GENERAL MEETING

RSVP:    By Email to mailto:josephj@contechnet.com or call 281-797-1505.
Price:   $20 with RSVP by February 12, 9:00am, $25 without RSVP
Time:    5:30 pm - Social, 6:00 pm - Dinner, 6:30 pm - Presentation and Q&A
Place:   HESS Club, 5430 Westheimer Way, Houston, TX 77056 (b/t Chimney Rock and
             Yorktown north of Westheimer Road (free parking on top or below garage)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2007

PRESENTATION  "Advanced Process Control - Overview, Benefits & New Innovations"

By Wayne Patterson, Mustang Automation and Control \ Advanced Applications, and Michael Barham, Cutler Technology Corporation

ABSTRACT
A non-theoretical overview of how multivariable control delivers reduced operational variability, how to estimate the value that can be obtained from that reduction whether it is through more capacity or better recovery of higher-value products, and a look at the latest innovation in multivariable control technology from one of the pioneers of the industry, Dr. Charles Cutler.

Dr. Cutler, now with Cutler Technology in San Antonio, created new process identification software (Universal Process IDentification, UPID) that removes the effect of PID dynamics from a response test dataset and model.  The ADMC multivariable controller and CTC-Sim operator training simulator utilize this multivariable model of the true process relationships without the overlay of the PID loop dynamics.

Because the true process model is valid over a wider range of operation, the ADMC controller can accurately move valves to their full open position if required while reducing variability in important process measurements even more than with classic multivariable controllers.  This yields economic benefits that can be double what was previously available.

The same model can be used as the basis for an operator training simulator with realistic scenarios that provide experiential training and a real-time "what if" tool always ready to help the operator evaluate setpoint changes.  All these can be easily maintained using the skills of readily available APC practitioners.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
Wayne Patterson, Business Development, Mustang Automation and Control \ Advanced Applications, Houston, Texas

Prior to joining Mustang in June 2006, Wayne worked for 20 years in advanced process control (APC) consulting for Setpoint, DMCC, Biles, and AspenTech, both in refining and petrochemicals applications, Wayne graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BS degree in chemical engineering and started his career in 1979 at Eastman Kodak in Longview, Texas, as a process engineer.  This was followed by work at CBI/Howe-Baker in Tyler designing synthesis gas plants, and then a move to Corpus Christi where Wayne worked in the process engineering and process control groups at the olefins plant then known as CCPC but now as Lyondell.

Michael Barham, VP of Operations, Cutler Technology Corporation, San Antonio, Texas

After spending considerable time in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division and 5th Special Forces group, Michael Barham graduated from Texas Tech University with a B.A. in German in 1993. He then worked as a Management Recruiter specializing in Anesthesiology.  Mike returned to TTU and completed a BSChE in June of 2000.  While attending TTU-ChE, he worked in an electrochemical lab and was published in modeling electrochemical reactions in respect to fuel cell technology.  This research led to a job at Union Carbide's PIVA group in Model Predictive Multivariable Control.  Mike continued advanced control work in Dow Chemical after the Dow-Union Carbide merger.  In September of 2003, Mike accepted a position with ConocoPhillips as an Advanced Control & Optimization Engineer.  He achieved certification as a Six Sigma Black Belt and was promoted to Advanced Control & Optimization Team Leader and Six Sigma Project Champion.  He served on the corporate six sigma management team, and led the ConocoPhillips APC Technology best practices subteam.  In November 2006, Mike accepted the position of Vice President of Operations for Cutler Technology Corporation and now lives in San Antonio with his family.

COMPANY BACKGROUNDS
Mustang Automation and Control, a division of Mustang Engineering www.mustangeng.com, has over 175 professionals providing complete DCS and control system work (scoping & design through to cut-over & commissioning), HMI development, alarm rationalization, safety systems, and networking. The Advanced Applications group became part of the Mustang Automation & Control business unit with the 2004 purchase of Ellipsys.  The Advanced Applications group includes consultants skilled in advanced process control, regulatory control evaluation & tuning, operator training, environmental data management via our E!CEMS product, production and yield accounting, batch management, recipe management, MES systems, real-time process data historians,  production reporting, SPC/SQC, LIMS systems, and systems integration between the plant floor and typical manufacturing business processes, including integration with corporate ERP systems.

Cutler Technology www.cutler-tech.com was formed in 1999 by Dr. Charles R. Cutler.  Dr. Cutler was the  creator of Dynamic Matrix Control in the 1970's and the founder of [DMC] Corp. in 1984.  He has over 40 years experience in Advanced Process Control.  Following in the tradition of DMCC, Our stated mission goal is to provide first quality products and services at reasonable prices.  CTC is based in San Antonio, Texas.

 

HESS Club,

5430 Westheimer Way, Houston TX 77056

 See map below for directions.