Virtual Training Technologies Will Be Used to Re-Train Furloughed COVID-19 Oil Industry Workers

The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out nearly 40 million jobs dating back to mid-February. It didn’t matter which industry, as millions of workers were either sent home, let go or furloughed until further notice. In March and April, employers eliminated roughly 22 million jobs and, by April, the jobless rate hit 14.7 percent, a post-World War II high. Oil and gas industry jobs were affected significantly, as many were sent home to avoid getting sick.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the unemployment rate was just 3.5 percent in early February, matching a half-century low.

Even with some jobs returning in the summer, the jobless rate reached one of the highest levels since the Great Depression. By comparison, the U.S. shed about nine million jobs between December 2007 and February 2010, a period that encompassed the 18-month recession triggered by the financial crisis.

Keeping America Moving When Workers Are Home

Some industry employees, such as those working in an office, were able to move to a remote home-office location to continue their duties. While the quick transition was abrupt for many, today’s digital workplace environment actually caters to a work from home (WFH) environment. In fact, according to a scholarly NPR interview, it is estimated that 37 percent of American jobs could plausibly be done from the home office, compared to an estimated four percent of people who worked from home before the virus.

However, many oil and gas industry jobs must be handled from the field, and these cannot be relocated to a home office environment. As the industry slowly begins to recover, a percentage of these jobs will need to undergo additional training or re-training.

Using Virtual Technology to Re-train Employees

Social distancing rules will apply in the near term, and it is not known how long they will persist. Because of this, virtual technologies will play an increasing role, not only in helping some perform their jobs, but also in re-training construction industry workers.

Virtual technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) allow for an interactive experience between people and a real-world environment where objects from the actual setting are presented and enhanced by perceptual information from a computer.

Recent survey data published in TechRepublic illustrates the increased utilization of AR/VR across the enterprise. Companies within construction, technology, manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace and defense are prime examples of increased AR/VR use, and employee training and re-training are areas where AR/VR is expected to play a growing role.

The application and use of AR/VR in corporate training can increase engagement and knowledge retention levels. What’s more, employees can receive proper training in a safer, more cost-efficient format.

AR/VR enables oil and gas workers to receive instruction through practical and virtual experiences. In fact, this method is gaining momentum for many large companies, and it offers an effective way to learn a variety of skill sets, or even sharpen existing skill sets. This is important especially for manufacturing workers who have been idle from plants for two or three months and are now being called back to their jobs. Studies have even shown that learning through virtual experience increases the quality of learning and even retention rates by 75 to 90 percent.

In addition to business and soft-skills training, such as company protocols and procedures, and public speaking skills, AR/VR can offer training in high-risk areas such as safety and materials handling in a safer environment. For example, the oil and gas company, BP, used virtual training technologies to teach its employees start-up and exit procedures at a refinery in England.

As more oil and gas companies bring back employees, virtual technologies such as AR/VR will be utilized more frequently to re-train the critical skill sets they need in order to do their jobs effectively, efficiently and safely.

Source: https://oilmanmagazine.com/article/virtual-training-technologies-will-be-used-to-re-train-furloughed-covid-19-oil-industry-workers/

Manufacturing Embraces Hybrid ‘Reality’

The virtual world has been encroaching on the “real” world for years, and this year’s COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual reality in our private and working lives. With millions sheltering in place and working from home, companies learned that most information-based tasks could be done from home.

This is not really new. People have communicated rapidly and remotely since the telegraph and telephone. Fax machines, PCs and the Internet further enabled remote work. What has changed is the sheer number of people working and learning remotely.

Of course manufacturing is different; making things like airplanes and automobiles still requires people to gather in one place. But the processes that surround manufacturing are increasingly virtual, with many employees working remotely. As a result, “reality” in manufacturing is increasingly a hybrid mix of the actual and the virtual.

This trend will only accelerate. Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) are used in design, production, training, and customer service. A report by Asite found that the U.S. leads the adoption of digital engineering with technologies that include HD photography and 3D laser scanning.

Likewise, ONE Tech, a developer of edge AI technology, claims that auto manufacturers are reducing downtime and increasing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) in assembly lines by more than 15 percent using its MicroAI and Helio technologies. In one case, an automaker found that robotic welding arms were performing at just 50 percent OEE. Using MicroAI and Helio, OEE increased to 80 percent.

