AWWA ACE95151

This paper describes the phased implementation of a distributed control system at the Corbalis plant in Fairfax County, Virginia. A needs assessment was the initial design activity necessary to provide improved process control at the plant and establish a means to monitor and control the Fairfax County WaterAuthority's (FCWA) increasingly complex distribution system. The replacement control system needed to incorporate: increased operational reliability; increased processing capacity; ability to accommodate expansion of both capacity and function; ability to implement programming modifications; nonproprietary open system hardware; capacity to implement closed loop control; and capacity to implement SCADA functions. Of the four major categories of control options that were under consideration (single-loop controllers, multiple-loop controllers, central supervisory control systems, and distributed control systems) the distributed control system (DCS) was determined to be the most suited. The system installation consisted of a base bid, training, owner responsibilities, and system maintenance. The Corbalis Distributed Control System has successfully been implemented in phases to replace the original plant control system and provide control for new facilities as they were constructed.

Product Details

Published:

01/01/1995

ISBN(s):

0898678358

Number of Pages:

14

File Size:

1 file , 610 KB