When scaling a chemical or industrial process, the control system plays a central role in monitoring equipment and capturing data. Process control systems integration combines electrical engineering with computer science and process engineering to ensure safe, reliable and efficient operations.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) helps clients integrate process controls and automation into research-focused pilot plants, utilities and industrial systems. SwRI manages all aspects of process control systems integration from design and engineering to fabrication of turnkey industrial solutions.
Whether building out a full pilot plant or just the control system, SwRI can help optimize production efficiency, enhance productivity and ensure seamless operations.
PLC, HMI & SCADA Orchestration
A typical R&D plant integrates programmable logic controllers (PLCs) with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and distributed control systems (DCS).
To get the most out of an R&D plant, we orchestrate and harmonize control tools with sensors, switches and software to gather accurate data while ensuring safety and reliability. We also design and build custom cabinets, write software and integrate instruments such as chromatographs, compressors, thermocouples and transmitters.
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Pilot Plant
Pressure vessels, instrumentation, mechanical and electrical systems are harmonized to operate across processes.
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PLC
PLCs manage and control process instrumentation, equipment, and switches, facilitating seamless automation of operations.
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HMI
HMIs provide data from PLCs, allowing field operators to monitor real-time process values and conditions within a pilot plant.
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SCADA
Operators control all facets through SCADA, which offers broader system control and advance features like data analysis, alarms and historical trend.
Pilot Plants & Process Engineering
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Seamlessly in control: Empowering operators with real-time insights through our user-friendly HMI interface.
SwRI builds world-class R&D pilot plants. We offer full support in the design, construction and operation of pilot plants ranging from laboratory-scale units to large, multi-level plants. Our infrastructure, experience and certifications, along with strong vendor relationships, allow us to negotiate favorable terms for clients.
- Pilot Plant Design & Fabrication
- Pilot Plant Hosting & Operations
- Process Engineering
- Chemistry & Chemical Engineering
- Mechanical Fabrication Center
Instrumentation & Electronics Expertise
SwRI builds, installs and programs electrical and control equipment for numerous small and large projects within our laboratories, pilot-plant areas and large outdoor sites. Along with our in-house support, SwRI can also support the design and fabrication of controls systems for shipment to off-site locations.
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Automated Control System Instrumentation – Our expertise encompasses a wide range of hardware and software platforms, enabling us to deliver solutions that are compatible, scalable, and efficient. Control code development includes function block diagrams, sequential function, charts and ladder logic, and structured text.
- Programming Languages – C++, Javascript, Python
- PLCs – Allen-Bradley, Emerson DeltaV, Productivity Suite P2000, CompactLogix, National Instruments Labview, Siemens, Beckoff
- HMI – DAQFactory, FactoryTalk, Control Studio, IFIX, TwinCAT
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Full-suite human-machine interface (HMI) design to enhance operator efficiency, safety and process visibility.
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Skilled technicians carefully working to optimize and maintain the control cabinet.
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From lab-scale innovations to pilot plant solutions, we handle it all—big or small.
DCS Hardware & Software Interlocks – SwRI offers in-house distributed control systems for a variety of applications. Our team maintains and modifies on-site control systems to support clients from the idea-phase through design and fabrication of custom systems, often without the need for large and expensive control hardware.
Industrial Controls Engineering – We have invested considerable resources to develop our own software templates, making it fast and easy for our engineers and technicians to develop your application. SwRI staff can support upgrading or retrofitting existing high-voltage systems to improve performance, increase capacity, or enhance safety.
Integrated Safety for Industrial Controls – Safety is paramount in all our high voltage projects. Our staff implement hardware and software interlocks to help ensure the safety of operations. We have experience testing and monitoring the performance of these interlocks to ensure continued operations and safety.