Special moment in water technology!

Major new technology to be unveiled at WWEM

OTT Hydrometry has chosen WWEM 2010 (Telford GB 10/11 November 2010) for a special moment in the company's history.

Reluctant to minimise the impact of the announcement that the company has prepared, OTT Managing Director, Simon Wills is keeping his cards close to his chest. He says, "WWEM attendees will be the perfect audience for a new technology that will be unveiled at this year's event. Low rainfall during the summer of 2010 has heightened concern with water quality and this new technology will be a major benefit to those responsible for water resources."

Anyone interested in finding out what Simon and his colleagues have been up to should visit stand 104 on 10th or 11th of November.

OTT will also run a WWEM Workshop at 3.30pm on Wednesday 10th November entitled: 'Remote sensing of water quality using satellite imaging technology in the UK and Republic of Ireland - a new approach'

White paper on “Tuning the Forgotten Loop” published

We can tune PID controllers, but what about tuning operators? This white paper describes a new method for combining archived video, recordings of operator actions and process historians for training and tuning operators.

An operator’s job has often been described as hours of boredom interrupted by moments of sheer panic. What the operator does during panic situations often depends on how well he or she has been trained, or “tuned.” Advanced tuning of an operator can yield better outputs, higher quality, fewer errors and a wider response to fluctuating operating conditions. This white paper explores how to improve operator actions, and offers a method for doing so.

As part of cost reduction and increased automation, fewer humans are involved with operating larger and larger plants. Thus, those few operators who are left have huge responsibilities, and their actions can have a major effect on plant output and, ultimately, business performance. “Tuning the Forgotten Loop,” by Steve Rubin, president of Longwatch, covers the problems facing operators, including alarm floods, trying to diagnose problems in the plant from HMI displays, lack of attention, boredom, being faced with abnormal situations, and human error.

With the increased emphasis on Six Sigma quality issues, new technologies such as the Smart Grid, increasingly complex HMI screens, and insurance and regulatory issues, operators are under increased pressure to perform. But few tools are available to train and “tune” operators. Simulators help, but nothing beats giving operators visual feedback of their responses to alarms, incidents and accidents.

This white paper suggests that video recordings from the plant, video recordings of operator consoles, and data from plant historians can be combined to provide operators with an “instant replay” of their actions, or the actions of experienced operators faced with the same situation. Being able to reconstruct exactly what happened during an incident aids in troubleshooting, training and “operator tuning.

Download the white paper in pdf format here or view it on-line here.
We highlighted the Longwatch Control Console in Read-out September/October 2009.

Remote video surveillance capabilities

Control Microsystems Inc. (CMI) and Longwatch, Inc., a leader in integrated video surveillance systems, today announced the ability of the SCADA host platform, ClearSCADA, to provide video surveillance of remote processes and assets. Existing industrial networks can conveniently and cost-effectively transmit video images over the SCADA communication infrastructure.

Control Microsystems’ ClearSCADA host platform can be integrated with the Longwatch Video Surveillance Platform and Video Historian Platform, along with IP surveillance cameras, as a solution to capture and convey important security information for critical infrastructure. The video surveillance uses Modbus protocol and is event-driven to conserve bandwidth. The Longwatch system continuously takes and stores video locally. When motion is detected, an alarm is raised and a video “snippet” is attached to the alarm message and sent to the central control site, showing what happened before and after the event. Through a graphic display in ClearSCADA, operators are able to view what is occurring on site, preventing the need for sending someone to investigate the alarm.

“Control Microsystems is dedicated to enhancing security in the SCADA market,” says Eric Schwantler, ClearSCADA Product Manager. “Customers can cut costs and maximize resources by immediately viewing real time video on their ClearSCADA host screen and controlling the cameras remotely when a security threat is detected.”

Communications between the Longwatch Video Control Center and the Remote Video Engines, deployed in the field and host locations, can be either Ethernet IP or Modbus over serial. The Longwatch video platform interfaces to ClearSCADA primarily via OPC, with Longwatch acting as the OPC server and ClearSCADA the OPC client. Video alarms, camera status, and camera control can then be achieved from ClearSCADA via the OPC interface.

