Modern process instruments incorporate a fair degree of intelligence used to optimise process variable accuracy and reliability, and can even undertake predictive maintenance. But they fail miserably in two critical aspects even when compared with technologies we use every day — self-adjustment and self-healing.

Discrete sensors and vision tend to be at polar opposites in complexity and capability. But sensor suppliers are now providing more sophisticated sensors and application techniques advancing up the curve towards vision solutions, and vision providers are trying to expand down the curve towards the discrete sensor world. But instead of a crash of technologies, a new layer of technology is evolving that combines the best from each.

With conventional pipeline leak detection methods there is a gap between what you believe is occurring along your pipeline and what is actually happening. This information gap can result in a delay in you discovering and locating leaks.

Australian and international safety standards permit users to apply a ‘proven in prior use’ methodology to justify their safety integrity level (SIL)-rated safety instrumented system (SIS) equipment. But, before you choose that option, be sure you can accept the responsibility and you have the proper tools and procedures.

Intertec is supplying over 100 fire protection cabinets to support Emerson Process Management’s instrumentation solution for the new hydrocracker complex at the Kirishi oil refinery near St Petersburg, Russia. The cabinets will provide the valve actuators with a minimum of 30 minutes of protection against fire, so that the plant’s emergency shutdown systems and services can quickly isolate and minimise damage to protect employees, assets and environment.

Hayes International specialises in the design and manufacture of roll forming machinery for the production of roofing and wall cladding profiles, structural sections, long length power folding machines and a wide range of associated metalworking equipment. Hayes has developed a worldwide reputation for proven performance and high-quality machinery built in its modern facilities in Rotorua, New Zealand and Queensland, Australia.

In this article, Ron Bell of the IEC explains functional safety and looks ahead to the revision of the IEC 61508 standard that is due for publication in 2010.

Explosion prevention is a hot issue within the field of systems engineering. Friction, overheating or sparks could lead to disaster in potentially explosive environments. Brake motors are essential in stopping loads in case of power failure or danger of injury, but the solutions for hazardous (explosion risk) areas are very limited and expensive.

In recent years, utility companies have undergone great changes in the way they run their businesses. The pressure to increase profits and reduce expenses has them integrating their SCADA systems with their business networks to streamline operations. The popularity of the internet has customers requesting online access to their accounts as well as online bill payment, further increasing network exposure. In addition, utility companies have reduced costs by leveraging the internet to facilitate core business operations such as outage management and procurement.

As embedded computers have become ubiquitous, so too the need for human machine interfaces has grown. Now small form factor HMIs appear headed for inclusion in nearly every part of human existence.

In the complex and demanding environment that most SCADA system users operate in, real insight comes from asking and answering the right questions.

The refurbishment of one of Western Australia’s oldest Catholic cathedrals received a boost recently with help from hydraulic technology and the skills of riggers.

Along with energy and water, compressed air is one of the most ubiquitous inputs into an industrial plant. Why then are we so aware of the need to conserve energy and water, but often so blasé about optimising the efficiency of our compressed air systems? Here, compressed air system innovator John McNab* offers tips for getting the best from new or existing compressed air systems, by identifying 10 common misconceptions about compressed air.

When selecting compressed air purification equipment, installers and users often compare the performance of equipment from many manufacturers in an effort to cost-effectively achieve the quality of compressed air required by their application. A new ISO standard will add greater clarity to the decision-making process.

Keeping physical assets in proper working order is essential to any organisation. Today, most maintenance is still performed either according to a set calendar schedule or according to that most ancient of operating procedures: “if it breaks, fix it”. But in a modern, data-intensive industrial environment we can do much better, and take plant performance to the next level with condition-based maintenance (CBM).