CASE STUDIES
DEPOT PROTECTION SYSTEM
When; 2018
Where; Edinburgh
Market; Rail
Work; Commissioning
System; Depot Protection System
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This week Blackwell Automation Ltd were in Edinburgh commissioning a Depot Protection System (DPS) for a train maintenance depot.
A Depot Protection System protects staff working within the depot protected zone from unauthorised train movements and OLE high voltages. This system is very intelligent and utilises Allen Bradley PLC hardware, Rockwell software and RFID technology.
By scanning your own RFID card and telling the DPS where you wish to work, the DPS will ensure protection devices such as automatic derailers do not allow trains to come into the protected zone.
Outside the depot
Outside the depot
INSTRUMENTATION
When; 2018
Where; East London
Market; Power Generation
Work; Testing and Calibrating Instrumentation
System; DCS (Distributed Control System)
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Blackwell Automation Ltd were in an East London power generation plant.
The main source of fuel for the plant is the fats, oils and gases, which are thrown away by households and restaurants.
The plant has an annual output of 130GWh of electricity, while the installed capacity is 19MW. It operates at an electrical efficiency of more than 65% and provides power for approximately 40,000 households.
During a planned shutdown, Blackwell Automation had to remove the existing instrumentation, calibrate them in a workshop, then loop check the loop back to the DCS.
VALVE CONTROLS
When; 2018 / 2019
Where; Falmouth
Market; Marine
Work; Design/De-struct/Install/Commission
System; Fuel and Ballast Valve Controls
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Blackwell Automation Ltd surveyed the existing Valve Controls to come up with a solution for its upgrade.
The solution which required removal of all existing mimic switches/relays/transformers and pnuemtaics and replace with new. The control desk was re-designed for a sleeker - easier use, all switches and mimic where discarded and replaced by a PLC control with SCADA, data logging and alarm system. The system now operates with better visualisation, event recording, permissions and easier use. All items are off-the-shelf to support the system till end of ship life.
EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN SYSTEM
When; 2018
Where; North Sea
Market; Oil & Gas
Work; Commissioning, servicing and modifications
System; Emergency Shut Down System
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Blackwell Automation Ltd visited an oil rig in the North Sea to carry out investigations into faults, modifications to existing systems and commissioning of an Emergency Shut Down system.
GENERATOR CONTROLS
When; 2018
Where; Essex
Market; Marine
Work; Commissioning of Load Bank trials
System; Generator Controls
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Blackwell Automation Ltd carried out generator load bank testing which involved, connecting alternator to the load bank and carrying out zero to full load trials while recording and measuring voltages and currents
INSTRUMENTATION
When; 2018
Where; Essex
Market; Marine
Work; Supply of Instrumentation
System; Main Propulsion Controls
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Blackwell Automation Ltd where called in to replace damaged instruments with new. New AutoCAD drawings where created showing the instruments size, thread types and electronics required to interface to existing system.
PROPULSION CONTROLS
When; 2018
Where; Zeebrugge, Brussels
Market; Marine
Work; Service propulsion control system
System; Propulsion Controls
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Blackwell Automation Ltd where called in to investigate reasons why the main engine on a ship would reduce RPM 'randomly' and also issues with intermittent starting.
Problems found to be loose wiring on oil mist detector and old relays (40 years old) not changing over correctly along with the fuel rack microswitches out of adjustment.
ALARM & MONITORING SYSTEM
When; 2019
Where; Southampton, UK
Market; Marine
Work; adding additional I/O to PLC System
System; Alarm & Monitoring System
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Blackwell Automation Ltd where on-board the ship to add additional I/O to the existing Lyngso Alarm Monitoring System to allow for the Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS) monitoring.
While on-board other issues where investigated which causing problems and rectified.
GENERATOR CONTROLS
When; 2019
Where; North Sea, UK
Market; Offshore
Work; Commissioning
System; Generator Controls
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Blackwell Automation Ltd attended a platform in the North Sea to commission a generator set. The set was successfully installed, run up and a 24 hour load trial successfully completed.
ALARM & MONITORING SYSTEM
When; 2019
Where; Majorca
Market; Super Yachts
Work; Service Support
System; Alarm & Monitoring System
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Blackwell Automation Ltd attended a super yacht in Majorca to assist in issues with the Alarm & Monitoring System. Hardware failure was the cause for one issue which was rectified with yachts spares. Other issues where resolved such as software bugs, wiring issues and general maintenance.
CALIBRATION
When; 2019
Where; Essex
Market; Power Station
Work; Calibration
System; DCS
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Blackwell Automation Ltd attended a power station during its annual shutdown to carry out calibration works on its instrumentation. All instruments used the HART communications protocol. Instruments varied from Temperature transmitters, pressure transmitters (from 30mbar to 160bar) and differential pressure transmitters. Absolute Pressure transmitters where also calibrated.
Using an intelligent piece of test equipment, which stores all calibration results as-found and after cal, which also is able to provide loop power and HART communication.
ICS SENTRY II ANNUNCIATOR
When; 2019
Where; Essex
Market; Gas
Work; Service
System; ICS Sentry II Annunciator
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Blackwell Automation Ltd attended a Gas works during its shutdown period to carry out service works on its ICS Sentry II annunciator.
The system is approx 40 years old and drawings and information hard to find. The system had to be traced out to work out is initial design, then to fix it.
AutoCAD drawings where produced and the system restored back into operation.
PAT TESTING
When; 2019
Where; Essex
Market; PAT
Work; PAT Testing
System; PAT Testing
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Blackwell Automation Ltd - Level 3 In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (PAT) qualified engineer, carried out PAT testing at a customers site in Essex. The customer had lots of portable equipment as they carry out lots of site installation works. The items where PAT testing at their site.
