(162b) Leveraging Advanced Process Control for Operational Excellence

Advanced Process Control (APC) refers to multivariable, predictive control that coordinates conventional regulatory control. APC applications provide control directives to the regulatory control system to achieve a higher level of safe, reliable and economic operation. The traditionally accepted justification of APC is value generation (ie return on investment), however, less obvious benefits (and potentially more important benefits) are often over looked. These include capturing operations knowledge and experience, continuity of operations, operational learnings and improved safety and reliability of plant operations. This presentation discusses the benefits and challenges of the application of Advanced Process Control.