Yokogawa releases enhanced version of ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system – ensuring safe operation of plants and upstream oil and natural gas facilities

This new version, ProSafe-RS R3.02.00, features input/output modules that will operate reliably in the high-temperature conditions typically encountered in desert locations.
Support of an open communications protocol has also been added, enhancing the system’s compatibility with other vendors’ distributed control systems (DCS).

Development background

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In the oil, natural gas, petrochemical, iron & steel, and other energy and basic materials industries, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure the safety of plant operations to prevent accidents, protect the environment, and be good corporate citizens. Accordingly, there is a growing demand for safety instrumented systems that can detect abnormal conditions and safely initiate emergency shutdowns.

Control devices and safety instrumentation systems are often installed outdoors for monitoring oil and gas wells and pipelines. As many of these facilities are in desert locations, they must be able to operate in high-temperature conditions.

In addition, plant operators who replace their safety instrumentation systems to improve productivity and safety need to maintain compatibility with their existing distributed control systems.

To satisfy these needs for high-temperature resistance and inter-system compatibility, Yokogawa has developed this enhanced version of the ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system.

Overview of enhancements

1. High-temperature resistant input/output modules High-temperature resistant digital and analogue input/output modules have been developed. Previously, input/output modules had to be spaced far apart to prevent the accumulation of heat. While mounted closely together, the new modules can operate at ambient temperatures of up to 70°C (158°F). This reduces the system footprint.

2. Modbus/TCP protocol support
Safety instrumented systems and distributed control systems are not always replaced at the same time. Therefore, ProSafe-RS has been enhanced by adding support for Ethernet-based Modbus/TCP communications with other systems. Modbus is an industrial communications protocol developed by the US company Modicon (now owned by Schneider Electric). This facilitates the flexible connection of the ProSafe-RS system with distributed control systems from other vendors, allowing Yokogawa’s customers a greater range of choice.

Takashi Nishijima, a Director and Senior Vice President, and Head of Yokogawa’s Industrial Automation Platform Business Headquarters, comments: “The latest version of ProSafe-RS was developed to achieve safety excellence at our customers’ production sites, which is one of the aims of our VigilantPlant range of solutions . Safety is the most important consideration in plant operations. With this new version, ProSafe-RS is now capable of ensuring that our customers’ systems work precisely and safely under high-temperature conditions. The tighter connection not only with CENTUM systems but also other vendors’ systems makes it easier for companies to adopt our highly reliable safety instrumented system. We will continue our efforts to develop products that support our customers’ plant operations.”

Major target markets and applications

Major target markets and applications include emergency plant shutdown, fire prevention and firefighting in the oil, natural gas, petrochemical, and other process industries

About ProSafe-RS

Released in February 2005, the ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system helps to prevent accidents by detecting abnormal conditions in plant operations and initiating emergency actions such as plant shutdown. Unlike conventional safety instrumented systems and distributed control systems, which are regarded as having different roles and functions and operate separately, the operation of ProSafe-RS and the CENTUM series can be fully integrated. An independent certification body has certified that ProSafe-RS conforms to the IEC61508 international safety standard and can be used in SIL3 applications. As a result, ProSafe-RS is highly regarded by users and has been installed in more than 1000 projects worldwide since its release. Yokogawa will continue strengthening the functions of ProSafe-RS to satisfy customer needs for safety instrumentation.

SIL is a standard relating to the functional safety of electrical and electronic equipment that was established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Safety integrity levels (SIL) are defined by the IEC61508. At SIL3, the risk factor for a plant where safety measures are not in place has been reduced to a range from 1/1000 to 1/10000.

For further information please contact:

Maaike Goinga
European Industrial Automation
Yokogawa Europe BV
Euroweg 2
3825 HD Amersfoort
The Netherlands

Tel: +31 88 464 1191
Fax: +31 88 464 1107
mailto:info@nl.yokogawa.com
http://www.yokogawa.com/eu