Emerson Exchange 365

DeltaV Blog

DeltaV distributed control system blog
- 695 posts
- Updated 9 days ago
Operations Management Blog
- 77 posts
- Updated 3 months ago
Ovation Blog
- 69 posts
- Updated 6 months ago
Safety Instrumented Systems Blog
- 88 posts
- Updated 18 days ago
SCADA Blog
- 39 posts
- Updated over 2 years ago

Blog - Post List

Jim Cahill
- 15 May 2019
DeltaV Blog: Controlling Surge in Centrifugal Compressors

Centrifugal and axial compressors can experience a potentially destructive condition known as surge. Emerson’s Mikhail Ilchenko describes it for me. Mikhail Ilchenko Surge is a condition that occurs in compressors when the amount of gas they are trying to compress is insufficient for the size of the compressor and the blades lose their ability to transfer energy from the shaft to the fluid, causing a reverse...
Jim Cahill
- 6 May 2019
Safety Instrumented Systems Blog: Storage Tank Overfill Protection

Lydia Miller AnnCharlott Enberg Preventing overfill conditions in tanks and vessels is a job for safety instrumented systems across many industries. In a Flow Control article, A Systemic Approach to Storage Tank Overfill Protection , Emerson’s Lydia Miller and AnnCharlott Enberg describe the key components in a comprehensive tank management system to meet the safety requirements for the application. Lydia and AnnCharlott...
Jim Cahill
- 29 Apr 2019
DeltaV Blog: Optimizing Hydrocyclone Separation Processes

Diagram of a hydrocyclone: 1. the liquid-solid mixture enters, 2. heavy solids leave, 3. cleaned liquid leaves. Photo credit: “hydrocyclone” by VanBuren is licensed under CC BY 3.0 In the mining industry, hydrocyclones are mineral processing equipment used in slurry pulps to separate coarse and fine particles according to their size and density. From Wikipedia : The mixture [slurry pulp] is injected into the...
Jim Cahill
- 22 Apr 2019
Safety Instrumented Systems Blog: Remote Proof Testing Safety Level Switches

One of the necessities in managing safety instrumented systems throughout the IEC 61511 safety lifecycle is to perform periodic proof tests on the components in a safety instrumented function to verify proper function. A short 2:44 YouTube video, How to Remotely Proof-Test the Rosemount 2140:SIS shows how this proof testing can be performed remotely for safety level switches to save time & costs and reduce risk. ...
Jim Cahill
- 18 Apr 2019
DeltaV Blog: Applying Embedded Model Predictive Control

James Beall The history of model predictive control (MPC) dates back to the early 1970s invented at Shell Oil and was known as Dynamic Matrix Control . MPC was designed at that time to solve largescale control challenges. As technology advanced, this technology could be more widely applied on smaller-scale challenges. At this past 2019 AIChE Spring Meeting , Emerson’s James Beall presented Unique Applications for...
Jim Cahill
- 13 Feb 2019
Operations Management Blog: Manufacturing Execution Systems in Drug Research and Development

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) outlines the drug development process in five steps: Discovery and development Preclinical research Clinical trials FDA review FDA post-market safety monitoring Zuwei Jin I caught up with Emerson’s Zuwei Jin whom you may recall from earlier posts on the role of automation in the drug development process . Zuwei explained to me how manufacturing execution systems...
Jim Cahill
- 13 Feb 2019
Operations Management Blog: Manufacturing Execution Systems in Drug Research and Development

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) outlines the drug development process in five steps: Discovery and development Preclinical research Clinical trials FDA review FDA post-market safety monitoring Zuwei Jin I caught up with Emerson’s Zuwei Jin whom you may recall from earlier posts on the role of automation in the drug development process . Zuwei explained to me how manufacturing execution systems...
Jim Cahill
- 6 Feb 2019
Safety Instrumented Systems Blog: Integrated versus Separate Control and Safety

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...
Jim Cahill
- 6 Feb 2019
Safety Instrumented Systems Blog: Integrated versus Separate Control and Safety

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...
Jim Cahill
- 20 Dec 2018
Safety Instrumented Systems Blog: Simplifying Safety Instrumented System Modernization Projects

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...
Jim Cahill
- 20 Dec 2018
Safety Instrumented Systems Blog: Simplifying Safety Instrumented System Modernization Projects

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...
Jim Cahill
- 19 Dec 2018
Safety Instrumented Systems Blog: Simplifying Safety Valve Proof Testing

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...
Jim Cahill
- 19 Dec 2018
Safety Instrumented Systems Blog: Simplifying Safety Valve Proof Testing

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...
Jim Cahill
- 17 Dec 2018
DeltaV Blog: Creating a Digitally-Enabled Workforce

