The control of processes in today’s oil, gas and chemicals industries requires accurate knowledge of process conditions and this in turn means accurate measurement of those conditions. Without measurement there can be no control and no information as to the state of the process.

A greater understanding of the measuring equipment and the instruments can improve the performance of the operator and this in turn will improve plant performance. Better knowledge of how equipment is selected and how it is constructed and how it works also helps an operator to identify the cause of problems and prevent there Recurrence, Hence, the economic benefits of properly trained and informed operators can be readily quantified.

Upon successful completion of this course, the delegates will be able to:

• Know the main types of instruments and their working principle
• Understand the working principle of the different types of control loops
• Know the typical DCS architecture and the typical Safety System layout
• Specify and design instrumentation systems for pressure, level, temperature and flow
• Correctly select and size control valves for any particular application
• Troubleshoot and identify problems with instrumentation systems
• Isolate control loops and identify a faulty instrument

This course is intended for all those working on process plants which are familiar with the general purpose of process measuring instruments and control equipment. This will include process operators and trainee instrument technicians, process safety and engineers on all types of oil, gas and chemical plants. This short intensive course is aimed at operators, technicians and engineers who are currently employed in these industries and require further information on the equipment that they will use.

Day 1:

PRE TEST

THE CONTROL LOOP

·         Function and constitution of control loops and on/off control systems

·         Pneumatic

·         Electrical and digital control loops

·         Power supply

·         Signal transmission (tubes, cables, bus, optical fibers) and conversion

·         Tags and symbols

SENSORS

·         Accuracy and tuning of measuring devices.

Day 2:

Temperature measurement

·         Temperature scales

·         Non-electrical thermometers

·         Electrical measuring devices

Pressure measurement

·         Measurement units

·         Devices for local reading or for transmission

·         Pressure gauge installation

Day 3:

Flow measurement

·         Measurement units

·         Head meters

·         Other principles and devices:

o   Electromagnetic and ultrasonic meters

o   Vortex effect

o   Coriolis effect

Level measurement

·         Level glass

·         Float-actuated and displacer devices

·         Other principles and devices

o    Radioactive

o    Capacitance

o    Ultrasonic and radar devices

o    Differential pressure cells

Day 4:

Safety devices

·         Two-position sensors

·         Position sensors

·         Temperature and pressure sensors

TRANSMITTERS

·         Pneumatic transmitters: transformation of force into a pneumatic signal and amplification, technology and transmitter tuning - Operation of the sensor-transmitter combination.

·         Electric and electronic transmitters: operating principle of strength equilibrium and displacement transmitters

·         Digital and programmable transmitters

Day 5:

CONTROL VALVES

·         Linear displacement valves: technology, different plug types, characteristic curves (linear, exponential and quick opening), safety position (AO, AC, FC, FO…).

·         Positioners: operating principle, types (pneumatic, electro pneumatic).

·         Other types of control valves: simple and double seat valves, cage valves, “Camflex” type valves, tree-way valves

·         On/off sensors: position sensors, electro-valves

·         Safety valves: types, simple and double actuators

CONTROL LOOP IMPLEMENTATION

·         Simple, override, and split-range loops.

·         Fractionation, calculated variable, feedforward control systems.

DISTRIBUTED CONTROL SYSTEM (DCS)

SAFETY SYSTEM LAYOUT

·         Network architecture and constitution - Examples.

·         Emergency Shut-Down (ESD) systems: role, examples of typical architectures.

·         Fire and gas system: role, typical arrangements.

·         High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS): role, specificities, typical arrangements.

POST TEST

A variety of methodologies will be used during the course that includes:

·         (30%) Based on Case Studies

·         (30%) Techniques 

·         (30%) Role Play

·         (10%) Concepts

·         Pre-test and Post-test

·         Variety of Learning Methods

·         Lectures

·         Case Studies and Self Questionaires

·         Group Work

·         Discussion

·         Presentation

This rate includes participant’s manual, Hand-Outs, buffet lunch, coffee/tea on arrival, morning & afternoon of each day.

Daily Course Timings:

    08:00 - 08:20       Morning Coffee / Tea

    08:20 - 10:00       First Session

    10:00 - 10:20       Coffee / Tea / Snacks

    10:20 - 12:20       Second Session

    12:20 - 13:30       Lunch Break & Prayer Break

    13:30 - 15:00       Last Session