Control System World

Siemens Industry Automation Division introduces the Sitrans Connection Apple iOS communication application, designed for use with all Sitrans F US clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters. Sitrans Connection enables direct communication between an Apple iOS device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and any Sitrans F US clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter to enhance all metering functionalities, including programming, operational review, data logging and download.

The Sitrans Connection app provides greater mobility, making connectivity possible without the need for a laptop computer. The app also features full menu visibility and a complete alphanumeric keypad for easier navigation and programming, which is especially useful for meters with limited displays. In addition, Sitrans Connection provides Siemens technical experts with a live link to the meter for instant diagnostic review and programming, reducing the need for on-site service (Wi-Fi or cellular service required).

Sitrans F US clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters are tailored for measuring flow in a wide range of applications belonging to various industries, including oil and gas, water/wastewater, HVAC, power generation, chemical and petrochemical.

Further information on the Sitrans Connection app can be found at www.siemens.com/connection

Foster Wheeler AG (Nasdaq: FWLT) announced today that a subsidiary of its Global Engineering and Construction Group has been awarded a contract by Statoil ASA to undertake a feasibility study for the upgrade of Statoil’s Mongstad Refinery in Norway.

The Foster Wheeler contract value was not disclosed and was included in the company’s second-quarter 2013 bookings.  Foster Wheeler’s scope includes performing high-level process simulations to identify the optimum technical solution for the refinery upgrade, and production of a detailed study report and a total installed cost estimate. The study is scheduled for completion at the end of 2013.

The refinery upgrade project by Statoil aims to address crude feedstock flexibility requirements and to increase diesel production, including the production of ultra-low-sulfur diesel. The upgrade is expected to include the installation of a new vacuum distillation unit, together with new diesel hydrotreaters.

“This award strengthens Foster Wheeler’s excellent relationship with Statoil,” said Umberto della Sala, President and Chief Operating Officer of Foster Wheeler AG. “We will apply our in-depth refining expertise and technology know-how to assist Statoil in developing a viable plan for implementing its refinery upgrade, in line with its objectives.”

Asset Owner Representative, Strategy Manager Lars Thorstholm, Statoil ASA said, "This is an important project for Statoil to improve the competitiveness of the Mongstad Refinery. Statoil are looking forward to benefitting from Foster Wheeler's comprehensive refining and hydrocarbon process technology expertise."

exida, the global leader in functional safety certification for the process industries, has certified the Detcon DM-700 Toxic Gas Sensor for functional safety, ensuring that it meets the functional safety requirements for Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 2 capability per IEC 61508: 2010.

“Detcon’s capabilities were confirmed through an extensive certification process that included the completion of a Failure Modes, Effects and Diagnostic Analysis (FMEDA) and evaluation of proven field history for this unit,” says John Yozallinas, exida Evaluating Assessor. “The combination of these assessments demonstrates full compliance with IEC 61508 to the end-user.”

“exida’s technical expertise gave us confidence when choosing them as our certification body,” says Bob Masi, Detcon President. “They have a tough program and completing this certification is a real achievement.”

Technip has been awarded by Trunkline LNG Export, LLC* the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for the potential expansion of the existing liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal located in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

The potential expansion project includes a LNG liquefaction plant, with a total export capacity of up to approximately 15 million tonnes per annum, so that a portion of the vast additional supplies of natural gas produced from shale gas fields across the US can be exported to international markets. The total liquefaction capacity could be achieved through up to three identical trains, with associated utilities and offsite facilities as well as the re-use of the existing LNG offloading, storage and marine facilities. Air Products has been selected to supply its C3MR liquefaction process technology for this FEED study.

Technip’s operating center in Houston, Texas will execute the contract with the support from the Group’s center in Paris, France. It is scheduled for completion during the first half of 2014.

David Dickson, Technip’s Senior Vice President, North America Region, stated: “Adding liquefaction capabilities to the existing infrastructure would provide the option of switching from regasification to liquefaction, depending on the world market for LNG. This award constitutes the first LNG liquefaction FEED project for Technip in the US. It is also a true testimony of BG Group and its partners’ trust in our expertise as, after working for them in the subsea and offshore businesses, we are now expanding our collaboration to onshore.”

Endress+Hauser has announced the acquisition of US company Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc. The Swiss process automation specialist has signed an agreement with parent company Rockwell Collins. The transaction is expected to be completed in the next months.

Kaiser Optical Systems is a world leader in spectrographic instrumentation and applied holographic technology. Principal products include Raman sensors and instrumentation, advanced holographic components for spectroscopy, telecommunications, astronomy and ultra-fast sciences, and display systems for aircraft. The company's main offices and manufacturing are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

"With the acquisition of Kaiser Optical Systems we are expanding our range in the field of advanced analytics for liquids, gases and solids. In addition we are strengthening our optical measurement technology and manufacturing competence," said Klaus Endress, CEO of the Endress+Hauser Group. Kelly Ortberg, President and CEO of Rockwell Collins, added: "This transaction provides Kaiser Optical Systems with the resources and expertise better suited to the industries it serves, and helps Rockwell Collins keep its focus on strengthening the company's core communication and aviation electronics business for commercial and military customers."

