When operators, engineers or technicians make many adjustments in one area, this indicates a problem in that area. Without an effective documentation system, changes are not communicated. This further exacerbates problems in the area.ExperTune's new version of PlantTriage automatically logs changes to PID tuning values across the plant. PlantTriage records these PID change events for every controller. Users can correlate the events and add notes.A spokesman for the Wisconsin-based company, Tom Kinney, says: "This change management system provides a consistent plant-wide method for viewing PID tuning change logs. Changes are easily accessible to anyone in the plant through their browser. Users can correlate performance changes with tuning changes.''Users view PID change events in their web browser. The browser interface includes a notes section for explaining the purpose of change. Tuning changes are automatically logged and recorded for every controller in the plant. Spurious events (quick experiments) are automatically ignored. The log is sortable by date, controller tag, author of the change, parameter values etc. The log can be organized on a per user basis for various plant areas or process types. For example, a user could view the log for individual unit operations, specific controller types (only flow loops) or the entire plant. Users through their browser can also log other maintenance activities or process changes occuring in the plant.For 15 years, ExperTune has created award winning optimization software that runs in thousands of plants world-wide. Now, this automatic change management system allows users plants to effectively document and communicate PID and other loop changes. With this addition PlantTriage further enhances and simplifies the ongoing maintenance of the entire control system infrastructure.ExperTune's full suite of optimization tools are designed to increase the efficiency of processes. Its PlantTriage monitors and assesses the entire plant, ensuring optimal operation. The company's analysis includes simulation, modeling, robustness, linearization, valve wear analysis, pH linearizer, time series analysis, multivariable, statistical, frequency response and PID tuning tools.
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