Emerson DeltaV v13 distributed control system

Emerson Process Management has released version 13 (v13) of the DeltaV distributed control system (DCS), designed to deliver greater efficiency and performance for process control applications. New features focus on integration, advanced alarm management and security with an overarching design that improves ease of use and minimises the need for specialised expertise.

DeltaV v13 provides technologies to more easily bring multiple disparate data sources together for easy operator access and use. These technologies include an Ethernet I/O card (EIOC) for added flexibility and capacity for integrating Ethernet-based subsystems and devices, including a direct interface with smart motor control centres and substations. The factory acceptance testing (FAT) experience has also been improved by providing enhanced safety instrumented system simulation capabilities and an easy-to-use virtualisation environment.

With v13 the native support for discrete outputs over wireless provides opportunities to reduce project wiring and associated costs through wireless devices. Additionally, template-based Foundation Fieldbus device configuration improves commissioning by eliminating steps and decreasing errors.

The DeltaV Alarm Mosaic provides an intuitive alarm display that enables operators to more quickly identify, analyse and respond correctly to the root cause of an abnormal process condition. The DeltaV v13 release also provides trend display optimisations for better visibility of process changes, which also improves operator efficiency.

DeltaV v13 also improves on security, with features including workstation hardening, as well as an extension of DeltaV smart switch technology above the area control network to ensure up-to-date and effective response to evolving cybersecurity threats.