How communication technology can help reduce downtime costs

摘要

The use of advanced field diagnostics combined with communication technologies can help improve plant performance, reduce downtime and and achieve asset excellence, as Martin Ward of Yokogawa UK explains. Modern automation systems are benefiting from the recent advances in fieldbus technologies which, along with corresponding developments in information processing technologies and network speeds, have made it possible to process information within the field sensor environment and transmit the results to the distributed control system (DCS) and host computer. Coupled with systems such as Plant Resource Manager (PRM), this makes it possible to manage online diagnostic information in an integrated manner. At the same time, field instruments are evolving with multiple functions, higher speed, and the use of more digital functions, making it possible to enable 'prognostic' diagnosis using information from multiple sensors.