“Effective use of full scale simulators for training”

Authors: Tahir I. Malik,
Affiliation: NorControl Simulation AS
Reference: 1989, Vol 10, No 4, pp. 185-202.

Keywords: Dynamic process simulators, operator training, chemical engineering

Abstract: A full scale process simulator is a type of simulator which is comprehensive in the details of the plant simulated, emulated or replicated. The experience of use of non-nuclear, full scale process simulators is relatively fresh. There is enormous scope for increased or more effective utilization through rationalized analysis carried out from different perspectives or points of view. It is argued that the chemical engineering perspective is of fundamental importance for process plants and may not have been given its due importance so far. The effective use of these, usually large investment, simulators for training is analysed from a chemical engineering view-point and resulting ideas and recommendations presented. Another perspective investigated is that of the simulator designer. The maximum utilization of the simulators will depend upon optimal use of the functions and facilities built in by the designer. The possible use by the instructor or the trainee of the simulator development tools and utilities is discussed. Two examples of full scale simulators are the Gullfaks and Oseberg Production Platform Simulators, operated presently be Statoil and Norsk Hydro respectively and designed and built by NorControl Simulation. These simulators are referred to in the paper as appropriate examples. The most obvious perspectives, that of the instructor and the trainee, are also touched upon. It is argued that human teachers or instructors remain critically important elements in training sessions carried out in the presence of full scale simulators. The effective use of the simulator will depend heavily on the proficiency of the instructors. Speculations are made into the future developments in the methodology of use of simulators.

PDF PDF (1304 Kb)        DOI: 10.4173/mic.1989.4.1

DOI forward links to this article:
[1] Tahir I. Malik (1995), doi:10.1177/002029409502801004
References:
[1] CHEMICAL ENGINEERING (1989). Accelerating interest in dynamic simulation, Newsfront article, Feb. 1989, 30-33.
[2] CLARE, R. MALIK, T.I. (1986). Aspects of simulating process control systems of an offshore oil platform, Proc. 2nd Europ. Sim. Cong. Antwerp, September 1986.
[3] COULSON, J.M. RICHARDSON, J.F. (1970). Chemical Engineering, Vols 1, 2, 3.Pergamon Press, London, reprinted 2nd edition.
[4] DEMENA, H.F., LITWILLER, J.A., SIMPSON, M.P. UNRUH, W. (1984). Nitrogen complex: ammonia plant operator training simulator, Chemical Engineering Progress Technical Manual, Vol. 24.
[5] EGOL, L. (1989). Simulation and process control, Chemical Engineering, Feb., 161-163.
[6] ENDRESTØL, G., SIRA, T., ØSTENSTAD, M., MALIK, T., MEEG, M. THRANE, J. (1989). Simultaneous Computation Within a Sequential Process Simulation Tool, SIMS 89, Conference on Simulation and& Scientific Computation, 1989, Bergen, Norway. Modeling, Identification and Control, 10, 203-211.
[7] GRAN, E., MALIK, T. NÆSS, L. (1988). Process systems engineering opportunities presented through real time, full scale simulation of plants, PSE 88 conference, September, Sydney.
[8] NORCONROL SIMULATION DOCUMENT (1984). Detailed functional specification, Gullfaks A Simulator Project, Horten, Norway.
[9] NORCONROL SIMULATION DOCUMENT (1986). Detailed functional specification, Oseberg Simulator Project, Horten, Norway.
[10] NORCONROL SIMULATION DOCUMENT (1987). Unit Development Folder, CSS Logic System, Oseberg Simulator Project, Horten, Norway.
[11] NORCONROL SIMULATION DOCUMENT (1988). Detailed functional specification, Veslefrikk Training Simulator Project, July, Horten, Norway.
[12] NORCONROL SIMULATION DOCUMENT (1988). Undersøkelse av operator stasjoner i kontrollrom, emulerings stasjoner og program verktøy for emulerings prosjektet, Dok. no. s-0309-1.
[13] NORCONROL SIMULATION DOCUMENT (1989). Unit Development Folder, Logic and Control System, Water Injection System Extension, April, Horten, Norway.
[14] NORCONROL SIMULATION DOCUMENT (1989). Configuration Engine Design Specification, Ref. No. PDP/NCS-056, NCS/SAST Prosim Development Project, March.
[15] PERKINS, J.D. SARGENT, R.W.H. (1982). SPEEDUP - A computer program for steady state and dynamic simulation and design of chemical processes, AIChE. Symp. Series, 78.
[16] PERRY, R.H. CHILTON, C.H. (1973). Chemical Engineers Handbook, 5th edition.McGraw-Hill Kogakusha Ltd, Tokyo.
[17] SILVER, R.E. ZUMWALT, R.W. (1983). Interactive dynamic simulation package promotes efficiency in simulation development and use, Summer Computer Simulation Conference, Vancouver, Canada, July 1983.
[18] STEPHANOPOULOS, G. (1987). Expert systems and computing environments for process systems engineering, L.I.S.P.E. meeting, MIT, June.
[19] STEPHANOPOULOS, G. (1987). Computer aided chemical process control, L.I.S.P.E. meeting, MIT, June.
[20] STEPHANOPOULOS, G. et al. (1987). An artificial intelligence perspective of process engineering, L.I.P.S.E. meeting, MIT, June.
[21] STEPHANOPOULOS, G., JOHNSTON, J., KRITICOS, T., LAKSHMANNEN, M., MAVROVOUNIOTIS, M. SILETTI, C. (1987). Design-kit: An object orientated environment for process engineering, Comput. chem. Engng, 11, 655-674.
[22] STRAND, A. (1988). Statoil og Simulatorbruk, Simsem 88, 6-7 October, 1988, Soria Moria Hotel, Norway.
[23] THRANE, J.E. (1988). Modelling Engine Detailed Design and Implementation, Ref. No. PDP/NCS-UWD2.5, Nor Control Simulation Document, June 1988.


BibTeX:
@article{MIC-1989-4-1,
  title={{Effective use of full scale simulators for training}},
  author={Malik, Tahir I.},
  journal={Modeling, Identification and Control},
  volume={10},
  number={4},
  pages={185--202},
  year={1989},
  doi={10.4173/mic.1989.4.1},
  publisher={Norwegian Society of Automatic Control}
};