KR20210077918A - Modular Equipment for Process Automation - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided in the present invention is an equipment of modularized major facilities such as feeders and reactors that are universally used in a continuous process field. A modular equipment for continuous process according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a supply unit for injecting a chemical solution into a reactor unit; a reactor unit for heating and stirring the chemical solution injected by the supply unit; a receiving unit for receiving the heated and stirred chemical solution from the reactor unit and discharging into a subsequent equipment. Thereby, it is possible to change and apply a control system depending on the modularization of major facilities such as stirrers and feeders that are universally used in the continuous process field and whether the modular equipment is interlocked or not.

Description

Modular Equipment for Process Automation

The present invention relates to smart factory upgrading technology, and more particularly, to equipment that modularizes major facilities such as feeders and reactors that are universally used in the field of continuous process (Process Automation).

Since the continuous process industry has a physical structure in the form of a large-scale plant, it has various limitations after the establishment of the equipment introduced at the time of the initial plant dredging or the establishment of a plant in which a large number of equipment is linked. For example, the construction and cost of process equipment requires a relatively large area and cost compared to other manufacturing industries, so it is difficult to establish a medium or small-scale production process.

In addition, during the test operation of the facility, all plant construction is performed on site and then a huge amount of time and labor is required from the plant construction construction to the operation due to the procedure of proceeding with the trial operation. And, in terms of operation, in the event of a facility failure in a part of the entire plant, all plants must be stopped or an equivalent action must be taken.

In addition, it is virtually impossible to change the process design according to the change of the product or recipe, and according to this limitation, most continuous process sites still maintain the outdated technical elements and maintain the production process operation.

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a modularized equipment for main facilities such as a feeder and a reactor that are universally used in the continuous process field.

According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the continuous process modularization equipment includes a Supply unit for injecting a chemical solution into the Reactor unit; Reactor unit for heating and stirring the chemical liquid injected by the supply unit; It includes; a Receive unit that receives the chemical solution heated and stirred in the Reactor unit and discharges it to the subsequent equipment.

The Supply unit and the Reactor unit may be physically coupled and separated from each other, and the Reactor unit and the Receive unit may be physically coupled and separated from each other.

Each unit can be coupled through an Interface Valve.

Each unit may automatically change the mode according to the signal of the interface valve.

The Supply unit, the Reactor unit, and the Receive unit may be operable and controllable independently of each other.

The Supply unit, Reactor unit, and Receive unit may be replaceable with other units of the same type on a unit basis.

The supply unit and the reactor unit may have the same internal structure and operation, and perform different functions only in the continuous process modularization equipment.

The supply unit, the reactor unit, and the receiver unit may be to execute one unit of production cycle in a continuous process.

The Supply unit, Reactor unit, and Receive unit may operate indefinitely in the order of Supply unit, Reactor unit, and Receive unit if there is no interlock or control signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the supply unit of the continuous process modularization equipment, injecting the chemical solution into the reactor unit of the continuous process modularization equipment; Reactor unit, heating and stirring the chemical liquid injected by the supply unit; A continuous process performing method is provided, comprising a; receiving unit of the continuous process modularization equipment, receiving the chemical solution heated and stirred in the reactor unit and discharging it to the subsequent equipment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a first unit for injecting a chemical solution into the second unit, receiving the chemical solution from the second unit and discharging it to subsequent equipment; A continuous process modularization equipment comprising; a second unit for heating and stirring the chemical liquid injected by the first unit is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the first unit of the continuous process modularization equipment, injecting the chemical liquid into the second unit of the continuous process modularization equipment; heating and stirring, by the second unit, the chemical liquid injected by the first unit; There is provided a method for performing a continuous process comprising: the first unit, receiving the chemical solution heated and stirred in the second unit, and discharging it to subsequent equipment.

As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the control system can be varied and applied depending on whether the modularization and modularization equipments are interlocked for main facilities such as agitators and feeders that are universally used in the continuous process field. .

Accordingly, according to the embodiments of the present invention, engineering period, cost, and labor can be reduced through standardization and modularization of the design structure of major equipment, and flexibility and interoperability of the manufacturing line can be expanded in the continuous process field. , it can be easy to produce a variety of products in small quantities or to build an urban, small plant.

