This artitcle is about Process Control and Equipment Protection as per International Codes, standards and Saudi aramco engineering standards. the topic is referenced from SAES-Z-001 and for Control and Process engineers.
Why Process Control and Equipment Protection Is Important
Process control and equipment protection are essential components of industrial automation systems. In this article, we’ll look at the standards and requirements that govern process control and equipment protection, as well as the advanced process control techniques that are employed in modern industrial automation systems.
What Is Process Control?
Process control is the monitoring and manipulation of process variables in industrial settings. Process variables such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, and level are measured and manipulated to maintain a desired process state. This is done through the use of sensors, controllers, and actuators.
What Are the Requirements for Process Control and Equipment Protection?
The Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard (SAES) provides a set of requirements for process control and equipment protection. The requirements cover topics such as measurement units, digital fieldbus, loop execution speed, regulatory control, advanced regulatory control, startup sequencing and startup permissives, and advanced process control.
Measurement Units
The SAES-J-003 standard specifies the allowable units of measurement that must be used in process control and equipment protection systems. These units must be consistent across the system to ensure accurate data acquisition and manipulation.
Digital Fieldbus
The SAES specifies that FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus (FF) and HART may be used for digital fieldbus implementation. Vendor proprietary protocols must not be used. Other Fieldbus protocols such as DeviceNet and Profibus may not be used without prior written consent from the General Supervisor, Process Automation Systems Division, P&CSD, Saudi Aramco. Wireless communications for transmittal of field devices data to the DCS must not be used without prior written consent.
Loop Execution Speed
The SAES specifies the execution rates for control algorithms. These rates must be set according to the table provided in the standard, unless otherwise specified in the project Functional Specification Document (FSD). Furthermore, the FSD must provide an estimate of the total number of each loop type.
Regulatory Control
The SAES standard also specifies requirements for control loop initialization, bumpless transfer, bad PV status, failsafe, and composite tag. In addition, control strategy templates must be developed for typical control strategies.
Advanced Regulatory Control (ARC)
The SAES requires that written control narratives be developed for all advanced regulatory control strategies and supplied with the project documentation. Furthermore, specific DCS graphics must be developed for each ARC strategy, which must describe the control objective and operation of the strategy.
Startup Sequencing and Startup Permissives
Startup sequencing displays must be configured to facilitate the startup of a process unit or major equipment which requires a specific sequence of events to be executed in order. The displays must provide an overview of each step required in the startup sequence with indication on which steps have been completed and which step is currently active.
Startup permissive displays must also be configured to facilitate startup for all major equipment which utilizes startup permissives. The displays must show the current state of all permissives associated with the equipment.
Advanced Process Control
For projects that require advanced process control (APC) or multi-variable control (MVC), the SAES provides a set of requirements. These requirements cover topics such as hardware/software platform, startup and shutdown, shed back logic, watch dog timer, critical input monitoring, operator displays, and engineering interface.
Conclusion
Process control and equipment protection are essential components of industrial automation systems. The Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard provides a set of requirements and guidelines for process control and equipment protection. Furthermore, advanced process control techniques such as ARC and APC are used in modern industrial automation systems.
- International Codes and Standards Used in Process Control System.
- Process Control System Segregation in Terms of Risk Areas.
- Spare and Expansion Capabilities of Process Control System.
- Control Console Technical Specification for Industrial Control Projects.
- Operator Graphical Displays for Process Control System.
- Guidelines for Process Alarm Systems: Alarm System Management.
- Distributed Control System (DCS) Historization and Trending.
- Process Control System Access and Security.
- Process Control System Integration and Interface with other Disciplines.
- Technical Requirements for System, Network and Server Cabinets – PCS.
- Electrical Wiring and Power Distribution for Distributed Control Systems.
- Process Control Network Cabling Requirements | PDFBAG