Honeywell releases RTU2020 process controller for distributed oil and gas asset management
Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS) has launched the new RTU2020 process controller for managing remote automation and control applications in oil and gas, mining, and other process industries.
Today’s industrial operations are increasingly challenged with converting ‘Big Data’ from complex automation systems and into relevant, actionable information.
The growth of unconventional exploration and production in oil and gas has also increased the number of remote assets and data to manage.
‘Distributed operations are under constant pressure in all production environments. Critical assets are often widely scattered over areas where operating conditions are demanding,’ says Brendan Sheehan, senior marketing director for projects and automation solutions, HPS.
The RTU2020 is a modular process controller that features native redundancy, expanded input/output (I/O) modules, and wireless I/O.
It provides visibility into the most efficient utilisation of distributed assets through expanded remote monitoring, diagnostic, and asset management.
The unit is designed to withstand harsh environments and can be deployed at remote sites with low power consumption (1.8W), which enables it to run on solar power.
It also allows for remote maintenance and cuts equipment monitoring and diagnostic time from hours to minutes.
RTU2020 increases availability through native controller redundancy and requires no switch for I/O communications.
A new integrated on-board solution provides wireless I/O integration of ISA100 instruments, which appear as native I/O to the controller, with no specialised module needed.
The controller’s 28 channels of on-board I/O can now be extended by adding one or more of the new 28 channel mixed I/O modules, which are HART-enabled like the on-board I/O.
The modules require no extra hardware, and digital HART data and diagnostics are available locally for use in control and alarming as well as remote instrument health monitoring.
RTU2020’s design meets multi-well operational requirements in the oil and gas field, including electronic flow metering for gas per API 21.1 with per meter run licensing.
Additionally, the controller’s flow calculations have been independently validated against Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) Directive 17.
ISO equations have been added to the flow calculation library alongside the existing AGA- and API-based calculations.
The RTU2020’s other features include removable and plug-in terminal blocks to simplify wiring and reduce time for cabinet assembly.
Integrated with Honeywell’s Experion supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, it eases configuration and enables operational efficiency with an advanced human-machine interface (HMI).
Honeywell’s distributed system architecture (DSA) allows multiple Experion SCADA servers to operate as one within a single asset or across the enterprise.
Paired with Honeywell’s Field Device Manager (FDM), the RTU2020 can remotely interrogate instrument data and diagnostics in addition to running methods like valve signatures.
