Chapter 17 - DCS SW aspects, APC and MIS discussions

Abstract

Software aspect of DCS discussions starts with basics to include all aspects such as operating system, program languages, different application software to include: control software, archive, aspect objects and information system, monitoring system including logging and display issues, diagnostics, and security. Apart from detailing on control and logic software including batch control, focuses are on firmware, control library and advance control strategies, field system, safety issues, and controls for standalone or integrated SIS and security management. As a part of software discussions, detailed account on HMI software function such as graphical interface, process object and tag, trend control, alarm and event issues, message listing reports, and logging. Monitoring software also include visualization, information handling, and asset management. Detailed discussions on advanced process controls have also been provided to account for issues such as APC elements, functionalities, predictive model, use of APC in DCS. Applications of APC in industries include: planning and designing, APC usages, which include ARC, MVC in Predictive control, APC simulation, APC in cloud, and use of OPC in APC. Major issues addressed include: characteristic features and functions of SIS and MIS, system management, asset optimization, different classes of calculations for performance and other calculation functions, and external interface issues.