DESIGN, CONFIGURATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF FIELDBUS SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING OF A PROCESS PLANT

The first process control systems used mechanical and pneumatic controllers, and were run conservatively for stability rather than economic performance. In the 1950s, the first electronic controllers were introduces that used analog signals with simple devices, and later in the 1970s distributed control system (DCS) emerged, which is the current standard for large control system. In DCS however, a central processor controls all parameters and has limitation in terms of reliability and cost. This lead to the introduction of fieldbus system: the digital communication and fieldbus system replaces the DCS architecture by enabling distribution of control function to equipment in the field such as sensors, controllers and actuators. This report discusses the findings on the literature review of fieldbus system and the fundamental issues in the development and implementation of a fieldbus system for controlling a simple process loop using a fieldbus test rig. A configuration and implementation procedure for the development of a fieldbus test rig is presented involving process variables that are pressure, temperature and flow. A complete control system functions implemented are the monitoring, measurement and control. The methodology towards accomplishing the project includes the theoretical and technical research, the installation and commissioning, the configuration of network, device and control strategy, the troubleshooting, operation and maintenance, and the analysis on the fieldbus savings and its benefits. Detailed design, configuration and implementation for a temperature control are presented. The findings demonstrate the benefits of the fieldbus system over the DCS in terms of signal conditioning, loop interconnection and configurations and verify the qualitative characteristics of the fieldbus system in terms of simpler and better controllability