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Aspen SmartStep Automated Tester

(formerly Aspen SmartStep Advanced™)

Automating best practices in process unit step testing

Aspen SmartStep Automated Tester allows users to simplify and streamline the task of collecting process data for model construction. It delivers model data with higher information content than manual testing while significantly reducing the overall engineering effort. Aspen SmartStep Automated Tester is a core element of AspenTech's aspenONE® Advanced Process Control applications.

Features

  • Combines a step generation engine with an embedded Aspen DMCplus®-like controller to enforce MV limits while keeping CVs within bounds
    • Generates a constrained step test (e.g., valve limits and column qualities are honored)
    • Supports larger steps
    • Ensures little or no valve saturation, less slicing
  • Enables operations to define and modify operating point for step testing
  • Allows any MV to be paired with another MV
    • MVs are stepped in a given ratio in order to obtain more informative test data
    • Allows identification algorithms to determine gain ratios and RGA numbers of nearly co-linear sub-matrices with more accuracy
    • Supports testing the process in the "weak direction"
  • Specifies preferred first step direction for test moves

Benefits

  • Produces a more accurate model vs. the model generated by a traditional step test
    • Provides better shape of the model curves
    • Delivers more accurate gains
    • Improves the accuracy of identified gain ratios, particularly important for ill-conditioned processes
  • Reduces overall engineering effort
  • Supports new APC implementations or partial/full revamps
  • Reduces or eliminates the need for night-time engineering supervision while still gathering information-rich data round-the-clock
  • Creates an iterative process of test/analyze/commission that evaluates initial assumptions early to minimize risk to the project
  • Results in a robust controller based on a high-fidelity model that ensures maximum reliability and the achievement of maximum economic benefits
 

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