Abstract: A pumping energy savings estimator is provided which, based on valve opening data collected for a control valve of a pump-valve system operating in an industrial process, determines an actual maximum (?porg, ˜50% open) of valve operating region of the control valve of the pump-valve system. User can select a new maximum (?pnew, ˜70% open) of valve operating region for the control valve. Then the estimator, based on the determined actual maximum of valve operating region and the selected new maximum of valve operating region, energy saving potential (?psave) in the pump-valve system. The potential energy savings may be put into practice by replacing the original pump with a new smaller pump, or more preferably, replacing or processing the impeller of the original pump, such that the control valve will operate with the selected new optimal maximum opening of valve operating region.

Abstract: A pumping energy savings estimator is provided which, based on valve opening data collected for a control valve of a pump-valve system operating in an industrial process, determines an actual maximum (?porg, ˜50% open) of valve operating region of the control valve of the pump-valve system. User can select a new maximum (?pnew, ˜70% open) of valve operating region for the control valve. Then the estimator, based on the determined actual maximum of valve operating region and the selected new maximum of valve operating region, energy saving potential (?psave) in the pump-valve system. The potential energy savings may be put into practice by replacing the original pump with a new smaller pump, or more preferably, replacing or processing the impeller of the original pump, such that the control valve will operate with the selected new optimal maximum opening of valve operating region.

Abstract: In the method and apparatus of the invention, the process point is taken into account when the condition and performance of a control valve are monitored. In the condition monitoring of the valve, process measurements are used in addition to measurements inside the valve in such a manner that the process measurements identify the operating point at which the valve operates, and the measurements inside the valve are observed at these operating points to detect changes and to determine the condition of the valve. According to an aspect of the invention, the variables representing the operating point of an industrial process are considered when changes in the friction load of the valve and/or the load factor of the actuator are observed.

Abstract: In the method and apparatus of the invention, the process point is taken into account when the condition and performance of a control valve are monitored. In the condition monitoring of the valve, process measurements are used in addition to measurements inside the valve in such a manner that the process measurements identify the operating point at which the valve operates, and the measurements inside the valve are observed at these operating points to detect changes and to determine the condition of the valve. According to an aspect of the invention, the variables representing the operating point of an industrial process are considered when changes in the friction load of the valve and/or the load factor of the actuator are observed.

Abstract: A machine relating to papermaking is located at a production plant (100), which is equipped with a plant data system (155). A teleservice connection (189) based on a data communication link is arranged between the production plant (100) and a teleservice center (200). The condition, state and/or performance of the machine units and/or processes and/or automation systems of the production line at the production plant are monitored by monitoring systems, such as condition monitoring systems (130) and/or performance measuring systems (140) and/or quality assessment systems (150) and diagnostic units (110), in order to recognize emergency situations. An automatic service process is started in an emergency situation based on the signals given by the monitoring systems. The system includes means for bringing about the automatic service process.

Abstract: The invention relates to device diagnostics in industrial processes comprising field devices employing a field bus. A remote diagnostics device (1) is placed in connection with a process device (2), separate from the field devices and the field bus. The remote diagnostics device comprises diagnostics electronics which collects diagnostics data relating to the process device, and a transmitter part for wireless (17) transmission of the diagnostics data to a near-by field device. The field device comprises a receiver part (41) for wireless (17) reception of the diagnostics data from said remote diagnostics device (1). A field device control unit (430) analyses the received diagnostics data and transmits a diagnostics report over a field bus interface (44) and the field bus to a diagnostics computer.

Abstract: A mobile terminal is arranged to communicate over a cellular communication system with a control system connected to a plurality of field devices in an industrial process, in order to remote control, configure or monitor the field devices. The mobile terminal accesses through a dedicated data connection established over the cellular communication system an interactive user interface associated with the control system and arranged to utilize the configuration, control and management data of the control system. In the preferred embodiment, the interactive user interface is provided by a World Wide Web server.

Abstract: The invention relates to device diagnostics in industrial processes comprising field devices employing a field bus. A remote diagnostics device (1) is placed in connection with a process device (2), separate from the field devices and the field bus. The remote diagnostics device comprises diagnostics electronics which collects diagnostics data relating to the process device, and a transmitter part for wireless (17) transmission of the diagnostics data to a near-by field device. The field device comprises a receiver part (41) for wireless (17) reception of the diagnostics data from said remote diagnostics device (1). A field device control unit (430) analyses the received diagnostics data and transmits a diagnostics report over a field bus interface (44) and the field bus to a diagnostics computer.

