The Benefits Of Using Dynamic Simulation And Training Systems For Expanding Operator Knowledge And Understanding

Dynamic Simulation and Operator Training Systems (OTS) have been available in the marketplace for a long time. However, over the last five years the improvements in technology — the computers, the software and the market understanding —have meant that the use of OTS has become a reality for many processes. No longer are Training Simulators primarily the realm of airline pilots, nuclear systems and astronauts, but now they are available for processes such as FPSOs, LNG terminals, GTL plants, refineries, etc. In the last few years, Invensys has become the new “Tier 1” OTS supplier to the Process and Power Industries, leading the market with the new software - DYNSIM® in the SIM4ME™ Environment. SimSci OTSs have been used worldwide on large-scale projects for not only thoroughly checking the control system configurations in integrated systems before they are applied to the actual plant, but also for training the operators, instructors and plant management in how to best operate their facilities. Plant management has found that a relatively small investment in an SimSci OTS can save hundreds of thousand of dollars with paybacks measured in weeks or months. OTSs have been used to uncover any control system configuration, graphic or logic errors that might lead to unit trips, equipment damage, or other events that would result in an extension of the planned outage window associated with the upgrade effort. This paper describes the project justifications, model development process, and the Control System team integration processes that have been used on SimSci OTS Projects.