Abstract
Automation to Benefit from Greater Investments in Russian Oil and Gas
Increased investments, government regulations and the exploration of new oil and gas deposits will favour the development of the automation and control solutions (ACS) market in Russia over 2013–2016, according to new analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.industrialautomation.frost.com). As demand for oil and gas soars, oil and gas companies have started implementing ACS to make the industrial process more effective and save on production costs.
The research covers six major segments: programmable logic controller (PLC), distributed control system (DCS), safety instrumented systems (SISs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), industrial asset management (IAM) and manufacturing execution system (MES).
Entitled ‘Strategic Analysis of Automation and Control Solutions in the Russian Oil and Gas Industry’, this study also warns that the market faces major challenges in the form of Russia’s unstable economic and political landscape and end-user perceptions of ACS being non-critical in the manufacturing process.
The analysis finds that the market earned revenues of £1.55 million in 2011 and estimates this to reach £1.176 million in 2016.
Maryna Osipova, Frost & Sullivan Industrial Automation and Process Control Research Analyst, explained,
ACS systems can be used to improve efficiency, decrease operating costs and boost the productivity of oil and gas manufacturing processes over the long-term. Besides ensuring performance optimisation and technological control and planning, ACS also promotes safe operations – this will be in line with stricter government regulations related to safety in oil and gas manufacturing processes.
As a result of such trends, oil and gas customers have started to recognise ACS as a strategic investment. At the same time, one of the major restraints to market expansion has been the end-user perception of these solutions being non-critical in the manufacturing process.
For more information, email
Emerson Cyber Security Certified for Process Systems
Emerson Process Management (Companion Company) (http://www.EmersonProcess.com) reports that its DeltaV digital automation system and its project and engineering support services have successfully passed annual best practice standards set by Wurldtech Security Technologies (http://www.wurldtech.com).
The company has, it says, taken a ‘leading role’ in responding to increased global cyber-security threats by providing cost-effective, easy-to-use protections to its DeltaV digital process automation system. Because of the dynamic nature of cyber-security threats, manufacturers participating in Wurldtech’s Achilles Practices Certification programme must recertify every year. Annual audits help participants improve their cyber-security processes and practices, development, testing, commissioning, maintenance and support throughout an automation system’s lifecycle.
Building on industry security requirements set by the International Instrument Users Association (WIB), Wurldtech, which is a world leader in protecting mission-critical connected systems and devices, created its programme to proactively and independently certify that manufacturer policies and practices meet and exceed these requirements.
Kontron Is M2M Partner of Deutsche Telekom
Kontron (http://www.kontron.com) is cooperating with Deutsche Telekom to promote Kontron’s machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions. This M2M partnership with one of the world’s leading network operators and service providers extends Kontron’s marketing and distribution channels, and underlines its strategic investment to provide embedded computer-based solutions for the huge multiplicity of industrial grade M2M applications.
Fleet management and video surveillance, as well as distributed outdoor digital signage systems and near-field communication (NFC) advertising boards, represent just a few of the many vertical markets towards which industrial grade M2M solutions can be targeted. Claus Giebert, Kontron’s Product Manager for M2M solutions in Europe, said,
Being a cooperation partner of the Deutsche Telekom will help us to get accelerated access to OEMs from these various vertical markets. A close partnership with the network operators is also important for improving our own M2M services: The ‘Internet-of-Things’ – or telemetry in other words – needs a high-availability infrastructure and an appropriate quality of services. Think about distributed energy management systems, for example.
Giebert concluded,
Only in partnership with worldwide leading network operators and service providers for telecommunication such as Deutsche Telekom we can ensure this for our customers.
For distributed systems requiring cellular network connection, Kontron offers the matching industrial grade nodes to connect the terminal devices to the cloud applications and the Internet-of-Things.
A part of Deutsche Telekom’s developer propositions is the Kontron M2M Smart Services Developer Kit, which provides scalable processor performance and includes all the required drivers and protocols and highly flexible configuration options in terms of applications and operating systems.
Cellular network connection to the cloud applications is offered with pre-installed 3G Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN), which can be extended for redundant configurations via a second Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express 3G/4G module. Even face-to-face communication is possible with the optional extension of a smart video and audio module.