1 shows the ISA-95, 106 architecture;
2 is a continuous process modularization UNIT concept design,
3 is a block diagram of a control system of a continuous process modularization equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a P&ID of the Supply / Receive Unit and the Reactor Unit;
5 is a P&ID of the entire process to satisfy the multiple control mode;
6 is a reactor tank;
7 is a 3D design diagram of a continuous process modularization equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;
8 is a 3D TOP View of a continuous process modularization equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;
9 is a load structure of the continuous process modularization equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;
10 is a bottom LED,
11 is a rotating turntable load structure;
12 is a valve for partial compensation of the modular interface;
13 is an IO Dashboard of the Supply Unit, IO-Link, and
14 to 16 are Configuration Setting screens of the IO-Link supported sensor.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a continuous process modularization equipment is provided in which major equipment such as a feeder and a reactor that are universally used in the continuous process field are modularized.

1. Requirements

1.1 Requirements for manufacturing standards and interoperability standards

- Modular design based on modularization concept based on ISA-95 and ISA-106 standards (Fig. 1)

- Modular device structure including Equipment and Devices below Level 3 Unit

- Level 3 control and monitoring station satisfies HMI, Alarm Management, Process Control, Maintenance Diagnosis functions

- Tag Node that satisfies OPC UA (IEC62541) for interoperability between OT-OT and OT-IT

1.2 Versatility of Unit and Device Selection

The units and devices constituting the continuous process modularization equipment according to the embodiment of the present invention must support OPC UA or be capable of open source operation.

1.3 Modular control and operation related requirements

The continuous process modularization equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention consists of three separable modules of a structure that can be separated and combined with each other.

The constituent modules are the Supply Unit and Receive Unit that generates, supplies, and acquires an independent batch of chemical liquid, and the Reactor Unit that heats and reacts the storage tank and the transferred chemical liquid.

The continuous process modularization equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention is capable of discharging the final chemical or controlling infinite circulation.

2 Battlefield and P&ID

2.1 Concept

2 is a diagram illustrating the concept of a continuous process modularization equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention. The three modules 110 , 120 , and 130 constituting the continuous process modularization equipment according to the embodiment of the present invention are mutually separable and combinable.

The modules include a Supply Unit 110 , a Reactor Unit 120 , and a Receive Unit 130 . Supply Unit 110 injects the chemical solution into the Reactor Unit 120, Reactor Unit 120 reacts by heating and stirring the chemical solution injected by the Supply Unit 110, and the Receive Unit 130 is the Reactor Unit ( 120) receives the chemical solution for which the reaction has been completed and discharges it to the subsequent equipment (not shown).

The Supply Unit 110 and the Reactor Unit 120 can be physically coupled and separated from each other, and the Reactor Unit 120 and the Receive Unit 130 can also be physically coupled and separated from each other.

The Supply Unit 110 , the Reactor Unit 120 , and the Receive Unit 130 may operate/control independently of each other, and may be replaced with other units of the same type in units of units.

In addition, the supply unit 110 and the receiver unit 130 may be implemented with the same internal structure. That is, the operations of the Supply Unit 110 and the Receive Unit 130 are the same, only the functions performed within the equipment are different.

3 is a block diagram of a control system of a continuous process modularization equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the Supply Unit 110, Reactor Unit 120, and Receive Unit 130 apply a Controller Device for independent Operating, but support heterogeneous selection and OPC UA server to ensure interoperability.

2.2 P&ID (Piping & Instrumentation Diagram)

4 is a diagram illustrating P&IDs of the Supply/Receive Units 110/130 and the Reactor Unit 120 .

As shown, the Supply/Receive Unit (110/130) is a stainless steel main tank for storing the chemical liquid, a chemical liquid cylinder for transporting the chemical liquid and storing different generated batches, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an actual batch liquid in the chemical liquid cylinder, each It includes a pump that transports the chemical to the cylinder, a valve that controls its supply, and a relief valve that adjusts the back pressure and the pressure generated by the liquid on the pipeline, pressure, temperature, flow sensor, and control electronics.

The Supply/Receive Unit (110/130) stores the raw material of the chemical and creates a batch of raw material for supplying it to the reactor, and is responsible for input into the Reactor Unit (120) and pre-preparation for this.

In order to maximize maintainability, after testing in the Supply/Receive Units (110/130), all chemical liquids are returned to each unit tank.

Reactor Unit 120 is a double-jacketed borosilicate glass reactor that can heat and stir the transferred chemical, an agitator to accelerate the reaction and make it uniform, a distiller to accommodate the distillate generated in the reactor, and a chemical solution to control the degree of reaction It contains an additive container that contains and controls the amount of input, pressure, temperature, flow sensors, and control electronics.

