Electricity and Control March 2025

Control systems + automation

© Beckhoff © Beckhoff © Beckhoff

The control architecture is identical for all system sizes: a C6025 ultra-compact Industrial PC (right) controls the entire process; depending on the system size, the skids are scaled via an 8-way CU1128 EtherCAT junction (centre) and 2-port EP1122 EtherCAT junctions (hot connect) with an IP67 protection rating.

power measurement terminals. This allows users to check whether the consumption matches the target.

efficient support and service.” Van Bennekum sees his role mainly in providing support and advice. “The customer retains full knowledge of the processes every step of the way. We provide the support and training our customers need to plan and program their systems effectively.” Veelers adds: “A few days of training often saves weeks in practice.” The system determines the topology Byosis structures the control architecture with an 8-port CU1128 junction, in line with the modular design of the systems. Comprehensive EtherCAT diagnostics ensure a transparent network by displaying the entire hardware configuration at the push of a button. “Another great feature is hot connect,” comments Veelers. With a decentralised 2-port EP1122 EtherCAT junction, individual EtherCAT segments can be easily disconnected on site to address and resolve system faults. The other parts of the system can continue to extract ammonia, allowing the bacteria in the reactors to produce biogas without disruption. The wide range of I/O modules from Beckhoff is used to connect the various sensors for measuring pressure, temperature, pH level, and flow: in addition to EtherCAT Terminals in the control cabinet, EtherCAT Box modules with an IP67 protection rating are used, for IO-Link communication, for example. As the process is energy-intensive, the system’s energy consumption is determined using SCT series current transformers and EL3443

One industrial PC for all system sizes By switching to PC-based control, Byosis has specified a control configuration for all system sizes and developed a single P&ID (piping and instrumentation diagram), ranging from the entry-level demo model at 5 m³ to the scalable standard systems at 10, 20, or 40 m³. Van Bennekum comments: “With EtherCAT as the fastest fieldbus system and PC-based control, we can keep pace with developments at Byosis at all times.”

For more information visit: www.beckhoff.com/process

Reinoud van Bennekum of Beckhoff Netherlands (left) and Dylan Veelers of Byosis (right) pictured with the central control cabinet with a CP2921 multi-touch control panel.

The current consumption of the system is recorded with SCT2311 ring-type current transformers and used to analyse the energy consumption via an EL3443 EtherCAT power measurement terminal.

MARCH 2025 Electricity + Control

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