Pipelines, programmable logic controllers, and safety

摘要

Most new pipeline facilities are being designed using programmablenlogic controllers (PLCs) for control systems and many existingnfacilities are being retrofitted with PLCs. However, many engineers arenreluctant to depart from the old methods of designing safety andnregulatory systems. This results from either a lack of confidence in thenPLC based system or a misunderstanding of the regulations concerningnthese systems. Careful design using PLCs can, in fact, increase safetynsystem reliability and satisfy regulatory requirements