New Honeywell wireless access point from Cisco

Honeywell has announced that it is to offer a new wireless access point from Cisco Systems, a global leader in networking, as part of the OneWireless solution of industrial wireless products and services. This Cisco Access Point provides customers seeking to implement a long-term, plant-wide wireless infrastructure at their industrial facilities with industry leading technology and support from two of the largest and most established wireless solutions providers in the world, Honeywell and Cisco.

The new Aironet 1552S Access Point with its integrated ISA100.11a radio complements and extends the Honeywell OneWireless network, providing wireless coverage for both Wi-Fi applications and ISA100.11a field instruments under a single infrastructure and minimizing total cost of ownership.

Honeywell is an industry leader in wireless technology, products and services. The addition of this Cisco technical capability and experience in mesh infrastructure and Wi-Fi applications will offer industrial automation customers an unparalleled level of choice and expertise when devising future proof wireless solutions to best suit their plant needs.

“The process industry appetite for wireless applications continues to increase at an exponential rate, with needs extending far beyond field instruments,” said Raymond Rogowski, global wireless marketing director, Honeywell Process Solutions. “With Cisco technology in HPS process control systems, new and existing customers in the oil & gas, refining, chemicals and power sectors will have the most comprehensive selection of products and services available to them when planning and implementing wireless network solutions at their facilities. The Cisco position as a global leader in network technology also ensures that customers will always have the very latest technology at their fingertips.”

“The addition of the Cisco access point to Honeywell’s wireless network offering continues the theme of OneWireless as a cost effective, plant-wide wireless mesh infrastructure capable of supporting technologically advanced applications such as rotating assets, VOIP, and security systems. As an industry leader, Honeywell is strategically committed to supporting the huge growth in industrial wireless applications, this access provides an additional pillar to moving the industry forward quickly.”

This compatibility with Cisco plant networking systems was requested by major Honeywell oil and gas industry customers, to enable their sensor wireless networks to be compatible with existing Cisco wireless networks employed at many refineries, according to Honeywell spokespeople at the Honeywell User Group European meeting, taking place in Italy this week.

ARC says ABB is #1 in world DCS market

The latest press release from ABB advises on the results of a recent ARC study on the DCS market for 2010.

In the newest version of ARC Advisory Group’s “Distributed Control Systems Worldwide Outlook,” study, ABB retained its leading worldwide market position in this core automation market. According to the study, the DCS (distributed control system) market in 2010 rebounded from 2009; the overall market for DCS (distributed control system) increased by 3.3 percent, in part due to an increase of new projects in the heavy process industries. 

ARC forecasts that market growth, while improved compared with 2009, will not reach peak 2008 levels until next year, and then will resume normal slow but steady growth. The increase in new projects in the heavy process industries such as oil & gas and petrochemical, as well as a resurgence in power generation projects, helped to drive global demand for DCS in 2010. 

Many of the larger projects that contributed to 2010 growth were booked throughout 2009. ABB booked a number of large process industry and power generation orders, which included major greenfield projects as well as system upgrades and expansions for existing installations.

“Innovation, quality products, extensive industry knowledge and application expertise has enabled ABB to establish a large and loyal customer base,” said Barry Young, Principal Analyst at ARC and author of the report. “ABB brings together a product, system and service capability that allow them to deliver complete automation and production solutions across a broad range of industries.”

According to the study, ABB was also the regional market share leader for Latin America, Europe/Mid East/Africa (EMEA), and the worldwide leader in key global verticals including Upstream Oil & Gas, Pulp and Paper, Mining and Metals, and Cement and Glass.

The report also notes that the DCS business has continued to be primarily a services business over the past few years, with combined project, engineering and operational services accounting for more than half of total revenues. In particular, the Main Automation Contractor (MAC) approach, in which the automation vendor manages the overall project and includes a strong project execution and services component, continues to grow stronger and expand in scope. 

