Global pact: Advanced process controls to benefit hydrocarbon industry

Dallas, TX —Hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) plants will use previously untapped production capacity with advanced process control technologies as a result of an agreement between Invensys Process Systems and Cutler Technology Corp. (CTC), say the two companies. At a press conference at its customer conference here last week, Invensys announced that the recent agreement makes it a global re-seller and certified implementer for CTC’s patented adaptive dynamic matrix controller (ADMC) technology. CTC says ADMC is the first major development in advanced process control (APC) in 30 years.

The move makes Invensys the largest authorized CTC re-seller and certified implementer with nearly 300 advanced control, simulation, and process optimization solution consultants worldwide. Invensys says the ADMC technology will play an important role in its asset performance management strategy by helping refineries, petrochemical plants, and other complex process plants get more capacity from a production-constrained business environment. Invensys noted, however, that its SimSci-Esscor ‘s Connoisseur multivariable predictive controller will remain its preferred product for central station and industrial power plants.

ADMC—developed by Dr. Charles Cutler, inventor of dynamic matrix control and DMCplus, a popular multivariable controller technology in the HPI—is the only adaptive multivariable controller available, the companies said. The technology uses an open loop (all valve) process model, eliminating PID process controllers from the control hierarchy for solving many problems encountered with conventional APC technology in complex, interactive HPT processes. ADMC lets the controller automatically adapt to process changes, which can improve performance and minimize support costs. It also can use the full range of control valves, permitting the controller to operate safely with valves fully open. Maintaining optimum control with valves fully open can help capacity-restrained plants increase production 2 to 3%, the companies say.

For more about increasing productivity from Control Engineering , click here to read, ‘Adaptive Controllers Work Smarter, not Harder.’

—Control Engineering Daily News Desk Jeanine Katzel , senior editor

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