I wanted to welcome a new blogger to the family of Emerson Process Management bloggers. Emerson’s Mark Nixon joins Terry Blevins and Greg McMillan over at the Modeling and Control blog. You may recall Mark from some earlier posts on this blog.
I’ve known Mark for many years back to the early development days of the DeltaV system where he was lead architect. Here are some of the things he’s currently doing from his bio page:
Mark’s current research includes control using WirelessHART devices, data analytics for batch processes, use of wireless technology in the process industry, mobile users, operator interfaces, and advanced graphics. He is currently active in the Center for Operator Performance, WirelessHART, ISA-88 standard, Foundation Fieldbus standards, and ISA-101 standard. He has written numerous papers and currently holds more than 45 patents. He coauthored WirelessHART: Real-Time Mesh Network for Industrial Automation and has made contributions to the Industrial Instruments and Controls Handbook and Essentials of Modern Measurements and Final Elements in the Process Industry.
His maiden voyage post is CHARMED Upgrading UT Pickle Separations to DeltaV v11. He describes the University of Texas Pickle Research Campus installation as a:
…unique experimental facility that is used to improve energy efficiency of fluid mixture separation processes and optimize the capital utilization of existing plants. The semi-works scale equipment is not only unique in size but also in the level of highly accurate instrumentation and process control. This provides the ability to obtain reliable and accurate experimental data that can be scaled-up to commercial processes.
Mark and the DeltaV technology team have worked with the UT Department of Chemical Engineering’s Separations Research Program (UT-SRP) to provide the latest instrumentation and control technology. Research areas include distillation, CO2 absorption, liquid-liquid extraction, oil extraction from algae, separation processes, and process scale up/troubleshooting.
At the recent Emerson Exchange, Mark co-presented with UT’s Dr. Frank Seibert on the introduction of DeltaV electronic marshalling technology comprised of CHARM I/O. Here’s their narrated presentation:
If you’re not already subscribed via RSS or email (see right sidebar) to the Modeling and Control blog to receive Greg, Terry, and Mark’s process control wisdom, it may be time to do so.