Experiences of Distributed Digital Automation Systems in Oil Refining and the Petrochemical Industry

Abstract

Aspects of the application of distributed microprocessor-based automation systems and experiences acquired concerning them are treated from the perspective of a company using such systems. This information is based on experience gathered in the course of about six years. So far a total of more than 3, 000 analog inputs and about 1, 400 analog outputs have been performed by means of automation systems supplied by three different system manufacturers. The intention has been to make use of the opportunities offered by these systems in as efficient a way as possible to make both the control and the operation of the processes more effective. The smooth cooperation between the company's internal engineering consultants and the operating organizations has offered excellent opportunities for this work in the engineering and implementation phases of the projects. The project for modernization of the whole refinery automation may serve as an example. The backgrounds and objectives of the project, as well as the results achieved with the microprocessor-based automation system and aspects related to the operating personnel, are presented in this paper. Likewise, engineering systems, the technical solutions used, and the distribution of work between the process computers and the distributed digital automation systems are shown.