Analysis of Distributed Control System: 2017 Assignment Report

This report analyzes a 2017 assignment focused on Distributed Control Systems (DCS). It covers five major factors influencing DCS choices, differentiates between Honeywell TDC 2000 and TDC 3000 systems, and details the tasks of data historians within a DCS environment. The report also explores the use of group points, the function of the highway traffic director, and HIA functions. Furthermore, it explains the reasons for installing DCS in refineries. The report includes references to relevant sources, providing a comprehensive overview of the key aspects of DCS implementation and operation.

Assignment on Distributed control system
2017

Contents
1. Five Major factors:..............................................................................................................2
2. Difference between Honeywell TDC 2000 and TDC 3000................................................2
3. Tasks of data historians associated with DCS environment...............................................3
4. Use of group points:............................................................................................................3
5. Function of Highway traffic director:.................................................................................4
6. HIA Functions:...................................................................................................................4
7. Reasons for installation of distributed control system in refineries....................................5
8. References:..........................................................................................................................6

1. Five Major factors:
The factors which are responsible for making the choice of distributed control system are as
follows:
Factors Description
Size of the process “The requirement of input and output points for the
process” (Topp. 2015). The DCS is suitable for the
larger plants. They can be easily managed and
upgraded because they depend on one database
globally.
Modification plans and
expansions
The DCS involves central hub for managing the
processes for maintenance and upgrading.
Need of integrations Controllers are used for bringing configuration
changes in the processes
Functionality Management execution system, integration, asset
management, advance control
High availability The redundancy option is provided by the DCS
environment which is cost effective.
2. Difference between Honeywell TDC 2000 and TDC 3000
Particulars TDC 2000 TDC 3000
What is it? It is used for technology
refresh solutions, upgrading
solution, and intellectual
property upgrading solution
It is used for technology
refresh solutions, upgrading
solution, intellectual property
upgrading solution, and
software upgrading
How does it work? It works by creating voltage
regulatory cards
Devices are upgraded to
controllers
It works by upgrading kits of
XPM controllers
Upgrading of LM with
Master logic

Database is converted to
TPN environment
Conversion solutions are
used for database
configuration
What problem solved by it It helps in improving the
safety of the plant, reliability
on the equipment, and helps
in upgrading into legacy
equipment
It helps in minimizing the
disruption, helps in
maximizing the retention on
the investment and upgrading
the suitable path
Local control network is used for providing connectivity between TPC 2000 and TPC 3000.
3. Tasks of data historians associated with DCS environment
Data historian is the program which is used for retrieving the records of process data on time.
The information and data is stored in the time series database. “It is efficient in fast retrieval
of data” (Yen, 2015). The main tasks performed by data historians in DCS environment are
listed below:
 It is used for recording the instrument reading at the manufacturing site
 It provides utilities like coal, nuclear, hydro, and wind power plant.
 “It provides the data centre to record the performance of the device in the server
environment” (Thomson, 2016)
 It helps in monitoring the heavy equipment in terms of run hours and predictive
maintenance
 It helps in monitoring the environment in terms of atmospheric condition and
contamination of ground water.
 It is used for recording the flow rate of the processes, production status, and
performance monitoring.
4. Use of group points:
The distributed control system is helpful in executing policies in the distributed environment:
 Running freely
 Management of internal time schedule for devices and time synchronization