Even safety, traditionally driven by training and manual identification of safety risks, is going virtual. Honeywell and Wolters Kluwer are integrating Honeywell’s Industrial Internet of Things connected devices and safety software with Enablon environmental, health and safety (EHS) software from Wolters Kluwer. The goal is improved safety via monitoring of EHS performance; early warnings from Honeywell equipment; and preventing accidents and unsafe situations. For example, an electronic questionnaire provides access codes and times of arrival to improve social distancing. At the entryway, AI-based elevated body temperature monitoring solutions conduct non-invasive personnel screenings. The system also detects if individuals are wearing the PPE required for entry to the building.

Meetings are also becoming hybrids. As COVID-19 has prevented large gatherings, meeting producers developed virtual alternatives. For example, on Oct. 29, SME, AMT and AMI presented “The Best of SMX,” a smart manufacturing digital event that included 1,500 attendees who listened to presentations, spent time at the SME Zone and Networking Lounge and made 4,000+ booth visits.

Even when we can be together again, these digital components will remain. In other words, we’ve seen the future of manufacturing, and it’s a hybrid mix of virtual and actual reality.

Source: https://www.sme.org/technologies/articles/2020/december/manufacturing-embraces-hybrid-reality/

The Advantages of Digital Pressure Sensors in Industrial Applications

Pressure sensors are used in a variety of industrial applications, ranging from hydraulics and pneumatics; water management, mobile hydraulics and off-highway vehicles; pumps and compressors; air conditioning and refrigeration systems to plant engineering and automation. They play a critical role in ensuring system pressures are within acceptable ranges and help to ensure reliable operation of the application. There are different advantages to using analog and digital pressure sensors, depending on the installation and system requirements.

When to Use a Digital vs an Analog Pressure Sensor System Design

One advantage of using analog pressure sensors is the simplicity in set-up if the existing system is based on analog control. If only one signal is needed on location for measuring dynamic processes, an analog sensor coupled to an analog-to-digital (ADC) converter would be a simpler solution as opposed to a digital pressure sensor which requires a specified protocol to establish communication with the device. If system electronics need very fast active feedback control loops, pure analog pressure sensors are the best solution. For systems that do not require a response time of faster than approximately 0.5ms, digital pressure sensors should be considered since they simplify networking with multiple digital devices and make the system more future-proof.

The right time to consider switching to digital pressure sensors in an analog system is when upgrading the components to include programmable microchips. Now that modern microchips are more affordable and more easily programmed, incorporating them into components like pressure sensors simplifies maintenance and system upgrades. This saves on potential hardware costs as digital sensors can then be updated with software instead of replacing entire components.

In applications with battery-operated systems, like in remote locations, battery-powered digital sensors with low power consumption are preferred over analog pressure sensors, which require constant power. Digital pressure sensors are easier to control and provide power-saving benefits to the system. For example, the ability to schedule when digital pressure sensors record or sleep can reduce power consumption by up to 500x when compared to analog sensors.

The plug-and-play design and shorter cable lengths of digital pressure sensors streamline system set-up and reduce the overall cost of installation in applications that are set up for digital communications. When digital pressure sensors are combined with GPS trackers, remote cloud-based systems can be located and monitored in real-time from afar.

Digital pressure sensors provide many advantages such as lower power consumption, minimum electrical noise, sensor diagnostics and remote monitoring.

Benefits of Digital Pressure Sensors

Once the user has assessed whether an analog or digital pressure sensor is most appropriate for the given application, understanding some of the beneficial features that digital pressure sensors offer industrial applications will help improve the system’s safety, efficiency and reliability.

A Brief Comparison of Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) and Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)

Two common digital communication protocols used in industrial applications are Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) and Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI). I2C works better with more complex networks as the installation requires fewer wires. In addition, I2C allows for multiple masters/slaves whereas SPI only allows for a single master/multi-slave network. SPI is the ideal solution for simpler networks and when higher speed and data transfer is required, like reading or writing to an SD-card or recording images.

Output Signals & Sensor Diagnostics

An important distinction between analog and digital pressure sensors is that analog provides only one output signal where digital sensors provide two or more, such as pressure and temperature signals along with sensor diagnostics. In gas cylinder measuring applications for example, the additional temperature information extends the pressure signal into a more comprehensive measurement that allows for the calculation of gas’s volume. Digital sensors also provide diagnostic data which includes key information like the reliability of the signal, signal readiness, and live failures, enabling preventive maintenance and reducing potential downtime.

