2008 Press Releases-25

Yokogawa Electric Corporation today announced several new low power consumption modules for use with field control node (FCN) autonomous controllers, a core element of the STARDOM Network-based Control System. Scheduled for release in the second half of December, the new modules include a CPU module with embedded I/O and communication ports, a power supply module, and a base module that is half the size of its predecessor. With their high durability, low power consumption, and ability to run on solar batteries, these modules make it possible to use FCN controllers in gas and oil fields and other locations that are subject to harsh environmental conditions and/or lack infrastructure.

Development Background
To meet the recent worldwide growth in energy demand, oil companies have been working hard to increase natural gas and oil output by developing and improving production technologies. They are also aggressively developing new gas and oil fields, many of which are located in very harsh environments with extreme temperatures, high altitudes, and/or insufficiently developed power and communications infrastructure. The natural gas and oil well control and monitoring systems that are installed in such environments must be highly durable and consume little power.

In response to these needs, Yokogawa has developed a new line of low power modules for use with the FCN autonomous controllers.

Features of New Modules and FCN

1. Low power consumption
   Thanks to design features such as embedded I/O and communication ports, the new CPU module consumes less power and can be powered by a solar battery, making it ideal for use in locations without a power supply infrastructure.
2. Durable construction
   The new modules are made of durable parts that enable the FCN autonomous controllers to reliably control and monitor production facilities under temperatures as extreme as –40°C and +70 °C and at altitudes as high as 3,000 meters.
3. Autonomous capability
   With their autonomous capability, which combines the features of control, monitoring, and data logging and transmission, FCN controllers are ideal for use in geographically distributed SCADA applications such as natural gas and oil wells. Both real-time and on-site data recorded on the controllers can be transmitted via a mobile phone network or other technology used to transmit data in the field.

Masatoshi Nakahara, Vice President and head of the Industrial Automation Systems Business Center, comments as follows: “Users are very positive in their evaluation of STARDOM as an intelligent remote terminal unit (RTU). This broadening of the module lineup will give a boost to our control and monitoring business targeting highly distributed well facilities, and we anticipate sales of 2,000 units in FY2009.”

STARDOM
STARDOM is an open network-based control system that consists of components for control, operation, and monitoring. Autonomous controllers, a core component of the STARDOM system, have data logging and transmission functionality as well as the control and monitoring functionality of PLCs. As intelligent RTUs, these controllers are being used in geographically distributed applications such as natural gas and oil wells. The combination of FCN/FCJ autonomous controllers and FAST/TOOLS SCADA software can be used flexibly in a variety of distributed applications.

Major Target Markets
Highly distributed gas and oil field facilities, environmental monitoring facilities, water treatment facilities, wind power generators, gas distribution facilities

Applications
Monitoring, operation, and control of production facilities; logging and transmission of data

Network-based Control Systems