You must have already read about it. Together with KROHNE and SAMSON, FOCUS-ON has launched a product called FOCUS-1.
A control valve with integrated measurement technology (flow, pressure and temperature), which makes process control simpler and more efficient. This 4.0 device offers, both in RO plants and Nanofiltrations, new insights. We would like to give you an example of how FOCUS-ON can simplify and optimise a filtration process.
After a Nanofilter, the permeate/concentrate is circulated, part of this concentrate is drained at a constant flow rate of 0.5 m³/h, and stored in a buffer tank. The remaining concentrate is pumped around and a part, goes through a 2nd filter back to the feed water of the high-pressure section.
To achieve a constant flow to the buffer tank, the flow must be controlled by a control valve and a flow meter. The flow data goes to the DCS/PLC, which determines the valve position and controls the valve so that it passes the desired value (0.5 m³/h) to the buffer.
Example old situation with filtration
Example FOCUS-ON solution
With the deployment of a single FOCUS-1 device, individual components, namely the control valve together with the flow and pressure sensors, can be replaced. Since FOCUS-1 features built-in control, flow, pressure and temperature sensors, additional sensors in the pipeline are unnecessary. The device is configured as an intelligent flow control device (FCD) and behaves like a controller with one integrated control loop. The set-point can therefore be communicated as a flow value (in m3/hour) from the DCS/PLC to FOCUS-1. Since all sensor information and control algorithms are integrated, the FOCUS-1 device can control faster with more stability and accuracy, than in the conventional way, using all separate external sensors.
In addition, FOCUS-ON guarantees more process continuity through an integrated Digital-Twin. When sensors fail, the Digital-Twin calculates a modelled value, based on the sensors still working, so that FOCUS-ON continues to function. Example: If the ultrasonic flow measurement fails, FOCUS-ON still measures the DP over the valve position in combination with the built-in algorithms. As a result, FOCUS-ON prevents abrupt process interruptions and offers customers, through an alarm, the ability to plan maintenance ahead.
