SIPOS software aids Sydney Water filtration

Valve operation at an Australian Water Filtration Plant (WFP) at Nepean, 75km south of Sydney, will be supported by SIPOS Aktorik’s variable speed, electric actuators. Advanced actuation communication capability for SIPOS’ 5 Flash actuators was demonstrated to secure the contract for 60 units by local distributor, Barron GJM Pty Ltd.
Located close to two dams, the Nepean WFP, owned by Sydney Water, incorporates a cluster of five filtration plants. Raw water is drawn from the Nepean dam and treated water is supplied to the townships of Bargo, Couridjah, Buxton, Thirlmere, Tahmoor, Picton and adjacent regions.
An upgrade of the scheme’s 12 PLCs and SCADA system, comprising a primary and secondary server, is being implemented to enhance the speed of screen updates and reliability of the communication network.
Weyand Magnaye, Water Products Manager for Barron GJM reported that firmware specifically written by SIPOS for Sydney Water, and in-house testing on a demonstration actuator, meant the company was able to meet client’s software changes on the fieldbus system. Technical competency of the actuator solution included interlocking capability which, via Profibus, enables and disables the local push button functionality. Additionally, a failsafe function incorporated ensures that, if a bus communication fault occurs, the actuation system defaults to an emergency position.
Previous Sydney Water contracts secured by Barron for SIPOS actuators include a $150 million improvement programme at the North Head STP. SIPOS reports that any of its actuator installations for Sydney Water can be updated simply by uploading latest version firmware.
 
Previous articleCryogenic natural gas processing plant
Next articleStainless steel pilot valves