Gas parks grow over the years and at a certain point customers have various versions of products and software in their gas equipment park. Requirements on cost efficiency, asset integrity, seamless uptime and risk reduction remain high and even increase over time. The modernization of the gas equipment park is a constant task to achieve for operational excellence today. The increased digitization of operations is apparent; this is a chance and threat at the same time, with productivity going up and cybersecurity becoming more demanding. Customers need to stay agile and optimize along their entire value chain to keep up with the market pace and changing cycles.
With the introduction of new products, Honeywell looks at the current legacy product situation and tries to offer suitable replacements and upgrade possibilities. The following examples provide a glimpse of important retrofit solutions:
1. Ultrasonic Flow MetersFor ultrasonic flow meters (UFM)
Honeywell offers a retrofit kit to upgrade UFMs of the Q.Sonic 3-, 4- and 5-series to the current 6-series version. With this electronic update Honeywell brings old meters to the cybersecurity level of 6-series meters. Communication via Ethernet gives the customer a full and easy connectivity solution. The new electronics allows the use of the core software product for condition-based monitoring (CBM): Measurement IQ.
This gives customers the ability to monitor the health of their meters and receive automated diagnostics, which means immediate and efficient data analysis.
2. Electronic volume correctors
In the electronic volume corrector (EVC) sector, the introduction of a DSfG protocol to the EK280 series especially covers the needs of communication for DACH-region customers. The implementation of a 4G/5G modem solution takes care of retiring 2G/3G networks. The utilized radio technology is LTE Cat M1 and NB-IoT. The new Transport Layer Security (TLS) protects customer’s data flawlessly. The focus on an energy-efficient solution which allows a seamless usage of the modem with battery-driven equipment.
3. Gas analyzers
For the gas analyzer GasLab Q1 there is an upgrade package available that gives the customer the possibility to leave all initial installation work as is. The combination of the successor model, GasLab Q2, and a simplified migration panel makes the migration effort plug-and-play. Customers benefit from all the improvements implemented in the Q1 successor product, GasLab Q2: easy configuration, field service, integrated redundancy, reduction of repair cost due to modular approach and future-oriented analysis possibilities like Biogas.
4. Gas Software–ISS Plus became MAS
Migrations are not only important in traditional product-driven businesses, but in an increasingly digitized world, software becomes a key factor. With the introduction of the Metering Automation System (MAS), Honeywell merged the formerly independent ISS Plus supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) product with Honeywell’s Experion ® HS SCADA system. With this move Honeywell can achieve internal synergies for the good of the customer. MAS is embedded in Honeywell’s big Experion ® family, being able to deliver process visualization, performance monitoring and validation support in a proficient SCADA shape. These four examples show our commitment to helping clients stay up to date and achieve the best results in their processes and actions.
Retrofits can be performed by device family or by station/application. The timing of the retrofits varies; for example, retrofits can occur at the time of a device failure or when they are following a schedule. Customer-specific maintenance and conversion strategies are considered with a comprehensive offer. Whichever strategy customers pursue, the opportunity to expand their view to a more holistic perspective gives them the greatest possible degree of freedom in dealing with changing market conditions and enables them to concentrate on securing competitive advantages. In this context, a TotalCare service contract provides the framework for all necessary materials and labor related to the device conversion, including maintenance and commissioning support.
Customers have a transparent timetable that simplifies budget planning and helps them to fulfil their schedules. Costly moments of surprise are outdated. Account managers and channel partners are happy to support Honeywell customers on their lifecycle management journey.
