Top 10 Control articles of 2016

Dec. 27, 2016
From on-site coverage of TechED and new developments from ExxonMobil, to the latest in valve flow and reciprocating compressors, these were the most-read stories in 2016.

1. Live from Rockwell Automation TechED 2016

The editors of ControlControl Design and Smart Industry were on site at Rockwell Automation TechED 2016, June 12-17 in Orlando, to bring you the breaking news and best sessions on evolving technologies, big data, virtualization, the IIoT, and more. Read it here.

2. The use of protective relays as an attack vector – the cyber vulnerability of the electric grid

The implications of the cyber vulnerabilities of digital protective relays have great importance for Smart Grid, grid modernization, NERC CIP, large plant electric equipment protection, and even nuclear plant safety. Cybersecurity expert Joe Weiss explores more. Read it here.

3. Positioned for recovery: Top 50 automation companies of 2015

The biggest global and North American process control and automation suppliers jockey to be in the right spot when their markets revive. Control's October cover story is No. 3 on our list. Read it here. 

4. ExxonMobil picks Lockheed Martin to develop open, secure DCS

To spark more innovation, openness and security in distributed control systems, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co. awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to serve as the systems integrator in early-stage development of a next-generation, open and secure automation system for process industries. Read it here. 

5. Capacity control of reciprocating compressors

Large reciprocating compressors have high power requirements, sometimes running in the range of megawatts. Integrating them into complex processes with side streams or multi-stream compression requires precise control and operational flexibility. Learn how advanced methods improve precision and efficiency. Read it here. 

6. A new paradigm for control system migrations

'During a traditional control system migration, you must move wires from the old system to the new.' David Findlay, P.Tech. (Eng.), automation lead and partner at CIMA+ explores this issue in depth in this Control exclusive. Read it here.

7. Why and how to establish installed valve flow characteristics

In this installment of Control Talk, Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner explain how a detailed understanding of valve flow can pay off in greater process stability, lower valve wear and less waste of materials and energy. Read it here. 

8. What does good control room design look like?

BAW Architecture employs user-centric, human-factor principles such as ISO 11064 to design control centers from the operator out. Learn more in this feature from Mary Ann Lane, ASID, project manager and senior interior designer, and Peggy Hewitt, marketing and business development director, at BAW. Read it here.

9. ExxonMobil’s patented progress toward integrating control systems, IT

The public reason that ExxonMobil is pushing NGOAS is because they want to be untethered from the hardware.” Read Ian Verhappen's take in his September column. Read it here. 

10. Exploring the tools, skills needed to navigate the Industrial Internet of Things

Sound advice from Control's Executive Editor Jim Montague: "Understand key IIoT concepts and lingo, and apply them in a way that serves your process application, facility and business." Read it here.