2008
Benchmarking Process Operations in Real Time
ProcessApex software now benchmarks and tracks the business results of fired
heaters, heat exchangers, and dryers. Use the results to make decisions that
directly impact efficiency, throughput, operating targets, and bottom line of
operations.
For fired heaters, ProcessApex benchmarks and tracks efficiency, excess
oxygen, and potential fuel savings. ProcessApex can help to manage excess
oxygen, reducing the excess air flow, and delivering higher thermal
efficiencies.
For heat exchangers, ProcessApex identifies bottlenecks and pinpoints
opportunities by tracking heat duty, heat transfer coefficients and approach
temperatures. ProcessApex benchmarks operation between similar heat
exchangers, and identifies excess capacity, so users can optimize the big
picture, not just a single heat exchanger.
On dryers, ProcessApex tracks dryer efficiency, percent excess capacity, and energy
usage/ton. Diagnostics include recommendations of targets, identification of
limitations, and methods for improvement. The benchmarking tools help to
drive each dryer toward the best proven performance levels.
George Buckbee, VP of Product Development at ExperTune, says: "ProcessApex
is the next-generation interface to true process understanding. Unlike
older-generation tools, ProcessApex does not require an engineer to spend a
lot of time developing specific equations. The equations, models, and tools
are built-in to ProcessApex." Every unit operation in ProcessApex was
designed with the expert assistance and knowledge of Greg Shinskey.
ProcessApex runs on a server so all the results are available to employees on
the corporate office LAN via a browser interface. No special client software
is required. Through tight integration with PlantTriage, detailed drill-down
analysis can be accomplished directly from the web browser.
About ProcessApex
ProcessApex benchmarks and tracks the
business results of process unit operations. ProcessApex automatically
determines high-level measures, like efficiencies, yields, and quality
information. The KPIs generated allow decisions to be made that will impact
efficiency, yields, operational targets, and bottom line operations.
ProcessApex gathers real-time data directly from control system. It then
develops performance metrics and provides real-time advice for unit
operations.
PlantTriage Incorporates Newly-Patented Wizard Builder Technology
ExperTune has received a patent for its novel wizard builder technology. The
patent was issued April 8, 2008. The wizard builder creates connection wizards
for communication between process controllers (DCSs and PLCs) and PC based
software. In a way, it is a "wizard that builds wizards." PlantTriage
performance supervision software uses this wizard technology.
To analyze an entire plant, you must first connect to hundreds of data sources
in the plant control system. John Gerry, President of ExperTune says,
"PlantTriage makes this easy by using a smart wizard-based bulk import. After
you configure just a single control loop, the patented wizard builder uses its
intelligence about specific control systems to automatically poll the control
system for the data it needs. The wizard builder reduces configuration time
by up to 90%, and practically eliminates address configuration errors."
The result is that PlantTriage automatically imports exactly the right
information from the control system database. It then reads as much
information as possible directly from the process control computer, DCS or
PLC. For complete flexibility, the user can direct PlantTriage to use
addresses from an Excel spreadsheet. Once setup, PlantTriage monitors and
assesses every control loop in the plant, assuring optimal plant operation.
The Wizard Builder technology is available now, in the PlantTriage Performance
Supervision System.
About ExperTune's PlantTriage
For 22 years, ExperTune has created award-winning optimization software that
runs in thousands of plants world-wide. PlantTriage® Performance Supervision
Software oversees the optimization of an entire plant. PlantTriage® optimizes
the entire process, including equipment, operations, and controls. The
PlantTriage suite of optimization tools are designed to increase the
efficiency of processes. The tools include swing or oscillation detection and
elimination, interaction analysis, modeling, robustness, linearization, valve
wear analysis, pH linearization, time series analysis, MPC performance
improvement, 6-sigma, frequency response, and PID tuning tools. ExperTune is a
member of the OPC Foundation. For more information, set your browser to www.planttriage.com.
