Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) is an independent advanced control and optimization services provider. AMT's technical staff are all experts in advanced technology applications in the chemical and refining industries. Many of AMT's engineers have played key roles in the development of the technology, methodology and practice of applying advanced control technologies to chemical and refinery processes. AMT's DMC workshops have proven very popular since we began holding them in 2003. Here are comments from some of our clients:
“AMT's Workshops have been used to both train engineers new to the field and to share best practises among seasoned advanced control professionals within BP. Staff at our Australian, European and North American refineries have all benefited from the workshops and we expect to continue sending people in the future.”
Keith Landells
Advanced Control Advisor
BP Oil Refining Technology
“Finding adapted and efficient training courses in the APC world is a challenge. For both TOTAL Refineries and Petrochemicals sites, AMT workshops have always given the right answer to the need, giving our engineers an efficient way to share knowledge with other professionals around the world. We are looking forward to new courses and expect to attend these in the future.”
Laurent Ferrari & Vincent Boudier
TOTAL
“I've been on a few MPC courses in my day, and this one was the best. What I especially appreciated was the focus on real-life design issues and practical solutions, without trying to sell the technology.”
Petrus Koller
Adcon Engineer
Chevron, Cape Town Refinery
“The course is an excellent practical grounding in the workings and use of DMC. It will give you the tools to be able to go back to your plant and implement a DMC on your process. AMT staff are very knowledgeable and very forthcoming with that knowledge”.
Dave Hillier
Advanced Control Group
Petroplus, Coryton Refinery
AMT have scheduled a DMC workshop in Northampton U.K. for the week of 1-5 March 2010. Continuing the many previous successful courses we are planning a workshop which includes a strong basic introduction to the tools and techniques required for implementing successful multivariable controllers, plus many references to advanced DMC topics.
AMT have developed a new Inferentials workshop to complement the DMC workshop and will take place from 23-25 February 2010. The workshop has the same strong focus on actual applications and tips and tricks and has already received good feedback when it was recently first presented at a client site. (Note that it is not a prerequisite to have attended the DMC workshop to get full benefit of the IQ workshop.)
Working into the evening is possible to cover more details on a one-to-one or small group basis.
The workshop agendas are attached. If there are specific DMC or IQ related topics that you wish to include we are happy to receive suggestions on adapting the course content.
The workshops will be held at the excellent conference facilities of Sedgebrook Hall in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside. The hotel has great facilities, peaceful surroundings and top class dining. For more information on the hotel location and facilities see http://www.sedgebrookhallnorthampton.co.uk/
Our charges for the workshops include accommodation at the hotel, with bed, breakfast, lunches and evening meals included .
The DMC workshop fee is unchanged from our 2008 price of €2,950 plus VAT.
The IQ workshop fee is €1,950 plus VAT.
I need to confirm numbers with Sedgebrook Hall soon so please let me know as soon as possible if you or any of your colleagues are interested in attending either of the workshops. On receipt of your email I will send a registration form.
Best wishes,
Sean Goodhart,
Applied Manufacturing Technologies
sean.goodhart@applied-mt.com www.applied-mt.com
Tel. +44 7778 616655 Fax. +44 7884 559105
DMC Workshop
The DMC workshop includes a strong basic introduction to the tools and techniques required for implementing successful multivariable controllers, plus many references to advanced DMC topics. More advanced topics are available for discussion if the class is ready, or simply included in the printed course materials as reference.
The workshop agenda is shown below. If there are specific DMC related topics that you wish to include we are happy to receive suggestions on adapting the course content.
Please note that delegates will need to bring along their company laptop computers with the AspenTech software (DMCplus) installed. Please ensure that your laptop is set up so that the software license is available without being connected to the corporate network.
Dynamic Matrix Model Predictive Control Workshop |
Northampton , U.K. , 1 -5 March 2010 |
Monday |
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- MPC background and terminology
- Model identification
- Theory
- Testing
- Organising project files
- Using the tools
- Automated testing
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Discussion of the components of the multivariable controller and what each does. Get a common language/understanding of the terms used. |
Review the features of DMCplus Model and its identification algorithms, methods for evaluating identification case outputs.
Class example data is used for hands-on use of the tools. |
Discuss alternative methodology for plant testing and how SmartStep can be beneficial to developing controllers. |
Tuesday |
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Discussion around model conditioning to ensure smooth controller operation. Hands-on: Review and fix problems in classroom control example. |
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Advice on using rank and steady-state ‘equal concern' to get acceptable controller behaviour when there are limited degrees of freedom available. Discussion on using LP and/or QP. |
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How to calculate LP/QP costs, how to evaluate controller priorities for managing each CV limit.
