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2 · GETRÄNKEINDUSTRIE 12/2008

Product-spanning operating concept

Innovative field instrumentation for process automation applications

Over recent years, the kinds of devices used for process instrumentation have undergone continuous advan-ces and improvements in terms of their performance and functionality. Nevertheless, the only ones capable ofmanaging the complicated operating concepts and complex functions associated with such devices are, inthe vast majority of cases, device specialists. In this sense, nothing has changed. Within the context of the

food and beverages industry in particular, instrumentation and control engineers have to contend with a wholehost of equipment such as pumps with frequency converters, flowmeters, temperature sensors, and controlsystems. Due to the scarcity of resources, it is not possible to have specialized personnel dedicated to each

individual item of equipment. Against this backdrop, it is clear that having an intuitive, universally comprehensi-ble operating concept that is common to all products can help to cut down on resources and avoid errors.

Not only that, but it can provide access to the full capabilities of modern instrumentation.

T hese are the very requirements thatABB has managed to implement

when developing its instrumentationproducts, resulting, amongst otherthings, in a uniform operating conceptthat is common to all its product lines.For example, the input keyboard allowsintuitive operation because its keys re-semble those of a standard cell phone.And the diagnostics are very user-friend-ly in the way that they provide informati-on about sources of error in text format.

The uniform operating concept hasbeen consistently adopted across allthe company's temperature, pressure,and flow measuring technology, as wellas the videographic recorders and ana-lyzers. In addition to support for func-tions based on the HART and fieldbusprotocols, key information can also beaccessed directly on the display at alocal level.

261 pressure transmitter

The 261 pressure transmitter, which isspecifically designed for hygienic appli-cations and features the operating con-cept described above, was unveiled aslong ago as 2005. More recently, the fun-ctions of devices for detecting low-pres-sure and low fill levels have been enhan-ced. Temperature adjustment has beenimplemented for the complete transmit-

ter (optimized for a sensor temperatureof – 10 to + 60 °C) and there is now noneed for an internal separating dia-phragm. Specially designed processconnections ensure that the range is notexceeded even if the process temperatu-re is considerably higher. The result is ameasuring instrument that can even pro-vide precise measurement results with amaximum measuring range of 40 mbar(40 cm water). Temperature variations af-fect the measurement only slightly.

Thanks to the display, with its plain textmenu, and the user guidance descri-bed, local configuration of the trans-mitter can be carried out quickly andeasily. The diagnostics informationmakes it really easy to pinpoint errors,should they occur. The display can eit-her be attached directly to the trans-mitter or installed separately at a remo-te location. If installed separately, thetransmitter is fitted with a dummycover.

TTH300 temperature transmitter

The TTH300 temperature transmitterfrom ABB also features the operatingconcept referred to above. Because itis implemented across all products, itnaturally follows that there is a corre-sponding reduction in the level of per-sonnel training required. Two tempera-ture sensors can be connected to theTTH300 using a redundant configurati-on. The transmitter then monitors these

Wolfgang Stüber

ABB Automation Products GmbH

Frank Frenzel

ABB Automation Products GmbH

The display on the 261 pressuretransmitter from ABB illustrates the user-friendly, uniform operating concept on behalf of the manydifferent product lines where it is used.

GETRÄNKEINDUSTRIE 12/2008 · 3

sensors for wire breaks and for drift. In the event of an error, it signals themeasured value differential and, whereapplicable, switches over to the othersensor.

Diagnostics can be read out using theHART protocol. Alternatively, a periodi-cally recurring, brief jump in the mea-sured value can be switched to thetransmitter's 4 to 20 mA output. In addition, error messages are shown onthe display, along with the operationalstatus of the transmitter and theconnected sensors.

HygienicMaster electromagnetic flowmeter

In 2008 we saw the market launch ofHygienicMaster, an electrogmagneticflowmeter that has been specially deve-loped for the food industry and formspart of the new FlowMaster family. This,too, features the uniform operating con-cept. If, for example, you want to adaptthe flowmeter to a measuring point thatis not suitable for the factory setting,you can simply access the "Easy Set-up" function. With its straightforwardmenu structure, this function will thenask you to provide the necessary para-meters.

The menu provides support by offeringtips in plain text format and setting mini-mum and maximum values. You are en-couraged to follow your intuition just asif you were operating a cell phone.When you exit the "Easy Set-up" menu,the measuring point parameters are sto-red in non-volatile memory on both thetransmitter and the flowmeter sensor. Afeature known as the "SensorMemory"function also comes into play if thetransmitter or flowmeter sensor has tobe changed following an error. First, thesystem detects that the measuringequipment has been replaced and askswhether it is the transmitter or the flow-meter sensor that has been changed.Then, the process-specific data is up-

The Hygienic-Master fromABB, for hygienic flowmeasurementapplicationswithin the foodand beverageindustry.

dated so that the transmitter and flow-meter sensor are coordinated. There isno need for maintenance personnel tochange memory modules or makeentries.

