Control System World

National Instruments today released the Data Acquisition Technology Outlook 2013, which provides an overview of the company’s research into key technologies and methodologies that are impacting the data acquisition industry.

The Data Acquisition Technology Outlook discusses the following trends:

· Big Analog Data and Data Acquisition: Engineers and scientists collect vast amounts of high velocity analog data every second of every day. Drawing accurate and meaningful conclusions is a growing problem, and requires specific Big Analog Data™ tools and technologies. See what this means for the data acquisition market.

· Moore’s Law at Work in Data Logging: As the digital world we live in becomes increasingly complex, we are demanding more from the systems that monitor the physical and electrical world. Learn about the data acquisition systems and processors of today, the applications that are pushing the limits of data-logging systems and the architecture of next-generation data acquisition systems.

· Emerging Bus Technologies: As the computer has evolved, so have bus technologies for connecting peripheral devices. Get an overview of the next generation of bus technologies, such as USB 3.0, Thunderbolt, 802.11ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth SMART and LTE, and learn how they may affect data acquisition in the future.

· Mobile Technology’s Influence on Data Acquisition: Advances in mobile technology are quickly influencing test and measurement solutions. Even though the technology is still young, engineers and scientists are evolving their skill sets to keep pace. Learn about the ongoing mobile OS battle, how Windows 8 tablets are changing the game and why security is critical to the success of your mobile applications.

To read the Data Acquisition Technology Outlook 2013, visit http://www.ni.com/daq-trends.

The MGate 5102-PBM-PN gateway provides a communication portal between PROFIBUS devices (e.g., PROFIBUS PLC or drive) and the PROFINET host. All models are protected with a rugged metallic casing, are DIN rail mountable, and offer optional built-in optical isolation. The PROFIBUS and Ethernet status LED indicators are provided for easy maintenance. The rugged design is suitable for industrial applications such as oil & gas, power, process automation, and factory automation.

Features and Benefits

• Protocol conversion between PROFIBUS and PROFINET
• Automatic scan of PROFIBUS devices, and easy configuration
• microSD card for configuration backup
• Built-in Ethernet cascading for easy wiring
• Redundant dual DC power inputs and relay output supported
• Embedded I/O monitoring and and diagnostic tools
• Web-based GUI for I/O data visualization
• -40 to 75°C wide operating temperature models available

Honeywell recently opened its first automation and process controls training center in Hanoi, Vietnam in partnership with Petro Vietnam Oil and Gas Group and Petro Vietnam University. The school aims to boost technical skills of local engineers and to build a high-quality talent pool for the process industry in Vietnam and surrounding countries.

The automation training center located at Petro Vietnam University will offer various standard and customized training courses to both undergraduates in process and chemical engineering and experienced engineering professionals including local automation engineers, plant operators and maintenance technicians. In this collaboration, Honeywell Process Solutions will provide the full suite of equipment including both hardware and software to be used in the curriculum so that students can gain hands-on experience with Honeywell process automation solutions. The training center is expected to attract thousands of students in the next three years.

KBR has announced it was awarded a contract by the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) to provide PMC services for the FEED Phase of the Gas Processing Plant (GPP) within the new Oil-Gas Processing and Petrochemical Complex (OGPC) in Azerbaijan.

This award marks the first direct engagement between SOCAR and KBR on a large world-scale capital project. KBR will build upon its long-term project experience in Azerbaijan to perform services for project management and work with its established offices in Baku to provide support for the OGPC project. The GPP FEED phase of work will be supported from KBR’s global engineering centres located in London.

The OGPC will consist of a gas processing plant, currently in FEED phase, with throughput capacity of 10-12 billion cubic meters per annum and a refinery plant with a capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum. Oil products are being developed as strategic domestic assets and the petrochemical plant is being developed mostly for the export market. The GPP FEED completion is expected circa October 2013, with the overall OGPC expected to begin operating in late 2020.

The Siemens Industry Automation Division is offering a new modular oven and a new operator panel with a color display for its Maxum Edition II gas chromatographs. Siemens is offering a small modular oven with space for an analysis module as well as a larger version designed for a combi-module or two small modules. This modular approach increases the average availability of the gas chromatograph, while at the same time reducing maintenance overhead and operating costs. The new operator panel has a large 10-inch color touch display, which makes it much easier to use the analyzer. It is backward compatible and can also be retrofitted to older systems.

