New technology makes it possible for up to five virtual controllers to reside in one PC, resulting in higher levels of affordability and scalability with a reduced footprint
PITTSBURGH (Nov. 30, 2004) — Today, Emerson Process Management demonstrated its role as a premier supplier of simulator solutions for the power industry with the addition of virtual controller technology to its Ovation® Simulation Suite. “For more than 30 years, Emerson Process Management has delivered leading-edge simulator technology to the power industry,” said Steve Schilling, vice president, product development for Emerson’s Power & Water Solutions division. “Launching the virtual controller technology today at POWER-GEN International 2004 is an important part of our continuing effort to provide simulator solutions that help to increase plant efficiency and enhance operator performance.”
The Ovation Simulation Suite refers collectively to a variety of simulation solutions encompassing a number of modeling and simulator types that enable Emerson to work with its power industry customers to design a simulator that meets their specific needs. Simulation solutions are an important component of the operations and engineering tools that power Emerson’s PlantWeb® digital plant automation approach. The Simulation Suite is comprised of two types of architectures: stimulated and virtual. The stimulated design offers a hardware replica of the plant’s actual Ovation expert control system. Conversely, in the virtual architecture, the actual contollers are replaced with Ovation virtual controllers that reside on a Microsoft Windows-based personal computer, known as the virtual host.
The virtual controllers, which utilize standard Ovation engineering tools and operator interfaces, run the point scanning, alarming and complete algorithm set, including advanced control algorithms as they exist in the plant’s controllers. As such, the virtual controller provides one-on-one functionality that mirrors the actual Ovation controllers that comprise the plant control system. An important aspect of this technology is that up to five virtual controllers can reside in one PC. “Because the virtual technology merges all the benefits of a full simulator into one or more PCs, it offers customers higher levels of affordability and scalability with a significantly reduced footprint,” said Schilling.
According to Schilling, a customized simulator is a valuable and flexible tool to improve plant operations. As a training tool, it teaches operators to fully understand plant control. “This gives plant personnel the confidence and ability to maneuver through changing plant conditions and handle even the most unlikely operational events,” explains Schilling. “By training staff to operate the plant more efficiently, the Ovation simulator can save millions of dollars in downtime, waste and inefficiency through the reduction of unplanned trips.” Furthermore, an Ovation simulator is a powerful tool for engineering analyses.
By simulating a variety of plant operating conditions, engineers can use the Simulation Suite to develop and re-engineer control system logic, permitting them to observe the effect of plant changes prior to implementation without affecting the normal day-to-day operations of the plant. One of the differentiating factors of Emerson’s simulation solutions in general, and the virtual controller technology in particular, is that they are backed by decades of power industry expertise, according to Schilling. “We are dedicated to providing customers with a customized selection of simulator options, strategies and architectures that best fits their needs,” said Schilling.
“This is part of Emerson’s overall commitment to helping customers control critical power generation processes, increase plant efficiencies and megawatt production, and realize long-term O&M savings.”
About Emerson Process Management
Emerson Process Management ( www.emersonprocess.com ),an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution in the power, water and wastewater treatment, chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and other industries.
Emerson's Power & Water Solutions division ( www.emersonprocess-powerwater.com ) is a global supplier of advanced distributed process control and information systems. The Pittsburgh-based company is a recognized leader in developing plant-wide process control solutions for the power generation, water treatment and wastewater treatment industries. Power & Water Solutions plays a key role in the Emerson mission of combining superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services.
Emerson brands include: PlantWeb®; Ovation®; SmartProcess®; Fisher®; MicroMotion®; Rosemount®; Daniel®; DeltaV™; and AMS™ Suite.
About Emerson
St. Louis-based Emerson ( www.gotoemerson.com ) is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers in process control; electronics and telecommunications; industrial automation; heating, ventilating and air conditioning; and appliance and tools.
Sales in fiscal 2004 were $15.6 billion.