“ABB’s deep process industry knowledge, extensive global and local resources, and world-class services organization provide the project execution capabilities needed to successfully manage complex projects as the Main Automation Contractor,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division. “In addition, we offer our customers a diverse portfolio of DCS solutions to help any process perform better, from the smallest operation to large integrated operations.”  

ABB’s portfolio of DCS includes its flagship System 800xA Extended Automation platform, Symphony Plus control system, Freelance process control system for small to medium process applications, as well as its prior generation systems. All ABB control systems offer a secure evolution path forward to next generation technologies to protect and enhance the control system investment over its lifetime.

Metso DNA for diverse mining and construction industry requirements

Metso is a leading supplier of mining and construction machinery. This expertise is now combined with the scalable Metso DNA automation systems that adapt to the diverse mining and construction industry needs, from single machine controls to entire plant-wide automation and information management systems.

An example of Metso’s new offering is the new crushing plant control room solution that connects crushers and screens together, ensuring the effective management of the entire plant from a pleasant and safe control room. The Metso DNA user interface provides production information to ensure a proper and rapid response to plant events. Automatic controls stabilize the process and allow the operators to monitor the plant as a whole.

“As an example of the services, we offer performance studies for crushing plants, using Metso’s multi-disciplinary teams of experts, to determine the present level of the plant and process efficiency, and to estimate the improvement potential and benefits from optimization and automation, including ROI calculations. As another example, our machine condition monitoring solutions can reduce plant and machine downtime as well as help avoid safety and environmental hazards,” says Mikko Mäkinen, Product manager of minerals applications in Metso’s Automation business line.

New solutions for increased efficiency for energy industries

Metso DNA now offers one system for power producers, which includes energy management, plant information management, controls for the boiler, turbine and Balance of Plant, safety integrated systems, as well as emission management.

The integration of applications for turbine control, turbine protection and turbine management into the Metso DNA automation system provides customers with easy and cost-efficient maintenance, and reliability-based redundant process controllers. Metso’s pulverized coal-fired combustion optimization manages control reactions to dynamic upsets, such as changes in mill configuration or load demand.

The sootblowing optimization tool calculates, stores and displays the boiler heat transfer characteristics that indicate fouling and deposit accumulation on heat transfer surfaces. It also defines the economically optimal sootblowing sequence. Another new application, machine condition monitoring, has been developed for the condition monitoring of rotating machines, such as flue gas fans, feed water pumps and turbines.

For pulp and paper makers, a single system for all controls

Metso DNA now offers pulp and paper makers a single system for all controls, from the fiber line to baling information, and from headbox to winder.

The new Metso DNA now offers winder controls, which increase the transparency between the winding process and papermaking process controls. The new winder controls enable operators to follow paper profiles through the winder controls, which improve both the runnability and productivity of the winding process.

Metso has also further developed its Metso DNA pulp mill information management offering and upgraded its bale tracking solution for the baling line. The newest application in Metso’s pulp mill information management system, Metso DNA Bale Tracker, takes bale tracking to a new level. The new solution is based solely on the Metso DNA automation platform, which makes bale tracking and marking even more reliable. All online quality data needed for each and every bale is also available, thanks to full integration with Metso’s Quality Control System (QCS) and Process and Quality Vision (PQV).

Machine condition and runnability monitoring 

Mechanical condition monitoring is a part of preventive maintenance for wearing components, such as shafts and bearings, which need to be monitored for possible replacement needs. The new mechanical condition monitoring solution from Metso includes rotating machinery vibration measurements and analysis carried out as part of the automation system. Condition and runnability monitoring has traditionally been a separate system, mostly utilized by maintenance specialists. Thanks to Metso DNA Machine Monitoring, the same information can be shared with machine operators in the control room.