“Longwatch, Inc. has been successfully providing video surveillance over new and existing SCADA networks and we are very pleased to be working with Control Microsystems in developing a seamless integration of both process monitoring and control as well as video monitoring of field assets,” says Steve Rubin, President of Longwatch. “Our Longwatch Video System™ integrated with ClearSCADA is one more cost-effective option to achieve an optimized SCADA system that saves users time and money while improving security, safety and operations.”

See also the story of Longwatch on The next HMI revolution.

Tunneling and automation B2B solution

Kepware Technologies, the leader in Communications for Automation has released KEPServerEX version 5.2. This release delivers significant new features including an OPC UA Client and Server, an Alarm and Event Condition option - expanding on the previously delivered OPC AE interface, and updated Mettler Toledo and IDEC Drivers.

OPC UA is the most robust of OPC Foundation specifications. KEPServerEX now delivers an OPC UA Server, in addition to existing OPC DA and OPC AE interfaces. KEPServerEX also delivers an optional OPC UA Client Driver. The combination of OPC UA Client and Server interfaces, in addition to all other KEPServerEX interfaces enable it to be a “Standards Based” Tunneling solution. Tunneling solutions are a replacement for Microsoft DCOM communications in distributed OPC DA applications. More importantly for the automation industry, the security inherent to OPC UA, in terms of data encryption and authentication makes it an excellent choice for real-time data sharing in Automation related Real-time Business to Business (B2B) applications. B2B has typically been handled on a non-real-time transactional basis with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or with custom developments when real-time connectivity was required. Now, Kepware offers a standards based and cost effective off the shelf solution.

This release also delivers a significant new Alarm and Event Condition option, the ability to monitor variables and configure conditions with which to trigger Alarm or Event messaging. The Alarm and Event Condition option works in conjunction with the KEPServerEX OPC AE interface.

Further enhancements include additional CID (Custom Interface Driver – OPC Toolkit) sample code in C#, an updated Allen Bradley ControlLogix Driver – now supports 1024 Programs and multi-byte Strings, Mettler Toledo – scale controls, IDEC Driver – expanded ranges for MicroSmart and Open models, and Modbus Ethernet – Global settings changes at runtime.

“KEPServerEX enhancements are released on a quarterly schedule,” explained Tony Paine, President of Kepware Technologies. “Each release is packed with major new technology and value for our customers. We are not just a driver company any more. Our goal is Interoperability – through Standards and with popular native interfaces.”

“Kepware, through its OEM partnerships, channels and direct efforts, is a major driver of OPC adoption in the world,” says Thomas Burke, President of the OPC Foundation. “Their new support for OPC UA, and the positioning for Real-time B2B for Automation is very creative and exactly what we need at a time when all communications are moving toward standards. For example, the world has a focus on the SmartGrid. That is Real-time B2B for Automation. Data needs to be exchanged between customers and suppliers in real-time and securely, and OPC UA technology, through players like Kepware, will solve real world problems with off the shelf, cost effective solutions.”

Website downloads will be available on February 11th 2010.

Tempcontrolled food shipping

Yokogawa Electric Corporation has developed a range of monitoring solutions for use on temperature-controlled container ships used for cold-treated food transportation. Based on Yokogawa’s data acquisition hardware integrated with customised software, these systems have received the all-important USDA certification, which is mandatory for all such food imported by ship into the USA.

The USDA Intransit Cold Treatment regulation stipulates that a USDA-approved recording system has to be on board every cooling vessel importing goods such as bananas and citrus fruits into the US. Approval for the Yokogawa recording systems and their associated software solutions means that Yokogawa can offer a range of USDA-approved recording systems that will suit vessels of all sizes and levels of sophistication.

Key products used in the USDA approved systems include the DXAdvanced DAQSTATION range of data-acquisition and control stations and the MX100 PC-based data-acquisition system. These products complement earlier Yokogawa devices that have USDA approval, including the DR240 hybrid recorder and the µR20000 chart recorder.

The DXAdvanced DAQSTATION, with its high-visibility TFT screen, is ideal for environments where instant visual feedback and alerts are essential. Measured values are captured on both a high-capacity internal memory (80 to 200 Mbyte) and removable flash storage (up to 2 Gbyte). Combined with MW100 remote input units, the DAQstation can log more than 240 input signals. When configured with Yokogawa’s Advanced Report software tool, USDA-approved reports can be automatically generated at user-specified intervals.

