The Enlightened Plant: How an Automation System Delivers New Insight to Plant Operations

摘要

This paper focuses on how modern, process automation systems can enhance existing control technology. The goal is not just to inform Plant personnel, but to enlighten them with context-rich information-delivering new levels of operational insight for operators, systems engineers, project engineers, maintenance technicians, safety team members, and managers. Information without context is noise. When surveyed, many of today's process Industry engineers and operators indicate that they have all the information they need, but want help in figuring out what to do with it. The best way to filter that noise is to ensure that each plant function has clear, up-to-date information that enables safe, successful operation of the business. Although each job role operates within multiple contexts, automation systems can assist process plants most in the following areas: Increasing production value Reducing costs of raw materials and energy Improving plant safety and security Improving environmental integrity and regulatory compliance Empowering the plant workforce