Emerson Exchange 365

Activity

Integrated versus Separate Control and Safety

Jim Cahill

Panelists at a session at the 2019 ARC Industry Forum , Safety Systems: Integrated versus Not? Does It Really Matter?, set out to discuss the pros and cons of the approaches and how they accommodate different risk factors. ARC Advisory Group’s Mark Sen Gupta moderated this panel which included executives from Air Products & Chemicals, Dow Chemical, Chevron Energy Technology, and exida. Mark covers the process safety…
- 6 Feb 2019
Simplifying Safety Instrumented System Modernization Projects

Jim Cahill

One of my first assignments as a newly minted Electrical Engineer was to tend to a triple modular redundant (TMR) safety instrumented system (SIS) on an offshore Gulf of Mexico oil & gas gathering facility. This was back in the 1980s when these systems were introduced. Many manufacturers and producers have these older safety systems that have been in operation for decades. I mention this since I received a note from…
- 20 Dec 2018
Simplifying Safety Instrumented System Modernization Projects

Jim Cahill

One of my first assignments as a newly minted Electrical Engineer was to tend to a triple modular redundant (TMR) safety instrumented system (SIS) on an offshore Gulf of Mexico oil & gas gathering facility. This was back in the 1980s when these systems were introduced. Many manufacturers and producers have these older safety systems that have been in operation for decades. I mention this since I received a note from…
- 20 Dec 2018
Simplifying Safety Valve Proof Testing

Jim Cahill

A safety instrumented function (SIF) within a safety instrumented system (SIS) consists of a sensor, logic solver, and final element. As part of the IEC 61511 global safety standard, these elements within the SIF must be tested during the operational phase of the safety lifecycle. Of the 3 elements, the final control element, typically a safety valve, has mechanical movement which must be tested. In a Processing magazine…
- 19 Dec 2018
Simplifying Safety Valve Proof Testing

Jim Cahill

A safety instrumented function (SIF) within a safety instrumented system (SIS) consists of a sensor, logic solver, and final element. As part of the IEC 61511 global safety standard, these elements within the SIF must be tested during the operational phase of the safety lifecycle. Of the 3 elements, the final control element, typically a safety valve, has mechanical movement which must be tested. In a Processing magazine…
- 19 Dec 2018
Partial Stroke Test for Final Elements—Diagnostic Coverage Factors

Jim Cahill

Author: Riyaz Ali Partial stroke test is one of the viable means to check mechanical integrity of Final Element of Safety Instrumented Function (SIF) loop. Generally, end users struggle on question of credit of PST for improvement in SIL (Safety Integrity Level). IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 define diagnostic coverage factors (DCF), but do not provide a prescriptive way to estimate the number applied in real process…
- 13 Dec 2018
Partial Stroke Test for Final Elements—Diagnostic Coverage Factors

Jim Cahill

Author: Riyaz Ali Partial stroke test is one of the viable means to check mechanical integrity of Final Element of Safety Instrumented Function (SIF) loop. Generally, end users struggle on question of credit of PST for improvement in SIL (Safety Integrity Level). IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 define diagnostic coverage factors (DCF), but do not provide a prescriptive way to estimate the number applied in real process…
- 13 Dec 2018
Simplifying Burner Management System Architecture

Jim Cahill

Emerson’s Zach Brooks and Steven Kormann described how compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) with modern burner management and combustion control hardware systems has been simplified. They explored how recently released (and upcoming) standard changes have forced the evolution of best practices based on modern hardware solutions. The acceptance of SIL-capable instrumentation has become more commonplace…
- 3 Oct 2018
Simplifying Burner Management System Architecture

Jim Cahill

Emerson’s Zach Brooks and Steven Kormann described how compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) with modern burner management and combustion control hardware systems has been simplified. They explored how recently released (and upcoming) standard changes have forced the evolution of best practices based on modern hardware solutions. The acceptance of SIL-capable instrumentation has become more commonplace…
- 3 Oct 2018
Optimizing Pressure Relief Valve Lifecycle Management

Jim Cahill

Kevin Simmons Marcelo Dultra Pressure relief valves (PRVs) are critical safety and equipment protection devices to prevent overpressure conditions. They need ongoing maintenance to assure that they operate as designed for their intended applications. In a Valve magazine article, Lifecycle Management of Pressure Relief Valves , Emerson’s Kevin Simmons and Marcelo Dultra describe considerations for effective and efficient…
- 21 Sep 2018
Optimizing Pressure Relief Valve Lifecycle Management

Jim Cahill

Pressure relief valves (PRVs) are critical safety and equipment protection devices to prevent overpressure conditions. They need ongoing maintenance to assure that they operate as designed for their intended applications. In a Valve magazine article, Lifecycle Management of Pressure Relief Valves , Emerson’s Kevin Simmons and Marcelo Dultra describe considerations for effective and efficient PRV sizing, selection,…
- 21 Sep 2018
Preventing Over-Pressurization with HIPPS

Jim Cahill

Wikipedia defines a High-integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS) as: …a type of safety instrumented system (SIS) designed to prevent over-pressurization of a plant, such as a chemical plant or oil refinery . The HIPPS will shut off the source of the high pressure before the design pressure of the system is exceeded, thus preventing loss of containment through rupture ( explosion ) of a line or vessel. Therefore…
- 30 Aug 2018
Preventing Over-Pressurization with HIPPS

