POWER UP A WINNER - Plant Services
POWER UP A WINNER - Plant Services
POWER UP A WINNER - Plant Services
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Lutz Modular Flow<br />
Control System<br />
Whether you need to keep track<br />
of total chemical dispensed,<br />
or need an automatic<br />
Batch System. Lutz offers<br />
the right solution<br />
for your application.<br />
Please contact us for more information.<br />
TS-Series:<br />
For total or batching<br />
Economy<br />
TR-Series<br />
Lutz Pumps, Inc.<br />
1160 Beaver Ruin Road · Norcross, GA 30093-4898<br />
Phone: (770) 925-1222 · Tollfree: (800) 843-3901 · Fax: (770) 923-0334<br />
w w w . l u t z p u m p s . c o m · e - M a i l : i n f o @ l u t z p u m p s . c o m<br />
“The Safety Gate Company”<br />
www.safetygate.com/od • 1-800-962-6111<br />
know very little about hard-core programming. The large<br />
software producers already have done it. Save for a very few<br />
exceptions, computer specialists rely on preprogrammed<br />
software tools that come with the operating system.<br />
A big part of the challenge in early programming was trying<br />
to solve complex problems involving large data sets using<br />
machines that had tiny memories (2K to 32K). In today’s<br />
world of gigabytes, this challenge is a quaint recollection of<br />
only those who lived through it.<br />
A digital parallel<br />
Analyzers are now at a somewhat similar juncture. <strong>Plant</strong><br />
operators need the data analyzers provide, but often can’t<br />
afford to dedicate a highly skilled individual to provide it.<br />
The big questions are these: Are analyzers ready to cut<br />
the cord and fly without a lifeline What steps should plant<br />
operations take to realize the benefits of analyzer-derived<br />
data while ensuring that the data flow maintains a high level<br />
of reliability<br />
Paul Pulicken is in charge of analyzer technology at BP’s<br />
Texas City Refinery as well as working with others in this<br />
technology at the company’s five U.S. refineries. With 23<br />
years of analyzer experience in a variety of petroleum and<br />
chemical processes, Pulicken is well positioned to offer<br />
direction in this field.<br />
The Texas City Refinery, with roughly 1,500 analyzers, isn’t<br />
your typical manufacturing operation. Servicing these instruments<br />
with a staff of fewer than 40 people, however, is every<br />
maintenance manager’s analyzer challenge – in spades.<br />
The No. 1 challenge, his experience shows, has been presenting<br />
a representative sample to the analyzer. This is a problem<br />
not only in the sample system’s fundamental design, but<br />
also in its continuing maintenance. Much effort is currently<br />
directed at standardizing and rationalizing sample system design<br />
and component interfacing, and assuring integrated data<br />
flow for sample-system troubleshooting and optimization.<br />
Traditionally, this activity has been long on experience and<br />
Resources for continuing education<br />
The typical training courses Technical Automation<br />
<strong>Services</strong> Corp. (TASC, www.tascorp.com) conducts<br />
include advanced topics in gas chromatography, basic<br />
industrial chemistry, improving sample system reliability,<br />
insight into continuous emission monitoring, introduction<br />
to process gas chromatography, and troubleshooting<br />
sample systems. Other analyzer specialists offer<br />
similar programs, and analyzer manufacturers offer<br />
extensive training on their products. Other professional<br />
training sources include ISA’s Analysis Division<br />
(www.isa.org/ad), the International Forum on Process<br />
Analytical Chemistry (www.ifpac.com) and the Center<br />
for Professional Development (www.cfpd.com).<br />
40 APRIL 2009 www.PLANTSERVICES.com
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