Three new turbomachinery control (TMC) packages from Rockwell Automation incorporate standard, commercial, off-the-shelf control and visualisation technology for fast installation and troubleshooting at a lower total cost of ownership. Solutions for one- and two-valve steam turbines, and single-stage compressors are all preconfigured with proven TMC control algorithms and offer extensive communication and diagnostic capabilities for improved uptime.

"These new packaged solutions offer cost-effective, advanced technology solutions for applications that were previously considered too small to warrant the investment," explained Rick McLin, turbomachinery controls business manager, Rockwell Automation. "The solutions also feature graphical representation of machine operations via a standard human-machine interface, making configuration, startup and troubleshooting much easier for engineers and operators less familiar with TMC control."

With better alarm-management capabilities, operators can identify specific hardware and sequencing failures to solve downtime challenges more quickly than traditional solutions. In addition, each TMC package easily integrates into existing control infrastructures for easier expansion with fewer control components.

The single-valve steam turbine governor is currently available and features a standard programmable automation controller and graphical interface to provide comprehensive diagnostics and trending capabilities.

Two additional TMC solutions are in development and will be released soon, including the single-stage compressor controller, equipped with a dynamic compressor performance map and full graphical interface with comprehensive diagnostics and trending capabilities. It also includes engineering tool sets to simplify and standardize design and engineering. The compressor control solution is ideal for anti-surge and capacity-control applications on compressors used in the oil and gas production, transportation and refining industries, as well as fertilizer production.

The two-valve steam turbine governor solution, which also will be released soon, is equipped with all the features of the single-valve governor and adds extraction control, auxiliary PID, and generator-load-control capabilities. Both steam-turbine solutions are ideal for use on pump, fan, compressor and generator drives in the refining, petrochemical production, fertilizer, and pulp and paper industries.