Abstract: An industrial process material flow within an industrial process is controlled by a process control loop that includes a process controller, a field device controller and a field device in the process as well as process variable feedback from the process to the process controller. Both the process controller and the field device controller, such as a valve controller, are fine-tuned so that their interaction is taken into account and controller parameters, which provide an optimal control loop performance are found. This results in a significant improvement in the control loop performance, i.e., in a lower process variability, as compared with the traditional tuning method, which does not take into account the interaction between the two controllers.

Abstract: The invention relates to field management in industrial process systems and similar systems. In the invention, maintenance management systems of industrial processes of separate plants located geographically apart from each other are networked in such a way that they may communicate with each other or with a centralized maintenance management server and transmit information on maintenance parameters of field devices of different types. As a result, experience obtained in one industrial process can be transferred to other respective industrial processes and applications. By utilizing this globally collected cumulative information, it is possible to improve and specify the diagnostics of the separate local maintenance systems (6) essentially faster than in case if the local maintenance management system were independent and the diagnostics were changed on the basis of local experience only.

Abstract: A method and equipment for controlling a pipe network comprising piping (1), a pump (2) and at least two control valves (3), whereby the valve position and the flow through the valve are monitored, and in order to achieve desired flows the rotational speed of the pump and the position of each valve are adjusted on the basis to the position and flow data received. The rotational speed of the pump (2) is adjusted to be as low as possible, but at the same time sufficient for maintaining the gain of the valves (3). The positions of the valves (3) are adjusted to be as open as possible, the valve opening being, however, for the major part of the time, not more than a certain predetermined portion of the opening of the totally open position.

Abstract: A method and a valve apparatus for surveying the condition of a control valve. The position of the valve (101) is adjusted by means of an actuator (103) controlled by an electropneumatic positioner (104) and operated by means of pressure medium. The operation of the valve is monitored by sensors (109, 110, 107) that read the readings from the control signal, the input pressure of the positioner, the difference between the input and output pressure of the actuator, and the position of the valve. A fault causing a deviating reading will be located by using the readings given by the sensors and deduction rules stored in the microprocessor of the actuator. In an initial situation, when the valve is in balance state, the readings given by the sensors are stored at least from the control signal, valve position and the difference between the input and output pressure of the actuator. When the operation is continued, the readings given by the sensors are compared with the readings of the initial situation.

Abstract: A method for determining the performance of a control valve in a closed control loop by using a simulation model. A simulation model of a process control loop is provided, consisting of a unit process (2) including the flow equations of the valve, a process controller (4) and a process transmitter (3), to simulate a process with disturbances (6, 6'). The simulation model is connected to a real control valve (1), including a valve, an actuator and a positioner. The valve response is measured. The process variability during the process is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a fault of an automatically operated control valve assembly. Data consisting of several values of the control signal (i) and corresponding values of the position (h) of the control valve is measured and recorded. A mathematical model for the control valve assembly is defined. The mathematical model is fitted to the data measured from the control signal (i) and the position (h) of the control valve. At least one critical parameter for each component of the valve assembly, that is the valve (2) itself, the actuator (3) and the positioner (5), is chosen. The values and changes of the critical parameters are computed from the mathematical model fitted to the measured data. The component in which the fault is located is detected on the basis of the computed values of the critical parameters.

Abstract: A valve and method for adjusting the flow of a valve and for forming a turbulence in the flow. The flow is led tangentially from the inlet passage (2) into the space inside the valve body (1) in such a way that a turbulent flow is formed inside the valve body, outside the closure member. The flow volume is adjusted before the flow is brought into turbulence.

Abstract: A control valve, which consists of a body (1) provided with flow-through channels (2, 3) and of a closing member (5) arranged rotatably in the body in an expansion (4) of the channel, the rotation shaft of which is eccentric in relation to the sealing surfaces of the closing member and the seal of the body. In an open position of the valve a circular flow is formed around the closing member between a wall of the body and the closing member (5), the main flow passage of which circular flow is located in a channel between the inner surface of the body and the upstream edge (16) of the closing member. The closing member (5) has an extension (17) in its upstream edge (16) in the open position, which extension in an initial phase of the opening reduces the cross-sectional area of the main flow passage.

Abstract: Closing member (1) for a valve, which said closing member can be fitted turnably into a valve housing provided with a through flow duct (3,4). Several main ducts (5) placed side by side pass through the closing member, said main ducts jointly forming the flow opening in the closing member. At least some of the main ducts (5") in the closing member (1) are connected to one or several of the main ducts (5',5'") placed side by side by means of the side ducts (7) eccentric relative the main duct so that the central axes of the main and side ducts are in different planes placed at a distance from each other.