Instrumentation & control for dummies?
Instrumentation & control for dummies?
(OP)
I'm an Instrumentation foreman in an crude oil plant, my experience in this field is only 4 years, but still i need more information, easy information, I want to be able to know how to answer my boss at any time without telling him "I'll get back to you on that issue!!!" thanks





RE: Instrumentation & control for dummies?
xnuke
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RE: Instrumentation & control for dummies?
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This is normally the space where people post something insightful.
RE: Instrumentation & control for dummies?
Perhaps some people like that are just a bith thick; but in the instrumentation and control systems business it is common for some such folks to tell the boss that they will get back to them on a particular topic. At least, that is what I hear.
The instrumentation business changes rapidly and continuously. Liptak provides good background. A Rosemount dp transmitter instruction manual (for example) is also helpful. I have over 6 gb worth of catalog and instruction manual in PDF's on my hard drive; and another 7.5 Gb in a folder labeled technical. Most of this material excludes DCS programming and configuration material.
RE: Instrumentation & control for dummies?
I am also somewhat new to the field, although I have nearly 10 years as a control systems engineer, and a few years as an industrial electrician apprentice before that, I still am constantly refreshing my knowledge. The rate at which the technology changes is stagering, and to keep on top of things you need a good resource network. Periodicals (Control engineering magazine comes to mind) have a lot of information and past issues online. You can sign up for their newsletters and once a week or so they will send out emails with articals, both new and old that will give you a random busrt of relevant inspiration, or make you remember something you have been applying out of instinct.
Liptak's is invaluable, but won't keep you up to date, and will put you to sleep more than once. They are a really good shelf reference though.
I would suggest you start by getting to know the processes you work with intimately, read up on the controls used and their functions outside of the obvious application, both the theoretical controls and the hardware. Look at applications of that hardware outside of your field, Google will help with this. As JLSeagull said manuals can be really helpful. The manual for the Watlow 96 series controller got me through my first 6 months of PID tuning and programming in real life, and I still have a copy of it on my computer.
After you know your processes well enough to shoot answers at your boss, start going outside of that realm and look for relevant things you can bring in.
Also if you don't have a lot of experience with hands on get out on the wrenches for a while, tune some loops by hand, basically spend some time getting your hands dirty in the field. Nothing beats field work for getting to know your processes.
RE: Instrumentation & control for dummies?
RE: Instrumentation & control for dummies?
"..the more, the merrier" Genghis Khan
RE: Instrumentation & control for dummies?
If the type of question is "Why?", then you may need to go ask someone with the experience to answer.
No one knows everything. Very few people remember everything. Having to check and get back with an answer is preferable to answering incorrectly, or incompletely.
Just my 2 cents.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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RE: Instrumentation & control for dummies?
RE: Instrumentation & control for dummies?
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RE: Instrumentation & control for dummies?
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