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July
2020
59
HYDROCARBON
ENGINEERING
W
hen process control systems made the change
from panelboards to computer-driven platforms,
the greatest advance was integration. With a
panelboard, a pressure transmitter sent its signal
via a dedicated cable to a dedicated display showing its specific
reading. Using the new approach, it became possible to show
the pressure value anywhere needed, and on multiple display
types. Many limitations disappeared, allowing unimagined
flexibility for data collection, display, and analytics.
Building on those gains, digital transformation in the last five
or so years has been equally dramatic. Integration has advanced
even further to the point where many systems that were
separated (basic process control, equipment condition
monitoring, data historians, etc.) are now linked and share
Joshua Hernandez and Amanda
Alexander, Emerson,
explain how
adding new personnel location systems
and toxic gas monitoring functions via
existing wireless networks can help ease
implementation and save money.