ProSys is a leading global provider of process control engineering services and software solutions
Value to Customer
ProSys focuses on helping our customers operate their processes safely, reliably and efficiently.
Areas of focus
• We focus on Process Control to help companies experience:
• • • • • • Increased Production Reduced Risk Greater Operator Ease-of-use Increased Operator Efficiency Stable Plant Operations Reduced Unplanned Events
Engineering Services & Software Solutions
Basic & Advanced Control APC Software Control Dynamics Alarm Management Dynamic Configuration Software Special Alarm Management Software AgileOps Software Suite Human-Machine Interface Interface Dynamics Other Engineering Services
History of Alarm Management
ProSys introduced the first commercially available alarm management solution in 1990. Selective Alarm Suppression
History of Alarm Management
Dynamic Configuration Software (DCS) in 1995. First Automatic Dynamic Alarm Management software Special Alarm Management (SAM), was introduced in 1997. First commercial alarm shelving tool.
History of Alarm Management
DCSv3.0 and SAMv2.1 in 1998 with Windows Interface
History of Alarm Management
Dynamic Rationalization Toolkit in 1998
History of Alarm Management
History of Alarm Management
History of Alarm Management
Allowed us to dynamically rationalize all alarms Typically dynamically managed 400700 alarms per board operator Largest install base for any dynamic alarm management application
History of Alarm Management
History of Alarm Management
Objective of Alarm Management
• The objective of alarm management is to provide operators a consistent and reliable action event notification interface that supports their efforts to safely and efficiently operate the process
What is a Quality Alarm?
• An annunciated process condition to which the operator can and must take corrective action in order to return the process to normal and safe operation
Alarm?
What is a Quality Alarm?
• Every alarm should:
• be clear and relevant to the operator
• indicate an abnormal process condition that has consequences of inaction and a defined response • be unique
Alarm?
Normal and Abnormal
• Normal - That which is both planned and expected
• Startup • Shutdown • Mode switching • Equipment swapping • Other planned operating procedures
• Abnormal - That which is unplanned or unexpected
• Emergency shutdown • Equipment failures • Upstream problems • Downstream problems • Other unplanned process transitions
Alarm Philosophy
Alarm Philosophy
• A good alarm philosophy • Is based on solid principles • Is time tested • Recognizes all plant states (especially S/U & S/D) • Defines work process and methods for continual improvement and maintenance
Alarm Performance Metrics
Assessment & Analysis
• Measures of alarm performance • Average number of alarms per hour, < 6 • Peak alarm rate, < 10 alarms / 10 min • Percentage of time in flood, < 1% • Number of alarms presented to the operator not requiring a response • Number of important alarms missed
Alarm Performance Metrics
Assessment & Analysis
• Measuring up • Do not go overboard with alarm metrics. Focus on providing a reliable and consistent interface for the operator. Metrics do not replace Alarm System Design
Alarm System Design
Alarm System Design • Maintain alarm system documentation including Causes, Consequences, and Actions • Revise alarm settings and add dynamic capabilities
Achieving Goals
• To achieve consistency
• Review all points
• What is alarmed? What should be alarmed? • Alarm Priorities, Trip Points, Digital Alarm States
• To achieve reliability
• Add dynamic behavior
• During upsets, shutdowns, and startups alarm system will continue to perform
• Implement Alarm Shelving Tool
• Maintain alarm system integrity by allowing operators to shelve and remind alarms effectively without affecting critical alarms
Alarm Summary Transformation Alarm & Status Information
!@#$%&*D %&*!@#$S $%&*#@B
Dynamic Alarm Management
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. … … … … …
Action Item List
Dynamic Alarming
Implementation & Execution • Without dynamic alarming • Each alarm is stand alone and does not have knowledge of current plant status • Normal and abnormal conditions alarmed
PC022 PVLO
Without Dynamics
AC013 PVHI
Heater S/D
TI213 PVLO LI010 PVLO
Dynamic Alarming
Implementation & Execution
• With dynamic alarming • Change of process state is managed • Only abnormal conditions alarmed