Automation Project Research Articles

Use of computers in metallurgy: furnace design, automation and operation

This paper is a survey of a seven years project of automation of a slab reheating furnace. The research was started with a grant from the national scientific and technical research board (DGRST) to the engineering company “Heurtey Metallurgie” and the research laboratory of automatic control D.E.R.A. to study: a) - the development of a mathematical model (basic equation : distributed parameters non linear system) b) - the identification of parameters by using tests from a pilot and real furnaces c) - optimum synthesis of control policy d) - simulation of the whole system e) - feasibility of control by process computer. The application was performed on the two furnaces of the Fabrique de Fer de Charleroi. The first phase concerns the on-line computation of temperature of every slabs (about one hundred of various size). This allows a better management of the taking out in order to respect the requirements of the rolling mill. The system is operational since June 1974. In the second phase, the computer adjusts the profile of furnace temperature to control the heating process.

Automation and humanization at the dutch railways; some examples

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on automation projects specifically and the automation strategy. NS is the national rail-transport concern in the Netherlands with an annual turnover, qua receipts, of 1818 million guilders. In regard to the planning of a train service, one can say that up until at present this work intensive process is in principle a pencil–paper and ruler occurrence, where by a new timetable is planned half yearly, derived from the original but supplemented with the various changes. Too often the ergonomy is introduced into a project in the realization phase when the mainlines of another must be accepted as concrete. Other investigations and publications show that the man-job relation is especially by automated processes one of the most vulnerable and problematic links.

A model of real time control system production

Many facets of Computer Science and associated technologies may be profitably viewed as dedicated real time control activities. Production of systems to exercise such control has been difficult and costly. An abstract model of the process of producing these systems is presented. The model indicates three areas of the design problem amenable to automation: 1) the selection and configuration of hardware; 2) the production of software; and 3) the selection of a monitor to maintain real time integrity of the entire system. The concept of hardware binding is introduced and it is shown that delaying the point in the design cycle where hardware is functionally bound allows a new approach to machine independence.This paper comprises two chapters of a larger work which developes an implementation-independent application-specification language and techniques to automate control system design. Such an automation system is intended to produce a hardware configuration listing and software which together define a complete dedicated real time controller. Development of this system is based on the model presented here and is an on-going design automation project at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.

Legal Descriptions and their Use in Developing a Cadastre

The task of creating a computerized land-data bank in advanced society is greatly affected by the masses of legal records that are in existence in such a society. The analysis and recording of data from large numbers of existing records are costly and time-consuming tasks; storage of seldom used records in a computer is not an economic proposition. If a land titles registration system does not exist, it would be necessary to create one to achieve a comprehensive land-data bank. A method of effecting this is suggested. Data stored in a bank must be legally acceptable if they are to be useful; this has implications in the redefinition of boundaries and on the value of coordinates in that connection. Various types of descriptions are used in deeds. The nature and extent of survey work necessary to base a cadastre on deeds are variable and raise the question as to whether sufficient resources are available to undertake the task. The New South Wales Torrens Register Automation Project has been operating as a feasibility study for three and one-half years. An experimental model of a computerized register is operational; many problems have been identified and ideas generated during the project.

Whither Cataloguing?—Scotland: Report on a Workshop held at the University of Stirling, 22 & 23 January 1975

The Workshop, promoted by the Aslib Computer Applications Group and held within the overall framework of SCOLCAP (Scottish Libraries Cooperative Automation Project), gave invited Scottish librarians an opportunity to discuss the exploitation of computer‐based cataloguing services. Descriptions of the services available from the British Library, Birmingham Libraries Cooperative Mechanisation Project, Oriel Computer Services, Blackwell Bibliographical Services, ICL DILS, and Telecomputing's TeleMARC, were followed by general open discussion and then the discussion of specific topics (input techniques; output techniques; integrated systems; problems of local classification schemes when using MARC records; pre‐publication cataloguing). The report concludes that automation is accepted as beneficial; collaboration can help to cut costs; automation provides an opportunity to define requirements afresh, but new systems should be as flexible as possible.

Progress in the computerization of herbarium procedures

Herbarium automation projects at Cape Town (A. V. Hall), Notre Dame (T. J. Crovello), Harvard (L. I. Nevling), Ottawa (J. H. Soper), Brisbane (S. L. Everist) and the British Antarctic Survey (D. M. Greene) as well as the proposed system at New York (G. T. Prance) are described in detail. It is found that data are coded for projects involving small numbers o f specimens while, for large systems, data are entered uncoded where possible. It is noted that not one automation projecthas failed and that all users were enthusiastic about the future o f such operations.The need for a large system in South Africa is outlined and the uses to which it could be put are listed. The system planned for use is briefly described.

