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PACE PROCESS & CONTROL ENGINEERING
Energy audits are key Energy audits are the foundation of an effective energy efficiency program. Opinion 4
Zenith winners revealed Profiles of the people and projects that walked away with the trophies. Special Report 6
Top honours for APC project ZZZ DQ\EXV FRP DX JULY 2011
VOL.64 NO.6
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
News 3
Cloud computing The benefits of cloud computing are still being weighed against the risks. New Products 28
7 of the Best This month’s round-up of noteworthy new products. IICA News & Views 30
Hurdles in training Most Universities and TAFEs do not offer stand-alone qualifications in Instrumentation.
BY KEVIN GOMEZ APEX Optimisation and Woodside Energy's revamp and implementation of the Advanced Process Control (APC) at Karratha Gas Plant has won PACE magazine’s overall project of the year award. The execution of the project was very challenging due to a range of factors because the team pursued a design evolution which widened the scope of the APC significantly beyond the original LNG4 APC implementation with additional handles, limits and configuration challenges. Additionally, the size of the new applications, with each having more than 20 manipulated variables managing in excess of 60 controlled variables, meant some complex interactions had to be modelled. The APC delivered the North West Shelf Project Partners a 3 to 5 percent increase in LNG4/5 production (depending upon ambient conditions) and a 4.7 percent increase in LPG production. These verified benefits meant the period for overall project payback was less than two weeks, with a ROI of 4,000 percent. The judges noted that “this excellent implementation of Advanced Process Control has rewarded the business with exceptional returns.”
CONGRATULATIONS: Overall project winners Paul Kjellgren of Woodside Energy flanked by Apex Optimisation’s Ian Johnston (L) and Andrew Taylor.
INDUSTRY NEWS
IICA and PACE join forces to grow and support the industry
Post Print Approved PP255003/00539
AUSTRALIA’s process control and automation industries face several challenges but none more daunting than those related to skilled resource, education and training. The Institute of Instrumentation Control and Automation Australia (IICA) has been
doing its bit to train professionals and support the industry. “At PACE, we share IICA’s vision,” says Kevin Gomez, Editor, PACE. “Our involvement with the industry spans nearly six decades and we are keen to work with the IICA to grow, educate and
enrich the communities we serve.” Following the exclusive agreement that was finalised between the two parties mid June, the IICA will use PACE to promote its activities and reach its members. “This agreement is a natural extension and in reality, a formalisation of
the long standing arrangement that the IICA has had with the PACE,” noted Brett Simpson. “This agreement brings to fruition a genuine partnership that seems in retrospect something that should have happened a long time ago,” he adds.