ISA Announces Automation and Control System Design Track at ISA Automation Week 2011

The sessions include:

• Applications of Simulations—presents several examples and perspectives on the application of dynamic simulation to validate control strategies before their implementation in the field, enabling quick and inexpensive identification and solution of problems

• Reactor Control—teaches practical ways to maximize reactor control system performance. Innovative, simple optimization techniques are offered, with rules of thumb, insights for concepts and principles, checklists for design and implementation details, and more. The essential aspects of measurements, valves and proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers; and the effect of process dynamics, tuning and operating conditions are also covered.

• Distillation Control—provides principles of distillation operation to design the most effective basic control strategy by proper pairing of controlled and manipulated variables. An understanding of column control objectives, operating constraints and response dynamics is developed to properly pair these variables. The basic concepts of overall and component material balances and distillation separation due to the relative volatility of key components are explained.

• Measurement Technology—focuses on improvements in distance and level measurement technologies, and provides guidance on the impact of the new American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) thermowell standard on thermowell selection

• Measurement Research—presents current research efforts in measurement technologies for various applications such as thin films, detection of helium in hydrogen streams and use of ultrasonic flow meters for fuel custody

• Regulatory Control Performance—shows attendees how they can improve their regulatory control (PID) performance and get the most out of their regulatory control loops

• Applications/Building Automation—includes presentations on the development of unified functionality in building automation, the application of the ISA99 standard and the efficient cooling of buildings in desert climates

• Industrial Practices—provides an opportunity to learn and exchange information about important topics for efficient and reliable plant operation, including the improved reliability of butterfly valves, application batch distillation control, and Foundation Fieldbus tree design

“We’ve attracted some of automation’s top subject-matter experts to present the latest technologies—and the basics—in this very important track. The impact that good, efficient automation and control system design has on the health of a company and its bottom line cannot be overemphasized. The sessions we’ve developed here will give attendees tools they can use to improve their operations now, and to start planning for the future,” said Track Chair, Jeff Arbogast.
“This application oriented track gives engineers, scientists, technicians and management the information they need to make critical decisions to plan, design and implement superior automation systems within their facilities. I hope to see every seat filled,” added ISA Automation Week Program Chair, Greg McMillan.