A plant’s performance can be optimized at the intersection of capital equipment, production processes, and people. Done correctly from the start through the selection of technologies and how they are deployed can lead to higher levels of productivity, reliability, safety, and sustainability.
The Industrial Impact of Process Automation
Process automation has become more and more important as the bar is getting progressively higher in the industry for safety, regulatory compliance, and sustainability. Coupled with the pressure for improved financial performance and an aging workforce, companies are looking for new ways to stay ahead.
Automation with the Right Equipment & System
Take Valves, for example. Appropriate sizing & selection and partnering with a trusted source will help ensure higher performance, limit unexpected downtime, and reduce emissions. This is especially important in critical industries and severe services, where it is vital to collaborate with a partner that has a broad technology portfolio backed by extensive application expertise.
Beyond specifying the right processes and equipment, personnel will also need to be appropriately trained. This is not a static situation considering advances in technology are only as good as how it is deployed.
Automation in Facility Maintenance
The efficiency of a facility is also influenced by the compatibility of its components, i.e., valves, spare parts, and software. OEM parts are tested for dimensional tolerance and failure mode to ensure their performance is optimized and meets its intended service life, contrary to non-OEM replicators that only assess the original at face value. The former also undergo rigorous evaluation for regulatory compliance and receive engineering assessment and warranty support from trained service technicians.
Predictive Analytics & Automation
The health conditions of machinery and electrical equipment are often hidden behind external indications. Well-established algorithms and tools for valve monitoring can detect and interpret them for analysis and immediate repair or replacement. The data collected can be utilized to identify the type, location, and severity of impending issues early on, preventing prolonged downtime, unexpected maintenance costs, and aggravating leakage.
Moreover, with guesswork eliminated, maintenance strategies become proactive and preventive. The dependence on manual inspections, e.g., set point monitoring and regulation, is also lessened, minimizing human error, footprint, and safety risk exposure on the pipeline grounds.
Build a Sustainable Strategy
The adoption of automation in critical industrial processes has inevitably become a crucial necessity, not only to cut costs and boost productivity, but also to be strategically positioned in thriving in a dynamic global market—one that is tasked to build enterprise-wide sustainability models. Taking it in as a solution involves, not just a one-time execution, but a multi-faceted strategy that combines unparalleled application expertise, unmatched technology, innovative software, and an extensive service network—a portfolio that Emerson has been building since its inception to unceasingly help customers tackle solutions for today and tomorrow.