Allylic sulfoxides. Useful intermediates in organic synthesis

Analytical chemistry, as a service-oriented discipline, is entering a transition period when many of our instruments will be automated and placed online. The design of these chemical measuring systems of the future will follow improved development procedures. Many of these new measuring systems will have advanced interactive capabilities. To summarize, there are three ways of handling difficult automation projects. First is the conventional method where the system is specified, designed, implemented, tested, and modified until operative. This is usually a long and complex procedure. A second procedure will be similar to the first but will encompass the use of such techniques as pattern recognition to help in the generation of system control and measurement specifications. However, the variables to be controlled are generally well known. It is the control algorithm that is difficult to optimize, Therefore, a third approach to automation will utilize the capabilities of interactive experimentation and control. These systems will permit fine tuning of the control algorithms as well as rapid interrogation of data and waveforms for significant features (information) to be used together with our knowledge and intuition to reach new conclusions. Analytical chemists already have at their command significant technology and expertise so that they can contribute to the design and implementation of automated chemical measuring systems. A partial list of that technology includes: understanding the instrumentation to be automated; designing a new instrument; writing the detailed specifications for the chemical methods; understanding the use of modeling techniques; and writing the detailed specifications for the data-reduction techniques required for processing the instrument signals, i.e., spectral analysis and digital signal-processing techniques. Analytical chemists have an exceptionally bright future, but it will require change in their skills and a significant change in the definition of their role in society.

Obtaining the Software for an Automation Project

Electronic Data Processing (EDP) is developing at such a rate that engineers and designers not directly involved have the problem of not knowing the current state of the art. When the system designer desires to automate some process or operation he is faced with an unfamiliar technology; even the technical terms may have different implications when applied to different fields, for example, broadcasting and EDP. The integration of expertise in such different areas requires firm project management. This article describes some of the steps that should be taken to ensure success.

Vine Volume 4 Issue 2 1974

VINE is a Very Informal NEwsletter produced three or four times a year by the Information Officer for Library Automation and financed by the British Library Research and Development Department. It is issued free of charge on request to interested librarians, systems staff and library college lecturers. VINEs objective is to provide an up‐to‐date picture of work being done in U.K. library automation projects which has not been reported elsewhere.

The OSTI‐supported Library Automation Projects

The work of the OSTI‐supported library housekeeping automation projects at the British National Bibliography, the University Libraries of Loughborough, Southampton, Oxford, Surrey, Lancaster, and Bath, and in the Birmingham Libraries' Cooperative Mechanisation Project and the South West University Libraries Systems Cooperative Project is described, and the state of progress of each as at Summer 1973 is indicated.

Vine Volume 3 Issue 2 1973

Vine is a Very Informal NEwsletter produced three or four times a year by the G6TI Library Automation Projects' Information Officer (based at Southampton University Library) and issued on request to interested librarians, systems staff and library college lecturers. Its object is to provide an up‐to‐date picture of the activities of the Projects and occasionally to feature other automation work of special interest not already reported elsewhere.

IEE Conference Publication 104: Organisation and management of computer-based control and automation projects

IEE Conference Publication 104: Organisation and management of computer-based control and automation projects

Vine Volume 3 Issue 1 1973

Vine is a Very Informal NEwsletter produced three or four times a year by the G6TI Library Automation Projects' Information Officer (based at Southampton University Library) and issued on request to interested librarians, systems staff and library college lecturers. Its object is to provide an up‐to‐date picture of the activities of the Projects and occasionally to feature other automation work of special interest not already reported elsewhere.