Emerson Automation Technology Chosen for Gasification Plant
CHO Power, part of the Europlasma Group, is using Emerson Process Management’s (Companion Company) digital automation technology to control a new waste- and biomass-fed power station at Morcenx in South West (SW) France. By providing flexible and accurate control of an innovative gasification process, Emerson’s Ovation Expert control system is enabling the plant to operate at maximum efficiency.
The new Morcenx gasification facility will generate 12 MW of power from 150 metric tonnes/day of industrial and wood waste, making it the most powerful plant of its type worldwide. The efficient use of waste and biomass fuel helps the plant support European energy guidelines promoting the use of continuous-source renewable energy with low CO2 emissions. Start-up was in autumn 2012, and the plant was commissioned to the grid at the beginning of 2013.
This power station is believed to be the first of its type to use a highly efficient gasification principle based on patented ‘Turboplasma’ equipment to transform waste into syngas. The 1200 °C temperatures generated from the plasma torch produce a very pure syngas that is used to drive the turbine and generate electricity. In addition, 18 MW of hot water from the cooling system is used to heat a vegetable greenhouse and a wood drier.
Yannick Ferriere, project manager, CHO Power, said, We selected Emerson’s Ovation system because it provides the levels of flexibility and control needed to cope with the varying characteristics of biomass fuels. Also critical was Emerson’s extensive project management experience with biomass power generating plants, as well as its technical support including engineering, configuration of the Ovation system, training, start-up assistance and maintenance.
The Ovation system, together with AMS Suite predictive maintenance software and smart instrumentation, is part of Emerson’s PlantWeb digital plant architecture that provides both advanced control and asset management capability for the facility.
The Ovation system, which interfaces with the General Electric (GE) steam turbine, gas treatment system and gas engine using Profibus–Decentralized Peripherals (DP), will perform data acquisition and monitor and control all major plant components to provide improved unit stability, responsiveness and thermal efficiencies; tighter overall control of plant operations; and a more concise view of key plant and turbine parameters, which maximises boiler and plant efficiency.
An Ovation SIS provides Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL-3) protection for the boiler systems. Complying with IEC 61511, this system uses digital intelligence and diagnostics to provide an integrated complete-safety-loop approach that helps increase process availability, reduces lifecycle costs and eases regulatory compliance.
The new waste- and biomass-fed power station at Morcenx in SW France
For more information, go to http://www2.emersonprocess.com/en-UK/Pages/Home.aspx
Webinar Features Through-Hole and Load Button Load Cells
Futek (http://www.futek.com) has provided a webinar that explains the basic uses of the company’s sensors and instruments. Each webinar reviews industrial application examples, provides informative question and answer sessions and also provides a detailed overview of the versatility of specific product lines.
In this webinar presentation, Futek’s Sensor Technical Director, Richard Walker, highlights heightened performance when reviewing the company’s Thru-Hole (Donut) load cells and Load Button load cells. With a capacity range of 0.5–22,680 kg, both load cell types are proficient in applications from the robust, such as automation testing, to delicate medical research testing.
The overall aim is to show how to select and implement Thru-Hole and Load Button load cells into your test system, to illustrate how environmental factors affect the performance of these load cells and to show how to integrate these devices with electronic components to help achieve the highest precision and accuracy.
Egnyte Joins NetApp Service Provider Partner Program
Egnyte (http://www.egnyte.com), the file sharing and synchronisation expert company, has joined the NetApp Partner Program for service providers. This collaboration is aimed at delivering cloud-based solutions addressing customers’ needs.
With NetApp, Egnyte is able to bring its differentiated services to market faster. Additionally, in collaboration with NetApp, Egnyte can provide customers with an all NetApp storage strategy irrespective of whether a customer wants to leverage local storage, the cloud or a combination of both.
By joining NetApp’s Partner Program, Egnyte will become a part of an industry-leading ecosystem of products and services. NetApp customers can access a wide spectrum of Egnyte services to help them design and implement a file share and sync strategy that suits their needs.
On-Site Measurement Improves ‘Smart Grid’ Design
New and improved technology for measuring power quality in Smart Grids could save 839,000 tonnes of carbon and bring £250 million annually in economic benefit. The technology has been developed by scientists working at the Centre for Carbon Measurement, at the National Physical Laboratory (Companion Company) (NPL – http://www.npl.co.uk).
The growing complexity of the increasingly demanding and decentralised system for generating and distributing energy to homes and businesses creates many opportunities for power quality to be compromised. To address this, smart grids have the potential to manage and monitor electricity throughout networks such as the National Grid. Electricity information is used to improve distribution and support integration of new power sources, such as renewables, where power generation is more volatile.
