Page 297 - Design of Simple and Robust Process Plants
P. 297
Design of Simple and Robust Process Plants. J. L. Koolen 283
Copyright 2002 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA
ISBNs: 3-527-29784-7 (Hardback); 3-527-60047-7 (Electronic)
Chapter 8
Instrumentation, Automation of Operation and Control
8.1
Introduction
Simple and robust process plant design is a concept, which includes hands-off
operation (Koolen, 1994). Earlier in this book, the objective for such a plant was
defined as:
An optimal designed safe and reliable plant, operated hands-off at the most economical
conditions
The introduction of simple and robust process plants must fit into an evolutionary
cycle. Simple and robust is something which is from all ages, but a technology has
still to grow to a certain maturity before its wider application can be achieved. Pre-
conditions regarding the technology for a simple and robust process plant as defined
are:
. The technology needs to be understood and to be quantifiable.
. The equipment needs to meet criteria for reliability and robustness.
. Instrumentation must be reliable and robust.
. Operation must be automated.
. Control of the operation must be designed to be robust.
It is the evolution in instrumentation, automation and control technology that has
made such tremendous progress during the past few decades. Initially, this was
through the evolution of computer and communication technology, during which
time instrumentation went from pneumatic through electronic, single loop instru-
mentation to multi-loop instrumentation systems equipped with computers and
fieldbuses.
Instruments were made more reliable and robust, including process analyzers;
indeed, recent analytical instruments have become more reliable even than labora-
tory measurements. Instruments now have self-diagnosis systems, while analyzers
are equipped with self-checking and calibration provisions.
Based on the progress made in instrument reliability and robustness, the follow-
ing design approach becomes applicable to simple and robust plants:
