Valmet announces the latest version of Valmet D3 DCS

Building on strengths
Valmet continues to develop and support the D3 DCS by providing a seamless forward migration path for customers. First introduced in 1982 as D/3, D3 DCS offers a full automation solution to process industries: system-wide redundancy; rugged I/O modules; powerful process controllers; high-speed Ethernet connectivity; high-performance HMI tools; highly configurable application programming for batch and continuous processes. D3 is used around the world by specialty chemical, agricultural, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical customers large and small.

Modernization
Maintaining a secure and reliable automation environment means being able to upgrade to the latest server and desktop operating systems. D3 v16.3 is the first major DCS to support Windows Server 2022. Windows Server 2019 is also supported for the system servers. Operator consoles and small display servers use Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 or LTSC 2019.

ProcessVision Console is the core system HMI tool used by engineers, technicians, and operators to control the process, view and troubleshoot detailed system and IO information, and monitor trend data from D3 and PI Historian. ProcessVision Console (PVC) has been continually improved and developed since it was included with D3 v14.1. In v16.3, PVC supports Display Edit functionality for Faceplate, Current Trend, and Historical Trend groups. Changes to these display groups can be converted to D3 Architect configuration input files using the Generate Input File option.

ProcessVision Console also now supports a floating toolbar, similar to PVN On-Screen Keyboard. The toolbar allows operators a simpler, more convenient way to make process control changes and to navigate their displays. It also provides access to the Console Settings Editor to personalize the look and feel of PVC and to PAAC displays to view and control Dynamic Alarm Management behavior.

Performance
Valmet PID Loop Optimizer is now available as an optional layered product, integrated and launched from ProcessVision. PID Loop Optimizer supports tuning PID and PRF loops and the resulting recommendations can be directly written to the controller and saved to the disk file. Based on decades of Expertune experience, PID Loop Optimizer can simulate process behavior using the new parameters, works in difficult non-steady state conditions, and provides a complete analysis report.

Two new prompts are added to the digital input (DIN) block type to support an alarm delay when the alarm is triggered and upon a return to normal. Alarm delays can be placed on the CFN and COS alarms. If the On Delay is set, for example to 5, then the alarm condition must remain ON for five seconds before the status is changed or an alarm message is generated. If Off Delay is set, for example to 3, then the alarm condition must remain OFF for three seconds before the status is changed or an alarm message is cleared.

Reliability
D3 v16.3 supports the newest controller in our PCM4 line, the PCM4100A. The PCM4100A has a 5-slot backplane rather than the 4-slot backplane of the PCM4100, providing room for an additional I/O card. The additional PCI slot allows up to four I/O cards to be installed in a non-redundant controller or up to three I/O cards in a redundant controller configuration. This allows replacing the Robo CPU with the Advantech CPU without losing any I/O slots in redundant configurations. The PCM4100A core unit has the same dimensions, power requirements, and I/O type support as the PCM4100 and utilizes the same Advantech CPU board, allowing it to replace any existing PCM4100 in the same chassis.

Besides these features, there are several smaller updates and dozens of performance and reliability patches rolled up in this latest version of D3 DCS. For example, D3 Update Manager - used to manage D3 patch updates on all nodes - provides more interaction and choices when an open file or running program must be closed/stopped by the update. A full list of changes and patches is available in the v16.3 release notes.

For more information on the latest version of Valmet D3, please contact
Mike Davis, Senior Manager of Product Management for Automation Systems North America.