 “Time synchronization techniques are used for managing communication system”
(Gilligan, 2016)
 Triggering of communication services
 Triggering of internal event for the devices
 Triggering of events for wide system
 Distributive control for execution
 Capability of devices helps in analysing the execution control
 Execution control is known as concrete field bus system.
5. Function of Highway traffic director:
“The highway traffic director is capable of managing the devices on the highway and
operational panel”(Honeywell inclusion, 2015). The LCN system is defined by the entities of
the highway. It is the process connected box in which every entity and slot are properly
defined. The highway traffic director arranges configuration activities for the
accomplishment of highway gateway. The configuration menu is prepared by for developing
highway box and slot number. The data highway is selected by the highway traffic manager
which helps in supporting access devices on the path of highway. Up to four preferred
devices can be managed by highway traffic director. The preferred access devices are the
combination of operator station, process computers, and general purpose computer interface.
The use of expander helps in supporting up to 16 access devices. The highway access
priorities are set by the highway traffic director. It is capable of providing security to the
operator station, accessing the control devices by minimizing the initialization of control loop
which is created by the highway accessing. The remaining devices can be accessed in the
time left.
Virtual Test function does not require the implementation of highway traffic director.
6. HIA Functions:
HIA is installed in the process control block. HIA is the device which is associated with
switches and maintains their position. “The start and stop are the momentary function
performed by the devices” (Honeywell inclusion, 2013). These are used for manual
controlling the operation performed by the automated system and provides operational
safeguard to the automated control. It provides the direct control on the devices. HMI screen
and control logic are manually controlled by HIA. It is used for controlling the operation

performed in the refineries. The functions which are performed by the HIA in distributed
control system are controlling and monitoring of process, handling of events, alarm
acknowledgement, silencing of alarm system, and manipulation of display. The pool of
connection is shared between flex stations. It effectively minimizes the cost of ownership.
The effectiveness of the operator and the detection of the response of process can be achieved
by HIA. The business drivers can focus on the operator for getting optimal process operation.
It helps in providing linear and circular interpolation of the command. It simplifies the call of
APIs for the processes. It works for status monitoring system. It helps in reducing the time of
integrating process.
7. Reasons for installation of distributed control system in refineries
The distributed control system is installed in the refineries for simplifying the operation for
improving the efficiency of the process. The heavy oil residues delayed the process. The
operational, downtime risk management and fuel and steam consumption can be improved by
using the DCS control system in the refineries can be improved by using the distributed
control system in the organization. “Intuitive control panel is used for boosting productivity
and safety features by using the operator interface” (Singone, 2014). The alarm tracker
functions can be improved by making use of alarm functions. The safety manager integrates
DCS in safeguarding the system by supporting critical control functions. Critical control
functions are used for protecting equipment.

8. References:
Honeywell Inc., Application module and control function.in, , 2013, <
https://www.honeywellprocess.com/library/marketing/product-manuals/AM09-602.pdf>
[accessed 15 August 2017].
Honeywell Inc., Highway gateway implementation guidelines.in, , 2015,
<https://www.honeywellprocess.com/library/marketing/product-manuals/HG12-410.pdf>
[accessed 15 August 2017].
K. Gilligan., Honeywell engineering manual of automatic control for commercial
buildings.in, , 2016, <https://customer.honeywell.com/resources/techlit/TechLitDocuments/
77-0000s/77-e1100.pdf> [accessed 15 August 2017].
L. Yen., What is Data historian.in, , 2015, <http://www.automatedresults.com/PI/data-
historian-overview.aspx> [accessed 15 August 2017].
M. Topp., Data historians and HMI: The foundation of big data analytics.in, , 2015,
<http://www.controleng.com/single-article/data-historians-and-hmi-the-foundation-of-big-
data-analytics/7e50ad362333216b8f9a5e7e7c3db722.html> [accessed 15 August 2017].
R. Singone., Access control and security management system.in, , 2014,
<http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=Describe%20the%20use%20of%20Group
%20Points,%20stating%20which%20of%20the%20manufacturer's%20systems%20of
%20honeywell%202000%20and
%203000&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiu0_qmk9bVAhVJPY8KH
TrbCPUQFggxMAI&url=https://www.honeywellintegrated.com/documents/Pro-
Watch_4.1_SP2_AE_Specifications.docx&usg=AFQjCNF_w3cHRu-23R99FSsVVV4s-
rSb8w> [accessed 15 August 2017].
R. Thomson., Win-Pak: Access control slution.in, , 2016,
<https://www.honeywellaccess.com/documents/WIN-PAK_SE_PE40-User-Guide.pdf>
[accessed 15 August 2017].