Control System World

Siemens has extended its industrial remote communication portfolio with three new industrial routers from the Scalance M series of products. The Scalance M812-1 and Scalance M816-1 enable users to access automation networks and components remotely from anywhere in the world over the public digital subscriber lines (DSL) of different providers. The third new router – the Scalance M826-2 – is designed for communication over private (leased) lines. The new routers are particularly suitable for applications in which wireless communication is either restricted or impossible, for example in the field of water treatment plants or medical technology.

As ADSL routers, the Scalance M812-1 and M816-1 ensure the reliable, low-cost connection of Ethernet-based subnets and programmable controllers to wired DSL networks that support the ASDL2+ (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line) protocol. Transmission rates of up to 25 Mbit/s from network to end device (downlink) and 3.5 Mbit/s from device to network (uplink) can be achieved with the new Siemens routers. The Scalance M826-2 SHDSL router (single-pair high-speed digital subscriber line) is connected to the Ethernet by means of private two-wire or stranded cables. For two-wire cables the router ensures fast transmission rates of up to15.3 Mbit/s, which can be boosted accordingly in case of installations with four or more wires.

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NI, the provider of solutions that enable engineers and scientists to solve the world’s greatest engineering challenges, today announced the CompactRIO performance controller. This software-designed controller integrates the latest embedded technologies from Intel and Xilinx to deliver unparalleled performance and flexibility, and is fully supported by LabVIEW 2014 and NI Linux Real-Time. It is ideal for advanced control and applications in harsh, industrial environments and provides high-performance processing, custom timing and triggering, and data transfer from modular C Series I/O.

“The LabVIEW RIO architecture breaks the barriers of traditional embedded system design and provides the best off-the-shelf platform to solve any demanding control and monitoring task,” said Jamie Smith, director of embedded systems at NI. “Our platform-based approach gives small design teams the confidence to build innovative embedded systems without wasting development time and cost.”

LabVIEW 2014 with NI Linux Real-Time support lets engineers and scientists use a single, familiar development environment to continue developing their system while taking immediate advantage of increased CompactRIO hardware performance.

“The Intel and NI collaboration allows industrial customers to benefit from the latest processing technologies while meeting their rugged performance requirements,” said Shahram Mehraban, global head of energy and industrial segments at the Intel Internet of Things Group. “By working closely with NI during early phases of product development, we are able to rapidly bring the latest Intel® Atom™ processor to this segment.”

Key Features:

Intel® Atom™ Processor: Close the loop faster, tackle more tasks with the same controller, and process data with more precision, accuracy and speed with this dual-core processor.

Kintex-7 FPGA: Process more channels and implement more complex filtering and control algorithms.

NI Linux Real-Time: Get access to an extensive community of applications and IP with a robust Linux -based real-time OS.

Embedded UI: Implement a local HMI device and use the control system to handle HMI tasks, cutting component costs as well as development and integration time.

Improved Vision Integration: Add USB3 or GigE Vision cameras using NI Linux Real-Time, integrate vision acquisition directly into an application, and use new Vision IP to turn the FPGA into a high-performance vision coprocessor.

Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces that it will release the DTSX®3000 distributed temperature sensor on August 12. With a one meter spatial resolution, this distributed temperature sensor can measure the temperature along fiber-optic cables up to 50 km in length, eight times the distance possible with our previous model. In terms of measurement distance and temperature resolution, this is one of the industry’s top-performing distributed temperature sensors.

The DTSX3000 is well suited for plant and infrastructure maintenance applications that necessitate the monitoring of temperature over long distances or across wide areas. Specific applications include the detection of gas and liquid leaks in tanks and other large production facilities, and the detection of abnormal heat levels in power lines.

Development Background:

Yokogawa currently sells the DTSX®200 distributed temperature sensor for use in applications that include the monitoring of temperatures in unconventional oil and gas wells, the detection of leaks of high- or low-temperature liquids and gasses from pipelines or tanks, and the detection of abnormal heat buildup in coal and wood chip conveyors. In contrast to conventional techniques that rely on the use of multiple surveillance cameras or thermocouples and resistance temperature detectors, distributed temperature sensors can be easily routed along the course of any object that requires management. Their temperature readings can be displayed on a computer monitor, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly spot and respond to any problems.

With its long measurement distance and high temperature resolution, the DTSX3000 meets the needs of those for a single device that is capable of detecting minute temperature changes and monitoring the temperature distribution over a long distance or across a wide area.

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SNC-Lavalin has announced that it has signed a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) to jointly develop and pursue power generation, mining and metallurgy and nuclear-related environmental protection projects.

The MOU signing took place today at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, British Columbia. The agreement was signed by Preston Swafford, Chief Nuclear Officer, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. and President and CEO, Candu Energy Inc., and Qian Zhimin, President, CNNC. Also in attendance were representatives from the Chinese National Energy Administration and the Government of Canada.

Under the agreement, SNC-Lavalin will work with the CNNC to develop reactors using Advanced Fuel CANDU (AFCR) technology in China. Developed by SNC-Lavalin’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Candu Energy, AFCR technology uses both recycled uranium- and thorium-based fuels to deliver high-performing reactors with strong environmental benefits. The MOU also provides a framework for collaboration between SNC-Lavalin and CNNC on uranium mining projects in China, and the pursuit of international project opportunities in various high-growth sectors and markets.