Key Design Parameter of a Computer Production Control System

Abstract Humble Oil & Refining Company is implementing a company-wide automation program that will ultimately include about 9,000 wells and 80 per cent of the company's reserves. Four computer-driven systems located in Division operating offices are involved in the implementation effort. Key design parameters for the computer systems are (1) identical computer hardware and software systems are applied at the Division operating level; (2) system information is a single data source for operations, engineering and accounting functions; and (3) field operating personnel control the system. These four Division systems are currently monitoring performance of 4,000 wells in 22 fields. INTRODUCTION ABSTRACT HUMBLE OIL & REFINING COMPANY has installed identical Computer Production Control (CPC) systems in four Division offices. As shown in Figure I, these offices are located in Houston, Midland and Corpus Christi, Texas, and in New Orleans, Louisiana. A fifth system in the Headquarter's office in Houston is used for program development and for backup of Division systems. These s3fstems are currently monitoring the performance of 4,000 wells in 22 fields. Completion of the program in 1973 will include nearly 9,000 wells and 80 per cent of the Company's reserves. Total project cost will be approximately $50 million. The automation project was initiated in early 1967 following a study that indicated (1) that technology was available to construct a reliable system and (2) that an attractive return on the required investment could be expected. A system designed for companywide application was recommended to minimize development costs and to streamline this effort. Due to expected system loading, communication circuit costs and established organizational structure, separate but identical computer-driven systems were recommended for installation at the company's Division operating level. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION Humble's CPC systems are driven by general-purpose process control computers having 32,768 16-hit words of core (at time of writing). Disk drives provide an additional 7,5 million words of random access storage. Computer peripheral equipment includes a line printer, card read/punch, keyboard/printer and one or two additional printers (typewriters), The computer systems are scheduled to have an additional 16,384 words of core installed in 1971. The computer is connected to a supervisory control system (see Figure 2) with a Computer Interface Unit (CIU) to provide remote data acquisition and control function capability. A data channel is used for high-speed data transfer between the computer and CIU. The CIU will drive 16 communication circuits simultaneously in the maximum Division configuration. Automation equipment in the field at the wells, metering sites, "and central facilities generates volume information, status and alarm data, and provides control capability. These end devices are connected to Remote Terminal Units (RTU) at central points within the field by individual wire pairs. The RTU stores the information generated by the end devices and) on request from the computer/CIU, sends the information to the computer center. As many as 10 RTU's can be connected to each of the communication circuits serviced by the CIU at the computer center.

East Rainbow Supervisory Control System

Abstract Mobil Oil Canada, Ltd. has installed a solid-state Supervisory Control System to operate its producing facilities 20 miles east of Rainbow Lake in northern Alberta. The system utilizes a small computer, located at the main battery in the center of the oilfield. as its nucleus. Through the medium of logic programmed into the computer the functions of alarm monitoring, data gathering, direct control and report preparation are exercised over twenty one oilwells and various water and gas injection facilities. This paper describes the design and operation of this Supervisory System. It also reviews the performance of the various equipment since its installation in August 1970. Introduction THE EAST RAINBOW AREA, located 400 miles north of Edmonton, is a geographic extension of the main Rainbow oilfields in the general Rainbow Lake area of northern Alberta. Mobil Oil Canada drilled its first successful well in East Rainbow during the summer of 1965. Today, it produces an average of 15,000 barrels per day from twenty-one wells in eighteen separate pools; 90 per cent of this production is from the Middle Devonian Keg River Formation. Four satellites located about the field serve to funnel the oil through flowlines to the central Battery 10 complex (Figure 1). This complex consists of the main central treating station, a water injection plant, a produced water disposal station and two 800-hp gas conservation compressors. An aerial view of these facilities is sho1rvn in Figure 2. Pressure maintenance is carried out by injecting water into seven pools and the produced gas into one pool. A Supervisory Control System for Mobil's East Rainbow properties was first proposed in the summer of 1968. Its intended purpose: to minimize operating manpower in this remote area by placing the Battery 10 complex and the four satellites under the continuous supervision of a computer. A secondary intention was to have this system serve as a possible prototype for future :Mobil automation projects in the far north and offshore areas. The availability and/or reliability of communication links in these areas, particularly in the early stages of an oilfield's development is often a deciding factor when considering the attractiveness of automation investments. It was recognized early in the project that to properly satisfy the proposed objectives of the System, a small digital computer would be required in the field. During the winter of 1969–70, the end devices needed under an automated production scheme were installed throughout the field, and with the delivery of the Supervisory System hardware in August 1970, the over all System first became operational in September of last year. After the initial start-up and debugging problems were dispensed 'with, the performance of the Supervisor System, specifically the computer, has lived up to its original expectations. In the process, the concept of placing a computer in the oilfield has been shown to be entirely feasible. Ultimately, the computer will calculate the individual pool allowables and automatically adjust the well chokes as required.