Jim Cahill

Wikipedia defines a High-integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS) as: …a type of safety instrumented system (SIS) designed to prevent over-pressurization of a plant, such as a chemical plant or oil refinery . The HIPPS will shut off the source of the high pressure before the design pressure of the system is exceeded, thus preventing loss of containment through rupture ( explosion ) of a line or vessel. Therefore…
- 30 Aug 2018
Flame and Gas Detection in Layers of Protection

Jim Cahill

For manufacturing processes with hazardous substances that are combustible or can cause harm to people and property, flame and gas detection systems are often used as part of the risk mitigation strategy. This 11-minute video, Rosemount Flame and Gas Layers of Protection describes how these sensors are used in layers of protection for the process safety requirements. The video opens explaining why flame and gas…
- 8 Jun 2018
Flame and Gas Detection in Layers of Protection

Jim Cahill

For manufacturing processes with hazardous substances that are combustible or can cause harm to people and property, flame and gas detection systems are often used as part of the risk mitigation strategy. This 11-minute video, Rosemount Flame and Gas Layers of Protection describes how these sensors are used in layers of protection for the process safety requirements. The video opens explaining why flame and gas…
- 8 Jun 2018
Flame and Gas Detection in Layers of Protection

Jim Cahill

For manufacturing processes with hazardous substances that are combustible or can cause harm to people and property, flame and gas detection systems are often used as part of the risk mitigation strategy. This 11-minute video, Rosemount Flame and Gas Layers of Protection describes how these sensors are used in layers of protection for the process safety requirements. The video opens explaining why flame and gas…
- 8 Jun 2018
Managing Storage Tank Pressure and Overfill Prevention

Jim Cahill

Across the energy supply chain bulk petroleum storage terminals play an important role in managing supply and demand. A critical safety function is to prevent an overfill condition in each of the storage tanks. Another critical function is to manage the pressure inside the tank to avoid overpressure or vacuum conditions that could damage the structural integrity of a tank. In this one-hour recorded webinar, Tank Pressure…
- 25 May 2018
Filling Gaps in Global Safety Standards

Jim Cahill

A safety instrumented function (SIF)’s purpose is to reduce the risk of a specific hazard. For example, an upset condition in an oil and gas production separator may cause a series of SIFs within a safety instrumented system (SIS) to shut in the wells feeding the separator. A SIF contains a sensor, logic solver and final control element—often an emergency shutdown valve. As a mechanical component of this safety loop…
- 3 May 2018
Enabling Safer Operator-Machine Interactions through Enhanced Control of Machine Stoppages

Jim Cahill

Authors: Enrico De Carolis , Mike Johnson As packaging line machinery has become more sophisticated, it’s also become more complex. This increased complexity, coupled with a high number of interactions between operators and machines, increases the potential for safety incidents. For example, in the packaging world, production lines may stop for manual loading 10-30 times per shift, each time necessitating some…
- 23 Mar 2018
Enabling Safer Operator-Machine Interactions through Enhanced Control of Machine Stoppages

Jim Cahill

Authors: Enrico De Carolis , Mike Johnson As packaging line machinery has become more sophisticated, it’s also become more complex. This increased complexity, coupled with a high number of interactions between operators and machines, increases the potential for safety incidents. For example, in the packaging world, production lines may stop for manual loading 10-30 times per shift, each time necessitating some form…
- 23 Mar 2018
Digital Transformation for Safe Operations

Jim Cahill

One of the big topics last week at CERAWeek 2018 was the role technology can play to improve business performance—especially in areas such as safety, reliability and efficiency. These advancing technologies coupled with improved work practices can deliver a digital transformation to companies that undertake this journey. At this week’s Safety Case Symposium 2018 Singapore conference, Emerson’s Jonas Berge is presenting…
- 14 Mar 2018
Digital Transformation for Safe Operations

Jim Cahill

One of the big topics last week at CERAWeek 2018 was the role technology can play to improve business performance—especially in areas such as safety, reliability and efficiency. These advancing technologies coupled with improved work practices can deliver a digital transformation to companies that undertake this journey. At this week’s Safety Case Symposium 2018 Singapore conference, Emerson’s Jonas Berge is presenting…
- 14 Mar 2018
Adding Wireless Level Switches for Storage Tank Overfill Prevention

Jim Cahill

Storage tanks holding volatile fluids must have reliable level measurements to avoid unsafe overfill conditions. A Control Engineering Asia article, Wireless vibrating fork technology enables Hengyang Petrochemical to implement cost-effective overfill prevention solution , describes how this petrochemical producer sought to reduce the risk of overfill conditions. The plant had existing non-contacting radar level measurement…
- 15 Jan 2018
Adding Wireless Level Switches for Storage Tank Overfill Prevention

Jim Cahill

Storage tanks holding volatile fluids must have reliable level measurements to avoid unsafe overfill conditions. A Control Engineering Asia article, Wireless vibrating fork technology enables Hengyang Petrochemical to implement cost-effective overfill prevention solution , describes how this petrochemical producer sought to reduce the risk of overfill conditions. The plant had existing non-contacting radar level measurement…
- 15 Jan 2018
Vortex Flow Meters in Safety Instrumented Functions

Jim Cahill

Safety instrumented systems provide a layer of protection beyond the control system to safely shutdown the process during abnormal situations. A safety instrumented function (SIF) or “safety loop” includes the sensing device, logic solver and final control element to perform safety function upon demand. Flow measurement devices are often the sensing devices in these SIFs. Some flow measurement technologies may experience…
- 20 Dec 2017