To minimise compromises, and maximise efficiency, real-time monitoring of power quality in the grid is essential. A ‘metrology grade’ digitiser developed by the Centre for Carbon Measurement provides one of the most accurate portable methods of making these measurements, and initial projects alone look set to produce huge carbon reductions.
The Digitiser takes sample measurements of current and voltage using non-invasive techniques at about 25,000 times/s, and sends these measurements to an analogue-to-digital converter. It can then carry out real-time calculations using NPL-developed algorithms to calculate various parameters relating to power quality. These levels of accuracy were previously confined to the laboratory but can now be made in the field. Measurements can be made at several points throughout the grid and compared.
The team that designed the Digitiser used it to study power quality on one of the most challenging components of the smart grid – a large-scale photovoltaic (PV) array installation. The findings will enable grid planners to anticipate and sidestep several potential pitfalls in the design of the future grid and thus should make a highly significant contribution to carbon reduction.
Distech Controls Joins the BCIA
Building services controls company, Distech Controls (http://www.distech-controls.eu), has joined the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) to strengthen its position within the UK market.
Formed in 2004, the BCIA represents the interests of a wide range of businesses in the building controls industry. With its specialised programme of training, education and marketing, the BCIA upholds high standards of performance for organisations and individuals.
Chris Irwin, business development manager for Northern and Eastern Europe at Distech Controls, commented,
We are delighted to now be part of such a well-recognised industry body. The importance of building control systems is now being recognised and the BCIA does great work in training and educating people in and out of the industry. We have been growing and developing the Distech Controls business in the UK and across Europe and this is further proof of our commitment and on-going presence within the controls market.
Karen Fletcher, Executive Officer of the BCIA, adds,
The Association aims to raise awareness of building controls as central to energy efficient and productive buildings. A growing membership means that we represent an increasing proportion of the UK controls sector, and we are very happy to welcome Distech Controls to the BCIA.
Distech Controls has joined the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA)
Oil Company Chooses Knovel for Global Engineering Teams
Sparrows, the global provider of oilfield engineering services, has selected Knovel (http://www.knovel.com) to increase efficiency in its global business by enabling its engineering teams to work ‘smarter and faster’ with access to a consistent source of engineering references.
Knovel, used by engineers worldwide, is a web-based application integrating technical information with analytical and search tools that delivers answers engineers can trust. Ewen Kerr, Global Engineering Director at Sparrows, responsible for all aspects of the group’s engineering delivery, said,
Our organisation is global therefore consistency and continuity are important to the efficiency of the engineering teams. Knovel allows engineers to use the same data wherever they are, and having the data online at their fingertips means they can work faster and smarter. I expect to see increased productivity savings because information from Knovel is from trusted sources and auditable, so engineers can search for data reliably with minimal support from senior engineers.
Feedback from internal evaluations conducted by Sparrows pointed to an estimated time saving of between 20% and 30% for engineers in finding answers and data using Knovel compared to searches using textbooks.
Sparrows’ projects span new build designs, equipment upgrade and refurbishments and mechanical handling schemes involving mechanical, structural, electrical and hydraulic disciplines. These types of projects require information that Knovel provides.
Call for November CAN Conference Papers
The 14th International CAN Conference (iCC) will take place at the Eurosites République in Paris (France) on 12 and 13 November 2013.
The controller area network (CAN) physical layer and data link layer protocol was originally developed for use as in-vehicle network for passenger cars. The CAN-based higher layer protocols define how to use the CAN data link protocol for specific application requirements. Besides proprietary CAN-based higher layer protocols, there are also several internationally standardised ones: CANopen for embedded control systems, DeviceNet for factory automation, J1939-based solutions (J1939-71, Isobus, ISO 11992, CiA 501/2) for trucks and other vehicles and ISO 15765 for passenger car diagnostics.
The iCC is the one-of-a-kind platform for presentation of CAN developments. Experts from all over the world and from the most diversified application areas have met for years at this international event.
The conference is said to be unique in its target group and allows visitors to become acquainted with the latest CAN developments. It is also a platform for lecturing on CAN-based research and for exchanging experiences internationally with experts from related work fields. Details about the iCC are available at http://www.can-cia.org.
