Phase-I design of data acquisition and control system of large scale cryogenic plant system

IPR is developing helium plant of 200W cooling capacity at 4.5 K, which accomplish with main components compressors, cold box and turbine to produce cold helium. Cryogenics plant test facility will be used to test the cryogenics components, different types of plate-fin heat exchangers. Hence, such cryogenic test facility needs measurement of large number of sensors (temperature, pressure, level etc.) for diagnostic and controls of valves to operate in the controlled environment. The facility will be used for development and analysis of different cryogenics process algorithm. This paper will describe the phase-1 design and architecture of the control system. The system is optimized with different type of PLCs, based on the cost and functionality required for operation and control. Main control system will be developed with PLC for its rugged operation. Pressure and temperature sensors, which are required for control operation of liquefier will be measured with this PLC. Modbus and HART devices are used for diagnostics measurement. Modular approach is chosen to build the system for easy scalability. The Control system of Compressor station has been developed as first module of Large Scale Cryogenics Plant system with open loop control system. It is put in the close loop control mode after analysis of the compressor operation. Coldbox and Turbine control algorithms are developed with manual operation. Open source software, EPICS and CS-Studio are selected for software development. Plant data will be stored in the data base for post analysis. (author)