POWER October 2011 - 77

PLANT DESIGN
3-D Virtual Models in Plant Operations.
There are many opportunities to utilize
the 3-D virtual model in operating a
plant. Operating procedures can be more easily
created and reviewed because the model
provides a true " in plant " perspective at the
user's desktop. Familiarizing personnel with
facilities and procedures is greatly simplified.
How many times have we been in the plant
discussing an operating change when nobody
can hear what anyone is saying because of
ear plugs and rotating equipment noise?
Safety procedures, including isolation
device locations, can be documented in full
3-D and full context. Hazard and operability
(HAZOP) analysis can be performed with
greater clarity and with accurate asset documentation.
The location of persistent alarms
can be visualized in their physical context.
Creating work orders is a much more precise
activity because the virtual model provides
an easy way to tie the work order to the piece
of equipment of interest instead of the unit
level. Importantly, the virtual model also
provides a common basis for communication
between operations and maintenance.
How It Works
The path to AV is surprisingly easy. The
steps are:
1. Identify the specific uses that will be
improved with AV, and plan the implementation.
2.
Create the 3-D virtual model of the plant
facilities.
3. Add intelligence to the model by naming
all the components and connecting them to
the existing enterprise information stores.
4. Establish the new work flow and processes.
5. Assess the implementation and explore
new potential uses.
Start by reviewing the area of potential
benefits, understanding the priorities and
value, and planning the implementation. This
involves reviewing current work practices,
as well as suspected areas of improvement.
Plant personnel are intimately involved in
this step.
Next, the " as-built " 3-D virtual model of
plant facilities and assets is created. If a 3-D
design model is available, it is used, but only
as the starting point. If one does not exist, then
conventional laser scanning technology (widely
available from many vendors) is used.
Modeling software is employed to convert
the laser scan point cloud into 3-D objects.
The end result is a visual, navigable, multiperspective
3-D model that accurately and
precisely reflects the actual facilities. The
3-D virtual model software must be capable
of accepting updates at any time from new
October 2011 | POWER
laser scans, altered CAD information, and
direct model changes to reflect field conditions.
Furthermore, changes must be automatically
propagated (or inherited) to views,
documents, and integrated systems to ensure
that all asset information and the 3-D virtual
model accurately reflect the plant.
By tagging objects, components, structures,
circuits, and sub-systems, the model
shapes gain context and can be used for
searching, sorting, and linking to relevant
data from all other enterprise information
systems. Data is not copied, but accessed
dynamically. O&M systems are tapped,
resulting in a comprehensive digital asset
management environment anchored by 3-D
graphics of the actual equipment
There are several very valuable by-products
of this step. For one, the existing documentation
is reviewed and redlined. For
example, P&ID are traced and redlined. Experience
tells us that, on average, one to four
errors are discovered on each P&ID. Indeed,
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POWER October 2011

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