Dresser-Rand and Honeywell to create integrated control platform

Dresser-Rand, a supplier of rotating equipment solutions to the oil, gas, petrochemical, power and process industries, recently reached an agreement with Honeywell to grant plant managers control of not only turbomachinery, but all plant equipment using a single completely integrated control platform.

Under the agreement, Dresser-Rand will combine its centrifugal compressor knowledge and experience with the Honeywell Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) and embed its proprietary anti-surge control and load sharing programs into the Honeywell Experion C300-20 controller. It will also allow Dresser-Rand to design and manufacture turbomachinery control systems using the Honeywell Experion C300-20 controller. The agreement was reached after the two companies successfully tested the Experion C300-20 controller with Dresser-Rand's embedded proprietary centrifugal anti-surge control, to determine its capability to safely and reliably control and protect centrifugal compressors.

With the Experion PKS Turbomachinery Control Solution, clients benefit from an open, unified control platform that delivers turbine control, compressor automation, compressor anti-surge protection, and plant and safety controls. It consolidates plant equipment controls onto a single platform, which enables easy integration. The open control platform can be easily maintained and upgraded if necessary, and improves process visibility and safety.

Proprietary or 'black box' technology has been and still is commonly used for turbine and compressor controls. This technology is difficult to interface with other system components and cumbersome and expensive to repair or upgrade. As the systems aged and parts became obsolete, performance could become compromised, limiting the view of plant personnel into the process and machinery. Additionally, with disparate, proprietary control hardware, facilities often had to invest in specialized spare parts, and provide individualized training for maintenance and operations.

The Experion solution provides common spare parts and maintenance, eliminates the need for hardware-specific technician training, improves productivity, and allows for easy expansion. Bret Walter, Honeywell Process Solutions' engineering consultant for rotating equipment/turbomachinery said, "By using the Experion PKS Turbomachinery Control Solution, customers throughout the process industries gain a robust, tightly integrated control capability that will optimize control and visibility into critical plant equipment."