PLC-based system expansion in petrochemical plant
October 2002
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
A petrochemical company was expanding quickly owing to the strong economy. Economic growth was so rapid that the company frequently experienced shortages of raw materials, with demand for its products often outpacing supply.
Maintaining economies of scale is a crucial factor for petrochemical companies to retain their competitiveness. Losing even a small market share to competitors can be disastrous for such companies. Thus, the factory manager proposed to the board of directors that certain production lines be expanded to keep the company competitive. This plan included the installation of a data monitoring and control system in those production lines.
One of the key constraints facing system integrators is time. The factory manager promised the executive board that the new installation would be completed within a short period of time. That meant the monitoring system had to be easy to install. The production facility buildings are large and high, so the wiring system had to be flexible and easy to maintain. Data collected on site had to be reliable and not affected by EMI during transfer. Also, due to forecasted strong demand over the next few years, the factory manager was very concerned about the scalability and future expansion of the system.
The first option for the system integrator was to merely expand the existing PLC system. After further assessment, this proved to be too complex. He then decided to implement an open PC environment. Advantech's ADAM series of PC-based data acquisition modules were selected.
The configuration is set up on the original PLC system's communication module. The PLC reads data from the ADAM modules and sends it to the control room through an RS485 network. The RS485 network, with its simple, twisted pair construction, is suited to applications calling for ease of installation.
The ADAM-4013 is used to read temperature, the ADAM-4017 for collecting transmitter signals, while the ADAM-4050 reads and controls relays, fans and pumps. A fire alarm function watches for abnormal conditions in the continuously running production line. As a result, realtime emergency action can be swiftly carried out.
Due to the choice of open PC-based architecture, the expansion plan was finished on time. ADAM's PC-based design proved to be fully compatible with the PLC system. The system engineers, maintenance staff and field workers were all delighted with the results. Most importantly, the company's throughput now fully satisfies customers' demands.
For more information contact Elton Prytz, ProMicro, 011 706 7913, [email protected], www.promicro.co.za
Further reading:
Advanced DCSs preserve what must not change while enabling
Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Next-generation DCSs, such as Schneider Electric’s Foxboro, are preserving the best of the old while introducing the new in a less disruptive manner.
Read more...
DCS for maximum plant efficiency and reliability
ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ABB has introduced SPR2025, the latest Symphony Plus DCS package release to enable modernisation and efficient performance for the process and power industries.
Read more...
Robust PLC for field applications
ifm - South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ifm is a leading suppliers of robust control systems for mobile use. Its ecomat series comprises PLCs, I/O modules and sensors that can withstand the harsh environmental influences of mobile applications.
Read more...
ABB’s new flagship DCS
ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ABB has launched the latest version of its flagship distributed control system, to help industrial operators modernise without disruption and accelerate their path toward next generation automation.
Read more...
Adroit Technologies drives global SCADA for Iochpe-Maxion
Adroit Technologies
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Adroit Technologies has been appointed by Iochpe-Maxion, parent company of one of the world’s largest wheel manufacturers and producers of structural components in the Americas, as its global SCADA partner. The partnership will standardise operational visibility, reliability and control across 34 manufacturing facilities worldwide.
Read more...
Extended DCS enables industrial innovation with continuity
ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ABB has introduced its Automation Extended programme, a strategic evolution of its distributed control systems (DCS), designed to help industries modernise without disruption.
Read more...
Valmet’s automation powers world’s largest air-to-water heat pump
Valmet South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Valmet will supply an automation system for Helen’s Patola air-to-water heat pump plant and two electric boilers currently being built in Helsinki, Finland. When completed, the air-to-water heat pump plant will be the largest in the world with a full heating production capacity around 30 MW.
Read more...
All eyes on the modern DCS platform
Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Modernised DCS platforms are no longer confined to hardware-dependent architectures. These systems have evolved to combine the strengths of both PLCs and DCS while adding capabilities that make them more open, resilient and collaborative.
Read more...
Automation solution for waste management at incineration facility
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Valmet is to deliver an automation system to Seongnam City’s incineration facility currently under construction in South Korea. By leveraging intelligent automation, the plant will optimise energy production, minimise emissions and deliver efficient, consistent performance throughout its entire lifecycle.
Read more...
Valmet’s supplies DCS to Europe’s largest electric boiler plant
Valmet South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Valmet will supply an automation system to Helen’s Hanasaari electric boiler plant and a thermal accumulator being built in Helsinki, Finland. Once completed, it will be Europe’s largest electric boiler plant.
Read more...
printer friendly version