MANAGEABLE AUTOMATION SYSTEMS FOR POWER AND DESALINATION PLANTS

Advances in automation systems are a consequence of the technological innovations and theoretical developments in the area of systems engine ering. The application of powerful automation techniques has enabled c omplex processes to be safely and efficiently operated, bringing numer ous economic benefits for mankind. However, the development of the so called modern automation systems represents one of the most challengin g tasks that faces the developing and the under developed countries fr om the point of selection for the appropriate type of technology. Desp ite increased automation, the human in the loop is more important than ever before. Deficiencies in the process can cause automatic control systems to fail to meet the requirements of the operation thus demandi ng intervention by operators and control engineers to keep them workin g. Shortcomings always occur because performance requirements and the plant characteristics are unconfirmed at the design stage. The perform ance requirements, plant characteristics and controller parameters cha nge when a control system is designed and when it is commissioned. How ever activities such as controller tuning, fault detection, diagnosis, start-up, shut-down etc. which can occupy significant part of an oper ator or engineer's time, should be automated allowing them to utilize their skills on more productive activities. Progress in Information Te chnology and Microprocessor power has enriched and enhanced the capabi lities of the Integrated Control System (ICS). The Instrumentation and Control (I&C) equipment form the nerve system of the plant and so is placed very high up in order to achieve the desirable goals. This pape r deals with some practical issues, problems and challenges faced by d eveloping and underdeveloped countries in the wake of rapid advances, theoretical developments and technological innovations in automation. The discussion is centered on the following aspects with particular re ference to power and desalination plants in the Gulf region: Functions and hierarchical structures of control systems, Man-machine interface , Integrated control systems, Distributed control systems, Fault toler ance, and Manpower training. In the interest of clarity and completene ss, certain essential terms in the highly specialized field of automat ion are briefly introduced and explained in the text.