Good usability enables positive emotions and feelings 

In addition, Metso is pioneering usability in the process control work. Metso DNA takes a new approach to usability by regarding emotions and feelings as part of the process control work. “Despite being fact-based by nature, process control work at pulp and paper mills includes a lot of feelings connected with solving situations. When all the aspects of business and production processes are under control, people in various tasks can enjoy feeling in control of their work,” explains Jaakko Oksanen, Product Manager for Metso DNA.

An example of usability is that Metso DNA is the only system in the world from which the user receives the process data in real time and retrospectively from the same user interface, with one push of a button.

“The user can easily access all the data collected during his/ her absence, for example, over the weekend. Traditionally, the history of this information required separate applications, and data analysis was difficult. This is one example of how we have taken usability into consideration with subsequent positive emotions and positive user experience,” Jaakko Oksanen explains.

Metso DNA can be developed, maintained, and upgraded throughout its life cycle

Metso’s long experience in automation systems dates back to 1979. So far Metso has delivered thousands of systems to various process industries globally.

Metso DNA is a single automation system for all functions – process, machine, drive and quality controls. It also covers information management and mechanical and field device condition monitoring. Metso DNA is scalable from a single stand-alone controller to mill and plant-wide systems in global organizations.

The unique feature of Metso DNA is its single system architecture enabling lifelong compatibility and upgradeability. This means significant advantage for Metso’s customers since Metso DNA enables step-by-step system upgrade paths to develop their systems according to changing process needs.

All Metso automation systems delivered after 1988 can be upgraded with new applications as a whole or in sections. Existing equipment and applications can be used in the upgraded system. The system network may also contain different generation subsystems or even different generations of products within a single system, meaning that new product features can be easily added.

Metso DNA is supported by global network of local experts. 

Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. We have about 29,000 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com

Metso’s automation professionals specialize in process industry flow control solutions, automation and information management systems and applications, and life cycle services. The main products include control valves, automation systems, quality control systems and measurement solutions.

New GE pressure sensor is first with TERPS technology

 

GE’s Trench Etched Resonant Pressure (TERPS) technology is now available for the first time in a range of new pressure sensors from the sensing business of GE Energy, Measurement & Control Solutions. The RPS 8000 and the DPS 8000 resonant silicon pressure sensors offer accuracy and stability greater by a factor of ten over existing piezoresistive pressure sensors and significantly extend the pressure range capability conventionally associated with resonating pressure technology (RPT) sensors. The new sensors feature physical isolation from the pressure medium through a metallic isolation diaphragm and an oil-filled chamber, and this enables a very robust packaging, suitable for harsh environments. A wide selection of electrical and pressure connectors is available to suit specific requirements. Typical applications range from aerospace to sub-sea and from process engineering and metrology to industrial instrumentation. As Ian Abbott, product manager for pressure sensors, explains, “Through our Druck product line, we have been able to offer a resonant silicon product, the RPT Series, for some years. The new TERPS technology is the result of extensive research and development into the design and manufacture of silicon resonating pressure sensors both within GE and in collaboration with universities. The RPS 8000 and DPS 8000 sensors incorporate this technology and feature all the inherent features of resonant silicon, but with significantly greater capability in terms of pressure range (up to 70 bar), temperature range (-40°C to +85°C) and mechanical packaging. In addition, the bulk micromachining of the silicon, a technology we have migrated from our advanced sensors business, greatly improves product delivery dates.” The new sensors operate in essentially the same way as an RPT sensor. The silicon structure is driven into resonance by the application of an electrostatic field and when pressure is applied to a diaphragm, the silicon resonator is stretched, changing the frequency, much like a guitar string. This change in frequency relates directly to the applied pressure. The RPS 8000 and the DPS 8000 sensors differ only in their respective outputs. The DPS 8000 incorporates an integral microprocessor and RS485/RS232 outputs to provide direct digital output. The RPS 8000 delivers a TTL frequency output and a mV temperature measurement from an integral temperature diode. These can be combined in a customer’s own digital equipment to provide a pressure reading. The RPS 8000 is ideal for OEMs and systems developers who wish to incorporate high accuracy, stable pressure measurement The TERPS technology employed by the new sensors uses three major manufacturing and packaging techniques. Deep reactive ion etching allows the creation of complex and arbitrary geometries within the resonating structure. This optimizes the design and performance of the resonator to make higher pressure and temperature ranges possible. The use of silicon fusion bonding allows for the machining of separate components of the sensor to be processed separately and then fused together retaining the properties of single crystal silicon. This provides greater flexibility in the design of the sensor element making higher pressure and temperature ranges possible. A new frequency detection method that provides a much stronger signal from the resonator has made it possible to package the sensor element in a way that can be mechanically isolated from the process media. This is a significant advancement for a sensor of this performance class over other high accuracy technologies that are typically limited to dry non-corrosive gases. In addition, associated electronics can be further from a TERPS sensor, which permits operation in higher temperature environments.

