Yokogawa Electric Corporation have released Plant Resource Manager (PRM™) R4.03, the latest version of a software package in the Asset Management and Integrity family that facilitates the monitoring and control of plant operations by centralizing the management of large volumes of data from instrumentation and manufacturing equipment. PRM R4.03 features powerful device diagnostic functions that help to optimize plant maintenance and ensure safe operations. This translates into greater efficiency and accelerates the transition from reactive to predictive maintenance. PRM fully supports communication standards such as HART, FOUNDATION fieldbus™ (FF-H1), PROFIBUS, PROFINET, ISA100 and FDT/DTM (Field Device Tool/Device Type Manager4) interface standards
Development Background
Manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to improve maintenance efficiency by using software tools like PRM that can centrally manage large amounts of maintenance information and other types of data from plant monitoring and control devices as well as manufacturing equipment, thus enabling the quick identification of device failures that could interfere with the safe operation of plants. To meet such needs, Yokogawa has continued to enhance PRM’s functions.
In recent years, plants have become increasingly reliant on digital communications to handle an ever-growing amount of data. As a result, operators enjoy improved access to field device maintenance information and information on process parameters. In response to customer needs for greater maintenance efficiency and reduced risk of device failure, Yokogawa has enhanced PRM’s device and equipment diagnostic functions to make more effective use of data from digital devices that is needed to adjust their operating conditions. Also, to streamline and accelerate plant start-up operations, a function that helps to set device parameters has been added.
Enhancements
- Reduction of maintenance workload
The starter edition of InsightSuiteAE, a Yokogawa software tool for the viewing of diagnostic data that can aid in the identification of device degradation, is now included with PRM. This allows PRM to identify devices that are rarely used and thus may have deteriorated less and have a low risk of failure. Such proactive condition-based monitoring reduces the daily workload for maintenance personnel because only selective device checks need to be carried out. - Reduced risk of equipment failures
PRM now comes with an interface package for generic systems that enables this software to connect with device and equipment diagnostic systems. This helps to identify abnormal conditions in peripheral equipment and field devices. For example, by connecting to Yokogawa’s cavitation* detection system, PRM can identify cavitation inside pumps in real time. By using PRM’s alarm function, operators can receive immediate notification of abnormal conditions so that evasive actions such as limiting the flow rate can be taken to prevent pump failure. - Faster plant start-ups
A device parameter audit function has been added to PRM that enables parameter checking to be performed immediately at plant start-up. This confirms that the correct parameters have been set for all field devices of the same model. This function also makes it easier to troubleshoot problems by checking parameter changes and logs.
Article Contributed by Yokogawa Electric Corporation