A practical solution to improving plant safety

The benefits of applying computer technology are numerous and well documented not least by the system vendors. Engineers have been quick to consider the application of programmable electronic systems (PES) to a wide variety of gas fired plant. Often the PES is used to control the process and the gas used as a feed-stock or a source of energy. However, what one engineer sees as a benefit can be a headache when considering the safety of plant. For example, the internal complexity of a PES is essential for its wide application, but results in at best uncertain, and at worst unknown, failure modes. The flexibility to program and re-program the PES is another two edged sword. Careful application of configuration management and change control techniques are needed to ensure that the software residing within the PES is the correct version, fully checked and comprehensively documented