Yokogawa signs network switch supply agreement with Belden

Yokogawa Electric Corporation has signed a supply agreement with Belden, a global manufacturer whose products include the Hirschmann brand of industrial network switches: components that are used to connect different sectors of a control network. This new agreement will allow Yokogawa to provide a long-term and stable supply of Hirschmann’s highly reliable Industrial Ethernet switches to its customers for use with the Yokogawa Vnet/IP high-speed control network. Under the terms of the agreement, Yokogawa will sell these network switch products to its customers and provide maintenance services that facilitate the configuration of highly reliable control networks.

The construction of reliable plant control networks requires high performance network switches that are reliable and have strong resistance to hostile environments with extreme ambient temperatures and corrosive gases. In addition, the continuous supply and maintenance of switches must be ensured at each stage of the plant lifecycle. Yokogawa will offer Hirschmann brand network switches from Belden, the global leader in this market, because customers value a low failure rate and high environmental resistance. In addition, Hirschmann’s Industrial Ethernet switches are the perfect choice for configuring control networks in plants in demanding environments that must operate with long-term stability.

Yokogawa is committed to providing its customers with highly reliable plant control systems and the long-term support required to guarantee stable operations over the entire plant lifecycle.
The Yokogawa Vnet/IP high-speed control network allows control information to be transmitted between the devices such as human interface stations and controllers that comprise a control system. The Vnet/IP control network is used in Yokogawa’s CentumVP integrated production control system and ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system.

Neste Oil refinery deals for Metso

Metso has signed an extensive frame agreement with Neste Oil for automation and safety system replacement deliveries as well as related services over the years of 2012 – 2016.

Neste Oil also placed its first orders according to this agreement for new automation and safety systems for its Porvoo and Naantali refineries to replace existing systems. The deliveries will take place next year. Thereafter, Metso’s installed base at Neste Oil’s refineries in Porvoo, Naantali, Singapore and Rotterdam will include altogether 20 Metso automation systems and 30 safety systems. According to the new frame agreement, the number is expected to grow in the future.

Neste Oil’s refineries are among most advanced ones, and to meet their requirements, Neste Oil and Metso have together developed special automation applications during earlier deliveries. This cooperation will continue also with the new deliveries.

Three Metso DNA automation systems and three safety systems will replace the existing systems in three of Porvoo refinery’s over forty process units. The refinery, which is among Europe’s most advanced, produces some 12.5 million tons of petroleum products per year in its four production lines. The refinery is located in the Kilpilahti industrial area, some 30 km east of Helsinki.

At the Naantali refinery, located about 180 km west of Helsinki, three new safety systems will be installed, and existing Metso DNA systems will be modified in the oil distillation process units and in the refinery harbor. The refinery mainly produces traffic fuels and specialty products, such as bitumen, solvents and small engine gasoline.

Neste Oil is a refining and marketing company, with a production focus on premium-quality, lower-emission traffic fuels. The company produces a comprehensive range of major petroleum products and is the world’s leading supplier of renewable diesel. The company had net sales of EUR 11.9 billion in 2010 and employs around 5,000 people.