Apparatus and method for assessing exceedance of a process beyond safe operating limits

Abstract

An apparatus and method implementable with a software application for checking or assessing exceedances process variables beyond safe operating limits is disclosed. The process has instruments, a process history database, and one or more external databases. The instruments measure process variables and can be associated with the equipment. The process history database stores a plurality of values of the process variables measured by the instruments. Data of the equipment, the associated instrument, and the safe operating limit for the equipment is defined in a limit sequence of the software application. Preferably, the data of the equipment, the instrument, and the safe operating limit is imported from the one or more external databases. The process history database is searched for one or more exceedance values that are measured by the defined instrument and that exceed the defined safe operating limit. The “apparent” exceedance values are then imported from the process history database into the software application. Finally, the user uses to software application to evaluate and validate the exceedance values.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is filed concurrently with U.S. patent application having Express Mail No. EV 277226575 US, Attorney Docket No. 319-0003US, and entitled “Apparatus and Method for Performing Process Hazard Analysis,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus and method for assessing the history of a process and more particularly relates to a software application and databases implementable on a computer system for assessing measured exceedances of a process independent of the instruments and other devices used to prevent excursions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Referring to FIG. 1, a process 10 is schematically illustrated. A typical process 10 may have thousands of pieces of equipment 12, such as valves, vessels, pumps, pressure chambers, relief valves, etc., interconnected by piping 14. Each piece of equipment 12 can have...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a software application that checks if process variables are within safe limits. It uses instruments to measure process variables and a database to store data about the equipment and safe operating limits. The software application searches the database for exceedance values and allows users to evaluate and validate them. This helps ensure that the correct instrument is assigned to the process, the safe operating limit is correct, and any exceedance is legitimate and requires further investigation or updating. Overall, the software application improves safety and efficiency in industrial processes."

Problems solved by technology

As noted previously, a safe operating limit (SOL) is a set limit for any operating variable, the exceedance of which has the potential of causing a hazardous situation in the process 10.

However, the process 10 typically has a large number of alarms or other safeguards, and some alarms or safeguards may be unnecessary, may be improperly set, or may be inadvertently omitted.

Thus, the number of triggered alarms or other safeguards may represent an improper estimate of the safety of the process 10.

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