A new package of automation products and services are designed to help fine-tune the performance of water treatment plants by reducing costs, increasing productivity, and simplifying regulatory reporting.
The Foxboro Companys Water Plant Automation Tune-Up package brings together services and fully applied hardware and software products from Foxboro and other Invensys (formerly Siebe) Intelligent Automation companies.
The tune-up process typically begins with a site survey conducted by a team of industry and automation experts working in close collaboration with the water works operations personnel. The team applies the Tune-Ups Dynamic Performance Measurement (DPM) technique, which models the economics of an organizations success metrics within the plant control system.
The team then devises a plan to accomplish objectives based on those metrics. The plan can involve integration of hardware and software products from any companies that it takes to accomplish the objectives.
The package includes process automation systems for chemical feed control, filter backwash control, distribution pump controls, and other critical operations. Digital systems and field integration provide a bi-directional communications link (via a choice of protocols) with a range of intelligent field devices. The packages can be configured to complement existing automation resources and specific business objectives.
A key feature of the package is its assistance with automation platform migration, which makes it cost-effective for water plants to migrate to a modern, Year 2000-compliant open automation system. Built into each component of its I/A Series control systems is information technology that facilitates collection of performance data and communications with both control and business systems. Migration to a standards-based automation system provides a platform for an ongoing performance improvement program.
The package also can be used in a utilitys integration of information. Sometimes performance objectives can be realized by ensuring a smooth and consistent flow of data between the online controls and the planning and financial decision makers.
Systems like remote terminal units (RTUs) work in harsh, hard-to-reach environments. Under the supervision of SCADA control systems, these units manage and interface a range of devices, transducers and communications media of multiple vendors, functioning as both PLCs and data concentrators. They also coordinate transmission of performance data to planning and management information systems.
The process simulation feature in the package provides a flexible and cost-effective solution for off-line operator training and process optimization. A maintenance management system helps automate maintenance scheduling based on actual equipment run-times and operating conditions.
As part of the package, Foxboros LifeTime Performance ServicesSM program helps water utilities create an initial performance baseline and then improve plant performance through better utilization of automation assets.
The tune up package also can include the companys FoxWatch program. This remote diagnostic and support feature permits Foxboro specialists to routinely monitor a plants system via high-security modem links. Services include remote diagnosis, system administration, event-actuated response, remote spares support, and expert system support.
