Wireless Solutions for Arkema Rotterdam

26 August 2008

Invensys Process Systems (IPS) has been selected by The Arkema Group, a leading multi-national chemical manufacturer, to provide a wireless alarm management hand-held solution for hazardous industrial areas. IPS services and technology will enable Arkema’s field operations teams to keep in touch with process alarms and plant conditions, resulting in enhanced plant safety, better utilisation of manpower and increased productivity.

"Establishing this relationship with Arkema reinforces our commitment to providing the exceptional service, technology and knowledge our clients need to address their unique industrial challenges,” said Victor Lough, Technical Sales Consultant EMEA, IPS. "We are pleased to be their trusted business partner, and we look forward to helping them make better, more informed business decisions for the long-term benefit of their customers and employees.”

The IPS-developed wireless solution is designed to allow operators to keep in touch with process alarms and conditions whilst conducting their shift operations duties, work that previously could have been compromised due to labour constraints. Based on a PlantPulse study of the site conducted by IPS Global Consulting and the Arkema operations team, a delivery plan was developed encompassing radio frequency coverage, access point location, network bandwidth and technology selection with a view to future strategic needs.

“Arkema strives for industrial and operational excellence,” said Mike Spronkmans, manager of technical operations at the Rotterdam site. “These new IPS solutions, which are completely scalable, will improve our ability to respond now and in the future to operations issues and market developments without compromising our responsibility for the health and safety of our employees, our neighbours and the environment.”

The solution not only allows mobile operators to view and acknowledge control room alarms from the field, the operator can also exact a shut down from the hand-held device in case of an emergency. The wireless network also has a number of hot spots across the facility, providing operators with continuous access and allowing IPS to connect any network or device without detrimental effects.

The IPS solution doesn’t just benefit operators. A new master alarm database has also been developed, which allows process engineers to share their knowledge on why the alarm was set, how long the operator has to respond and what corrective action is required when the alarm is acknowledged.

“Using the PDA’s as part of the original control system migration and alarm management consultation should result in a visible change in our work process, thus increasing plant productivity significantly,” said Spronkmans. “In addition, we can use the wireless network as the backbone for future enhancements to safety, such as additional process screens outside the control room and wireless video cameras in the dispatch area.”