The PC front-end MX100 system offers reliable multi-channel data acquisition for easy connection to a PC running MCPS logging and monitoring software. The live monitoring screens give a clear indication of trend curves and actual measurement values, while the customised report function and automated tasks periodically create USDA reports showing the temperature conditions of all cooling compartments during a journey.

"We now have a USDA-approved recording system suitable for every class of cooled vessel", says Marco Bischoff of Yokogawa Europe: "Automated data monitoring has an increasingly important role in food transport, and the US regulations are among the most stringent. We are delighted that our systems have this accreditation, and we will continue to work with shipping operators to ensure that their refrigerated vessels continue to deliver their goods both safely and accountably."

Wireless I/O adaptor

Modules for distributed automation applications

The new Wireless POINT I/O Adapter (ILX34-AENWG) is a high-speed, standards-based 802.11g wireless I/O adapter from ProSoft. It takes benefits of the compact size of the 1734 POINT I/O systems (distributed Input/Output modules) from PLC/PAC manufacturer Rockwell Automation®, and combines it with ProSoft Technology´s Integrated Wireless Architecture™.

When coupled with the Wireless, POINT I/O Adapter becomes ideal for collecting data from and for controlling moving systems (like robots, automated carts, overhead cranes, earthmovers), as well as fixed-position racks in hard-to-reach areas of the process plant.

The need
Non-tethered link to distributed I/O is requested in applications with moving or remote equipment, or where it would be difficult or costly to wire devices or control panels. These applications include:

• Tank farms (Oil and Gas, Water treatment),
• Cranes, stackers/reclaimers (Material Handling),
• Rotating filling, spooling, molding machines (Food and Beverage),
• Robotics / multi-axis machining
• Remote monitoring
• Condition monitoring
• and other remote/moving distributed I/O applications.

The solution
The ability to connect POINT I/O modules wirelessly, allows Automation Engineers to design high-performance, scalable and low-latency systems in cases where wired I/O would be problematic.

This adapter provides a familiar programming environment to users by utilising the connection-based EtherNet/IP protocol and configuration with RSLogixTM 5000 programming environment and connection-based EtherNet/IPTM protocol to simplify configuring and communicating with POINT I/O racks scattered throughout the process facility.

The benefits
The Wireless POINT I/O Adapter can be used in networks with RadioLinx® Industrial Hotspots or third party 802.11g access points to provide high-speed, low latency 802.11g client communication over widely spaced plant areas. This ability to work with existing standards-based wireless technology protects and leverages the end-users' investment. For security, the Wireless POINT I/O employs 802.11i WPA2 with AES Encryption.

The Wireless POINT I/O Adapter provides users with the flexibility and scalability (up to 63 modules) offered by the many standard Rockwell Automation POINT I/O modules including analog I/O, digital I/O, POINT Guard I/O(TM), DeviceLogix(TM), relays, RTD, and counters.

All ProSoft Technology products come with a 3 year warranty and unlimited technical support.

Transient capture

Transient capture and time-stamp module

VTI Instruments Corporation has introduced the EX1200-7416, a transient capture and time-stamp module that extends the capabilities of the EX1200 Series of configurable LXI Class A instruments. The new module supports a broad range of applications that require level comparison, event detection, and time stamping.

The EX1200-7416 can be combined with other EX1200 plug-in modules to create a versatile, multifunction instrument that can be used in a variety of data acquisition and test applications. The module is ideal for applications such as power-supply monitoring, where it can detect critical out-of-tolerance conditions that require immediate intervention.

The new unit has 16 input channels and can continuously monitor a variety of high-level analogue and discrete signals up to 100 V. Each channel has an 8-bit digital-analogue convertor that can be independently programmed to set the trip level.

The EX1200-7416 can detect transients that cannot normally be captured by a typical DMM or scanning measurement system. As part of the EX1200 LXI Class A instrument series, this module can also record events with IEEE 1588 time codes to provide a precise correlation of event/time data.

Input channels can be internally routed to the optional EX1200 series DMM to measure the analogue level of the signals. The reference DACs can also be routed to the internal DMM to facilitate self-verification, which can be executed under program control.

VTI is represented in the Britain by TTi Test & Measurement distribution.