BACnet Slave Unit Unites Building Systems with Automation
With its BACnet flexible slave units for the FP series FPS PLC, Panasonic Electric Works (http://www.panasonic-electric-works.co.uk) now provides the equipment necessary for facility managers and planning offices to realise open building automation concepts.BACnet also standardises complex transactions (services) such as alarm and event processing, data logging, monitoring device status, data backup in general and the backup and loading of applications in automation devices.
The ability to collect counter and measurement values as well as other vital operating data for heating, air circulation and conditioning is a prerequisite for developing open, interoperable and functional building automation applications. This includes devices at the field level, for example, sensors and motor drives, as well as at the automation and management level (central building control system).
On top of that, new regulations, such as those arising within the framework of the liberalisation of the energy market, are increasingly creating the demand to unite building system engineering with process control via standard interfaces.
These BACnet products are available as two different types of interface units: BACnet/Internet protocol (IP) and master–slave/token-passing (MS/TP). All FPS central processing units (CPUs) can thus be connected via BACnet. Other interface units for inputs and outputs, just as other fieldbus slave units, can be used, for example, to establish a gateway between IEC60870-5 and BACnet.
Manufacturing Firms Expect Return to Orders Growth Next Quarter
According to the latest CBI (http://www.cbi.org.uk) quarterly Industrial Trends Survey, new manufacturing orders fell slightly in the 3 months to April, but output increased, and firms are expecting orders to grow in the next quarter. The decrease in total new orders was driven by a fall in domestic demand this quarter, the fastest pace of decline since January 2012, whereas export orders stabilised.
However, manufacturers have increased their stocks of work in progress and finished goods. This was most likely in anticipation of a better coming quarter, with expectations for total orders growth at the strongest level for a year. Meanwhile, output is also expected to rise and manufacturers’ optimism has improved.
Employment in the sector increased in line with expectations in the 3 months to April, and manufacturers expect to increase their headcount in the next quarter.
First Device Passed CANopen Interoperability Test at CiA
CAN in Automation (CiA), the international users’ and manufacturers’ group, tests the interoperability of CANopen devices. Faulhaber’s MCBL300 motion controller is the first CANopen device that has passed this test, it is believed.
As opposed to the CANopen conformance test, the interoperability test is a system approach. The device-under-test (DUT) is proofed in the ‘golden’ CANopen network installed in the association’s laboratory. The test procedure assures that CANopen devices are capable of interacting with a variety of other products from different manufacturers, all integrated into the same test stand (see photo). It also includes some stress tests in order to prove that the DUT runs even at high busloads or with long bus-lines, for example.
CiA also organises so-called plug-fests, during which manufacturers connect ad hoc their CANopen devices to test interoperability between different products. The next CANopen plug-fest will be dedicated for CANopen Safety products. The interoperability of CANopen Safety devices is not in the scope of the functional safety testing and certification by national authorities.
For more information, go to: http://www.can-cia.org/index.php?id=1517
Faulhaber’s MCBL300 motion controller is the first CANopen device that has passed the interoperability of CANopen devices test
Mobile Maintenance and Repair Using Robotics
Scientists from IBM (http://www.ibm.com) have devised a mobile maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) prototype that has been designed to help manufacturers and companies supplying and maintaining high-value machinery in sectors, such as aerospace, oil and gas and shipping. The project is the result of collaboration with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
MRO tasks typically involve an engineer visiting a site, finding the right machine and making sure they have an appropriate task sheet. If they run into difficulty, they might call for help from a remote supervisor or product expert.
The system, which uses a combination of augmented reality and robotics, will help field engineers accurately locate equipment, provide them with critical information and receive real-time visual support from supervising experts based remotely. It allows a supervisor to monitor an engineer’s progress towards the maintenance site, using global positioning system (GPS).
Once on site, the engineer can use a smart phone and quick response (QR) codes to locate and identify an asset and receive maintenance instructions. The smart phone uses augmented reality technology to overlay points of interest over a plan of the site, which can include the location of other engineers, first aid stations and health and safety apparatus.
Where assistance is required, an expert located remotely can view the on-site engineer’s workspace and support him or her with real-time video and audio links using a camera and a small projector mounted at the end of a remotely controlled robotic arm. The expert, from the management console, is also able to project a pointer and valuable information such as free-hand sketches, assembly instructions and computer-aided design (CAD) images directly onto the workspace or a nearby wall.
