Instumentation • Computing • Control
Network access key to high precision process monitoring and control
New routers, modems and cables are transforming access to networks and simplifying data transfer across all production processes. Sean Ottewell reports.
Los nuevos routers, módems y cables están transformando el acceso a redes y simplificando la transferencia de datos en todos los procesos de producción. Informa Sean Ottewell.
Neue Router, Modems und Kabel transformieren den Zugriff auf Netzwerke und vereinfachen den Datentransfer über alle Produktionsprozesse hinweg. Ein Bericht von Sean Ottewell.
L
ufkin Automation has chosen the Westermo MRD-310 3G router to equip its SAM Well Manager product, an advanced technological solution for high-
precision monitoring and control of rod- pumping wells. Used in a series of pilot projects, mainly for the European and Asian markets, the MRD-310 range provides a very high level of connectivity, and support many mobile standards including GSM, GPRS, 3G UMTS, HSDPA and HSUPA. Dedicated to harsh environments, MRD-310 is aimed to demonstrate significant cost savings in this application. Lufkin Automation was formed by the merger of two companies, the Delta X and Nabla Corporations, pioneers in rod pump controls. Delta-X was a leader in test and analysis systems for pumping processes using new innovative and user friendly methods. Nabla was the developer of software solutions that in many ways has simplified the analysis and control of the pumping process. Today these two companies are a part of Lufkin Automation oil field division and offer analysis, security and control solutions for rod pumping wells. Oil fields are often situated in
remote and demanding environments where extreme variations in temperature, moisture and other environmental variables are an issue.
Fig. 1. Individual oil pumps can be monitored and controlled easily from a central control room using the MRD-31.
To install the control and monitoring systems in these environments can be difficult as oil fields often consist of hundreds of pumps spread over large geographic areas.
Te Lufkin-developed SAM
Well Manager is described by the company as the oil industry’s most advanced technological solution for
high-precision monitoring and control of rod-pumping wells. It allows the operator to optimise pump performance and reliability. Pump flow can be analysed, service and maintenance requirements are calculated before the event of mechanical failure and energy consumption is optimised. Te SAM Well Manager can be configured to stop the pumping process at low oil levels and when maintenance or service is required. Te system also creates a complete action history that can be used for further optimisation. Te SAM Well Manager is connected to the pump’s SCADA system. To remotely control the system a variety of technologies such as copper, fibre and radio links have previously been used. Although Lufkin’s European division has further enhanced the system and new solutions using mobile networks have been developed. Lufkin has decided to use the Westermo MRD-310 3G router in a series of pilot projects, mainly for the European and Asian markets. Te router provides support for the wide variety of mobile standards used globally and allows installations in practically the whole world. It also supports IPSec encrypted VPN tunnels which is a requirement for safety critical applications that use unsecure public networks such as the internet. Furthermore, the MRD-310 provides a serial interface and serial to IP conversion, which is necessary to connect to the controller. Te routers are also developed for extreme environments and can operate in temperatures from -20°C to 60°C. Today, this application is installed in a number of pilot projects to demonstrate the potential for significant cost savings. Using high speed uplink packet access
(HSUPA), the uplink capacity is 2 Mbit/s, together with the 7.2 Mbit/s downlink data making the unit suitable for even high data rate applications. MRD-310
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