Industrial Automation Magazine India

With the advent of AI, the importance of data has become even more pronounced

Published on : Monday 03-07-2023

Hemal Desai – VP Marketing at Endress+Hauser India.

What are the latest technology trends dominating the process industries in general, oil & gas in particular?
The current trends are similar to what other industries are also experiencing. Digitalisation is a big trend, the need to be more productive with fewer people. The workforce trend is happening in this industry. There is a big move toward ESG (environmental, social and governance) companies looking to ensure that they are producing oil and gas and refining it and piping it as efficiently as possible, it's a big trend as of recently. The decarbonisation topic is happening as well. The industry will continue to grow as there is a need globally for energy. It is seen as a drastic increase on the gas side of the market, more than on the oil side.
 
‘Global energy transition’ is the conscious effort of countries, industries, and even individuals to select the right energy mix with the aim to minimise negative effects on the environment, another big trend. Furthermore, industries where emissions are hard to avoid are taking additional measures to ensure that they can capture CO2 before it is released into the atmosphere. The transition refers to a switch from traditional fossil fuels to renewable energies such as solar, wind, hydrogen, biofuels, and biogas with a net-zero balance.
 
How are robotic applications enabled by AI helping oil exploration and extraction with processes like well imaging, etc., offering visibility and transparency across the entire oil & gas value chain?
In the past, algorithms had the ability to process substantial amounts of data and generate productive decisions, often uncovering innovative solutions that traditional methods could not identify. With the advent of AI, the importance of data has become even more pronounced. This leads us to question whether the reluctance towards utilising big data, observed five years ago, hindered the progress of devices that could manage larger data sets. However, it is highly improbable that such hesitation impeded the development of data-rich devices.
 
Utilising diagnostics to monitor and optimise the efficiency of customers' flaring operations has proven effective in reducing the release of greenhouse gases. However, the primary challenge lies in efficiently transferring the vast amount of data collected from instrumentation into the asset management system, distributed control system (DCS), or cloud for accessibility by algorithms. The existence of proprietary protocols, a fragmented digital infrastructure, and legitimate security concerns have collectively created a bottleneck in this data transfer process.
 
Endress+Hauser is continually enhancing the capabilities of sensors and instrumentation, incorporating greater intelligence and the ability to transmit data to the cloud. Through the utilisation of wireless technology and standards such as Wireless HART, the integration and security concerns are effectively addressed, while eliminating the limitations of traditional wired connections. Additionally, the implementation of two-wire Ethernet, such as HART IP, optimises the utilisation of existing copper infrastructure to facilitate increased data transmission from the field without significant investment in capital or engineering resources. As the efficiency of data transfer, whether wireless or wired, continues to improve, companies will experience enhanced performance of their AI tools with minimal additional effort.
 
Can AI be implemented in the Oil & Gas Industry for optimum performance and safety?
The petroleum industry is increasingly recognising the need for AI implementation, given its transformative potential. In particular, AI can revolutionise the industry's health, safety, and environmental (HSE) practices. The integration of AI can bring about the following benefits:
•         Predictive maintenance: AI algorithms can analyse equipment data to predict and schedule maintenance, proactively addressing potential failures. This predictive approach enhances asset integrity, reduces downtime, and minimises the likelihood of incidents. Keeping productivity high, while at the same time lowering operating and maintenance costs, sounds like a familiar challenge to you? You aim to comply with legal requirements as well as ensure product quality and safe operations? To support you in all these situations, Endress+Hauser has developed Heartbeat Technology. Consisting of diagnostics, verification, and monitoring functions, it makes our smart instrumentation even smarter, by providing you with reliable, in-depth sensor and process insights.
•         Environmental monitoring: AI-powered systems can monitor and analyse environmental conditions in real-time. By swiftly identifying potential environmental hazards, the industry can take prompt actions to improve its environmental performance.
•         Compliance monitoring: AI can play a vital role in monitoring compliance with regulations and industry standards. By leveraging AI technologies, companies can ensure adherence to rules, minimise the risk of penalties, and safeguard their reputation.
 
In summary, AI implementation holds immense potential to transform the petroleum industry, particularly in the areas of workplace safety, predictive maintenance, hazardous operation automation, environmental monitoring, and compliance management. Embracing AI technologies will enable the industry to enhance its overall performance, mitigate risks, and achieve sustainable growth.
 
