Posted to News on 6th May 2008, 09:37
Redundant control system for valves is certified to SIL3
Asco Numatics is launching an enhanced version of its SIL3-certified Redundant Control System (RCS) for process valves. The enhanced RCS offers higher flow rates for larger process valve configurations, making it suitable for use across a wide variety of oil and gas, refining and power generation applications. In addition, the system is certified for use in IEC 61508 SIL3 applications and has received system approvals for ATEX Zone 1.
Jean Christophe Serkumian, Managing Director of Asco Numatics in the UK, says: "Our RCS solution combines the benefits of safety and reliability in a single package. It is the only pilot valve system that has no single point of failure that can result in an unwanted closure of the process valve. With the RCS, customers will benefit from higher asset availability, less risk of spurious trips and safe shutdowns of mission critical systems, time after time."
The RCS achieves higher levels of safety by incorporating a redundant, fault-tolerant architecture, high diagnostic coverage and automated testing. Its self-diagnostic capabilities test both the safety system and process valve to ensure continuous proper operating performance.
The Asco RCS was designed to meet the expanding national and international hazardous location requirements for safety systems, high-reliability and critical control applications. It enables end users to specify a normally-closed, normally-open or double-acting configuration in redundant control '2oo2' (two-out-of-two) or single solenoid with backup '1oo1' (one-out-of-one) operation.
Automated test functions
All types of RCS are available with automatic online testing of the solenoid valves and partial stroke testing of the process valve. The RCS also provides a maintenance/bypass mode, which permits service to the device without taking the process valve offline. This enables the plant to maintain production without jeopardising its safety.
To make it easy for customers to configure their RCS system to suit their exact requirements, Asco has introduced an online product selection tool. Customers can quickly determine the product features required in their application and then construct a catalogue number. Product attributes, top-level and wiring drawings and SIL3 information are also provided.
For the RCS configurator, visit www.ascovalve.com/RCSConfigurator.
