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Introduction To Automation

The document provides an introduction to automation and discusses drivers for automation technology. It outlines a plant automation hierarchy with five levels from field instruments and actuators to business optimization. While many processes are only automated up to the lower levels of control, moving higher up faces impediments including limitations of sensors and actuators, as well as challenges related to education, management support, the time of process personnel, impact on operators, and relevance of educational material.

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39 views

Introduction To Automation

The document provides an introduction to automation and discusses drivers for automation technology. It outlines a plant automation hierarchy with five levels from field instruments and actuators to business optimization. While many processes are only automated up to the lower levels of control, moving higher up faces impediments including limitations of sensors and actuators, as well as challenges related to education, management support, the time of process personnel, impact on operators, and relevance of educational material.

Uploaded by

quinteroudina
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Automation

by Ian K Craig
Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Pretoria
February 2013

Motivation for Control


! Improving the bottom line or net income ! profit = sales - cost of goods sold
! increase sales ! decrease cost of goods sold

How can control help?

How can control help?


! ! ! ! ! Improved product quality Better performance Lower energy use Better repeatability Less scrap and rework

Drivers of Automation Technology I


! ! ! ! ! Difficult process dynamics Environmental impact Safety Increasing customer demands Market changes

Drivers of Automation Technology II


! Humanizing the workplace ! Competitiveness ! Education levels of the workforce ! Increases in computing power

Plant automation hierarchy

Ref: as-interface.net

Plant automation hierarchy

Ref: iritron.co.za

Plant automation hierarchy

Ref: nurmuhlis.wordpress.com

Plant automation hierarchy


Level 4 Business Plant Level 3 optimization Supervisory Level 2 control Level 1 PLC control Field instruments and Level 0 actuators

Impediment to moving up the hierarchy I


! Many processes only automated up to levels 2 ! Impediments?*
! hardware and software? NO: good infrastructure usually in place ! sensors and actuators? YES: fundamental limitations; sensors not available ! perceived benefits? YES: difficult to quantify *Idea from CICS Automation short course on Modern Industrial Control

Impediment to moving up the hierarchy II


! Impediments (continued)?
! education? YES ! management: financial vs. control infrastructure and support; appreciation for automation ! process and control personnel: little time to devote to improvements; control is not easy ! operators: impact of automation; doing things differently ! educators: get practical; teach relevant material

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