Introduction:

The aim of this project was to automate the starting and stopping of an underground pumping station which consisted of twelve pumps. This was then ultimately to be used as a mechanism to reduce energy costs by starting/stopping these pumps remotely during off-peak times.

What was our brief for this project?

IRITRON did the supply installation and commissioning of the automated control system to control the dewatering pump system. Each pump can be controlled locally from a local control panel and remotely via a fibre optic network to an S7300 Master PLC underground. The complete system can be controlled on surface from an ADROIT SCADA system.

Which solution did we propose?

IRITRON removed the existing manual control system and designed a fully automated remote distributed architecture solution. The PLC’s used were S7300 with TP177 touch panels for operator interfaces underground. An ADRIOT SCADA system was chosen as the HMI interface from the control system. This system was then integrated to the REM system via an OPC server.

What value did we add for the client?

The new system allows remote monitoring and control of the underground pumps. The system is linked to the REM system which is able to switch off some of the pumps during peak times thereby saving energy costs. The new system provides accurate information which allows more accurate control of the water levels. Additional safety interlocks make the system safer and prevents damage to equipment.

What was special about this project?

The project was based on a previous contractor’s uncompleted design. The Team worked within a tight schedule and budget.

Which team did this project within IRITRON?

Frits Stoop and crew

Who were the key people on which part of the project?

Sales: Sabin Nair
SCADA: Dirk Swart
Project management: Frits Stoop
Software engineer: Chris Bosch

What was new or fun to do in this project?

Working underground was a very new experience.

Where did the challenge lie?

It was not easy to meet the tight schedule, with an incomplete design and very limited budget constraints

Sabin Nair, Vincent Smith, the client, Willem Schoeman, Chris Bosch and Frits Stoop.