Yokogawa rejigs SIS for heat, other vendors' control systems

London – Emergency plant shutdown, fire prevention and firefighting in the oil, natural gas, petrochemical, and other process industries are target areas for a new version of Yokogawa’s ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system (SIS).

This new version, ProSafe-RS R3.02.00, features input/output modules that are said to operate reliably in the high-temperature conditions typically encountered in desert locations.

The system also supports inter-system compatibility, for plant operators who need to maintain compatibility with an existing DCS when replacing SIS systems.

The enhancements are inline with growing demands for SIS systems that can detect abnormal conditions and safely initiate emergency shutdowns, said Yokogawa. Support of an open communications protocol has also been added, enhancing the system’s compatibility with other vendors’ DCS systems.

Control devices and safety instrumentation systems are often installed outdoors for monitoring oil and gas wells and pipelines. As many of these facilities are in desert locations, they must be able to operate in high-temperature conditions.

High-temperature resistant digital and analogue input/output modules have been developed. Previously, input/output modules had to be spaced far apart
to prevent the accumulation of heat. While mounted closely together, the new modules can operate at ambient temperatures of up to 70°C, so reducing system footprint.

As SIS and DCS systems are not always replaced at the same time, ProSafe-RS now features added support for Ethernet-based Modbus/TCP communications with other systems.

Modbus is an industrial communications protocol developed by the US company Modicon (now owned by Schneider Electric). This facilitates the flexible connection of the ProSafe-RS system with DCS systems from other vendors, allowing Yokogawa’s customers a greater range of choice.

ProSafe-RS can now ensure customers’ systems work precisely and safely under high-temperature conditions, claims Takashi Nishijima, senior vice president and head of Yokogawa’s industrial automation platform business.

“The tighter connection not only with [Yokogawa’s Centum DCS] systems, but also other vendors’ systems makes it easier for companies to adopt our safety instrumented system,” Nishijima said.