Chemical Processing - February 2008 - (Page 35)

recent years — namely, EEMUA’s Publication 191 [1]. It will de ne expectations for most key alarm-management activities during an automation system’s life cycle. Major sections will cover: philosophy/speci cations; alarm rationalization/design; implementation/training; change management; and monitoring/assessment. When working with vendors, keep in mind that they should be able to provide: • con guration of all alarm attributes (rather than having them hard coded). • change of alarm attributes as a function of batch process state, step/phase and process time/condition — with appropriate access security and audit trail functionality when manually making such changes on-line, as required for certain regulated industries (e.g., pharmaceutical and nuclear). • several user-de nable elds (such as lot number and batch step/phase) in alarm record tags. • alarm con guration using all appropriate information in the automation system (for example, “ifthen-else” rules). This often can lead to more intelligent on-line conclusions about a process versus just comparing a current value to a set point within an individual control loop. • view of alarm information in relative time (i.e., from the beginning of the batch or batch step) in addition to calendar time. • software utilities (such as Pareto charts) to help users analyze alarm information. CP Joseph S. Alford, Ph.D., P.E., C.A.P., is a consultant in Zionsville, IN. He recently retired after a long career as an engineering advisor for a major pharmaceutical company. Reach him via e-mail at jmalford5@earthlink.net. REFERENCES 1. “Alarms Systems: A Guide to Design, Management and Procurement,” Publication 191, 2nd ed., Engineering Equipment and Materials Users’ Association (EEMUA), London, U.K. (2007). 2. Holliﬁeld, B. and E. Habibi, “The Alarm Management Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide,” PAS, Houston (2006). 3. Alford, J., R. Stankovich and J. Kindervater, “Alarm Management: Regulatory Expectations and Selected Best Practices,” p. 25, CEP (April 2005). 4. “Batch Control, Part 1: Models and Terminology,” ANSI/ISA-88.01, ISA, Research Triangle Park, N.C. (1995). Rental Cooling. For Chemical Process Applications Rental Cooling Emergency Planned Supplemental Turnaround Pilot Plant We keep process lines running at peak capacity. Our engineers speak your technical language and can help you solve your temperature control problem. Chillers Cooling Towers Pumps Heat Exchangers Tanks Air Conditioners Air Handlers Dehumidifiers Heaters Boilers Generators 800-586-8336 We are the rental cooling, heating and dehumidification experts. February 2008 • 35 CarrierRentals.com www.chemicalprocessing.com http://CarrierRentals.com http://CarrierRentals.com http://www.chemicalprocessing.com

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Chemical Processing - February 2008 Contents From the Editor ChemicalProcessing.com Field Notes In Process Energy Saver Compliance Advisor Nanoparticle Safety Raises Questions Take the Pressure Off Vacuum Systems Achieve Optimum Centrifugal Pump Performance Rethink Batch-Manufacturing Alarm Systems Dr. Gooddata Orlando Plant Pioneers HMI Migration Strategy Process Puzzler Plant InSites Equipment & Services Ad Index Product Spotlight/Classifieds End Point

Chemical Processing - February 2008

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