Activity
  • Meet The Expert Session – Advanced Control Foundation

    As I mentioned in an earlier blog, Willy Wojsznis and I hosted a Meet the Expert session at Emerson Exchange 2012 that covers key points contained in the book Advanced Control Foundation – Tools, Techniques, and Applications. Below is a picture from this session. I received permission from the Emerson board to record the audio … Continue reading » Read the full text.
  • Advanced Control Foundation at Emerson Exchange 2012

    The International Society of Automation (ISA) always has a booth at Emerson Exchange to display books published by ISA and make these books available for purchased. The book that Mark Nixon, Willy Wojsznis, I co-authored this year, Advanced Control Foundation – Tools, Techniques, and Applications was published just two weeks before the opening of Emerson … Continue reading » Read the full text.
  • Emerson Exchange 2012

    If you attended Emerson Exchange 2012 in Anaheim, California, Oct 8-12th then I am sure you will agree this event exceeded all expectations. With over 350 workshops and short course to select from, it was always easy to find a presentation of interests. The exhibit area was open the first three days from 4-8pm. In … Continue reading » Read the full text.
  • Continuous Data Analytics – Impact of Transport Delay

    When developing a PLS models for quality parameter prediction, the deviation of measurement values from their mean must be shifted in time to account for the time required for a change in the input to impact the quality parameter. Similarly, these delays should be taken into account in the processing of the deviation values used … Continue reading » Read the full text.
  • Master the Mystery and Marvels of DeltaV Model Predictive Control

    Emerson’s James Beall presented Master the Mystery and Marvels of DeltaV MPC at the 2012 Emerson Exchange. His abstract: Have you found the perfect application for Model Predictive Control (MPC) but don’t know how to get started? Or perhaps you have implemented...
  • Continuous Data Analytics – Impact of Grade Change

    The process operating points of a continuous process can shift with changes in the product grade that is manufactured. One example of this is a continuous reactor in which the target for output composition changes with product grades. To change the output composition, it is often necessary to change the operating point of one or … Continue reading » Read the full text.
  • Press Release: Emerson releases DeltaV Version 12 process automation system

    New features add increased flexibility, predictability and security while reducing complexity and operating costs AUSTIN, TEXAS (October 11, 2012) — Emerson Process Management has announced a major new release of its DeltaV digital process automation system. New features in DeltaV Version 12 (v12) build on the system’s ability to help users simplify complex operations for [...] Read the full text.
  • Rules for Designing Optimal Operator Interfaces

    Emerson’s Aaron Crews, Molly Firkins, and Jessica Graham presented, “Rules” for Designing Optimal Operator Displays at the 2012 Emerson Exchange. Their abstract: “How can I design displays in the right way?” No matter whether we are creating, migrating...
  • I Seek Wisdom (Why you are here today!)

    I’m a sucker for motivational speakers. And I’ve heard enough of the them to know that none of them like being called “motivational speakers”. “Success Coach” seems to be popular. “Noticer” was a new one for me. So sure enough, shortly after hearing him speak at the opening of this year’s Emerson Exchange, I fired up my Kindle and downloaded Andy Andrews “The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success…
  • View, Trend, and Configure Advanced Pressure Diagnostics

    Emerson’s Tom Wallace shared some new templates available in the DeltaV control system version 11 or newer to better understand and access advanced diagnostics from smart pressure devices. His abstract [hyperlink added to article]: Advanced pressure diagnostics...
  • Press Release: Emerson launches major expansion of project services

    Project awards drive engineering capacity increases ANAHEIM, CALIF (October 8, 2012) — Emerson Process Management has accelerated plans to expand its project engineering staff to meet the demands of major project activity. With its number of new projects growing at double-digit rates, the added engineering capacity is needed to meet customers’ needs for effective, timely [...] Read the full text.
  • Press Release: Emerson launches global support service initiative

    Support staff and facilities are expanding to help customers meet the challenges of today’s process operations – wherever they are ANAHEIM, CALIF (October 8, 2012) — Emerson Process Management has embarked on a program to strengthen its support service capabilities for customers around the world. In 2012 Emerson extended its current footprint of 374 global [...] Read the full text.
  • Continuous Data Analytics – Quality Parameter Prediction

