Real-time synchronized control and simulation within a process plant

Abstract

A process control system simulation technique performs real-time simulation of an actual process control network as that network is running within a process plant in a manner that is synchronized with the operation of the actual process control network. This real-time, synchronized simulation system includes a simulation process control network and a process model which are automatically updated periodically during the operation of the actual process control network to reflect changes made to the process control network, as well as to account for changes in the plant itself, i.e., changes which require an updated process model. The disclosed simulation system provides for more readily accessible and usable simulation activities, as the process control network and the process models used within the simulation system are synchronized with and up-to-date with respect to the current process operating conditions. Moreover, this simulation system is more accurate as it uses process models developed from the current state of the process whenever the simulation system beings to perform a simulation. Still further, the disclosed simulation system is easy to operate, as it uses the same user interface applications as the actual process control network and can be initialized and used at any time during operation the process plant without any significant configuration or set-up activities.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to process plants such as power plants and industrial manufacturing plants, and more particularly to a real-time control and simulation system for synchronous simulation of the operation of control networks within process plants. Background technique [0002] Distributed process control systems, such as those commonly used in power plants, chemical manufacturing plants, petroleum processing plants, or other processing plants, typically include one or more or a mixed analog / digital bus, communicatively connected to one or more field devices. Field devices can be, for example, valves, valve positioners, switches, transmitters (e.g., temperature, pressure, level, and flow sensors), burners, etc., that are located within the process environment and respond to Control signals are sent to perform process functions such as opening / closing valves, measuring process parameters, etc. Intelligent field devices, such as fi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

As a result, the simulation systems used in these plants quickly become out of line with the process, and therefore may not be very accurate, and are often not very user-friendly

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