Electricity + Control 2019

COVER ARTICLE

FEATURES: · Control systems+ automation · Electrical protection+ safety · Cables+ accessories · Plantmaintenance, test+measurement · Pressure+ levelmeasurement+ instrumentation

The heartbeat of plant processes – Self-diagnostics and predictive maintenance

Taking the pulse of your plantwith

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I magine a production process where devices can diagnose themselves: they would realise when something is wrong or unusual and send an alarm. When, for example, excessive build- up occurs in silos and tanks, devices with this capability would signal the need to clean a process. It’s as if your field measurement device has a heartbeat: it will react like an additional member of your workforce with specialist knowledge to steer the process in an effective way so that you avoid costly downtime. You just run the plant and processes and do not have to spend time checking how the instruments are working. The devices would tell you directly if a problem occurs. Processes that can take their own pulse are already a reality with Endress+Hauser's Heartbeat Technology. Since 2012, self-diagnostics has been standard in several Endress+Hauser flow devices and the portfolio has now been expanded to include level, temperature and analytical devices. Instruments with Heartbeat Technology enable permanent process diagnostics and extensive in- situ diagnostic functions. Processes are no longer interrupted if verification is needed; it happens

directly at the measuring point without any dismantling. The advantages of instruments with self- diagnostics are evident: plants run more cost- effectively, safely and without interruptions. You are always in control of your measuring point and verification efforts are significantly reduced with documented in-situ verification. A simple, predefined procedure guides the maintenance technician through the verification steps and the verification results are documented in an unambiguous way. The safety integrity level (SIL) test, in line with the safety manual and documentation, saves time and reduces costs too. An automatically generated verification protocol supports the evidence required by regulations, laws or plant standards. The data acquired through self-diagnostics facilitates trend recognition for predictive maintenance. A combination of instrument and process parameters provides all the important information for the next steps in maintenance or targeted process optimisation. It is a prerequisite to finding the right strategy for predictivemaintenance.

For more information contact: +27 (0)11 262 8000 or email: info@za.endress.com or visit: www.endress.com

Electricity + Control

JUNE 2019

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