Software and Information Technology
Software Tunes Control Loops
PlantTriage software allows tuning over 50 control loops per day. It identifies the loops to be tuned and indicates the best proportional-integral-derivative (PID) values, and performs before and after simulations to quickly confirm the settings. This real-time monitoring provides prioritized, focused advice via a standard web browser or automated e-mail, which allows users to perform simulations, fine-tune the controller, and generate loop documentation. The advice is based on the 40 years of experience of process control expert Greg Shinskey, whose analysis techniques and thought processes are made available to users via this sophisticated software interface. The system analyzes the problem as though it were Mr. Shinskey himself. Live links to detailed dashboards can be used to inspect all aspects of control loop performance. The new features link directly to the manufacturer’s active model capture technology (AMCT), which scans the plant 24 h/d looking for operator setpoint changes or output changes. From these normal operating data, the software models the process, finds new tuning constants, and shows the improvement. The PlantTriage server maintains a history of these process models and tuning values, as well as other control performance metrics.
Appeared In Issue: February 2010
ExperTune
www.expertune.com
Fluid Flow Simulator Models Plant Configurations
Visual Flow Version 5.3 is fluid simulation software that designs and rates flares and relief networks. This release integrates with the manufacturer’s SimSci-Esscor SIM4ME Portal, which acts as a user interface for data in MS Excel. It includes an enhanced solver, as well as four new solvers that can be adapted to accurately model almost any configuration in a plant.
Appeared In Issue: February 2010
Invensys
www.invensys.com
On-Demand Site Inspection Tool Enables Fast, Mobile Inspection
With Site Inspection Live (SI Live), users can perform electronic mobile inspections using a Windows-based handheld device. This software tool simplifies and expedites the capture of maintenance and safety inspection data. It includes functions for facility, safety, and quality-control management that can schedule inspections, collect inspection data, and automatically compile inspection reports that address regulatory requirements. Its automated wizards and forms guide the user through the template development and inspection processes.
Appeared In Issue: February 2010
ChemSW Inc.
www.chemsw.com
Geometric Process Control Software Expands Features
Visual Explorer 2.5 (CVE 2.5) uses existing data to deliver significant process improvements in a wide range of process plants, including oil refineries, pharmaceutical facilities and chemical manufacturing sites. The program allows the user to view hundreds of process variables and their alarm limits on a single graph. This release includes new features such as alarm management, process stewardship and production reporting, continuous process control, process analysis and troubleshooting, and spectral analyzer support for process analytical technology (PAT) applications. Its batch process analysis and control feature allows the user to analyze multistage and multiphase process data without performing calculations or manipulating data. The alarm rationalization and management function features consistent high/low alarm limits and alerts, and operates with process history data rather than alarm log data.
Appeared In Issue: February 2010
Curvaceous Software Ltd.
www.curvaceous.com
Project Review Program Creates 2-D/3-D PDFs
ProjectWise Navigator V8i (SELECTseries 1) is dynamic collaboration software for iterative project review. This latest version can be used by infrastructure teams to interactively view, analyze, and augment project information. It has the i-model, which is a container for open infrastructure information exchange that includes its change management history in the provenance feature. This software lets users: open multiple file types (including DGN, DWG, and i-models) with a single software solution; explore models naturally and intuitively in real-time; perform intelligent analysis, find business intelligence behind geometry, and measure distances, areas, and volumes with complete engineering precision; simulate what-if scenarios, optimize schedules, and dynamically resolve clashes to reduce on-site errors; mark up the model with simple geometry, and register and preserve comments against items in dynamic collaboration workflows; create photorealistic images and animations; and produce intelligent 2-D/3-D PDFs for consumption by a wider audience.
Appeared In Issue: February 2010
Bentley Systems, Inc.
www.bentley.com