The purpose of a process plant control system is to keep process variables at the desired operating point and within safety limits. However, control systems may not be able to handle all process upsets. Operator intervention, safety instrumented systems and pressure relief devices (PRDs) then become the last lines of defense.

The overall mood coming out of the 2019 Market Outlook Workshop was bright: Most end-user industries are seeing some uplift from an economy that’s doing well in many parts of the world. The abundance of natural gas and crude oil in North America and how it will affect the energy markets remain at the top of everyone’s list of developments to watch, especially any of the industries dependent on energy or power.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has had a tremendous impact on business. While fears exist that this revolution could exacerbate the segregation of the job market, thus increasing wealth and income inequality, what’s to come is also seen as the solution to the skilled trades shortage made critical because of the retirement of the baby boomer generation. Meanwhile, the interconnectedness of processes and businesses are raising serious concerns about cybersecurity.

The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD) are among the largest water/wastewater agencies in the country, operating 10 water reclamation plants and one ocean discharge wastewater treatment plant. The job of running them is truly a challenge.