Online diagnostics functionsincrease availability

The HygienicMaster comes with a dia-gnostics package that is designed toprovide operators with maximum sup-port when attempting to locate faults.The diagnostics package is capable ofidentifying both process-related anddevice-related faults. Diagnostic mes-sages are classified in accordance withNamur Recommendation NE107. Onthe basis of the symbols specified inthis recommendation, the diagnosticmessages indicate whether devicemaintenance is required, whether thedevice is not being operated in accor-dance with specifications, whether afunctional check needs to be perfor-med or whether the device has failedas a result of internal errors. Operatorsalso receive information about potenti-al sources of the error in the form oftext messages.

Examples of the kinds of process failu-res that can be detected include emptypipelines, electrode deposits and poorconductivity of the medium. What'smore, the diagnostics tool even sug-gests ways of resolving the fault. This

The CoriolisMaster featuring a variableconnection concept that has been desi-gned specifically for the food industry.

information can be accessed at a locallevel, directly on the device's display.Using HART communication or thefieldbus communication,it can also beexported to control systems for proces-sing with Plant Access Management orMaintenance software packages.

CoriolisMaster mass flowmeter

One member of the FlowMaster familyof products has been updated and ex-

panded in terms of its functions: theCoriolisMaster mass flowmeter. Theexisting user interface was retained,but as part of the update process notonly was a great deal of importanceattached to achieving a mass flow accuracy of 0.1 per cent, but a densi-ty accuracy of 0.001 kg/l has provenpossible even in the face of varyingprocess and ambient temperatures.This is all thanks to the sophisticatedtemperature compensation feature,whereby the housing temperature isdetected in addition to the meter tubetemperatures.

The benefits are particularly apparentwith open-air installations, where extre-mely stringent requirements are impo-sed on the accuracy of the densitymeasurement. As part of its range,ABB has been offering a feature for cal-culating concentrations of 2-phasesubstances for several years. This DensiMass function has now beencompletely revised and updated. In addition to the high-precision densitymeasurements referred to above, concentrations can now be calculateddirectly in units such as Brix.

Calculations are based on concentrati-on-temperature-density matrices, whichhave already been implemented forsome media. For example, sugar matri-ces (Brix), alcohol tables, and starch/sodium hydroxide solution matriceshave already been integrated. All theuser has to do is select the relevantvalue and connect it to the required output.

Many other calculations of this kindrely on cryptic polynomials and formu-las. The advantage here is that thesame matrix that is used by the labora-tories can be entered directly into thesoftware. If individual values need to bemodified at a later date just these va-lues can be specified directly, ratherthan having to replace the informationin its entirety. The matrix does not evenhave to be complete, as missing valuescan either be interpolated or extrapola-ted. The matrices take account of tem-perature effects directly so users nolonger need to correct them manuallyor by means of factors.

Thus, the concentration measurementfunction is able to perform a calculati-on for any mixture involving two diffe-rent liquids. This new solution fromABB represents the best that commer-cially available Coriolis devices have tooffer in terms of concentration calcula-tions. Typical applications include fillingoperations or blending processes. Itcan, for example, be used to determinealcohol content or the Brix content offruit juices. Primary ingredients and fla-vorings can be mixed together andtheir quality checked "online" duringthe mixing process itself.

SM500F videographic recorder

The idea of having a common opera-ting structure was deemed to be just as important for the new control room

devices as for the field devices. In thecase of the SM500F videographic re-corder, this uniform interface is usedfor both operating and configurationtasks. Alternatively, the recorder can beconfigured using a PC-based emulator.This alternative method is also incre-dibly easy to follow. Both mathematicaland Boolean relationships can be ente-red as formulas via input masks and aspart of this process, inputs, constants,and virtual variables can be interlinkedat will.

The configuration and data can be pro-tected against unauthorized access ormanipulation by means of hardwareswitches, passwords or a combinationof the two. The SM500F videographicrecorder is located inside a field-mounthousing, allowing it to be mounted onthe wall, on pipes, and in control pa-nels. The housing is hoseproof in ac-cordance with the IP66 and NEMA 4Xprotection classes. If mounted in acontrol panel, a depth of just 67 mm isrequired behind the panel. The devicefeatures eight recording channels.

Up to four analog/digital inputs can beconnected to the SM500F and assig-ned to a software recording channel.The remaining software recordingchannels can be used for displayinginternally generated virtual variables.The process data is graphically dis-played for the operator in a variety offormats at a local level, e.g., as a wa-terfall chart, bar chart, or digital view.In addition, the process data gets sa-fely archived on the exchangeablememory card. Ethernet communicati-on provides a convenient means ofmonitoring the process remotely andaccessing the recorded data.

For situations where data is frequentlyrecorded on the process control sy-stem directly, the videographic recor-der provides a clear and easy alterna-tive for monitoring and documentingcritical points (e.g., when it comes tomonitoring heating and pasteurizationprocesses). �

The SM500F videographic recorder from ABB, which is used for process monitoring, also features the uniform ABB operating concept found on all its products.

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ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers as well as wholesalers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 120,000 people.

www.abb.com/instrumentation

The Company‘s policy is one of continuousproduct improvement and the right is reserved to modify

the information contained herein without notice.

Printed in Germany (02.2009)

© ABB 2009

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