Edition #14 of Innovations in Process Automation is now available. And it’s available not only in English, but also in German , Italian , Spanish and French . This latest edition includes articles about: Emerson’s commitment to training and education is closing the skills gap STEM initiatives inspire next generation of innovators The business case for gender balance is clear Training solutions help maximise...
Jim Cahill
- 17 Dec 2018
DeltaV Blog: Creating a Digitally-Enabled Workforce

Edition #14 of Innovations in Process Automation is now available. And it’s available not only in English, but also in German , Italian , Spanish and French . This latest edition includes articles about: Emerson’s commitment to training and education is closing the skills gap STEM initiatives inspire next generation of innovators The business case for gender balance is clear Training solutions help maximise...
Jim Cahill
- 13 Dec 2018
Safety Instrumented Systems Blog: Partial Stroke Test for Final Elements—Diagnostic Coverage Factors

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...
Jim Cahill
- 13 Dec 2018
Safety Instrumented Systems Blog: Partial Stroke Test for Final Elements—Diagnostic Coverage Factors

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...
Jim Cahill
- 5 Nov 2018
Operations Management Blog: Tracking Cell Therapy Chain of Identity

Cell therapy is when: …cellular material is injected into a patient; [1] this generally means intact, living cells . For example, T cells capable of fighting cancer cells via cell-mediated immunity may be injected in the course of immunotherapy . For manufacturers in the Life Sciences industry, making these therapies poses challenges since each batch is specific to a given patient. In this 2:25 YouTube video...
Jim Cahill
- 5 Nov 2018
Operations Management Blog: Tracking Cell Therapy Chain of Identity

Cell therapy is when: …cellular material is injected into a patient; [1] this generally means intact, living cells . For example, T cells capable of fighting cancer cells via cell-mediated immunity may be injected in the course of immunotherapy . For manufacturers in the Life Sciences industry, making these therapies poses challenges since each batch is specific to a given patient. In this 2:25 YouTube video...
Jim Cahill
- 2 Nov 2018
DeltaV Blog: Better Decisions with Intelligent Mobile Access

The rise of smart phone and tablets has enabled businesses to completely rethink workflows and access to information. Within the world of manufacturing, this is even true for supervising and managing the process. In a Chemical Engineering article, Engineering Challenges? There’s a Mobile Application for That , Emerson’s Mariana Dionisio describes how the DeltaV Mobile application: …allows users, such as operations...
Jim Cahill
- 2 Nov 2018
DeltaV Blog: Better Decisions with Intelligent Mobile Access

The rise of smart phone and tablets has enabled businesses to completely rethink workflows and access to information. Within the world of manufacturing, this is even true for supervising and managing the process. In a Chemical Engineering article, Engineering Challenges? There’s a Mobile Application for That , Emerson’s Mariana Dionisio describes how the DeltaV Mobile application: …allows users, such as operations...
Jim Cahill
- 1 Nov 2018
DeltaV Blog: Collaboration for Cybersecurity Resiliency and Robustness

Maintaining robust defenses from cyber-attacks is a priority for manufacturers. They rely on their automation suppliers to provide security-hardened technologies and cybersecurity services to help defend against new attacks and maintain resiliency and robustness over time. One key element in robustness is quickly finding, fixing and distributing patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. Industrial control systems...
Jim Cahill
- 1 Nov 2018
DeltaV Blog: Collaboration for Cybersecurity Resiliency and Robustness

Maintaining robust defenses from cyber-attacks is a priority for manufacturers. They rely on their automation suppliers to provide security-hardened technologies and cybersecurity services to help defend against new attacks and maintain resiliency and robustness over time. One key element in robustness is quickly finding, fixing and distributing patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. Industrial control systems...
Jim Cahill
- 29 Oct 2018
Ovation Blog: Enabling Seamless and Scalable Distributed Control and SCADA Solutions at Photovoltaic Power Stations

Authors: Tom Snowden , Greg Schirm Photovoltaic power stations (or solar parks) have traditionally used PLCs as their preferred control devices. Size, ruggedness, and cost are often cited as reasons for using PLCs. With the release of the Ovation Compact Controller , Emerson is merging the scalability of PLCs with the power of the Ovation distributed control system on photovoltaic (PV) solar projects. The compact...
Jim Cahill
- 29 Oct 2018
Ovation Blog: Enabling Seamless and Scalable Distributed Control and SCADA Solutions at Photovoltaic Power Stations

Authors: Tom Snowden , Greg Schirm Photovoltaic power stations (or solar parks) have traditionally used PLCs as their preferred control devices. Size, ruggedness, and cost are often cited as reasons for using PLCs. With the release of the Ovation Compact Controller , Emerson is merging the scalability of PLCs with the power of the Ovation distributed control system on photovoltaic (PV) solar projects. The compact...