Emerson's Sergio Diaz and Alexandre Peixoto presented Best Practices for a Cybersecure SIS at the 2019 Emerson Exchange conference. Sergio opened that the goal of this presentation is to provide practical information to maintain a more defendable security posture for...
Safety
Security for Safety System Logic Solvers-Physical Key Switches and Software Locks
As a product marketing manager for DeltaV safety instrumented systems (SIS), I have been asked a few times why the key switch on the CHARMs Smart Logic Solver (CSLS) does not control the lock state as is common with many safety controllers. The next question is, "Why...
Reducing Level Detector Proof Testing Complexity
Each safety instrumented function (SIF) including its sensor, logic solver and final control element must be periodically tested to make sure it will perform as designed in the event of a safety demand. These "proof tests" help to uncover and failure conditions which...
Cybersecurity Considerations in Safety Instrumented System Architectures
Safety instrumented systems (SIS), which are designed to take the process to a safe state in trip conditions, come in several architectures with the basic process control system (BPCS). The SIS and BPCS can be totally separate, interfaced or integrated, yet separate....
Storage Tank Overfill Protection
Preventing overfill conditions in tanks and vessels is a job for safety instrumented systems across many industries. In a Flow Control article, A Systemic Approach to Storage Tank Overfill Protection, Emerson's Lydia Miller and AnnCharlott Enberg describe the key...
Remote Proof Testing Safety Level Switches
One of the necessities in managing safety instrumented systems throughout the IEC 61511 safety lifecycle is to perform periodic proof tests on the components in a safety instrumented function to verify proper function. A short 2:44 YouTube video, How to Remotely...
Integrated versus Separate Control and Safety
Panelists at a session at the 2019 ARC Industry Forum, Safety Systems: Integrated versus Not? Does It Really Matter?, set out to discuss the pros and cons of the approaches and how they accommodate different risk factors. ARC Advisory Group's Mark Sen Gupta moderated...
Simplifying Safety Instrumented System Modernization Projects
One of my first assignments as a newly minted Electrical Engineer was to tend to a triple modular redundant (TMR) safety instrumented system (SIS) on an offshore Gulf of Mexico oil & gas gathering facility. This was back in the 1980s when these systems were...
Simplifying Safety Valve Proof Testing
A safety instrumented function (SIF) within a safety instrumented system (SIS) consists of a sensor, logic solver, and final element. As part of the IEC 61511 global safety standard, these elements within the SIF must be tested during the operational phase of the...
Partial Stroke Test for Final Elements—Diagnostic Coverage Factors
Partial stroke test is one of the viable means to check mechanical integrity of Final Element of Safety Instrumented Function (SIF) loop. Generally, end users struggle on question of credit of PST for improvement in SIL (Safety Integrity Level). IEC 61508 and IEC...
Simplifying Burner Management System Architecture
Emerson's Zach Brooks and Steven Kormann described how compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) with modern burner management and combustion control hardware systems has been simplified. They explored how recently released (and upcoming) standard...
Optimizing Pressure Relief Valve Lifecycle Management
Pressure relief valves (PRVs) are critical safety and equipment protection devices to prevent overpressure conditions. They need ongoing maintenance to assure that they operate as designed for their intended applications. In a Valve magazine article, Lifecycle...
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