October 1, 2009 --Emerson announced redundancy for Smart Wireless monitoring and control solutions. Available with the DeltaV S-series digital automation system, full redundancy protects the wireless network from any single point of failure by allowing primary failover to ensure that data is always delivered even if there is a malfunction. The enhancements include redundant Wireless I/O, power and communications and a redundant Smart Wireless Remote Link. The Remote Link can be mounted in class 1/Div 1/zone 0; it easily links the wireless field network into a DeltaV system which makes an optimized PID available for wireless control. The new full redundancy furthers the strength of Smart Wireless technology as a complement to wired and bus approaches on capital projects.
Thousands of Smart Wireless installations are successfully operating globally in demanding environments industry-wide. The new wireless network redundancy and robustness enable confidence for customers to now extend use to critical monitoring and control applications with the same flexibility and ease of use of the entire Smart Wireless platform. Smart Wireless is based on the WirelessHART standard which is designed for control and monitoring applications. Smart Wireless devices based on the WirelessHART standard deliver 99.9% reliability because of the self-organizing nature of the network.
This ensures that data is always delivered reliably and is never lost. This level of reliability is a prerequisite to using wireless technology for any critical monitoring or control application. Devices that conform to the WirelessHART specification can sense measurements at update rates up to once per second. WirelessHART also allows exception reporting for network efficiency; devices only communicate a measurement value if it has changed significantly since the last communication or if the time since the last communication has exceeded a required reporting time, optimizing battery life.Two recent installations have demonstrated the effectiveness of Smart Wireless for control over WirelessHART networks.
At bioprocess technologies supplier Broadley James, WirelessHART pH and temperature transmitters control a single-use disposable bioreactor. “We conducted batch runs using mammalian cell culture,” said Scott Broadley, president of Broadley James. “The observed pH and temperature control using wireless measurements was equivalent to that achieved using wired transmitters.” Similar results were seen at another installation at University of Texas where Stripper and Absorber Control is done using WirelessHART transmitters. Column pressure control and heater stream flow control using WirelessHART transmitters provided the same dynamic response and comparable performance to that achieved using wired transmitters.
Both installations use an enhanced PID algorithm available with the DeltaV S-series. This PID algorithm for wireless devices delivers high accuracy control in an exception reporting environment. It is a perfect complement to maximize control performance with wireless technologyIn addition to the new redundancy capability, Emerson offers a wide range of wireless field instrumentation and plant operations equipment, including Emerson Smart Wireless Gateways with redundancy, THUM adapter, Fisher position monitors, Rosemount transmitters, Rosemount Analytical and Machinery Health Management devices, and native wireless interfaces to AMS Suite predictive maintenance software, DeltaV and Ovation digital automation systems, and wireless SmartStart Services.
SmartWireless is an extension of Emerson’s PlantWeb digital plant architecture. “As plant studies have shown, reliable robust wireless technology should be a key component of all capital projects,” said Bob Karschnia, vice president Wireless for Emerson Process Management. “Plants using wireless realize savings and become smarter through simpler engineering and construction, flexible start-up, faster deployment and project completion, and changing automation needs. Today wireless is readily deployed for monitoring, and customers have asked for redundancy for control as well as for critical monitoring points. “Further, customers need proof that control with wireless is viable,” continued Karschnia.
“We’ve responded with real-world Smart Wireless installations using 1-second updates, enhanced PID, battery management, and WirelessHART. We’re excited about the expansion of benefits these new user-driven solutions offer.”
About Emerson Process Management
Emerson Process Management, an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution in the chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, power, water and wastewater treatment, mining and metals, food and beverage, life sciences and other industries. The company combines superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services. Its brands include PlantWeb, Syncade, DeltaV, Fisher, Micro Motion, Rosemount, Daniel, Ovation, and AMS Suite.
