Plant software upgrade

Emerson Process Management enhanced its PlantWeb digital plant architecture with the release of DeltaV version 7.4.

The release includes integration of the INtools instrument application, new Chart Builder, increased fieldbus capacity, enhanced AMSInside software functionality, and new embedded Data Historian.

This release adds a new engineering productivity tool with integration of the INtools instrument design software v6.0 from Intergraph corporation. The DeltaV version 7.4 software and INtools design software version 6.0 share common data structures and seamlessly exchange data using XML and Microsoft .NET technology. This enables the reuse of instrumentation information during instrumentation design, reducing engineering effort and speeding up project execution.

Unique to this INtools application, the information integration spans both conventional I/O and digital bus I/O systems. The INtools product has been enhanced to be DeltaV-aware, and is embedded directly into the DeltaV system. With the version 7.4 release, DeltaV software has increased the number of Virtual Communications Relationships among Foundation fieldbus devices to 50, significantly increasing communications power for customers who gain the ability to address more complicated devices, and expand the possibilities for more intricate control relationships.

Enhancements to DeltaV operations software now permit faster access to Foundation fieldbus parameters, enabling AMS Suite: Intelligent Device Manager diagnostic screens to populate data much faster. This reduces time required for customers to commission or troubleshoot fieldbus devices.

The DeltaV Continuous Historian stores the wealth of information that is available in the intelligent field devices. The status of a parameter that has been configured for history collection is automatically stored along with its value, allowing customers to make better decisions in controlling their process. It is possible to access the status and value through an Excel-based analysis and reporting tool.