The Reactor Unit 120 is a reactor using the original design properties as it is, and in a double jacket type, the external liquid heated from the outside through a circulating heater shakes the vessel to control the degree of reaction.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing P&IDs of all processes for satisfying the multiple control mode.

The Supply Unit 110 , the Reactor Unit 120 , and the Receive Unit 130 are combined or separated through an Interface Valve, and a Control Mode Change is automatically generated according to the Signal of the Valve. In some cases (during non-operation), Mode Change is possible manually.

The continuous process modularization equipment according to the embodiment of the present invention constructed in the form of Supply-Reactor-Receive three stages is produced by a method of injecting, stirring, heating, and discharging the chemical solution inside the module by executing the control logic according to the batch scenario. Run Cycle.

In the absence of a separate interlock or external signal on the control system, the continuous process modularization equipment according to the embodiment of the present invention operates infinitely from left to right according to such a production cycle.

Meanwhile, as described above, the Supply Unit 110 has the same structure as the Receive Unit 130 physically/mechanically. Depending on the process scenario, the function of the Supply Unit 110 and the function of the Receive Unit 130 may be implemented so that one unit performs a Multi-Function.

2.3 Main Equipment and Device Details

6 is a view of the reactor tank. The chemical solution supplied from the Supply Unit 110 is transferred to the Glass Cover part and filled in the reaction vessel of the reactor. By detecting the moment when 50% of the reaction vessel is filled, the supply is stopped and the motor of the agitator according to the set parameters. As it turns, the reaction of the chemical begins.

The agitator motor agitates the chemical while rotating at 0~150 RPM. The control of the motor is performed by changing the frequency of the inverter.

The constant pressure funnel contains an additive to control the reaction, and by inputting it, the reaction and internal pressure are controlled. It can be controlled through a valve by manual operation.

The circulating liquid inlet-outlet heats the reactor linearly while circulating the outside of the reaction vessel.

Zero-space PTFE draining valve is a valve used to manually drain all the solution in the reactor, and enables random drainage before starting the pump that is automatically transferred to the next module.

When the condenser operates on the part where the condensate generated during heating evaporates, the chemical liquid in the air is condensed and falls into the condenser. In the continuous process modularization equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention, the degree of reaction is controlled through the following external factors.

- Additive (Constant pressure funnel): In order to chemically accelerate the degree of reaction, open the valve manually and administer the chemical solution.

- Agitation actuator (Motor): Agitates the chemical continuously or in variable speed at the set RPM to maintain the uniformity of the reaction.

- Heater: Indirectly promotes or intentionally inhibits the internal chemical by heating the liquid on the outside of the glass reactor.

3. Modular equipment

3.1 Main Equipment and Device Details

7 is a 3D design diagram of a continuous process modularization equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention. The continuous process modularization equipment according to the embodiment of the present invention can be moved and used independently for each module (110, 120, 130), and emergency stop, temporary stop, and start operation of each module are possible using the switch operation panel on the front side Do.

8 is a 3D TOP View of a continuous process modularization equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, all electrical components are attached to the box-type vessels 115, 125, and 135 at the rear of the continuous process modularization equipment and operate in conjunction with the controllers in charge of each module.

9 is a load structure of the continuous process modularization equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, SUS was used for all structures except for the plate-shaped structure at the bottom, and a check plate was applied to the lower plate to minimize visibility and damage that may occur on a flat surface. In addition, the top plate and the entire structure are designed as a monocoque body to reduce the weight and have a structure that can support all the weight of the top plate.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 10 , the front operation lamp can express various colors using one LED lamp, and when necessary, a warning sound is generated to the user.

11 is a rotating turntable load structure. The rotary turntable uses internally heat-treated round rods and high-tensile thrust column structures to precisely match the center of all upper and lower plates, thereby suppressing centrifugal force and eccentricity that may occur during rotation.

All structures inside the turntable disc adopted a physical structure that naturally rotates when discharged according to gravity so that the Coriolis effect occurs during fluid movement, so that it can be moved to the tank stably.

In addition, a spin pipe was adopted for the vertical path moving through the hollow motor to the tank, maximizing the speed at which the liquid drains through gravity when the lower solenoid valve discharges the chemical.

12 is a valve for partial compensation of the modular interface. As shown, each solenoid valve is not directly assembled to the cylinder, but is fixed based on the turntable. Therefore, about 100ml of the chemical liquid that can occur during the action of the turntable is included in the pipeline, and the empty space is compensated for as much as the amount of the chemical liquid is sensed by the upper sensor that detects the level of the cylinder.

