Avid Solutions has designed, built, and commissioned a Siemens PCS7 system that controls multiple chemical reactors using pre-existing, non-Siemens controllers. This atypical PCS7 architecture capitalized on a network of (9) existing Omron CV controllers - thereby minimizing the effect on production and facilitating a gradual conversion to a standard Step 7 PCS7 system.
The 1,200 point system controls all aspects of automation for (4) chemical reactors, (8) downstream vessels and their associated processes: custom batch sequencing, raw material storage/transfer, and downstream operations. The PCS7 architecture includes (8) client stations, (1) redundant pair of servers, and (1) engineering station. Additionally, the system interfaces with a PI historian for data collection and reporting.
Benefits included the centralization of the operator interface for multiple systems to any one client machine. The system has proven to be expandable and scalable for future and existing systems.