Hands on exercise to developing costs.
Discuss using external targets to implement optimization strategies. |
Wednesday |
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Using transformation to convert real-world problems in to the linear maths required for DMC.
Hands-on: Develop transforms for valves. |
- Prediction error feed-forwards
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Some tricks in using prediction errors from upstream variables as feed-forwards of unmeasured process changes to downstream process operations. |
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How to use intermediate variables in the process to model more accurately and then combine the resulting models. |
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Thursday |
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Show how DMC takes the targets generated by the LP/QP and implements a move plan. Discuss limitations in the dynamic control engine. Discuss how to get balanced and smooth behaviour in the controller MVs.
Hands on tuning exercise. |
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Review again the model identification of ramp variables, discuss some tricks to improve accuracy of ramp models. Discuss the various options for configuration of ramp CVs plus how to tune dynamically. |
Friday |
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Brief overview of how to set up a large controller so that operators have switches to put groups of MVs in and out of service. |
- Composite (only if the class request this)
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Using the “CLP” to coordinate several controllers. Particular discussion on how to organise CLP for an ethylene application. |
- Controller performance monitoring
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Brief overview of the AspenWatch system and summary of the key monitoring parameters which are most useful in tracking down controller problems. |
- Aspen Manufacturing Suite software components
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A presentation of the software components that make up “AMS” together with a review of the communications protocols used between components and some best practise guidelines for installation of AMS based APC systems. |
Inferentials Workshop
To complement our established DMC workshop AMT has developed a new workshop covering the development and deployment of inferential property estimators, using AspenTech's AspenIQ as the platform to host the calculations. AMT's “Inferentials deployment using AspenIQ” workshop is relevant for control engineers and process engineers. The objectives are as follows:
- Understand the off-line and on-line components of the AspenIQ software,
- Review good practices in developing inferentials for typical refinery units.
- Understand the main modules used within AspenIQ Online to deploy and manage simple and complex inferentials,
- Improve ability to configure and troubleshoot inferential applications.
As with our DMC workshop clients can provide project and inferential files from current applications so that specific issues can be addressed as a group. This approach brings direct relevance to the workshop activities, with valuable relevant consulting on real issues.
Please note that delegates will need to bring along their company laptop computers with the AspenTech software (AspenIQ and, if possible, DMCplus) installed. Please ensure that your laptop is set up so that the software license is available without being connected to the corporate network.
The on-site workshop is to last 2.5 days. The content is as follows:
Inferentials deployment using AspenIQ |
Northampton , U.K. , 23-25 February 2010 |
Tuesday |
• Review the need
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Discuss the benefits for multivariable control applications and process operations in general by using inferential property estimators.
Review the types of inferentials that can be deployed for typical refinery units; analyzer predictors and lab biased inferentials.
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• Best practices for developing inferentials |
Data gathering requirements for successful models.
Plant testing for inferentials.
Choosing input variables, transforming variables.
Manipulating data.
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• Basic techniques for deploying inferentials in AspenIQ |
Using the Prediction Module to deploy using IQmodel (IQR) format models, DMC (MDL) format models or simple equations.
Discuss the advantages of using simple equations.
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• Options for biasing inferential predictions |
Using the Analyzer and Lab Modules.
How to set up and use steady-state detection and lab data collection.
How to protect against analyzer failure creating incorrect biases.
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Wednesday |
• Linking inferential calculations together |
Advanced concepts and configuration, passing variables from one IQ module to another. |
• Deploying Transformation |
Illustrate some common problems found when using transformed inferential variables |
• Using standard debug facilities |
Understanding the debug files. |
• Adding protection through input validation |
Protecting against input variables failing. |
Thursday |
• Deploying complex inferentials
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Standard calculations are “once through”, whereas rigorous calculations require code which supports looping and branching. This part of the workshop covers the deployment of inferentials using VBScript within the Input Calculation Module.
Additionally show how the VBScript can be used to work with files for writing detailed reports of special calculations, or for inputting configuration data for complex calculations. |
• Advanced data validation |
Using the results of the Validation Module within VBScript programs. Using the last good value concept when an input fails. |
• Integrating the inferential with the multivariable control
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Watchdog for the inferential application.
Passing status of individual inferentials so that DMC CVs can be turned off if the inferential is not trustworthy. |
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