motor control centres and remote critical equipment monitoring.

“In general, technology today seems to become obsolete the moment it hits the market, but the manufacturing industry is in no position to play a continuous game of catch up,” Hillman said. “Experion R400 fits into Honeywell’s long history of protecting customers’ technology investments. It is designed to help give those manufacturers the peace of mind that the technology purchase they make today will continue to be well protected into the future.”

For more information contact Debbie Rae, Honeywell Southern Africa, +27 (0)11 695 8000, [email protected], www.honeywell.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Powering southern Africa’s industrial evolution for over five decades
Oilpower System Integration & Control Systems Design
Established in 1974, Oilpower is a recognised name in South Africa’s hydraulic and pneumatic sector. What started as a small, family-run business has matured into a highly structured operation with specialised teams, experienced engineers and a reputation for technical excellence and reliability. Oilpower is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year

Read more...
Metal plant automation upgrade
ABB South Africa System Integration & Control Systems Design
A combined compressor house (CCH) control system replacement project, undertaken by NJC, an ABB Authorised Value Provider (AVP), has won high praise from client ArcelorMittal.

Read more...
SIs - the channel’s conductors of light
Schneider Electric South Africa System Integration & Control Systems Design
Today’s original equipment manufacturers are innovators in the truest sense, driving the absolute newest in technological advancement. While they develop advanced and often groundbreaking solutions, it is the system integrators who bring these innovations to life.

Read more...
The state of the SI industry remains strong and is expanding
System Integration & Control Systems Design
The system integration (SI) industry is expanding with the adoption of AI, automation and data sharing, allowing companies to improve operational efficiency and competitiveness across diverse sectors.

Read more...
The symbiotic relationship between OEMs and SIs
Schneider Electric South Africa Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
While businesses tend to turn directly to original equipment manufacturers OEMs or vendors when embarking on IT projects, the role of the SI as a key facilitator and partner cannot be overstated.

Read more...
Flexible and precise dispensing technology
Beckhoff Automation System Integration & Control Systems Design
The Scheugenpflug ProcessModule axis system forms the basis of Atlas Copco’s dispensing and screwing cells and a flexible integration platform for general contractors and machine builders. Precise process sequences are ensured by TwinCAT CNC and servo drive technology from Beckhoff.

Read more...
The time is now for systems integrators
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
Integrators combine sophistication regarding technology innovation with practical, hands-on experience. Collaborating with systems integrators is the means to significant productivity improvement, powered by the convergence of automation and information and operations technology.

Read more...
System integrators are a diverse market
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
System integrators (SIs) combine expertise on emergent technologies with real world experience. Working with SIs, it’s inevitable that at some point someone will say, “We’re not a typical SI.” And in many ways, it’s true. SIs come in all shapes and sizes.

Read more...
Avoiding the pitfalls of PLC and scada control system integration
Iritron System Integration & Control Systems Design
Upgrading your control system by integrating PLCs with scada systems should be a simple seamless process. Regrettably, the industry is plagued with control system integration and upgrade myths and misconceptions that can lead to liability issues, project delays, cost overruns and decreased plant performance.

Read more...
EtherCAT measurement terminals for vehicle development at Mercedes-Benz
Beckhoff Automation System Integration & Control Systems Design
At the Mercedes Technology Centre plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, car axles are examined with the highest precision on four test benches, in parallel with road tests and simulations. All data is acquired using PC-based control from Beckhoff.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved