We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of developing the best maximization of reactor production rate?
Greg's Response:
Production rate can be maximized by a valve position controller (VPC) monitoring coolant valve position. The VPC setpoint is the maxim
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We ask Ron:
What are critical decisions and why is it important to make them where there is limited time to respond?
Ron's Response:
Critical decisions include situations that could include a loss of containment and prompt isolation of the process is required, or when equipment fails and qu
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of developing the best fluidized bed gas reactor temperature control?
Greg's Response:
For gas reactants and a gas product, a pressure loop controls the material balance and provides the time available for reaction
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of developing the best multiphase reaction completion control?
Greg's Response:
For both batch and continuous reactors, reaction completion control seeks to provide a complete conversion of all reactants and consequ
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We ask Ron:
What unique challenges do the different types of procedures present when building a training program?
Ron's Response:
Often times this distinction is not highlighted as each type of procedure presents unique challenges. Yes, there are at least 4 main types of procedures which ar...
We ask Ron:
Why is training on procedures important to a training program?
Ron's Response:
There are benefits and challenges with procedures. Procedures are an essential part of the safe and efficient operation of our process. The best way to highlight these are in a few bullet points. The
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of developing the best liquid single phase continuous reactor composition control?
Greg's Response:
For reactions that are all in one phase (gas, liquid, or solid), inventory control (pressure or level control) canno
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We ask Ron:
Why is it important to consider the people during the simulator training?
Ron's Response:
It is easy to be critical during simulator training because of the complexity of our processes and the fact there is so much going on. Remember to acknowledge when something is noticed or d
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of developing the best liquid single phase continuous reactor temperature control?
Greg's Response:
Temperature loops control the energy balance and the reaction rate through the Arrhenius equation. A cascade tempera
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of developing the best Flow Measurement Specifications?
Greg's Response:
Lack of recognition of the adverse effects of changes in process stream composition and operating conditions, upstream and downstream piping, a
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We ask Ron:
How does dynamic simulation fit into the training of process upsets (Malfunctions/Failures)?
Ron's Response:
Depending on the complexity of your process it can be impossible to write a procedure of every upset. If this was accomplished, could you find the right one in time. Anot
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of developing the best Temperature Measurement Specifications?
Greg's Response:
Process efficiency and capacity are often determined by a temperature control loop performanceā€™s effect on the formation and purificatio
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We ask Ron:
How does dynamic simulation fit into the development and training of Emergency Procedures?
Ron's Response:
Freeze up is an unfortunate response to becoming overwhelmed. Reading through a procedure is a different experience than a major event or plant shutdown when the alarm page
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We ask Ron:
How does dynamic simulation fit into the development and training of process startup?
Ron's Response:
Process startups can be very challenging as there can be several systems coming online at the same time. This can be very challenging to cover in a step-by-step procedure when s
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in defining the best Control Valve Specifications?
Greg's Response:
The biggest problem facing nearly all control loops stems from control valve specifications not requiring the control valve internal closure member to actually mo
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of adaptive pH Control?
Greg's Response:
In my 50+ year career in process automation, dynamic first principle simulations have played a more extensive and critical role in pH system design than any other process appl
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We ask Ron:
When implementing a simulator training program what is Preparation?
Ron's Response:
Although there may be many ways to approach simulator training, I will discuss the approach I use and why. This approach may have to be adapted depending on the schedules and availability of the
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of adaptive state-based control?
Greg's Response:
Abnormal operating conditions not only pose process safety and performance issues but also potentially cause equipment damage and environmental violations. Often oper
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We ask Ron:
How does dynamic simulation fit into the development of an effective training program?
Ron's Response:
Most programs to train and qualify panel operators start the same way. The trainee will read all the associated manuals which are usually followed by some written or electronic
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of adaptive procedure automation?
Greg's Response:
Startups and product or raw material mix transitions performance is particularly nonrepeatable because of manual actions, operator skill limitations and variations,
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of adaptive Cascade Control?
Greg's Response:
Dynamic first principle simulations with instrumentation dynamics included can help find, test, and tune the inner loop for cascade control so that it can correct for dis
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of adaptive Override Control?
Greg's Response:
Override control is considerably challenging because the controllers that are not selected tend to windup, the takeover of control is difficult to make bumpless, control
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of adaptive Ratio Control?
Greg's Response:
Ratio control is much more effective than flow feedforward control if there are good flow measurements. Ratio control enables the operator to see and if necessary, adjust a
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We ask Greg:
What role do you see dynamic simulation playing in the future of adaptive Feedforward Control?
Greg's Response:
There are many measured and unmeasured disturbances to process inputs (load disturbances). A feedforward correction needs to arrive at the same point in the process a
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