Can AI, AR/VR technologies improve productivity, Safety and Quality for process plants located remotely?
The landscape of work is being reshaped by technological advancements, and one area experiencing a notable transformation is factory automation, where Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are playing a pivotal role.
 
Factory automation refers to the application of technology and systems to automate manufacturing processes, representing a significant evolution in industrial automation. The primary objective of factory automation is to enhance productivity and minimise costs within the manufacturing environment. However, when combined with the power of augmented reality and virtual reality, the impact on performance and productivity in factories can be truly transformative.
 
The integration of automation technologies not only streamlines and optimises production processes but also paves the way for the utilisation of augmented reality. This combination introduces a game-changing dynamic, revolutionising the way tasks are performed and enabling workers to benefit from AR & VR-enhanced capabilities. By overlaying digital information onto the physical world, AR & VR empowers factory workers with real-time guidance, interactive instructions, and access to critical data, thereby enhancing their efficiency, accuracy, and overall performance.
 
Now talking about Mixed Reality (MR), it is a blend of physical and digital worlds, unlocking natural and intuitive 3D human, computer, and environmental interactions. This new reality is based on advancements in computer vision, graphical processing, display technologies, input systems, and cloud computing.
 
MR can also be referred to as combined reality or augmented reality (AR). In MR, the virtual and real world is combined. This allows physical and digital objects to interact with each other. MR can be found in various industrial settings:
•         Improvements in production processes due to the projections of installation information
•         Movable holograms, which allow direct connection between production planning and quality control
•         Easier maintenance through early problem identification, visualization, and information directly from central planning
•         Increase your plant availability with the help ofstep by step guides and remote maintenance.
•         Spare part selection
            -Find the required spare part in case of a failure
•         Replacement selection
-Easy guide to the right replacement device.
   
What are the benefits edge computing brings to process industries vis-à-vis the traditional model?
The edge device is the bridge between your field devices and your cloud services, collecting relevant data that can provide great insights for daily operation in your plant. Depending on the service, edge devices can deliver measurement data, health statuses, or any other information that can augment your work. For instance, services such as Netilion Health monitor the health of your devices, collecting data through an edge device to show users how things are running at any time.
 
NAMUR recommends using edge devices, creating a secondary channel to send data to the cloud without affecting control systems. Edge devices also work as diodes, moving information in only one direction, so you can read the data without interfering with your processes. Best of all, it’s a turnkey solution, meaning configuration is straightforward and quick.
 
Edge devices can serve a variety of IIoT cloud services, as every service requires different information. It creates an encrypted bridge between the field and the cloud. Consider these applications:
•         Health: Collect the health status and troubleshooting information for your field devices so you can find the cause and remedy for most problems.
•         Process monitoring: Remote web-based apps can keep an eye on a range of conditions, such as tank levels, temperature, and so on. The edge device will collect the process values from your field instruments automatically.
•         Plant transparency: Get to know every single device in your plant and access all their documentation, process values, and health information. Edge moves your maintenance team from corrective maintenance to predictive activity. All your data integrates easily into IIoT cloud services, where you can discover many insights to improve daily maintenance tasks.
 
What levels of precautions are required to prevent Cybersecurity attacks on sensitive installations?
Through digitalisation in many industries with smart sensors, Industrial Ethernet and cloud applications the need for proper cybersecurity is increasing. To maintain availability of your plant and minimise internal and external risk, the appropriate instruments and knowledge of their usage are key. A first step is finding trusted partners to support you in this journey.
 
Another driver of cybersecurity is legal requirements. To further ensure the compliance of our customers and to deliver high-quality and secure products, we as Endress+Hauser Group have had our Secure Development Lifecycle certified by TÜV Rheinland. We have also received ISO 27001 certification from SQS for our IIoT development center. Furthermore, it was confirmed that our IIoT ecosystem Netilion meets the requirements of ISO 27017.
 
Hemal Desai is a graduate in Instrumentation Engineering and has over 30 years of experience in process control & automation business. Currently he works for Endress+Hauser India Pvt Ltd.
 
(The views expressed in interviews are personal, not necessarily of the organisations represented)