Arkema opts for wireless alarm management system from IPS

London - Chemicals major  Arkema has chosen Invensys Process Systems (IPS) to provide a hand-held, wireless alarm management  system to enable its field operations teams to stay in touch with process alarms and plant conditions in hazardous areas, while conducting shift operations duties - work that previously could have been compromised due to labour constraints.

The technology allows mobile operators to view and acknowledge control room alarms from the field and enables the operator to execute a shutdown from the hand-held device in the event 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 safely connect any network or device. Anothyer feature is a master alarm database that 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.

The wireless system will help Arkema to better respond "to operations issues and market developments without compromising our responsibility for the health and safety of our employees, our neighbours and the environment," according to Mike Spronkmans, manager of technical operations at the Rotterdam site.

"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. In addition, we can use the wireless network as the backbone for future enhancements to safety, such as additional processscreens outside the control room and wireless video cameras in the dispatch area," noted Spronkmans.