Hi,

I am looking for some kind of simulation software that will allow me to create a simulation of my power plant.

I need to do this as a training aid due to the hands on experience for the newbies being few and far between (and for the rest of us). I am hoping to use our present screen dumps and manipulate them using some software to be like the real thing i.e. start up, shutdown, run backs, starting pumps, opening valves, filling drums and so on. If any one knows of any software or if any one has attempted this could you let me know.

Thanks.

 

This is something I've been thinking about a lot recently. A long time ago I saw someone using a Lotus product (can't recall the name now....that's how long ago it was!) for something similar in a different industry and it was very good and very effective. I've always had it in the back of my mind to try this on power plant HMIs for training, and for some reason it's come to the fore recently, and then you asked this question.

I'm looking at some "screen recording" software, that can capture start-ups and shutdowns as "movies" to be edited and used as training aids.

BSR Screen Recorder, Camtasia, QuickScreen (all found using Google) seem to be pretty highly rated. CamStudio seems to be free open-source software, so that might a good choice to see if the idea is a sound one. But, products like BSR Screen Recorder and Camtasia (I use TechSmith's SnagIt *all* the time) seem to have more editing and saving features and choices.

It would seem this would be a very cost-effective and easy way to capture start-ups and shutdowns and different conditions. Might even be a useful troubleshooting tool for some applications.

Sure would like to have some time to try it out, but things are just too busy for me right now. If you or anyone tries this, please post their experiences and impressions!

 

Hello,

PeakHMI, http://www.hmisys.com/, has an included RLL program. The RLL can simulate all the I/O and data along with programming to simulate pumps, motors, etc.

The HMI can communicate with the RLL using MODBUS TCP/IP. The programs can be on the same computer or separate computers.

If you have any questions please contact [email protected].

Regards,

Mark
http://www.hmisys.com/

 

Thank you CSA,

I will let you know how I get on.

 

Depending on the control system... Mimic, RSEmulate 5 and 5k, etc. are some tools to use for simulation but it really depends on the control system (for the most part).

Dave Ferguson

 

Hello,

Another alternative is to use a dynamic mathematical model that will simulate the outputs of the process. The operators can use your control system to control this "plant".

Best Regards,
Andrey Romanenko
Ciengis - Advanced Process Control
--
Andrey Romanenko
// Ciengis
IPN, Rua Pedro Nunes
3030-199 Coimbra
Portugal
tel. +351-239-700353
+351-932-806074
fax: +351-239-700301

 

Hi,

Thanks’ for all your help,
I am looking at a number of products and have not yet decided which is best.

To do so I need to run the simulation on mulit screen to see how it integrates?

So my question now is what kind of graphic card do I chose?

I will run the simulation on an independent PC unit with a two a screen attachment; this will allow me three monitors to work with.

What to be able to display and move screen shots from on monitor to the other from the same program.

I am currently drawn towards the
“Hewlett Packard RADEON© X1300 Pro”. But will this do the job? Has any one any experience with this kind of format or graphics card?

Regards
Andrew

 

If you let me have an email address I'll email a very basic simulator that was set up using ms visio pro from memory.

 

email: dowlina002 @ gmail. com

Thanks;

 

The VERY BEST simulations I have ever witnessed were by those that use the software that the plant is using and using historical data to show actual plant data.

The BEST of the BEST actually went so far as to program simulated errors and trips from archived data.