“We are pleased to sign this strategic partnership agreement with CNNC to develop nuclear and uranium projects in China, while pursuing high-potential opportunities abroad,” said Preston Swafford. “These projects have the potential to generate billions of dollars for the Canadian and Chinese economies, while supporting China’s growing demand for energy.”

KBR had recently announced today that it has received a letter of award from Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Limited to perform engineering design services for the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company Al-Nasr Full Field Development project, located offshore Abu Dhabi.

Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide engineering design and support services for the entire Al-Nasr Package 2 scope with the services provided by KBR’s office in Singapore and supported by other KBR offices. The KBR Singapore office has more than 40 years of experience in providing engineering services for the offshore oil and gas industry worldwide.

The Al-Nasr Package 2 facilities consist of a multi-platform super complex that includes central processing facilities, accommodation, utilities, flares, bridges and power distribution. The Al-Nasr offshore oil field is located approximately 80 miles northwest of Abu Dhabi in the Arabian Gulf.

When completed, the super complex will produce an annual average production of 65,000 barrels of crude oil per day. ADMA-OPCO's other stakeholders in the Al-Nasr project are BP, Total and Japan Oil Development Company.

“This important award strengthens KBR’s position as an industry leader in providing engineering services for offshore oil and gas processing facilities – and reflects our ongoing commitment to deliver for our customers and industry partners,” said Stuart Bradie, KBR President and Chief Executive Officer. “KBR is excited to be working alongside HHI and ADMA-OPCO, two companies with which we have developed excellent business relationships.”

Expected revenue from the contract will be included in the third quarter 2014 backlog of unfilled orders for the Hydrocarbons segment. The contract value was not disclosed.

ABB, the leading power and automation group, announced today it has agreed to acquire Spirit IT of Eindhoven, Netherlands, to add a new line of high-performance liquid flow computers, SCADA and custody transfer solutions to ABB’s leading measurement business for the oil and gas industry.

Spirit IT designs and sells liquid flow measurement and supervisory solutions for use in oil and gas applications. Its liquid flow computers and software deliver greater accuracy and control for well-pad automation, transportation and custody transfer applications.

Spirit IT’s employees will join the global Measurement Products business unit in ABB’s Process Automation division. Terms of the deal are not being disclosed but the transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2014.

“The addition of Spirit IT’s products to ABB’s Measurement Products portfolio will enable us to offer a more comprehensive automation solution for liquids and gas,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB Process Automation division. ”The Spirit IT portfolio adds the liquid measurement component to ABB’s industry leading gas measurement and automation product line. This combined offering will deliver comprehensive expertise and market strength to customers and provide new opportunities for growth in the oil and gas segment.”

ABB's Measurement Products business unit (www.abb.com/measurement) is among the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of instrumentation and analyzers. With thousands of experts around the world and high-performance technology, ABB's team is dedicated to making measurement easy for its customers.

“ABB offers tremendous opportunity for Spirit IT’s flow computer technology to reach a wider range of applications in the global market,” said Harry Kok, President, Spirit IT. “In addition to helping Spirit IT broaden its product line to address new opportunities, this acquisition will also provide a great opportunity for our employees to expand their career options in a much larger global organization.”

Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces that it will supply the control system for unit 5 of the Kamojang geothermal power station in Indonesia. The order for this project was received through Tokyo Denki Sangyo Co., Ltd., a Yokogawa sales agent, and was placed by Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., which is responsible for manufacturing and delivering the unit's steam turbine and generator.

This geothermal plant is owned and operated by PT. Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE), the geothermal arm of the state-run oil and gas company, Pertamina, and is located in Garut, a city situated approximately 40 km from Bandung City, West Java, Indonesia. Unit 5 will have a 35 MW power generation capacity, and its construction is scheduled to be completed by July 2015, whereupon it will be commissioned and enter service.

For the monitoring and control of unit 5's steam turbine and auxiliary facilities, Yokogawa's subsidiaries Yokogawa Engineering Asia and Yokogawa Indonesia will supply the CENTUM® VP integrated production control system, InsightSuite® AE plant asset effectiveness optimization services, PRM® plant resource manager, Exaquantum™ plant information management system (PIMS), and a plant operation training simulator. In addition to being responsible for the delivery of these systems, these companies will provide support during the engineering and commissioning phases.

Unit 4 at this plant also uses a Yokogawa integrated production control system, CENTUM® CS 3000. Completion of the current project will bring to 11 the number of control systems that Yokogawa has provided for geothermal power plants in Indonesia.

Geothermal energy can generate a stable supply of electricity day and night, and in all weather conditions. Since no carbon dioxide is emitted, it is regarded as an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. Indonesia has the world's largest geothermal energy resources and is planning many additional projects to exploit these resources.

To grow its industrial automation and control business and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, Yokogawa is targeting renewable energy fields such as geothermal power. As such, the company will be seeking to expand the provision of its solutions in Indonesia and other geothermal resource-rich countries.

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