Personnel Aspects of Library Automation


 
 
 
 Personnel of an automation project is discussed in terms of talents needed in the design team, their qualifications and organization, the attitudes to be fostered, and the communication and documentation that is important for effective teamwork. Discussion is based on Stanford University's experience with Protect BALLOTS and includes comments on some specific problems which have personnel importance and may be faced in major design efforts.
 
 
 

Analysis of an Operating Telemetering System at Elk Basin Field

Data from three years of operating a computer-controlled telemetering system verify that the predicted production increase was obtained and that operating efficiency was improved. The system has also made available more reliable data on which effective decisions can be based. Introduction Pan American Petroleum Corp. operates the Elk Pan American Petroleum Corp. operates the Elk Basin unit for itself, Humble, Marathon, Phillips, Continental, Atlantic Richfield, and other, minor interests. The unit, located in northwestern Wyoming and southern Montana, is one of the largest producing fields in the Rocky Mountain region. In 1964, the working interest owners authorized a computer-controlled telemetering system to increase production through more effective field supervision and through monitoring of production equipment. The information included here is based on records kept before and after installation, and represents 3 years of computer-controlled operation. Some post-installation evaluation that cannot be assigned a finite monetary value has also been added. Although several companies have installed computer-controlled telemetering systems, few papers have included a post-installation review. Armstrong reports of the Poso Creek installation that "(although) the computer operation has paid off handsomely by optimizing production, there have been too many variables to pinpoint the economics". Pan American personnel anticipated the problems of proof and prepared an economic evaluation scheme. Despite this procedure it was still necessary to revamp the economic evaluation. Only documented data are included here. Because interpretation is subjective, however, the reader must pick and choose for his own application. Design and Installation Pan American used a design and installation scheme Pan American used a design and installation scheme similar to one recently described by Pearson and Troiani. A project engineer coordinated the preliminary design, specifications, and selection of a vendor. Since installation required a wider base, the project engineer coordinated the vendor's activity and the selection of equipment while the field staff handled installation, including necessary field revisions and drawings. As is common with most automation projects, the field problems were sometimes more projects, the field problems were sometimes more difficult than the basic project of adding automation. (This should make obvious the need for new methods and equipment even before the first well is drilled, especially items such as header design, and equipment choice for future automation.) Full field control began April 1, 1966, following 6 months spent in installing and checking out the telemetery equipment. To allow time to gain system knowhow and confidence, personnel reorganization was delayed until Sept., 1966. Pre-Installation Predictions Pre-Installation Predictions As reported during installation, the Elk Basin Unit owners expected an acceptable payout of the $750,000 investment from a 7,500 BOPM (or 0.35 percent) increase in production. This increase would come through reduced down-time resulting from more up-to-date knowledge of over-all operations. JPT P. 397

A Lease Consolidation, Telemetering and Supervisory Control Project

Abstract Pan American Petroleum Corp. has applied the latest techniques of tank battery consolidation and automation to control oil production from the East Texas field. A major part of this project was the consolidation of 93 leases comprising 913 wells under a central automatic custody transfer (ACT) system. This consolidation makes maximum use of the pipeline company's crude-gathering system that also handles and commingles the production from 45 outside-operated leases run by conventional tank-gauging methods. The second part of the project is a data acquisition, telemetering and computer-interfaced supervisory control system. The central control for this system is located in Tyler about 40 miles west of the East Texas field. Lease production is scheduled, controlled, accumulated and formally reported from the central control, which also monitors equipment operations and relays malfunctions to pumper patrols. Introduction The East Texas automation project includes 974 wells on 101 leases covering a 55 sq mile area in the north half of the East Texas field. About 95 percent of the wells are flowing and produce pipeline oil. The remainder are produced by electrically operated pumping units. Oil production in the field is obtained from the Woodbine sand at a depth of approximately 3,300 ft. It has been producing for 30 to 35 years and has a remaining estimated life of 70 years. Average well density is less than 5 acres/well. Because of this density and because of the depth of the sand, the top allowable is 20 B/D, subject to market demand factors. The average well produces its allowable when flowing on a schedule of approximately 30 minutes/ day, 3 days a week. History of Automation Project Phase 1 During 1955, each well on the majority of the flowing well leases was equipped with electrically operated hydromotor valves, automatic tank switching equipment on the tanks and electric clock time controllers. This was the first phase in changing from manual to automatic operation. Each lease was placed on clock control (Fig. 1). Clock control is partially used in the present system. The 24-hour electric clocks were located at each well and connected with a two-wire, 110-v power loop originating at the tank battery. A 7-day clock located at the battery energized the loop for a 24-hour period on specified producing days and turned the power off on nonproducing days. Each 24-hour clock ran the entire 24-hour period the loop was energized. In turn, these clocks energized the circuit containing the hydromotor well control valve (or the pumping unit controller) at predetermined periods within the scheduled producing day. All wells on a lease were flowed in a continuous sequence and were scheduled to allow an overlap in flowing periods of about 5 minutes to obtain gas flow measurement to the gasoline plants. Phase 2 During the next 10 years of operation in the field, the lease automatic custody transfer (LACT) unit was developed and lease production was commingled through consolidation of batteries by use of the positive displacement (Pd) meter. On pipeline oil-producing leases, oil production was commingled in a surge tank prior to sale through a LACT unit. On water-producing leases, the oil was commingled prior to treating. By the end of 1964, about 15 percent of the area was under consolidated battery and LACT unit operation. This phase in automating the field was motivated by the need to replace oil storage tanks that had been in service since the field was discovered. JPT P. 12ˆ

