Knowledge hub

Author(s)
Leonardo Carpio, Sergio Juan and José Maria Nougués (Inprocess), and Kari Berte Bye (Yinson Production)

Magazine
2017. World Oil, November, Pages: 33-38

Abstract / Summary
This case study presentation shows a Dynamic Simulation Study (DSS) carried out for the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) designed and operated by Yinson Production for the OCTP development project in Ghana. The Aspen HYSYS Dynamics model was used extensively to run about 15 transient conditions (Start-up, Emergency Shutdown, Blocked inlet/outlet, load sharing, ramp-up, etc.) to verify the sizing, process layout, control layout, operating procedures, etc. During a second project stage, the detailed model was re-used to create a Lifecycle Direct-Connect Operator Training Simulator (OTS) by connecting it with the Integrated Control and Safety System (ICSS).

Author(s)
JoseMaria Ferrer

Magazine
2017. Inprocess’ White Paper, December, pages: 1-15

Abstract / Summary
Operator Training Simulators (OTS) have become an integral element in the Operator Competency Development Programs of the process industry. The dynamic simulation technology has evolved from the early days, incorporating new training functionalities and communication capabilities. On the other hand, modern Integrated Control and Safety Systems (ICSS) include independent soft-controller tools to allow an exhaustive check-out of the ICSS and the OTS development. This has enabled flexible and customizable OTS architectures, which significantly reduce the development costs and maximizes the value of the OTS investment. The main focus of this article is to provide recommendations and advice to Operating Companies (OpCo) and Engineering Procurement & Construction (EPC) Companies when they embark on a tender process to procure an OTS.

Author(s)
Manel Serra, Erika Franco, Lluís Rumi, JoséMaria Ferrer, José María Nougués (Inprocess)

Magazine
2017. Proceedings of the 27th Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering – ESCAPE 27

Abstract / Summary
Producing plants must be safe and reliable. Plant Safety is strongly dependent on how well people responsible for running the facility (control room operators, CRO) is aware of its operation. Improving the understanding and awareness is the goal of any training to CROs, hence, their trainings must be carried out in an environment as similar as possible to the one they will find in their work, like airplane pilots do with flight simulators, in order to be minimally qualified to carry out their job tasks. And this is the objective of the Operator Training Systems (OTS): deliver training to CROs in a replica of their working environment, maximizing its effectiveness. Matching the availability of the training facilities (comprising instructor) with the one of the CRO can be crucial in easing to achieve an on-time learning activity. That's why, in the traditional approach to the OTS, these training systems live in a training room, typically close to the actual control room they emulate. The universalization of internet connections, even in the most remote locations, and the evolution of the software technologies to support and enable mobility bring new opportunities to training systems. Those OTS systems that had to be physically deployed at every site where operators were trained can now be remote by combining some of the latest developments: e-learning standards (like the well-established SCORM or AICC), sound software applications used to develop and deploy OTS (dynamic process simulators, control system emulators...) and the latest technologies on virtualization. This distributed framework does not only facilitate scalability of the training sessions or overall system maintenance, but it also grants access to comprehensive training to more people in many different conditions, even to people in the same company that are in charge of similar processes. The return of investment in training and education is then maximized by easing the access to many more people.

Author(s)
María J. Guerra, Manel Serra & Josep-Anton Feliu (Inprocess)

Congress
6^th TRC-JCC / IDEMITSU International Symposium – Abu Dhabi, February 2016

Abstract / Summary
Inprocess’ experts detailed in this Oral Contribution how it is possible to save OpEx by minimizing the amount of hydrogen that is sent to the fuel network. An advisory tool, based on an optimizer put on top of a simulation model, is used by operating companies to send the correct amount of hydrogen, at the correct purity, to refinery consumers while benefiting from the one generated by producers. Simultaneously, the required external hydrogen is reduced and the one discarded to fuel network is as well minimized. The advisory tool is connected online with the plant real time database in order to regularly update the simulation model with operating data before every optimization step is launched.

In this day and age it has become necessary to seek maximum efficiency and speed in executing any process, obtaining the desired results with a minimum investment and the highest quality. For this reason, control systems have become very important, and considerable time and resources have been dedicated to studying them to ensure their efficient start‐up and operation. Thus, for a process to function within the required margins, an adequate control system must be implemented, regulated in accordance with the parameters that govern it. Within this context, a distinction is established between different types of controllers:

• Proportional (P) controllers.
• Proportional‐integral (PI) controllers.
• Proportional‐derivative (PD) controllers.
• Proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) controllers.