Advanced technology offers plenty of opportunities:

Klaus Endress emphasized the strategic dimension of the acquisition. "The Raman technology expands our offering for customers in core industries," he said. "It plays an important role in many future key markets such as power & energy and biotechnology as well as laboratory applications – a significant and growing business." The technology helps customers to improve their processes and reduce costs through advanced and low maintenance spectroscopy. Klaus Endress expects synergies in worldwide sales and services. "Additionally, the opportunities offered by Raman technology are far from being exhausted."

Rockwell Collins:

Rockwell Collins, Inc (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications. The expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, information management, and simulation and training is delivered by approximately 19,000 employees, and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries.

Invensys, a focused supplier of state-of-the-art industrial software, systems and control equipment to the world’s major industries, has released its Wonderware® InTouch Access Anywhere™ software solution.

For more information about the new software, please visit the InTouch Access Anywhere HMI site

PAC, a leading global provider of advanced analytical instruments for laboratories and online process applications, today released the AC Analytical Controls® Reformulyzer M4 (M4), which provides fast group type analysis of gasoline and gasoline blend streams using multi-dimensional gas chromatography.

“We are proud to announce the release of our next generation product, Reformulyzer M4, the fastest and most versatile analyzer on the market, combining the analyses of Paraffins, Olefins, Naphthenes, Oxygenates, and Aromatics all in one instrument,” said David Tran, PAC Vice-President of Product Management and Marketing. “The M4 significantly reduces the total cost of ownership and increases the instrument uptime through the improved trap performance. Its quick and accurate analysis enables refineries to make timely decisions to keep their products on spec and optimize their operations. This same advantage allows independent labs to improve their capacity by almost doubling the number of samples they can process.”

Other group type analysis instruments can take 75 minutes to run. The M4 reduces this by approximately 50% to 39 minutes. In addition, because of improved durability, the M4 traps do not need to be replaced as often, which significantly decreases maintenance costs. This improvement, combined with the improved sample capacity, can reduce the total operational cost per sample by 50% when utilizing the M4 around 90%.

Compliance with international standards is an absolute imperative in the hydrocarbon industry. Refineries and independent labs must follow strict procedures and methods to certify end products. The M4 is the worldwide accepted industry standard for EN ISO 22854, and also fully complies with ASTM D6839, ASTM D5443, IP 566, and SH/T 0741.”

AC Analytical Controls by PAC is the worldwide recognized leader in gasoline and gasoline blends testing with over 30 years of industry experience. AC introduced the first multi-dimensional gas chromatography instrument in 1981. Since the Reformulyzer Classic was introduced in 1992, there have been over 500 Reformulyzer installations. The Reformulyzer M4 continues to lead the industry and is the fifth generation analyzer.

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Iran has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday to export gas to Oman from 2015, in a 25-year deal valued at around $60 billion, Iran's energy ministry news service said on Tuesday.  Energy-hungry Oman agreed to buy gas from Iran as far back as 2005 and a later draft deal in 2007 included plans for Oman to process Iranian gas for export as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

But the two sides have never finalised terms and Oman has been pressured by the United States to source fuel from alternative suppliers such as Qatar, according to US embassy cables released by Wikileaks.

Oman, which has warmer relations with Iran than other Arabian Peninsula countries, began importing Qatari gas in 2007, but its demand has risen rapidly since, threatening its LNG exports and pushing Muscat back to the negotiating table with Tehran. The latest MoU signed by new Iranian energy minister Bijan Zanganeh and his Omani counterpart Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, includes an agreement to start laying a gas pipeline to Oman as soon as possible, oil ministry news service Shana reported.

"We can start implementation of the project; mainly because top executives of the two countries insist that the project should be implemented as soon as possible," Shana quoted Zanganeh as saying after the signing ceremony held on Monday during a visit to Tehran by Oman ruler Sultan Qaboos.

Iran sits on the world's largest gas reserves, according to the latest statistics compiled by BP, but it has been prevented from exporting much of it because of western sanctions that have slammed the brakes on its LNG export ambitions.

Oman has plants able to produce up to 10.4 million tonnes of LNG a year but has not produced more than 8.8 million in the last five years and output fell to 8.4 million in 2012, according to Oman LNG's latest annual report.

According to a working copy of the 2007 agreement between the two countries, in addition to imports of 1 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of gas from Iran for domestic use, Oman would allocate 2 million metric tons per year in excess capacity at its Oman LNG plant to process Iranian gas for export. The copy of that agreement was obtained by the US embassy in Muscat according to 2007 cable leaked to Wikileaks.

It is very unlikely that the big European shareholders - Shell and Total - would agree to liquefy Iranian gas while EU sanctions on Iran are in place, but Iranian gas imported for domestic use could free up more Omani fuel to feed Oman's existing LNG export facilities.

In addition to sanctions pressure, US ally Oman's enthusiasm for building the pipeline with Iran may depend on whether it can agree terms for BP to develop the Kazzan tight gas project, which could supply around 1 billion cubic feet per day by 2018.

(By Reuters)