Automation system with redundancy, FailSafe

Continuous production often occurs in chemical and petrochemical industry. It is distinguished by the fact that once the chemical process began it can last undisturbed for several months. The shutdown usually involves substantial loss and costs.

Currently, because of the opportunities, we use system Simatic PCS7 for such type of production.

Automation system must meet particularly high requirements regarding reliability. Redundancy on various levels is used:

• on modules level input/output
• on the level of communication buses and communication modules
• on the level of central processing units
• on the level of servers or operational stations.

We also consider economic costs while selecting such a system. The level of risk acceptance would be balanced by the costs of the system, technological requirements and security.