Chromperfect
Process Control
Software for
management and
control in the
Production Plant
From time to time – according to a schedule -- Chromperfect Process
Control (CPPC) samples one or another of the streams in the plant. The
sampling process involves several injections: one or more sample
injections, optionally preceded or followed by one or more zero gas
injections. All of these runs are processed by the software, which
generates data files, prints reports and as directed by the method file.
CPPC builds upon the basic framework described above. Most importantly,
it now can control several instruments simultaneously.
The present version of CPPC supports four new features: temperature
control, alarms, control inputs, and MODBUS output. The temperature
control feature continually monitors one or two temperature sensors and
issues commands to heating and cooling modules.
Integration into
Chromperfect
CPPC runs "on top of" the usual Chromperfect acquisition interface. When
launched, it connects to the Chromperfect data acquisition program, gains
access to the instrument configuration, and has permission to control any
instruments which have been claimed by the current user. The program
runs completely seamlessly and automatically managing both data
capture, reporting/alarms in addition to communicating critical data to the
wider enterprise systems.
Before each injection, CPPC downloads the instrument with the
appropriate Method file, selects the appropriate stream, waits for the GC
to come ready, and then starts acquisition. As each Raw file arrives, CPPC
writes additional data (e.g. a temperature reading) into the data file. If
automatic processing is enabled, then CPPC submits the Raw file(s) for
processing and repeats this process until all the injections have been made
for this sampling, then it goes back to waiting for the next scheduled
activity.
During the run, Process Control will implement Relay Timed Events in the
Method file offering complete automation.
As it is processing the Raw file(s), Process Control can be setup to send the
data to the designated MODBUS controller.
The temperature control and alarm features are substantially independent
of acquisition. However, the alarm status flags and the latest temperature
reading are automatically written into the Raw file in the form of User
Fields.
The Graphic Display
The monitor form displays the state of the digital ports, the status of the
hardware alarms, and the status of the temperature controller. The
graphic display form provides a way to view these items at a glance, or
from across the room.
If the Show Display button on the monitor form is pressed, and the larger
Instrument status form will appear showing the details. These include a
thermometer display of the current temperature with control and alarm
thresholds. The heater and cooler ports and the hardware alarms are
displayed in LED array. The right side of the Instrument status form shows
a graphic representation