Design-build is a project delivery system that can shorten project schedules by up to 30%. It is a comprehensive process that includes planning, design, and construction needed to execute a particular project. In the traditional usage, it may incorporate architecture, engineering, and contracting disciplines. In the industrial automation and controls environment (our world), design-build is more narrowly described…
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legacy-II-600 In Part I of our series, we discussed the definition of legacy controls migration and the reasons it has become a critical issue in many plants. This segment will address other issues related to implementing such a migration strategy. Developing a Migration Plan: Complete vs. Partial Although an immediate full migration would be the most effective remedy…
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Fiber optical Throughout most of the history of personal computers, serial ports have been the most basic way to transfer data. Serial communication is a standard, accessible way to communicate with a large variety of devices including modems, mice, and most importantly (from a control engineer’s viewpoint) programmable logic controllers (PLCs). During this period, and extending into…
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Dust One of the most serious issues currently facing plant/facility managers across all industries is that of legacy control system migration. What is this all about, and why is it such a serious issue? This post will be the first in a series and will address these specific questions. The term “legacy” was originally used…
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45383368_secureflatscreenCR The Stuxnet computer worm was discovered in 2010. It targets Siemens PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) through Siemens Step7 software. Through a rootkit, Stuxnet can control VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives) attached to the PLC. Allegedly, it damaged or destroyed many Iranian centrifuges. More information about the Stuxnet infection process can be found at http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/exploring-stuxnet-s-plc-infection-process. Although it is not the first…
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Audit Passed for Fifth Time We passed our first CSIA audit in 2002, shortly after the Control System Integrators Association implemented its certification program. And we have passed every three-year audit since then (2005, 2008, 2011, 2014). As a testament to the ongoing improvements we make to our business, this year’s score was our highest…
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The water-energy nexus continues to draw interest from our readers and attention in the media. This month, WaterWorld magazine gave it the importance of a cover story position. Why does it deserve such prominence, and what does it mean to your and your treatment plant? In simple language, the water-energy nexus represents recognition of the interdependence between…
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We are partnering with the Schneider Electric Water-Wastewater Competency Center to provide a one-day workshop entitled “Smart Water for Smart Cities” on Thursday, November 13, 2014, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. The workshop will address issues such as clean power, efficient energy usage, and safety within the water/wastewater treatment environment. The event will be hosted…
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We recently surveyed more than 2,000 of our customers regarding control system issues that were important to them in their job performance, and 75 percent of respondents indicated interest in instrument calibration issues. Therefore, our first in a series of monthly posts will address this important, but often overlooked subject. First let’s understand what calibration…
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The subject of the connection between water and energy, which we have been blogging about for almost two years, is now gaining world-wide attention. While a number of the posts made at this blog address reductions in energy usage at treatment plants and the ability to recover energy from wastewater treatment, this article addresses a…
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A recent report by WeiserMazars LLP cites two key factors that put the U.S. water industry at risk, aging infrastructure and lack of available capital. According to its 2014 U.S. Water Industry Outlook report, the aging infrastructure and the huge financial needs related to addressing the problem were the number one challenge cited by those surveyed for…
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As we have posted on this subject before, the municipal wastewater stream has considerable potential for energy recovery. This recent article from Municipal Focus magazine indicates how strongly some areas of the world recognize that fact as they have started referring to wastewater treatment facilities as “energy factories.” We encourage municipalities to look at their wastewater streams…
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