Richard Lanyon-Hogg, IBM Technical Director for the industrial sector, said,
The MRO prototype brings together two innovative IBM technologies, developed in our European research labs in Hursley and Haifa, into a single solution for our clients. It offers manufacturers the opportunity to lower their costs, provide just-in-time knowledge transfer and reduce the personal risk to engineers working in difficult environments.
The IBM maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) prototype features a small projector mounted on a robotic arm, and can project computer-aided designs (CAD) and assembly instructions onto the workspace or nearly wall (photo – IBM)
Power Analysis Is Crucial for EcoDesign Test Programmes
It has been estimated that over 80% of all product-related environmental impacts are determined during a product’s design phase, so following sound EcoDesign principles is crucial for success.
As one result, Yokogawa (Companion Company) (http://www.yokogawa.com) power meters and analysers are the key elements in tests being carried out by LUX-TSI – an independent UK test house specialising in the testing of energy-efficient lighting and electronic products, including light emitting diodes (LEDs). This work is aimed at ensuring compatibility with international standards governing energy efficiency.
The two companies are testing products using Yokogawa’s WT210 and WT3000 instruments to evaluate compliance with European EcoDesign (ErP) Directives, and this capability was demonstrated at the euroLED Conference at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham, in late June.
The Yokogawa WT3000 precision power analyser provides, it is claimed, ‘best in class’ precision and stability. With a basic power accuracy of ±0.02% of reading, direct current (DC) and 0.1 Hz–1 MHz measurement bandwidth and up to four input elements, the WT3000 provides a high-accuracy measurement solution for testing all types of power electronics products.
Dr Gareth Jones, Chief Executive of LUX-TSI, commented, There are two complementary ways of reducing the energy consumed by these products – imposing requirements at the design phase, and adding labelling to raise the awareness of consumers. Our UK based independent accredited test house is supporting the implementation of this directive through providing energy performance testing to industry and Government.
For further information, go to: http://www.tmi.yokogawa.com
Yokogawa’s WT3000 instrument is being used evaluate compliance with European EcoDesign (ErP) Directives
Intelligent Valve Controller Withstands Severe Offshore Conditions
Metso’s Neles (ND9300H) high-performance intelligent valve controller has received a marine certificate from Bureau Veritas indicating that the unit has passed that organisation’s requirements for steel ships. To meet this level of certification, the controller had to pass a series of demanding corrosion and vibration resistance tests. The ND9300H is, therefore, suitable for severe offshore oil and gas production applications.
Metso’s Neles (ND9300H) high-performance intelligent valve controller
The increasing demand for oil and gas has meant producers moving their offshore operations to ever more demanding locations, working at greater depths and under more severe weather conditions. This valve controller meets the high-performance control requirements of these advanced offshore applications, while standing up to hard use as well as heat, cold, moisture, salt and other harsh conditions.
The ND9300H is a ruggedised, fully stainless steel enclosed unit that can be installed on top of any valve – rotary or linear, big or small. Diagnostic features come as standard.
For more information, go to: http://www.metso.com
Study Shows 802.11ac and MIMO Technology to Drive Global RF Test Market
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.testandmeasurement.frost.com), entitled ‘Global RF Testing Market: Increasing Complexity of Products Translate into Growth Opportunities for Test Vendors’, has found that the deployment of progressively more complex telecommunication techniques, including 802.11ac, together with the adoption of advanced multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) technologies will fuel the global radio-frequency (RF) testing market.
This research covers traditional general purpose (GP) instrumentation, modular GP instrumentation, semiconductor automatic test equipment (ATE) and rental GP segments.
The study has also found that the market earned revenues of £1.94 billion in 2011 and estimates this to reach £2.70 billion in 2016.
802.11ac is one of the key drivers for the RF test equipment market. With the 802.11ac standard, faster speed and higher data-handling capacity through wider channels than the existing systems are achieved.
Prathima Bommakanti, Frost & Sullivan Measurement & Instrumentation Industry Analyst, noted,
The existing 802.11 protocol devices have managed to satisfy network requirements over the past decade. However, with the increasing consumption of digital data, mobile data traffic needs to be handled with more powerful wireless network infrastructure that would offer more capacity, reliability, and speed.
The research indicates that with the 802.11ac standard, the usage of 8 × 8 MIMO to support 160 MHz bandwidth, and with long-term evolution (LTE) advanced, the usage of 8 × 8 MIMO to support 100 MHz channel bandwidth are becoming popular. The widening adoption of MIMO will, therefore, also boost market prospects.
