Desmet is a company specialised in the engineering and procurement of installations and technologies for the food, feed, and biofuel industries, while also being a full technology provider to transform oilseeds, grains, and tropical oils into protein for feed and food, edible oils and fats, oleochemicals, and biofuels
Automation is the use of technology or software to perform repetitive tasks or process with minimal human intervention, thereby increasing efficiency, eliminating errors, enhancing accuracy, ensuring safety of operating personnel and machinery/equipment, while also saving time and reducing resources.
In regard to business outcome, automation makes a difference by increasing production (plant availability), enhancing quality and efficiency, and reducing utility consumptions (steam, water, power etc.), in turn reducing the operating cost, and ensuring safety of operating personnel and machinery/ equipment. It also plays an important role in the business transformation leveraging the digitalisation process.
Desmet has an in-house automation team to take care of all the automation tasks. The company uses the latest automation products in the market, software as well as hardware, ensuring the supply of cutting-edge technology to their clients to keep their plants available and running with utmost safety. The synergy between their process and automation engineers results in automation software which ensures the following:
• Better view and operation of the plant by using ISA standards for graphical display, reducing the colour animations and enabling the operator to focus on the actions he must take to keep the plant running.
• Moving from 'Supervisory' to 'Advisory'. Rather than an operating medium, Desmet's HMI focus on giving advance information/ warning to operators to avoid breakdowns and plan their regular maintenance.
• Sequence flow charts, interlock displays in HMI to guide the operator thereby increasing the operator efficiency. Reduces down time as the operator is in a better position to take control of the plant and act when it is necessary.
• Advanced process control algorithm that optimises closed loop controls, enhances user experience, increases efficiency, reduces utility consumptions etc.
• Ensures safety and security of both human personnel and installed equipments.
Customer benefits
As we have an in-house automation team which works alongside our process engineers, we have put in place a 'Continuous Development Process,' explained below in steps:
• Steering Committee and HAZOP: Steering Committee consisting of process experts and HAZOP studies, defining how Desmet's plant should be controlled and operated. Guidelines and objectives are clearly defined during this process.
• Automation Functional Descriptions (AFDs): Development of AFDs by automation team, taking into consideration the steering committee recommendations and HAZOP study results. This maintains the synergy between process & automation.
• Development of standards for PLC/ HMI and DCS: The automation software, PLC codes and HMI development is carried out as per the Automation Functional Descriptions and international norms ISA 101.1.
• Feedback from site after startup and commissioning: Feedback is collected from site personnel after the start up and commissioning of the plant. The feedback is looped back to the steering committee, who will then revise/modify or upgrade their recommendations. Feedback from the site is also sent to the automation team on the standards. In case realigning is necessary, it is taken care by the automation team.
The above works like a closed loop control benefitting the customer, who always gets the latest standards and process control recommendations with the above continuous development process.
Why choose Desmet?
As explained in the previous section, customers benefit from Desmet's 'Continuous Development Process'. In addition, the company is investing on Digitalisation initiatives to make their plant Industry 4.0 compatible. These initiatives focus on the following aspects by bridging the gap between OT (operation technology) and IT (information technology):
• Remote monitoring
• Remote assistance
• Mobile HMI.
• KPI dashboard and analytics.
• Advanced process control.
• AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) based prediction models.
It is not just about supplying the latest technology, but also about upgrading and keeping the systems in operating condition. Desmet has a wide customer service network which helps in upgrading or replacing the obsolete automation systems with the latest products to keep the plant running and available.
To learn more and get in touch, visit: https://desmet.com/
