Modeling software: Updated platform adds key functions

Pavilion8 Version 2.0 modeling software adds enhanced functions key to process industries to a more powerful analytic engine and new functional modules. Screen shot shows kiln control trends.

Users of process model analysis tools will be interested in the new release of Pavilion8 Version 2.0 . Starting with a more powerful analytic engine and new functional modules, it now drives enhanced functions key to process industries, including:

Environmental solutions;

Production performance management; and,

Advanced control and optimization.

Pavilion8, available for just over a year, counts among its users such companies as Cemex, Dykerhoff AG, Glacial Lakes Energy, Nova Chemicals, Nestle, and Total Petrochemicals. Its upgraded version reportedly expands its capabilities with new modeling functions, enhanced Web service integration, and a new metadata warehouse. “The latest release demonstrates Pavilion’s commitment to developing innovative solutions around their core modeling technologies and expertise that helps achieve collaborative manufacturing,” says Tom Fiske, senior analyst, ARC Advisory Group.

The environmental solutions package upgrade provides tools for manufacturers to comply with emission regulations and reporting. Its two-prong approach uses predictive emissions monitoring (PEM) and real-time environmental management (REM). Pavilion cites 210 PEM installations as proof of its capabilities, saying it provides for emissions monitoring by model using a minimum amount of actual measurement hardware. Systems with REM and PEM in combination are said to validate data in a way that is auditable and accurate enough for any regulatory body while minimizing costs associated with actual readings.

Production performance management (PPM) applications reportedly provide instantaneous and predictive assessment of plant production performance to enable proactive decision making. Pavilion says the enhanced analytic engine helps PPM use production process models that represent current and future operational performance more accurately than simple arithmetic calculation techniques, improving the timeliness and accuracy of decision making for greater profitability and cost control.

Advanced control and optimization applications use Pavilion8’s model predictive control (MPC) technology to power its industry-specific control applications. Among the new enhancements, the company reports embedded controller performance metrics for all variables, automatic controller parameter change logs, and historization of controller trajectories. These are said to provide greater diagnostic and troubleshooting capabilities that translate to faster application deployment and increased uptime.

Applications are industry specific and need to be configured. Pavilion has users in cement, chemicals, consumer products, ethanol, minerals, and polymer segments. Metrics for specific verticals may be visualized by role within the Pavilion8 browser-based interface or via third-party applications such as SAPs xAPP for manufacturing integration and intelligence (xMII).

— Daily News Desk, Peter Welander ,process industries editor , Control Engineering

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