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Think Again: Moving toward automation interoperability
Moving toward automation interoperability
More than 30 organizations developed the next version of the Open Process Automation Standard (O-PAS). A secure, standard and interoperable process control system architecture is the goal.
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Goal by 2025 to 2026 is commercially available, interoperable process control system hardware and software. ExxonMobil and seven collaboration partners (Aramco Services, BASF, ConocoPhillips, Dow, Georgia Pacific, Linde and Reliance Industries Ltd.) are working in the Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF).
The ExxonMobil testbed in The Woodlands, Texas, will be followed by field trials and commercial deployment of a standards-based, secure and interoperable distributed control system (DCS) infrastructure, said Dominic (Nick) Clausi, vice president of engineering, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering at ARC Forum by ARC Advisory Group. More than 100 members are involved with OPAF, four have announced a development system. There are more than 20 hardware and software suppliers and five major DCS suppliers.
Comment on O-PAS V2.1
According to an ARC Advisory Group summary, from the session “Open Process Automation: Where will end users find value?” Harry Forbes, research director, automation, ARC Advisory Group, said: • O-PAS V2.1 is nearly ready for preliminary release; it contains critical elements describing the information
exchange, function blocks, and interface execution engines as well as physical platform standard and security that will allow suppliers to build products to the standard. • O-PAS Version 3 will address application portability and orchestration. • Work is underway to deploy the first wave of conformance certification to reassure the market on 100% conformance to the specification. OPAF is moving ahead with an O-PAS adoption workshop to launch the marketplace and Mark T. Hoske, Content Manager ecosystem. • End users test beds are evaluating multiple prototype distributed control node products. A DCN allows applications to reside where they make sense. Dave Emerson, director, U.S. Technology Center, Yokogawa, described O-PAS as a standard of standards, referencing eight standards in its seven parts. Think again about interoperability and interchangeability across vendors, platforms, devices and systems.
Interoperability: “I’ll buy it”
The O-PAS v2.1 update delivers control functionality, function blocks and alarms, and cybersecurity has been applied to all 12 parts. The group is accepting feedback from those interested. By using the new structures, a modular system can be setup with existing brownfield applications, then switched over, simplifying integration, according to Jacco Opmeer, program manager, DCS strategies, Shell Global Solutions. Opmeer said it’s very difficult to add technology to existing systems, but that will change. Julie Smith, global automation and process control leader, DuPont, said products are under development. “Whoever makes it, I will buy it,” she said. “We want and need this technology.” ce
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Automation-related standards support interoperability efforts. A few include: Open Process Automation Forum www.opengroup.org/forum/ open-process-automation-forum Open Manufacturing Platform https://Open-manufacturing.org OPC Foundation www.opcfoundation.org The Mechanical Engineering Industry Association www.vdma.org/en/
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