Computer Based Training and Simulation Systems

The Home Screen for Smart Operator™ is a Control Room with all features in easy reach.

This is an interactive, multimedia computer based training system for process control operators. The training system has interactive simulations, an expert system controller and a multimedia reference section. The system is designed to provide up to 30 hours of training for trainee process control operators (depending on their prior knowledge of process control). It can be used stand-alone or to supplement an instructor-led course with hands-on practical learning experience.


Simulations

The base system provides ten simulations; four single-variable simulations and six multi-variable simulations. Additional simulations including advanced process control issues and industry specific components will soon be available for purchase from the Downloads area for registered users.


The Modules

The Smart Operator™ consists of modules for Job Oriented Simulation Training, Preliminary Training, an Introduction section and a Reference Section.

Tour

An introductory animation provides a tour of the CBT system and the minimum information required to operate the simulations. It has an introduction to process control loops, methods of control and an explanation of typical process control loops.

Job Oriented Simulation Training

The 'Jobs' module contains a number of specific jobs to be completed with the distributed control system simulations. A job is selected by choosing one of the tabs along the right side. The tab has a short description of the job and stars there indicate the difficulty, with the higher number of stars being the more difficult jobs.

Each job provides you with a full description of the goal, the tasks to follow and links into the reference module.

Preliminary Training

There are four basic fully interactive simulation control loops here; one each for temperature, level, flow and pressure. Each one will allow you to practice basic control loop skills with a simulation that is essentially the same as that found in a real-life distributed control system. You control the simulation through faceplates that are brought up by selecting the appropriate control entity in the simulation.

Faults and Alarms

Solving faults is very similar to doing the Jobs you saw in the Job Oriented Simulation Training module. However, there is no description and no tasks or references are provided. You have to work out the best way to solve the faults. As soon as the fault is selected you will go straight to the control loop where the fault has registered.

One or more alarms will be flashing in the simulation. You have to work out what would be causing this alarm and which corrective actions to take. This alarms use the same tasks practiced in the jobs section but you are not told what to do.

Reference

A Menu screen gives you an overview of the organisation and content of the Reference section. Double click to expand any section and see the individual topics, then double click on any topic to go to the actual page.