Enhanced Version of Safety Instrumented System

Yokogawa Electric Corporation (USA) has released an enhanced version of its ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system. This new version, ProSafe-RS R3.02.00, features input/output modules that will operate reliably in the high-temperature conditions typically encountered in desert locations.

Support of an open communications protocol has also been added, enhancing the system’s compatibility with other vendors’ distributed control systems (DCS).

In the oil, natural gas, petrochemical, iron & steel, and other energy and basic materials industries, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure the safety of plant operations to prevent accidents, protect the environment, and be good corporate citizens. Accordingly, there is a growing demand for safety instrumented systems that can detect abnormal conditions and safely initiate emergency shutdowns.

Control devices and safety instrumentation systems are often installed outdoors for monitoring oil and gas wells and pipelines. As many of these facilities are in desert locations, they must be able to operate in high-temperature conditions.

In addition, plant operators who replace their safety instrumentation systems to improve productivity and safety need to maintain compatibility with their existing distributed control systems.

To satisfy these needs for high-temperature resistance and inter-system compatibility, Yokogawa has developed this enhanced version of the ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system.

High-temperature resistant digital and analogue input/output modules have been developed. Previously, input/output modules had to be spaced far apart to prevent the accumulation of heat. While mounted closely together, the new modules can operate at ambient temperatures of up to 70°C (158°F). This reduces the system footprint.

Safety instrumented systems and distributed control systems are not always replaced at the same time. Therefore, ProSafe-RS has been enhanced by adding support for Ethernet-based Modbus/TCP communications with other systems. Modbus is an industrial communications protocol developed by the US company Modicon (now owned by Schneider Electric). This facilitates the flexible connection of the ProSafe-RS system with distributed control systems from other vendors, allowing Yokogawa’s customers a greater range of choice.

Takashi Nishijima, a Director and Senior Vice President, and Head of Yokogawa’s Industrial Automation Platform Business Headquarters, comments: "The latest version of ProSafe-RS was developed to achieve safety excellence at our customers’ production sites, which is one of the aims of our VigilantPlant range of solutions . Safety is the most important consideration in plant operations. With this new version, ProSafe-RS is now capable of ensuring that our customers’ systems work precisely and safely under high-temperature conditions. The tighter connection not only with CENTUM systems but also other vendors’ systems makes it easier for companies to adopt our highly reliable safety instrumented system. We will continue our efforts to develop products that support our customers’ plant operations."

Major target markets and applications include emergency plant shutdown, fire prevention and firefighting in the oil, natural gas, petrochemical, and other process industries.