Instrumentation, Automation and Control Systems Courses

This comprehensive 5 day Course is designed to provide the required underpinning knowledge of the Instrumentation utilised on a Modern Process Plant. It is classroom based unit covering the aspects of instrumentation used for measurement and control. Operating principles, applications, terminology and failure modes associated with a variety of different process systems are covered. Fire and Gas protections systems are explained. Terminology and drawings are also covered to ensure a full level of understanding.

This course provides comprehensive learning for all aspects relating to Ball Valve Maintenance. The course will cover theory and practical demonstration by Video of the techniques needed to maintain Ball Valves. The course covers from the basics right through to the latest techniques for Ball Valve condition monitoring using Acoustic leak testing and on line in situ partial stroke testing. Safety aspects to include PPE requirements, safe isolation and hazards relating to pressure testing are addressed.

This intensive 5 day Root Cause Failure Analysis training (RFCA training) provides the concepts needed to effectively perform industrial troubleshooting investigations. It covers the methodology to perform RFCA one of the hottest topics currently in maintenance engineering. This course will cover how to establish and apply a general troubleshooting methodology as well as how to conduct process/equipment specific troubleshooting.

The smallest error in the flow measurement of materials like oil, gas, or chemicals being transferred between a producer (supplier) and customer may cost a company millions of dollars in a year. Custody Transfer takes place any time fluids are changing possession from one party to another e.g., from producer to pipeline, pipeline to plant, or pipeline to storage facility. Custody Transfer refers to any agreed metering condition in a sales contract between supplier while Fiscal Metering refers to metering of a commercial transaction that should comply with legal obligations and so in this case there is no discussion about the metering requirements. The custody transfer system must generate detailed and indisputable cargo reports, based on accurate flow measurements and standardised calculations. Custody and Fiscal transfer systems are more than just flow-meters and they represent a combination of highly engineered flow measurement systems for the intended application. Custody and Fiscal transfer metering requires exceptional accuracy, repeatability while the applied methods and measuring result are auditable. Requirements for permissible errors of custody transfer meters are recommended in International Standards like AGA, OIML and ISO. This course introduces participants to a variety of flow measurement technologies that are used in custody transfer applications while the objective is to gain an understanding about how to achieve the requirements by means of differential pressure (DP) measurement, Turbine meters, Positive displacement meters, Coriolis flow measurement, Magnetic and Ultrasonic flow measurement. Participants will gain the ability to determine if a metering system is fit for the purpose while other key learning objectives of this course include the understanding of the principles of Fluid Dynamics, Meter runs, Flow computers, related Quality systems, applied specification of Accuracy terms, Calibration and Proving systems.

This short course is designed for all operators and technicians familiar with the general purpose of process measuring instruments and control equipment. The course will also be of benefit to plant and laboratory personnel who are required to work closely with plant personnel and therefore should have an understanding of the types of process instruments used and any associated limitations.

Analytical instruments used for online chemical analysis of process streams or plant environments are generally called Process Analyzer Systems or Quality Measuring Instruments. Reliable online analytical data is crucial for a safe and efficient operation is not limited to the Oil & Gas and Chemical Industry but also for Pharmaceutical, Power Generation and other industries. Legislative requirements, economic as well as health and safety, emissions control and energy conservation are setting increasing stringent limits for reliable analyzer data which may result in huge losses or fines to the operating company. For latter reasons it is obvious that sustainable optimum performance of online instrumentation, sample-handling systems and correct data handling is indispensable which requires continual professional attention from the analyzer engineers and maintenance staff. To achieve optimal performance a thorough understanding of operating principles, possible interferences and practical skills are key requirements. In this course complete analyzer systems are discussed while special attention is given to applied sampling systems next to the main types and principles of currently applied Process Analyzers ranging from Physical Properties, online Chromatography, Water type analysis to the promising future of Spectroscopic type of on-line analysis while advantages and disadvantages are clarified with the aim to enhance the understanding the operational ranges and limitations of each type of analysis system.

This intensive 5-day Course forms part of the Instrument Technicians / Engineers development program and is designed to provide the required underpinning knowledge of Control Valves. It is a primarily classroom based unit covering the aspects of valves, valve actuators and valve accessories. It will also cover the operating principles, applications, terminology and failure modes associated with a variety of different process valves and actuators. Valve and actuator sizing will be covered. Maintenance and troubleshooting methods and techniques are included.

In its most widely used traditional form (particularly in the oil and gas industries) a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system acts as an adjunct to a larger control system – comprising a number of remote terminal units (RTUs) that collect field data and connect back to the system controller via a communication system. In its other form, SCADA is used as a standalone system to monitor and control a plant using PLCs as ‘hardened’ robust front-end devices providing a ‘window’ into the process. However, SCADA systems are evolving, and the emphasis today is on using Open Standard communication protocols such as IEC 60870, DNP3 and TCP/IP together with ‘off-the- shelf’ hardware and software to provide greater flexibility and connectivity.

This intensive 5-day course provides the essential knowledge for working with Pressure Control Equipment covering all aspects from measurement through to control. It is of a bespoke nature designed for works normally carried out by Well Services Department and concentrates on the type of activities normally carried out in the Field by this department. Industry Standard Instrumentation is described in detail referencing the specific Vendor Data. Essential Safety aspects relating to Pressure Control are covered in detail.

Different plants have different control requirements and it is generally acknowledged that there is no one technique that will solve all the control problems that are manifest in a modern plant. Despite the rapid growth in the use of PLC and SCADA systems, the modern Distributed Control System (DCS) still offers many benefits. These include: increased integrity (reduced process downtime); reduced engineering time; abnormal situation management; intelligent alarm management; and pre-engineered solutions for the implementation of Advanced Process Control (APC) strategies.

Where gas chromatography is unable to separate a sample, HPLC steps in. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is the most powerful of all the chromatographic techniques. It can often easily achieve separations and analyses that would be difficult or impossible using other forms of chromatography. To avoid the pitfalls of HPLC the analytical chemist must have the sort of experience that is difficult to obtain by reading textbooks. This course attempts to provide the experiential side of the topic, it also gives the theoretical side in a well-balanced manner.