Expertise: Control System Checkout
Testing and tuning distributed control system configurations before they're installed minimises start-up problems, accelerates plant commissioning and maximises plant availability. It also helps to lower capital cost by identifying optimum equipment. Despite the increasing sophistication and in-built diagnostic capabilities of modern process control technology, it is inevitable that a new system will contain some 'bugs' when first installed. A rigorous checkout prior to commissioning ensures that most of these are eliminated. Checking out process control systems prior to field installation gives significant benefits. The major one is much faster commissioning and start-up, rigorous checking of interlocks, establishment of correct screen graphics and information display, and improved operator morale and competency. Control System Checkout of distributed control systems (DCS) or programmable logic controller (PLC) configuration prior to field installation minimises start up control problems, shortens plant commissioning and maximises plant availability. We have developed various models which represent the field process and equipment, and which can be interfaced to the vendor control system. In this way the control system configuration is rigorously tested prior to installation.
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