What does Process Automation involve?
Process automation involves the use of software engineering and computer technology to aid factories and power plants in a wide variety of industries, such as cement, paper, and mining. Process automation also helps companies to operate much more safely and efficiently.
As a technologies based company, AGE is driven by a pioneering spirit which is strengthened by the ability to be independent and innovative. AGE Technologies has a legacy of delivering customer specific solutions across Africa. Contact us for Process Automation Solutions.
Background and Technology regarding Process Automation:
If process automation was absent, then it was up to plant operators to physically monitor the quality of outputs and performance values in order to determine the best settings on which to run production equipment. Unsafe operating conditions and operational inefficiency is usually the result of maintenance having to be carried out at set intervals by plant operators.
Process automation simplifies the above process by means of sensors located at thousands of different spots around the plant which collects data on flows, temperatures, pressures, etc. The information is then stored and analyzed on a computer. Thus, the entire plant and every piece of production equipment can be monitored on a large screen in the control room. To achieve optimum production, plant operating settings are then adjusted automatically. If necessary, plant operators are able to override process automation systems manually.
As an automation technologies based company, specializing in the provision of Automation Turnkey Projects, we provide turnkey solutions in:
- Plant and Machine projects
- Industrial and Electrical projects
- Mining projects
- Commissioning of Automation projects
Process Automation and Energy Efficiency
One thing that all factory owners have in common is the need for their equipment to deliver the highest output with as little production cost as possible. On average, energy costs represent between 30-50 percent of the total production cost in a lot of industries, especially those producing petrochemicals, gas, and oil.
In process automation, the computer program makes use of measurements to identify a couple of things. These include showing how the plant is working, simulating different operating modes as well as finding an optimal strategy for the plant. A unique characteristic of process automation is its ability to “learn” and “predict” trends. This helps speeding up the response time to changing conditions.
The software and controls of process automation ensures the correct regulation of equipment to run at its optimum speed that requires the least energy. Consistency of quality is also ensured this way, which means less energy is wasted in the production of products that turn out to be defective. Process automation is also able to predict when maintenance should be done. Less time and energy is thus spent on routine inspections, which mean focusing on those issues that really need attention.
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