Logic devices

An interlock is a protec tive response initiated on the detection of a process hazard. The interlock system consists of the measurement devices, logic solvers, and final control elements that recognize the hazard and initiate an appropriate response. Most interlocks consist of one or more logic conditions that detect out-of-hmit process conditions and respond by driving the final control elements to the safe states. For example, one must specify that a valve fails open or fails closed. 

Safety instrumented systems (SISs) should be completely separate from the normal control system. AU elements in the safety loop (measurement devices, logic systems, and actuators) must be highly reliable. This alarm system protects the facility against major catastrophes and will often take corrective actions to safely shutdown and isolate a piece of equipment or a facility, using emergency shutdown (ESD) systems that activate emergency block valves and emergency isolation valves. 

Cryoelectronics. Operation of CMOS devices at lower temperatures offers several advantages and some disadvantages (53). Operation at Hquid nitrogen temperatures (77 K) has been shown to double the performance of CMOS logic circuits (54). In part, this is the result of the increase in electron and hole mobilities with lower temperatures. The mobiHty decreases at high fields as carrier speeds approach saturation. Velocity saturation is more important for cryoelectronics because saturation velocities increase by only 25% at 77 K but saturation occurs at much lower fields. Although speedup can... 

The process and instrumentation (P I) diagram provides a graphical representation of the control configuration for the process. The P I diagrams illustrate the measurement devices that provide inputs to the control strategy, the actuators that will implement the results of the control calculations, and the function blocks that provide the control logic. 

For many batch processes, process state representations are a very convenient mechanism for representing the batch logic. A grid or table can be construc ted, with the process states as rows and the discrete device states as columns (or vice versa). For each process state, the state of eveiy discrete device is specified to be one of the following ... 

Many batch software packages also recognize process states. A configuration tool is provided to define a process state. With such a mechanism, the batch logic does not need to drive individual devices but can simply command that the desired process state be achieved. The system software then drives the discrete devices to the device states required for the target process state. This normally includes the following ... 

Should any discrete device not remain in its target state, failure logic must be initiated. 

Device A device is the smallest element of interest to batch logic. Examples of devices include measurement devices and actuators. 

For pneumatic transmission systems, the signal range used for the transmission is 3 to 15 psig. In each pneumatic transmission system, there can be only one transmitter, but there can be any number of receivers. When most measurement devices were pneumatic, pneumatic transmission was the logical choice. However, with the displacement of pneumatic measurement devices by electronic devices, pneumatic transmission is becoming less common but is unlikely to totally disappear. 

Figure 8-62 depicts a hypothetical distributed control system. A number of different unit configurations are illustrated. This system consists of many commonly used DCS components, including multiplexers (MUXs), single/multiple-loop controllers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and smart devices. A typical system includes the following elements as well ... 

Where hazardous conditions can develop within a process, a protective system of some type must be provided. Sometimes these are in the form of process hardware such as pressure rehef devices. However, sometimes logic must be provided for the specific purpose of taking the process to a state where the hazardous condition cannot exist. The term safety interlock. system is normally used to designate such logic. 

The potential that the logic within the interlock could contain a defect or bug is a strong incentive to keep it simple. Within process plants, most interlocks are implemented with discrete logic, which means either hard-wired elec tromechauical devices or programmable logic controllers. 

The logic for the safety interlock, including inputs from measurement devices and outputs to ac tuators. 

Diversity can be used to further advantage in redundant configurations. Where redundant measurement devices are required, different technology can be used for each. Where redundant logic is required, one can be programmed and one hard-wired. 

These tests must encompass the complete interlock system, from the measurement devices through the final control elements. Merely simulating inputs and checking the outputs is not sufficient. The tests must duplicate the process conditions and operating environments as closely as possible. The measurement devices and final control elements are exposed to process and ambient conditions and thus are usually the most hkely to fail. Valves that remain in the same position for extended periods of time may stick in that position and not operate when needed. The easiest component to test is the logic however, this is the least hkely to fail. 

Particulate Scrubbers Wet collec tors, or scrubbers, form a class of devices in which a liquid (usually water) is used to assist or accomplish the collection of dusts or mists. Such devices have been in use for well over 100 years, and innumerable designs have been or are offered commercially or constructed by users. Wet-film collectors logically... 

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