    The prediction of quality parameters using Partial Least Squares (PLS) models is often the preferred technique when dealing with collinear data where multiple process input changes impact similar process output measurements. Predictions based on this linear technique can be used to extrapolate outside the data range used in model development. Process interactions may be accounted … Continue reading » Read the full text…
  • Updated Using SNMP on a DeltaV System Whitepaper

    Using a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) application is not “simple” and its proper and safe use in a live network requires some expertise. The purpose of this whitepaper is to provide information supporting that expertise. (437KB PDF) Read the full text.
  • Continuous Data Analytics – On-line Use

    One of the key objectives of a process control system is to maintain product quality parameters within specification. On-line analyzers that automatically provide measurements of material properties to the control system may be too expensive, may have proven to be unreliable, or simply may not be available because of the complexity of the sampling system … Continue reading » Read the full text.
  • Advanced Control Foundation at ISA Automation Week 2012

    If you are attending ISA Automation Week, 2012 then you may want to stop by the ISA book store in the exhibit area. Copies of Advanced Control Foundation were shipped earlier this week from the printer and arrive at the ISA bookstore late today, Tuesday, September 25. Thus, you might say these copies of the … Continue reading » Read the full text.
  • Continuous Data Analytics

    One of the areas addressed by the DeltaV future architecture team over the last two years has been the research and development of on-line continuous data analytics for fault detection quality parameter prediction. This year a prototype of this capability is being tested at two plants in Texas and one plant in Canada. Lubrizol, Deer … Continue reading » Read the full text.
  • Press Release: Emerson awarded multimillion-dollar contract to provide automation technologies, services for new BP FPSO

    Emerson to provide PlantWeb™ digital plant architecture, DeltaV™ digital automation systems for facility that will produce 130,000 barrels a day AUSTIN, TEXAS (September 20, 2012) – On the heels of being named BP’s automation contractor of choice for offshore oil and gas operations in the North Sea, Emerson Process Management has been awarded a $21 [...] Read the full text.
  • Ace Up My Sleeve-Counting the Seconds and the Workings` of a Chaotic Mind

    Can saving seconds add up? Emerson’s Anand Iyer provides his unique perspectives on batch processes and accumulated timesavings. We were in a car, driving after work, discussing different things, that two engineers (one from Sales and one from Technology...
  • Updated Backup and Recovery FAQs Whitepaper

    The Backup and Recovery FAQs whitepaper answers frequently asked questions regarding the Emerson system Backup and Recovery application. (560KB PDF) Read the full text.
  • Control Loop Foundation Class – Nov 5-9

    I worked closely with Emerson’s education department to establish the class Control Loop Foundation (9025). This 4 ½ day class is intended primarily for people who are new to the process industry and process control. Approximately 30% of the class is dedicated to workshops in which the students get hands on experience working with the … Continue reading » Read the full text.
  • Press Release: Emerson and Vopak sign Global Framework Agreement for terminal automation systems

    Bulk liquid terminal operator standardizes on Emerson’s DeltaV digital automation system AUSTIN, TEXAS (September 11, 2012) – Netherlands-based Vopak has awarded Emerson Process Management, a global business of Emerson (NYSE: EMR), a three-year Global Framework Agreement to become one of the providers of process automation systems and services for Vopak’s 80-plus storage and bulk liquid [...] Read the full text.
  • Updated DeltaV Controller Firewall Product Data Sheet

    The DeltaV Controller Firewall provides an economical additional level of cyber-protection to your DeltaV controllers (285KB PDF). Read the full text.
  • Terry Blevins and Mark Nixon Honored as ISA Fellows

    If you ask many of the people around Emerson whose service with the company is measured in decades, the most likely response you’ll hear is that “it’s the people”. I’m based in Austin, Texas and am surrounded by many of the DeltaV technologists, industry...
  • Advanced Control Foundation – Book’s Web Site

    A workshop is provided at the end of each chapter of Advanced Control Foundation – Tools, Techniques, and Applications that explores the technology. One of the unique features of the book is that the reader may view the workshop solution by going to the web site (http://www.advancedcontrolfoundation.com. ) that accompanies the book. All you need … Continue reading » Read the full text.