For more information, email
NPL Offers Specialist Measurement and Inspection Services
NPL (Companion Company) offers a fast response service for difficult-to-measure components that require highly skilled techniques traceable to National Standards. These services provide, says the organisation, high-confidence inspection results within timescales that critical production cycles demand.
As probably the United Kingdom’s largest measurement centre of excellence, NPL employs nationally recognised experts in metrology with many years’ experience inspecting complex manufactured parts.
Examples of the services include the following:
Measurement of components and assemblies – dimensional measurement against customer-supplied drawings and CAD models by highly skilled engineers using state-of-the-art test equipment in an environmentally controlled laboratory.
Bespoke reporting – measurement results can be presented in a format to suit your requirements, therefore ensuring that quality systems are adhered to within the production environment.
Bespoke training – learn the best way to measure your own manufactured components and assemblies from first principles through to coordinate measuring machine (CMM) measurement. It includes drawing interpretation, workholding and fixturing measurement strategy and measurement process.
Access to expertise – NPL offers continuous access to a reliable source of experts and affordable inspection skills at a time when customers are having increased difficulty in retaining high-calibre metrology and inspection staff of their own.
For more information, email
Integrated Temperature Sensor in Passive RFID
EM Microelectronic, the semiconductor company of the Swatch Group and a world-leading supplier for radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuits, has launched its EM4325V11. This, the company says, is a ‘versatile and multipurpose, battery-assisted passive (BAP) RFID chip’ having a calibrated temperature sensor.
This chip enables accurate remote temperature monitoring using industry standard Electronic Product Code (EPC) Gen2 wireless protocol. Temperature data logging can easily be implemented with a companion microcontroller connected to the EM4325V11 via a standard Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI).
The integrated temperature sensor monitors ambient temperature from −40 °C to +60 °C with 9-bit measurement accuracy of up to 0.5% over the full temperature range. In pure passive mode, the temperature sensor can be used for field-powered snapshot readings. However, the chip can also be programmed to perform self-monitoring with user-programmable alarm conditions (upper and lower temperature thresholds).
Because of its rich feature set, the EM4325V11 can be used in a variety of applications, including standard supply chain management, cold chain temperature monitoring, automatic vehicle identification (AVI), product configuration and control, tamper detection, and in challenging RF environments.
For samples and details, email
Wireless Valve Control Is Ideal for Tank Farm Automation
A wireless valve control system has been described as a ‘perfect fit’ for a US petroleum tank farm automation project.
In 2011, an operating division of Martin Midstream Partners (MMLP) began building a single product tank farm at the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas, comprising six 100,000 barrel tanks and four booster pumps to serve nearby truck and ship-loading terminals. As the facility was originally designed for a single hydrocarbon product, the terminal’s specifications did not initially require automated valves to isolate individual storage tanks.
However, during construction, MMLP decided to upgrade and introduce the capability to handle a second product, which necessitated the requirement of isolating the tanks to avoid cross-contamination. To achieve this, the company specified Rotork (http://www.rotork.com) electric valve actuation under centralised control.
The explosion proof Rotork IQ non-intrusive intelligent actuators are monitored and controlled by the company’s Pakscan P3 digital system, designed specifically for valve actuation duties and the environments associated with hazardous area petrochemical plants and storage areas. The system incorporates all appropriate interlocks which safeguard the integrity of the terminal operations.
MMLP has been able to take advantage of additional functionality and further economies through the introduction of Pakscan P3 with a wireless field network. Wireless Pakscan eliminates virtually all the costs associated with the installation of wiring, cable ducts, safety barriers and associated equipment required for network cabling, while enabling an increased level of information from the actuators to be communicated over the wireless network.
Hermes Award for Bosch Rexroth at Hannover
Bosch Rexroth (http://www.boschrexroth.com) has won this year’s Hermes Award at Hannover Messe. Marking the changing face of industrial technology, this is the first time the internationally recognised accolade has gone to a software development. The award was presented to Bosch Rexroth for its Open Core Engineering project, which brings together PLC and information technology for the first time in industrial applications.
Part of a wider move to take advantage of emerging technologies, throughout industry, Open Core Engineering allows greater flexibility and efficiency in the automation process by enabling remote maintenance and operation through smart devices and apps, combining advanced industrial algorithms with everyday hand-held devices.