New LACT Project Features Remote Off-Lease Supervisory Equipment

WHITAKER, W.W., MEMBER AIME, GULF OIL CORP., KERMIT, TEX. Abstract A large-scale automation project, including remote offlease supervisory equipment, was installed in Oct., 1961, in the Keystone field, Winkler County, Tex. This experimental installation, which grew directly from a successful pilot operation installed on Gulf's Ida Hendrick "A" lease in Aug., 1960, serves 148 producing wells. Compact solid-state circuitry of modular construction transmits and receives information and commands over a four-wire, voice-frequency, telephone circuit, which stretches seven to nine miles between field points and the master control in the area office. An electric typewriter records all production and well-test data at the master control. When the operator at the master control so desires, a tape punch simultaneously punches production information onto a five-channel tape for subsequent processing by electronic computers.The over-all performance of the system during 12 months of operation has been good. Some adjustments and component changes have been required. One-hundred per cent accuracy in the transmission of LACT meter readings was sought and achieved. Telemetered tank gauges have checked within 14 in. of those obtained by manual means. The original accumulators for well-test, tract and zone meters were proved unreliable and were replaced. Preliminary testing of the new accumulators indicates reasonable accuracy. Trouble alarms have been accurately telemetered and have resulted in quicker correction of malfunctions, thereby reducing down-time and production losses due to high levels.The operating performance of the described system illustrates that, in some cases, consolidation of producing facilities including remote control and/or data monitoring is both economically justifiable and technically feasible. Introduction The rather severe profit squeeze experienced by the oil industry in recent years has necessitated a more aggressive application of technology to production activities. In helping to offset the economic blow resulting from declining product prices and from increasing labor and material costs, the progressive application of new ideas, methods and materials has helped to restore profits by increasing productivity and reducing production expenditures. Improved technology in oilfield production operations has paved the way for adoption of more efficient operating and data-processing procedures. One example of this is the automation project designed to Gulf Oil Corp.'s specifications for the Keystone field in Winkler County, Tex. This project applied recent technical developments to reduce operating costs through updated operations, to improve revenues and to preclude expenditures due to inadequate treating facilities, severely corroded equipment and the lack of a produced-water disposal system.A portion of the Keystone field, consisting of 148 wells producing approximately 3,000 BOPD from five reservoirs underlying six different royalty tracts, was completely automated in Oct., 1961. The automation includes battery consolidation, automatic custody transfer to the pipeline, automatic well tests, remote control of well tests, and supervisory monitoring of production data, well-test data and trouble alarms.Data and instructions between field points and the master control in the area office, seven to nine miles distant, are transmitted over a four-wire, voice-frequency telephone circuit. The telemetered information includes tank gauges, production-meter readings, trouble alarms and well-test data. In addition to data gathering, the system allows the operator in the area office to place any well on test, either selectively or by a pre-set, programmed schedule. Telemetered data are recorded by an electric typewriter, and if desired by the operator, are also automatically punched onto tape for subsequent computer processing.The installation of this supervisory equipment grew directly from a successful pilot operation on Gulf's Ida Hendrick "A" lease, Kermit field, Winkler County, Tex. There, many of the basic components and operating procedures were evaluated and perfected during a year's run. This 12-well test installation has been incorporated into the new installation, resulting in a 160-well hookup. Data transmitted from the Ida Hendrick "A" lease, however, have been restricted to trouble alarms and production readings from the run tanks, two royalty tract meters and the LACT meter. JPT