Control and Instrumentation articles from March 1998

Control and Instrumentation archives from March 1998

Fieldbus sparring. (Fieldbus Foundation; control equipment industry)
March 1, 1998... If controversy be the feedstock of a good yarn, then prepare for a real dog's dinner. C&I's deliberations on a standard for fieldbus (Shamelessness, self-interest, amorality, January News Analysis p13) stirred waters so muddy that would-be...

Great expectations and demands for SCADA. (control system)
March 1, 1998... The customer, although sometimes uncertain, is still king. So vendors must ensure that SCADA systems are not deployed 'for the sake of it' - and ensure legacy support too. The terms SCADA, HMI and MMI are, according to a recent industrial...

Application of on stream analysis: dedication's what we need. (control equipment industry)
March 1, 1998... To maximise the benefit of on stream analysis industry must take more interest World-wide surveys of process control, optimisation and on-stream analysers (for example by Solomon Associates) repeatedly highlight the important role that...

Better control of infernal combustion.
March 1, 1998... Now you can boost profits and benefit the environment by taking a different approach New technology arriving in the gas analysis industry has the potential, if not to change the world, at least to change the way industry views part of its...

Back door SCADA digital panel meters point the way.
March 1, 1998... Over the next few years, DPMs are expected to play an increasing role as a stepping stone from the old to the new Digital Panel Meters (DPMs) have been mainstays of plant control rooms for years. And to the surprise of some, the advent of...

Level controls protect the environment.
March 1, 1998... Regulations and increased environmental awareness by governments and industry alike have placed new emphasis on level instrumentation. Expensive product overspill and leaks, or fugitive emissions, are two areas of concern. Spill prevention,...

Diagnosing ASDs: don't add extras without checking. (adjustable speed drive)
March 1, 1998... Take a global overview of a building's electrical systems before adding devices to cure ASD faults, which may cause problems elsewhere. Repetitive tripping out of an adjustable speed drive (ASD) is expensive. While most modern ASDs monitor...

Drives to access new sources of oil offshore.
March 1, 1998... As offshore production moves to ever more marginal fields, there will be more demand for variable speed drives in economic production As accessible oilfields become exhausted, oil companies are looking for ways to develop marginal fields. And...

Isolators vs barriers: the choice for Europe.
March 1, 1998... In the isolators vs barriers controversy, there is no simple answer. It's essential to know your facts, and buy the solution that fits your needs best Many industrial processes can give rise to an explosive atmosphere. Intrinsic safety (IS)...

Flow conditioning conditioning constructive obstructions.
March 1, 1998... Reduced piping costs and improved flowmeter performance are the promises of a new design of 'tabbed' flow conditioner Increasingly complex processes states make accurate, repeatable flowmetering ever more essential. But equally, the high cost...

Smart valves: the measure of their intelligence.
March 1, 1998... Contrary to what some folk say, 'digital' does not always mean intelligent. The mark of a true intelligent systems is its flexibility The proliferation of smart and intelligent devices seems to know no bounds. However, few can truly claim to...