Integrating superordinated control system in modular plants

Abstract

Research in the process industry is increasingly focusing on modular process plants. The process engineering of the module depends only on its function, but the automation system of the module has to be integrated in a superordinated process control system (PCS). Integration is currently done manually and works mostly with a controller dedicated to the system. The aim is that it should be possible for automated modules to be integrated automatically into every PCS instead of creating a manual configuration for each PCS. Here, the approach is applied using existing description formats. Taking the example of PCS 7, it is shown where this approach is already applicable and where additional interfaces are required.