29-04-2013

Honeywell, Dresser-Rand to implement Experion PKS turbomachinery control solution

Honeywell today announced an agreement with Dresser-Rand to implement the Experion® Process Knowledge System (PKS) Turbomachinery Control Solution in a wide range of control applications. A global leader in providing custom-engineered rotating equipment solutions, Dresser-Rand will embed its proprietary intellectual property in the Experion C300-20 controller to control compressors and turbines.

In the past, proprietary or ‘black box’ technology was commonly used for turbine and compressor controls. This technology was difficult to interface with other system components and cumbersome and expensive to repair or upgrade. As the systems aged and parts became obsolete, performance could become compromised, limiting the view of plant personnel into the process and machinery. Additionally, with disparate, proprietary control schemes, facilities often had to invest in specialized spare parts, and provide individualized training for maintenance and operations workers.

With the Experion PKS Turbomachinery Control Solution, facilities benefit from an open, unified control platform that delivers turbine control, compressor automation, compressor anti-surge protection, and general plant and safety controls. It consolidates their plant equipment controls on a single platform, while eliminating integration problems. The open control platform can be easily maintained and upgraded if necessary, and it improves process visibility and safety. 

According to David Scheef, director of Marketing, Strategic Business Units at Dresser-Rand, the Experion PKS Turbomachinery Control Solution enables original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Dresser-Rand to securely deploy their intellectual property in the C300-20 controller for use in rotating equipment applications. “Many of our clients are also Honeywell customers, and Honeywell has excellent technology to replace operators’ obsolete turbine and compressor controls with a totally integrated system,” said Scheef. “The industry is moving toward increased visibility of all plant equipment, and this solution helps propel us toward that goal.”

Bret Walter, Honeywell engineering consultant, rotating equipment/turbomachinery, commented: “By using the Experion PKS Turbomachinery Control Solution, customers throughout the process industries gain a robust, tightly integrated control capability that will optimize control and visibility into critical plant equipment. It will also maximize their automation technology investment by having all their turbomachinery controls located within the Experion PKS platform for improved maintenance, historization, control and safety.”