02/15/2008 • Industrial technology, services • Systems and Components

Automated Process Technology

The P&ID (process technology machine/plant scheme) is the central document used for process technology planning. A new P&ID module in EPLAN PPE completes the spectrum of project documentation through the representation of plants with logical process technology information. Macro technology and bidirectional data exchange with PCS/PLC and bus systems provide extra impetus for continuous engineering.

These days, modern process control systems (PCS), PLC and bus systems are essential elements in the planning of process-engineering plants. High levels of availability, maximum flexibility and simple, error-free operability require the use of automation components. This only benefits operation and maintenance when top quality project planning is already ensured in the engineering process.


Previously drawn – now engineered
With the new P&ID module based on the EPLAN platform, EPLAN PPE provides a professional tool for continuous planning of automation projects. Process technology engineers can easily and quickly create plant overviews in the pre-planning phase. However, those P&ID engineers who expect only the usual purely graphical representations will be surprised by the superlative plant overviews. Important information on the process technology components can be directly added to the drawing. This can be (e.g.) the material flowing in the piping, specification data for the mechanical components (valves, pumps) and also initial information on the automation technology devices (actuators, sensors). A wide range of possibilities exists and, especially in this early planning phase, standardization and re-use of components provide unbeatable advantages.


Macros for rapid results:

When creating a plant overview, ideally you work with macros stored in partial drawings. This provides great flexibility because the variants can then be assigned individual parameter values. A single macro can be used to define (e.g.) a tank or pump drive with different sensor and actuator configurations. You then only need to: Place the components in P&ID with a mouse click – it doesn't get any faster. Since macros also prevent mistakes caused by tedious manual adjustments, P&ID provides a secure planning document with precise results. This provides an optimum basis for subsequent project phases, which can process engineering data that is guaranteed to be correct.

Support for PCS/PLC and bus systems

The stored machine/plant data paves the way for further planning of the entire automation technology system. The initial basic planning is completed with the management and extensive documentation of a functional machine/plant overview and all associated device specifications, including installation arrangements. For the subsequent detailed planning process, in addition to documentation of the automation components in single and multi-line schematics, EPLAN also allows management of the PLC and bus components in logical structures and topologies. Bidirectional exchange of this data with the major PCS/PLC and bus systems (hardware configuration and software development) allows continuous engineering processes. Routine tasks such as the synchronization of information between disciplines and the maintenance of documentation changes are performed by the EPLAN platform.


Conclusion:
The unified central management of all project data provides comprehensive documentation of the entire automation of a process technology plant. All project participants are always supplied with up-to-date information. All subsequent changes in the P&ID are automatically adopted in all plant documentation – this ensures fast results and high process engineering quality.

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