ValveLink Snap-on for asset management solutions (AMS) software, allows the user to monitor boiler temperature in the power plant, check the calibration of the mass flow sensor in the process line and run a diagnostic check on a control valve.
There is no need to start a separate application for each specific instrument. AMS with the ValveLink Snap-on has the capability to perform valve specific functions, including advanced diagnostics with the Fieldvue DVC5000 Series digital valve controllers.
Using AMS software, an instrument engineer, maintenance technician or operations supervisor can determine the status of any HART device and spot problems before they affect the process. Adding the ValveLink Snap-on to AMS provides advanced diagnostic capabilities that permit the user to select only those control valves that need to be rebuilt during plant turnarounds.
By being able to check on a valve's current performance versus its performance when new, can be used to determine the optimal time to schedule the valve for maintenance. This helps reduce costly failures which directly affect the plant bottom line profits.
With a HART multiplexer and an RS232-to-RS485 converter, the user can set up a network that allows the package to communicate with thousands of smart instruments. This means the user can effectively and efficiently configure, calibrate, monitor, perform diagnostics and maintain records for virtually any valve in the plant from a central location.
Each Fieldvue instrument has its own tag for complete identification. Tags may be grouped according to plant area, plant equipment or physical connection for ease of selection. Records from one instrument may be copied, using drag and drop techniques, to another, minimising entry errors and making it easier to move an instrument from one valve to another. AMS software also helps to avoid errors by comparing an instrument's current configuration to a previous configuration. This helps to verify that the correct configuration is in the instrument when moving the instrument from one valve to another.
AMS software makes instrument configuration easier. Users can quickly and easily change configurations from the PC and download them to field devices connected via the HART modem or HART multiplexer. Since the database tag for each device can be up to 32 characters, users can assign full ISA length tags providing more information about their devices and their applications.
Instrument configuration is divided into logical groups which permit quick identification of the desired variable. Multiple configurations for the same instrument may be stored by time and date in the audit trail, allowing a complete history of instrument configuration and calibration to be stored and downloaded at any time.
With open two-way communication between the software and the Fieldvue instruments, maintenance and operations personnel know immediately what is happening in the field and can troubleshoot quickly and effectively.
With access to the device status and diagnostics, problems can be identified quickly and accurately. Decisions can be made immediately to determine whether a problem can be solved from the AMS with the ValveLink Snap-on, reducing the number of unnecessary trips to the field and the time spent in validating a loop problem.
Running an advanced valve diagnostic test such as valve signature, dynamic error band, drive signal and output signal or performing a step response test makes it possible to remotely identify possible problems. If a trip to the field is required the advanced valve diagnostic tests may be able to provide enough information to determine what equipment to bring to the field ahead of time.
The dynamic error band test is a test of the total assembly and each of the components – including the Fieldvue instrument, actuator and valve. Dynamic error band indicates how the valve will operate under process conditions which are dynamic not static. Dynamic error band is the combination of hysteresis and dead band, plus slewing error.
Initially, a valve signature test is run before the valve is placed in service to get an 'out-of-the-box' indication of valve performance. This gives a benchmark to judge the extent of performance degradation after the valve has been in service. The software analyses the data collected from the test and displays the results. The software calculates and displays friction, spring rate, bench set and seat load data for sliding-stem valves, plus torque for rotary valves.
| Tel: | +27 11 249 6700 |
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| www: | www.acs-autocon.com |
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