3.2 Operating system

The HMI of the continuous process modularization equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention can be remotely accessed in the form of a Web Dashboard, and wireless TCP/IP connection is possible through an industrial wireless communication device.

13 is a diagram illustrating IO-Link, which is an IO Dashboard of the Supply Unit. It is possible to remotely connect a sensor that supports the protocol through IO-Link without a PLC connection.

Through this, intelligent functions can flexibly respond to changes in facilities and change requests. 14 to 16 exemplify Configuration Setting screens of the IO-Link supported sensor.

4. Variations

So far, for the continuous process modularization equipment, preferred embodiments have been described in detail.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless network and OPC UA server are supported in the Multi-Mode control system and modular equipment corresponding to the lightweight modular design method of the stirrer and the feeder used throughout the continuous process, and the flexible arrangement of the modular equipment. By exchanging operating data through devices that do this, a physical and network interface for maximizing the mobility and interoperability of modular equipment was presented.

Through this, the process configuration can be flexibly changed according to the geopolitical constraints of the factory or changes in the products and recipes produced, and it is a solution suitable for small and medium-sized manufacturing sites that have difficulties in constructing continuous process facilities such as geopolitical and economic reasons. presentation becomes possible.

On the other hand, it goes without saying that the technical idea of the present invention can also be applied to a computer-readable recording medium containing a computer program for performing the functions of the apparatus and method according to the present embodiment. In addition, the technical ideas according to various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in the form of computer-readable codes recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may be any data storage device readable by the computer and capable of storing data. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be a ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk drive, or the like. In addition, the computer-readable code or program stored in the computer-readable recording medium may be transmitted through a network connected between computers.

In addition, although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims Various modifications are possible by those of ordinary skill in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or prospect of the present invention.

110: Supply Unit
120: Reactor Unit
130: Receive Unit

Claims (12)

Supply unit for injecting the chemical solution into the Reactor unit;
Reactor unit for heating and stirring the chemical liquid injected by the supply unit;
Continuous process modularization equipment comprising a; Receive unit that receives the chemical solution heated and stirred from the reactor unit and discharges it to the subsequent equipment.
The method according to claim 1,
Supply unit and Reactor unit,
It is possible to physically combine and separate from each other,
Reactor unit and Receive unit,
Continuous process modularization equipment, characterized in that it can be physically combined and separated.
3. The method according to claim 2,
Each unit is
Continuous process modularization equipment, characterized in that it is combined through an interface valve.
4. The method according to claim 3,
Each unit is
Continuous process modularization equipment characterized by automatically changing the mode according to the signal of the interface valve.
The method according to claim 1,
Supply unit, Reactor unit and Receive unit are:
Continuous process modularization equipment, characterized in that it can operate independently of each other and controllable.
The method according to claim 1,
Supply unit, Reactor unit and Receive unit are:
Continuous process modularization equipment, characterized in that it can be replaced with other units of the same type on a unit-by-unit basis.
The method according to claim 1,
Supply unit and Reactor unit,
Continuous process modularization equipment, characterized in that the internal structure and operation are the same, and only functions are performed differently within the continuous process modularization equipment.
The method according to claim 1,
Supply unit, Reactor unit and Receive unit are:
Continuous process modularization equipment, characterized in that one unit of production cycle is executed in a continuous process.
9. The method of claim 8,
Supply unit, Reactor unit and Receive unit are:
If there is no interlock or control signal, continuous process modularization equipment, characterized in that it operates indefinitely in the order of supply unit, reactor unit, and receiver unit.
The supply unit of the continuous process modularization equipment, injecting the chemical into the reactor unit of the continuous process modularization equipment;
Reactor unit, heating and stirring the chemical liquid injected by the supply unit;
Continuous process performing method comprising a; receiving unit of the continuous process modularization equipment, receiving the heated and stirred chemical solution from the reactor unit and discharging it to the subsequent equipment.
a first unit for injecting the chemical solution into the second unit, receiving the chemical solution from the second unit and discharging it to subsequent equipment;
Continuous process modularization equipment comprising a; a second unit for heating and stirring the chemical liquid injected by the first unit.
injecting, by the first unit of the continuous process modularization equipment, the chemical solution into the second unit of the continuous process modularization equipment;
heating and stirring, by the second unit, the chemical liquid injected by the first unit;
A method for performing a continuous process, comprising: the first unit receiving the chemical solution heated and stirred in the second unit and discharging it to the subsequent equipment.

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