Yokogawa Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6841) on January 22, 2021 released a new version of the main product of the OpreXTM family of industrial facility management and safety. This integrated system is called CENTUMTM VP, and its new version R6.08 will significantly improve work, because it has a number of improvements:
- the amount of work required to update the CPU module of the system has been significantly reduced;
- a new package of tools and certifications according to standards for the CPU module has been developed;
- it has become possible to update the CENTUM VP system without interrupting the process management;
- ensures stable operation of production and the ability to effectively use assets directly during system upgrades.
Goals and objectives of system development
One of the main requirements for the operation of production assets is efficiency, as well as a technical component. Installation of modern equipment, which makes it possible to use and interact with the latest technical developments, is a key point for companies that have been operating their assets for more than 10-20 years. This is necessary to maintain competitiveness in both the foreign and domestic markets.
The first version of the CENTUM VP system (R6.01) by Yokogawa was released in 2014. Throughout this time, specialists continued to work on improving the platform and ensured long-term stability of the control system. The new version is focused on customer needs for a product with an accelerated update procedure and a high degree of technical readiness.
The creation of version R6.08 of the CENTUM VP system is the next stage in the development and achievement of goals within the Yokogawa company, planned until the end of 2050. One of these goals was the achievement of the Closed Cycle Economy, the so-called wastelessness. Thanks to ongoing work in this area, Customers can continuously operate the assets at their disposal for as long as possible.
Major improvements:
1. Possibility to update CPU modules without replacing the cabinet.
In order to update the CPU modules of the CENTUM CS3000 VP controllers, it was necessary to completely remove the entire cabinet containing the equipment, which is about 2 meters high and weighs more than 200 kg. This is a very energy-intensive and labor-intensive process, and it took quite a lot of time.
Yokogawa has developed a special tool package that eliminates the need to replace the control cabinet when updating CPU modules. It includes environmental sensors and cooling fans. The use of this tool allows you to reduce the amount of work and load required, as well as the amount of waste during replacement, and increases the possibility of using new technologies.
2. Improved online update functionality for batch control systems.
To improve ease of use, engineering qualities of the system and add functionality to CPU software, modules need to periodically update their firmware. Previously, such a process took several days and required stopping the management process. This entailed the need to temporarily stop production.
In 2017, version CENTUM VP R6.05 was released, allowing all necessary updates to be made online, while improving the engineering qualities of the system and making its operation more convenient. Each subsequent version further expanded the scenarios for using this function. The new version R6.08 will provide support for SEBOL, the main programming language for batch process control systems.
Target market of clients:
- oil refining, petrochemical and chemical industry;
- electricity and gas industry;
- non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy;
- pharmaceutical industry;< /li>
- food industry;
- water supply and water treatment;
- pulp and paper industry;
- cement industry and others.
Product Application
Control and management of production operational processes.
CENTUM control system series
The first version of the CENTUM control system (DCS) by Yokogawa was released in 1975. At that time, it was the only one in the world.
The CENTUM VP platform is the ninth generation of the CENTUM series. Its main advantages are reliability of operation in any conditions, compatibility with previous models and with new advanced technological solutions. The CENTUM series is the flagship of the Yokogawa product line, maintaining this position for more than 40 years.