The Hermes Award was presented by Professor Johanna Wanka, Federal Minister of Education and Research, who praised Open Core Engineering in her laudation speech as ‘[An] outstanding example of industry 4.0’.
She continued,
Bosch Rexroth prevailed against four other finalists and should feel confirmed in their response to the latest and probably most important industry topic of integrated industry.
News in Brief
100,000th bulk solids radar sensor – a new milestone
Almost 9 years after introducing VEGAPULS 68, said to be the first radar sensor for bulk solids, Vega (Companion Company) (http://www.vega.com/uk) has delivered the 100,000th sensor. Günter Kech, Managing Director, commented,
This production milestone carries forward the success story of radar level sensors in process automation. Today, they are the all-round level transmitter for liquids and bulk solids. Radar technology is on a success trajectory and we will ensure that it stays there, by further simplifying the level measurement of bulk solids with radar in the future.
The 100,000th bulk solids radar instrument is a VEGAPULS SR68. The landmark sensor went to Bühler AG in Switzerland. This Swiss technology group is using it for level measurement in a 25-m-high cement silo.
Two-wire continuous ultrasonic transmission
An economical two-wire, continuous ultrasonic level transmitter from Heaters, Controls and Sensors Ltd (http://www.hcs77.com) allows simple, reliable non-contact level measurement of liquids in tanks, sumps or other containers. The microprocessor-controlled circuit generates a pulse that is transmitted from the transducer face. This pulse is reflected back from the surface of the liquid. The ‘round trip’ transit time is then converted into the current output, which is directly proportional to the fluid level.
SIPe chosen for Glasgow University energy monitoring
The Estates Department at the University of Glasgow, which has many buildings spread across a wide area, has started a programme of sub-metering for key buildings, and selected SIPe for the onsite monitoring. The SIPe was chosen because it provides direct integration with the onsite Trend Building Energy Management Systems (BMS) and has configuration tools to provide energy screen dashboards in these key buildings from the SIPe without the need for expensive servers and remote subscription services. In addition, the SIPe allows direct access to the data stored within the on-board database, which can also be scheduled to be sent to a third-party software.
For more information, go to: www.synapsys-solutions.com.
High accuracy from ultrasonic flow meter
Greyline Instruments’ ultrasonic transducers allow accurate measurement of clean, non-aerated liquids, including water, chemicals and oils in pipes. These transducers mount on to the outside of a pipe without shutting down flow. Flow rates are displayed on the large, backlit display along with totaliser and signal strength. Integral control relays provide for flow alarms or flow proportionate pulse, while the isolated 4–20 mA output connects to PLCs or other controllers.
For more information, go to: http://www.greyline.com
AF speaks cyber-security threats with White House
Representatives of the US Automation Federation (AF – http://www.automationfederation.org) have met with President Barack Obama’s staff to help confront two serious threats to US national security and economic growth – cyber-attack and the lack of advanced manufacturing skills among American workers. AF leaders and staff attended a series of high-profile meetings on cyber security with White House National Security experts and US Department of Homeland Security personnel. These prominent meetings are the latest example of an ongoing collaboration between the AF and the federal government to formulate and support the passage of cyber-security legislation through Congress, and to build the next generation of automation professionals, which is critical for the future of advanced manufacturing.
Shaker control software improves vibration testing
M+P International’s VibControl shaker control software now offers a powerful and flexible function for continuous and gap-free time data recording to throughput disc during a vibration test. No extra hardware is required, which simplifies the recording process. The user can choose all or single-input channels and pause and restart data recording during the ongoing vibration test. The throughput function allows for easy post-processing of the recorded time data after the test run in a common data format. Special software analyses the saved time data and provides spectra of sine, random and shock software requirement specification (SRS) tests.
For more information, go to: http://www.mpihome.com
Valves designed for metering applications
Back pressure valves and pressure relief valves from Eco Valve (http://www.ecovalve.ca) have been designed to meter pump/chemical dosing applications. They have also been designed for long life, ease of installation and easy maintenance, and come with a 3-year warranty. Available in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated PVC (CPVC), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), polypropylene and 316L stainless steel, these units can be used as two-port offline pressure relief valves to help protect the discharge side of positive displacement pumps from system failure through over-pressure caused by a blockage or accidental valve closure on the downstream side of the pump.