The new graphical interface provides significantly improved and intuitive menu navigation. This makes it simple and transparent to operate the Maxum Edition II, especially with regard to routine tasks. For example, users can enter data more easily in large pop-up dialog boxes, and all frequently used functions can be reached directly by additional navigation points. Chromatograms are easy to edit using the touch screen. The new operating structure is based on the familiar menus of the previous black and white displays, so personnel trained on the Maxum Edition II can convert easily. As previously, the user can still also operate all analyzers connected within the network with no restrictions using the new operator panel. The touch screen is also certified for use in hazardous areas according to CSA Div. I and ATEX Zone 1.

Further information on Maxum Edition II can be found at www.siemens.com/maxum

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, today announced that it has been chosen to supply process analyzers, system integration and related services for Cheniere Energy’s Sabine Pass LNG (liquefied natural gas) export facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

Located four miles from the Gulf Coast in southwest Louisiana, the new export facility is currently being built by EPC contractor Bechtel as an expansion of Cheniere’s existing Sabine Pass natural gas storage and import terminal. When completed, it will be able to accommodate up to four LNG trains capable of processing approximately 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day (Bcf/d) to liquefy the gas for transport and potential export. The initial project under construction includes two trains with a liquefaction capacity of 1 Bcf/d.

ABB’s delivery for the project will help to measure and control the quality of the LNG at all points in the process, by providing precise, continuous online measurements of critical variables as the gas is turned into liquid.

“We are very pleased to be involved in this important energy project,” said Charles Young, head of ABB’s Measurement Products business in the U.S. “Reliable and accurate information will help the customer maintain consistently high product quality while optimizing efficiency and cost during the production process.”

The Siemens Industry Automation Division offers the Simatic PM1507 load current supply in two versions to suit the Simatic S7-1500 controller. The two power supplies provide all the system components of the new Simatic controller, such as the CPU, the communication module and the input/output modules with 24 volts. In addition, sensors (such as proximity switches or position encoders) and actuators (such as valves or contactors) can be provided direct with a stabilized 24-volt supply via the Simatic PM1507. Depending on the number and current requirements of the connected components, the load current supply is available in a version with 3 A of rated output current, and one with 8 A. For connecting loads with high inrush current, both power supplies provide up to 150 percent of the regular rated output current for five seconds each minute if required.

Due to its high efficiency, the new load current supply generates only low thermal losses. This means the slim modules (only 50 mm (3 A) and 75 mm (8 A)) can be mounted beside the other components on the S7-1500 system rack without gaps. Fast connection to all single-phase 120 and 230 V AC power systems is enabled by the voltage input with automatic range switchover, and the system connector. The status "power on / error / stand-by" is signaled via a three-color LED. The Simatic PM1507 is configured together with the other components of the Simatic S7-1500 via the TIA Portal.

The Siemens Drive Technologies Division will be presenting the "Integrated Drive System" (IDS) at Hannover Messe 2013, a whole new dimension in solutions for drive tasks: IDS integrates the Division's uniquely complete product portfolio. IDS thus provides full and reliable integration of the drive train with different focuses for almost all industries. IDS covers all relevant drive technology performance classes and provides customers with a high level of productivity, efficiency, and reliability.

Ralf-Michael Franke, CEO of Drive Technologies Division: "With the Integrated Drive System, we are writing a new chapter in the success story of drive systems from Siemens. We are providing our customers with a comprehensive range of possibilities for optimum use of the most all-embracing product portfolio for electric drives, which we have been innovating continuously for more than 160 years."

n technological terms, the IDS concept is based on three-fold integration: Horizontal integration already optimally attunes the components required for the drive train to each other and for their intended task in the factory. This is done by drawing on the vast Siemens portfolio of gear units, couplings, motors, and converters, which can be combined to optimize dimensioning for the task at hand. For example, the fully integrated Simogear range of geared motors, with its compact design that is suitable for nearly all applications. But IDS also pays in the highest performance classes. At Hannover Messe, Siemens will be showing a complex drive train for vertical mills in the cement industry. Use of ideal combinations of Sinamics converters, Flender couplings, and Simotics motors achieves a very high level of productivity, energy efficiency, and reliability during operation.

For more information, visit http://www.siemens.com/drivetechnologies