The Ethernet-APL Revolution is Approaching Our Plants

Last Chance for Digital Field Communication

Authors

  • Dr.-Ing. Emanuel Trunzer BASF SE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4319-9801
  • Maria C. Molina Dow Inc.
  • Sven Goebel Bayer AG
  • Florian Hout Bayer AG
  • Arne Modersohn Evonik Operations GmbH
  • Dr.-Ing. Lars Nothdurft LANXESS Deutschland GmbH
  • Klemens Plawky Covestro AG
  • Sven Seintsch Bilfinger Engineering & Maintenance GmbH

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17560/atp.v65i9.2688

Keywords:

Digitalization, Ethernet-APL, NAMUR, PROFINET

Abstract

With Ethernet-APL, IT/OT convergence is brought to a next level. High-speed communcation to field devices, elimination of complex infrastructure to extract data from the field, and simplified engineering and maintenance are key advantages. Yet, due to experiences with fieldbus technology, Ethernet-APL is considered as process industry’s last chance for digital field communication. This article presents key success factors. Furthermore, it summarizes the joint community effort by end users and vendors to prevent the repition of flaws experienced during the past fieldbus introduction.

Author Biographies

Dr.-Ing. Emanuel Trunzer, BASF SE

Dr.-Ing. Emanuel Trunzer (born 1990) is an Automation Engineer at the Center of Technical Expertise for Automation Technology at BASF. With a background in Chemical Engineering and Automation Technology, Emanuel is involved in the qualification and implementation of Ethernet-APL within BASF. He is co-lead of the NAMUR APL Task Force and member of the WG 2.6 on digital process communication.

Maria C. Molina, Dow Inc.

Maria C. Molina (born in 1976) is a Technology Manager and Process Automation platform lead in the Digital Operations Center. Mari and the team are passionate about shaping and funneling emerging technology to drive improved safety, reliability, sustainability, and profitability for the manufacturing facilities within Dow.

Sven Goebel, Bayer AG

 

Dipl-Ing. Sven Goebel (born 1974) is Head of Process Control Technology in Engineering and Technology at Bayer AG. He graduated at University Bonn-Rhein-Sieg in Electrical Engineering with focus on Automation.

Florian Hout, Bayer AG

Florian Hout (born 1988) is lead engineer for Process Control Technology in Engineering and Technology at Bayer AG. He graduated as electrical engineering with a focus on automation technology at the Hessian University of Cooperative Education in Neuss.

Arne Modersohn, Evonik Operations GmbH

Arne Modersohn (born 1987) is a Process Control Engineer at Evonik. After graduating RWTH Aachen University in 2014 and working at a process modeling company, he joined Evonik in 2016. His main work areas are process plant engineering in green field and brown field environments, computer aided engineering, and digital technologies. As member of the NAMUR working group 1.3, he has been part of the development of standardized data models to support the effort to digitize plant engineering processes and facilitate data exchange between vendors and plant operators.

Dr.-Ing. Lars Nothdurft, LANXESS Deutschland GmbH

Dr.-Ing. Lars Nothdurft (born 1989) is a PCT Project Engineer at LANXESS. He majored in automation engineering at RWTH Aachen University before finishing his doctorate at the Chair for Process Control in Aachen in 2022. His academic focus included structure modelling and Plug&Produce concepts. At LANXESS he also attends the topic Ethernet-APL.

Klemens Plawky, Covestro AG

Born 1960, living in Cologne, Germany. Joined Bayer in January 1988. PCT Engineer and Lead Engineer in Germany, China and the US. Today Senior PCT Systems Expert @ Covestro. Member of NAMUR AK 2.6 (Digital Process Communication) 2016 – 2018, now member of NAMUR AK 2.9 (HMI) and the NAMUR APL Task Force.

Sven Seintsch, Bilfinger Engineering & Maintenance GmbH

Sven Seintsch (born 1969) is head of the department Product Development and Test-Laboratory at Bilfinger Engineering & Maintenance GmbH. He is also active in the NAMUR as the chairman of the WG 2.6 Digital Process communication. In the IGR, he is leading the work area technology investigation.

atp magazin 9/2023

Downloads

Published

2023-10-04

Issue

Vol. 65 No. 9 (2023): atp magazin

Section

Article / Peer Review

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Vulkan-Verlag GmbH

Die Zeitschrift und alle in ihr enthaltenen Beiträge und Abbildungen sind urheberrechtlich geschützt. Jede Verwertung außerhalb der engen Grenzen des Urheberrechtsgesetzes ist ohne Zustimmung des Verlages unzulässig und strafbar. Das gilt insbesondere für  Vervielfältigungen, Übersetzungen, Mikroverfilmungen und die Einspeicherung und Bearbeitung in elektronischen Systemen. Auch die Rechte der Wiedergabe durch Vortrag, Funk- und Fernsehsendung, im Magnettonverfahren oder ähnlichem Wege bleiben vorbehalten.

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>