PowerPilot is an operational
efficiency improvement support package aimed at automating user defined
tasks
manually performed by operators. These tasks can be as simple as
opening a valve or starting a pump or can be as complex as starting a
turbo/generator/boiler set from cold up to full load. In addition PowerPilot
can be utilised as a plant monitoring system for the safe operation of
selected plant systems or processes.
PowerPilot is a self building operational procedure system which is interactive with a Distributed Control System (DCS). These self built operational procedures can be easily customised to suit a wide range of plant conditions and requirements while still maintaining a high degree of operator monitoring and surveillance.
The degree of automation built into these operational procedures can take into account operator experience, the degree of plant automation and requirements of the operations staff. PowerPilot can standardize the normal plant operations to cater for inconsistencies in operator knowledge, experience and ability. The procedures can be configured as a guidance tool to simply initiate the opening of the correct HIS screen for any particular operation or can be configured to automatically start the process and monitor that process until its conclusion.
The flow chart configuration of the self building procedures allows for ease of building, maintenance and navigation and can be printed to a hard copy for procedure reviewing and staff training.
The typical steps in the operation procedures, such as starting and stopping pumps, MV/SV ramping and issuing field operation instructions, are provided in the form of “unit procedures”. The operator, simply by positioning and connecting these unit procedures on the screen according to the operation flow, can quickly and easily create a semi-automated operating sequence. These procedures can be saved in a common library and reused for reoccurring process events such as a unit return to service.
The self built operational procedures have the flexibility to be modified to cater for plant modifications to or changes in the current operating procedures. This flexibility allows PowerPilot to keep pace and grow with the system to which it is aligned.