REFINERY NEWS May 2012

Process Control Network Upgrade
Above: Before upgrade
Above: After upgrade
In with the new, out with the old. This is exactly what has happened in the PCC where five spanking new computer cabinets
have replaced old cabinets that are no longer suitable for the Process Control computer equipment currently in use.
The Process Control Network and
Infrastructure Upgrade which is currently
underway at the PCC was born of the
need to improve the reliability of Process Control
network systems. This not only meant upgrading
the servers, but also introducing new cabinets
to house and protect the computer equipment
effectively and neatly.
Control Systems Engineer, Neville Mshengu says
the new cabinets provide better network cable
management whereby cables are neatly tied and
the cabinets provide better cooling for equipment
and save space. Up to 42 units can now be installed
in a cabinet whereas previously, only a maximum
of five units could be installed per cabinet.
“The three-phase project began with upgrading
of the Historian (PHD) and Advanced Control
old and smaller equipment cabinets have been
upgraded with Dell D4220 cabinets to ensure
security of the control network cables and higher
reliability thereof,” he says.
Subsequent to this will be the engineering of the
Process Control Network domain and installation
of the firewall between the Business Information
Network and Process Control Network for better
domain administration and management and
Process Control network data security.
Neville adds that although the project has not
been without its fair share of challenges, it was
well worth it. “The biggest challenge we have had
is ensuring that while the project is underway that
no disruptions occur to the control network as well
as minimizing loss of data from the servers during
upgrade.”
(RMPCT) servers. Now in its second phase, the
Above: Junior Process Control Technician, Ashlin Pillay says being part of
this project was a great learning experience
engen Refinery news May 2012 // 3