Advanced Control Technology Replacements by Honeywell Hi-Spec Solutions' Profit Controller Exceed 100.

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 1998--Honeywell Hi-Spec Solutions announced that Profit Controller, its advanced process control application, has replaced competitive earlier-generation multivariable predictive control technology on over 100 units at 19 sites worldwide since introduction two years ago.

"This level of technology replacement in advanced process control represents outstanding market acceptance and is a first in the control industry, marking the advent of true second-generation technology by Profit Controller," said Russel McMeekin, vice president of Honeywell Hi-Spec Solutions.

Profit Controller incorporates the patented, industry-leading RMPCT (Robust Multivariable Predictive Control Technology) algorithm. Since the product's introduction, over 500 implementations have been completed on a great variety of process units. Growth in replacements, however, has seen almost exponential growth as this new technology repeatedly proves itself to deliver improved utilization and financial performance for users. The following three user experiences are typical.

At PDVSA's Paraguana Refining Center in northern Venezuela, several Profit Controllers were configured, implemented, and commissioned within a month, replacing existing multivariable controllers on fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) and alkylation units.

Abraham Kalil, PDVSA's advanced process control engineer in charge of the project, said, "After replacement of the multivariable controller on the reactor/regenerator in the FCC unit by Honeywell Hi-Spec Solutions personnel, the controller has maintained an elevated service factor of over 99%. And most importantly, operations personnel consider it indispensable for the correct functioning of the unit."

"After installation of four additional controllers in the alkylation complex," Kalil said, "a capacity test was done on the unit to verify modifications on the towers. Findings indicated that better-than-design feed rates are being achieved. According to operating personnel, Profit Controller is essential to maintaining quality. Additionally, the controller avoids flooding by employing pressure differentials as control variables, using models from earlier-generation multivariable controllers. I would say our satisfaction is at 150%."

Chevron's Hawaii and Salt Lake City refineries upgraded a total of 14 multivariable predictive controllers with Profit Controller. In both locations, it took less than one week to convert and re-commission all of the controllers. According to Tad Palmer and Dan Haesloop, process control engineers, the conversion process was very fast.

"Honeywell's conversion utilities are solid and make the conversion quite easy," Palmer said. "The new Profit Controllers have increased in-service factors and provide a higher degree of operator acceptance."

At Idemitsu Petrochemical Company of Japan, superior robustness, ease of implementation, and ready integration with current control systems were decisive factors in Idemitsu's decision to replace existing advanced control and upgrade to Profit Controller. Kozo Kaneko, director of advanced services with Yamatake Limited, Honeywell's Japanese partner, said, "This project represents a major change in advanced process control suppliers for Idemitsu Petrochemical. Idemitsu is impressed with all aspects of Profit Controller."

McMeekin explained the product's success: "Profit Controller delivers the finest advanced process technology available," he said. "Facing uncertain global economic conditions, companies require state-of-the-art technology to stay competitive. Other products simply cannot match Profit Controller, whether for utility, or savings, or ease of implementation, or payback time. So more and more customers are electing to replace installed controllers with this superior technology. As a matter of fact, we have seen customers who have financed additional software and hardware upgrades with the savings from these replacements alone, and who have then continued to experience further savings year after year."

Honeywell Hi-Spec Solutions is the leading supplier of Business Optimization applications software and services to the process industries. Business Optimization applications help companies maximize their profitability through a balanced approach to improving process performance, sustaining asset capability, and enabling improved decision making. Hi-Spec Solutions is the advanced applications business unit of Honeywell Industrial Automation and Control, the leading worldwide supplier of industrial automation solutions.

Honeywell is the world's leading provider of control technologies for buildings, homes, industry, space, and aviation. The company employs 56,500 people in 95 countries, and had 1997 sales of $8 billion.

For additional information, write to: Honeywell Inquiries, 2800 Wells Branch Parkway, Austin, Texas 78728. Inquiries also may be made to Honeywell by phone, 1-800-288-7491, or by fax, 512-244-9222 or via Honeywell IAC's Worldwide Web site at: http://www.iac.honeywell.com. In addition, the Honeywell Hi-Spec Solutions Web site is at http://www.hispec.com.