PlantTriage Adds Graphical Modeling
PlantTriage's new visual modeling tools result in better dynamic process
models. Better models give better all-around analysis resulting in optimal
PID Tuning, accurate simulated response to upsets, accurate response to
process noise, and better robustness analysis.
The new drag-and-drop modeling puts the engineer in control of the model fit.
Using any bump test data, drag the model curve to match the actual response
curve. Instantly, PlantTriage finds a dynamic process model that reflects the
visually designed response. PlantTriage uses this model to give optimal PID
values, simulate responses to upsets and noise.
Drag-and-drop modeling is fully compatible with PlantTriage's Active Model
Capture Technology. With Active Model Capture, operator setpoint moves are
automatically captured and modeled. The resulting model can then be
fine-tuned using the drag-and-drop features.
John Gerry, President of ExperTune says, "The end results of these visual
modeling tools are optimal plant operations. This ultimately boosts
efficiency and production while reducing waste and energy usage."
Download Graphical Modeling
image.
About ExperTune's PlantTriage
For 22 years, ExperTune has created award-winning optimization software that
runs in thousands of plants world-wide. PlantTriage®
Performance Supervision Software oversees the optimization of an entire plant.
PlantTriage® optimizes the entire process, including equipment,
operations, and controls. The PlantTriage suite of optimization tools are
designed to increase the efficiency of processes. The tools include swing or
oscillation detection and elimination, interaction analysis, modeling,
robustness, linearization, valve wear analysis, pH linearization, time series
analysis, MPC performance improvement, 6-sigma, frequency response, and PID
tuning tools. ExperTune is a member of the OPC Foundation. For more
information, set your browser to www.planttriage.com.
ExperTune and TiPS Announce User's Conference
ExperTune and TiPS have announced their 2008 User's Conference, themed "Common
Sense Automation". The conference will be held April 23–25, in Houston,
Texas, and offers training, case studies, and roundtables, including a host of
notable speakers. The conference will focus on delivering actionable
strategies to corporate and plant-based process control engineers,
technicians, and managers.
George Buckbee, Director of Product Development at ExperTune, says "Most
plants can achieve significant improvements without replacing their control
system equipment. One of the best ways to get better performance is to make
sure that existing equipment and controls perform up to their design
expectations. The people at this conference are experts in simple, practical
techniques used to improve control system performance."
ExperTune and TiPS share a common philosophy: "The best operations run on a
foundation of excellent basic automation". The conference theme, "Common
Sense Automation" emphasizes improvements that can come from a combination of
practical knowledge and theory.
Bob Weibel, President of TiPS, Inc, says "Time and again, clients are
surprised by the process, quality, and safety improvements that can come from
simple, practical, common-sense techniques. We are excited to host this
conference, bringing together world-class experts and clients from around the
world."
The 3-day conference will be held at the Houston Intercontinental Hotel.
Conference attendees will have a chance to try out these techniques in a
hands-on classroom at the conference. Process control and alarm management
experts will be on hand to discuss specific user applications.
For more information on the conference, visit
www.expertune.com/UG2008.html
About ExperTune®
For 20 years, ExperTune has created award-winning optimization software that
runs in thousands of plants world-wide. PlantTriage®
Performance Supervision Software oversees the optimization of an entire plant.
PlantTriage® optimizes the entire process, including equipment,
operations, and controls. ExperTune's full suite of optimization tools is
designed to increase the efficiency of processes. The company's analysis
tools include interaction analysis, modeling, robustness, linearization, valve
wear analysis, pH linearization, time series analysis, MPC performance
improvement, 6-sigma, frequency analysis, and process modeling.
About TiPS Incorporated
TiPS Incorporated is celebrating 20 years of delivering cutting edge tools for
maximizing the capabilities of operators and operations management. Our
clients recognize the critical role of the operator in reaching business
objectives. We help them improve operational performance through targeted
enhancement of the operator environment. Until human intuition and processing
power can be replicated, operators will remain the last line of defense
against unplanned outages. TiPS will be there to provide the tools and
expertise necessary to empower your operating team.