This diagnostic data provides the detailed status of the sensor, such as if a sensor element is broken, if a supply voltage was correct, or if there is an updated value in the sensor that can be fetched. Compared to an analog sensor which does not provide detailed information about signal errors, diagnostic data from digital sensors enables better decision-making when trouble-shooting errors.

Another benefit of digital pressure sensors is that they are available with features such as alarms to alert operators of conditions outside of set parameters and the ability to control the timing and intervals of readings which helps to lower overall power consumption. With numerous outputs and diagnostics available in digital pressure sensors, the whole system is more robust and efficient because the data provides the customer with a more comprehensive assessment of the system’s operation. In addition to expanding measurement and self-diagnostic capabilities, the use of digital pressure sensors allows for faster development and implementation of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems and big data applications.

Digital pressure sensors like Sensata’s PTE7300 feature additional electronics onboard that suppress noise from sources such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and GSM and ISM bands. In addition, they feature low power consumption for battery operation, fast response time, increased sensor diagnostics, and sensor communication integrity check using cyclic redundancy check (CRC).

Environmental Noise

Electromagnetically noisy environments such as those close to motors, long cable runs, or radio sources could present signal interference challenges for components such as pressure sensors. To prevent Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) in analog pressure sensors, the designs need to include proper signal conditioning like

grounded metal shielding or additional passive electrical components, as electrical noise could cause faulty signal readings. All analog outputs are highly susceptible to EMI; however, using a 4-20mA analog output can help to circumvent this interference.

In contrast, digital pressure sensors are not as vulnerable to environmental noise compared to the analog equivalents, so they provide a great solution for applications where EMI is a concern, and the desired output is not specifically 4-20mA. It is important to note that different types of digital pressure sensors provide varying degrees of EMI robustness, depending on the application. Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) and Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) digital protocols are ideal for short distance or compact systems with cable runs under 5m long, though the precise allowable length is highly dependent on the type of cable and pull-up resistors being used. For systems that require longer cable runs up to 30m, CANopen (optional shielding) or IO-Link digital pressure sensors would be the best option for EMI resistance, though they would require higher power consumption than their I2C and Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) counterparts.

Data Protection with Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) Checking

Digital sensors provide the option of including CRC in the chip to help assure customers that they can rely on the signals. The CRC of the communication data is additional to the integrity check of the internal chip memory and allows users to validate 100% of the sensor output, providing an extra measure of data protection for the sensor. CRC features are ideal for pressure sensor applications in noisy environments, like when installed close to a transmitter in a cloud-based system. In such a scenario, there is an increased risk of noise interfering with the sensor’s chip and producing a bit flip which could alter the communication message.

The CRC on the memory integrity will protect the internal memory from such corruption and repair if needed. Likewise, some digital sensors also provide an additional CRC on the data communication which indicates corruption of data transferred between the sensor and controller and could trigger another attempt to assess a proper sensor readout. In some cases, end users circumvent this by interleaving the communication with the sensor with the external communication (for example to the cloud, a gateway or a controller). CRC simplifies this process and gives the designer more flexibility. In addition to data validity checking, some manufacturers include more electronics that suppress noise from sources such as WiFi, Bluetooth and GSM and ISM bands, further protecting data validity.

Digital Pressure Sensors at Work Enabling Smart Water Distribution Networks

The loss of water either through leaks, metering inaccuracies, unauthorized consumption or a combination of the three is an ongoing challenge for large water distribution networks. Applying digital pressure sensors with low power consumption at nodes throughout the distribution network is a practical and cost-effective approach to mapping an area’s water distribution network and allows utilities to detect and target areas with unexpected water loss.

When applied at the nodes throughout a water distribution network, digital pressure sensors can help identify areas of unexpected water loss, allowing for effective trouble-shooting and improving system efficiency.

Pressure sensors ideal for these applications typically feature either a fully hermetic design rated to IP69K ingress protection or are modular to allow customers more design flexibility. To prevent water leaking into the sensor for the duration of the application’s life, some pressure sensor manufacturers utilize a glass-to-metal seal connection. A glass-to-metal seal is impervious and creates a hermetic seal on the “top” of the sensor, contributing to a sensor’s IP69K rating. This seal means that the sensor is always measuring the pressure difference between what is in the application and the air surrounding it, preventing offset drift.

Improving Pressurized Gas System Conditioning

Pressure sensors play several important roles in monitoring and transporting pressurized air and medical gas throughout distribution networks. In these types of applications, pressure transducers could be responsible for compressor control and a variety of monitoring functions including of the intake and output flow-rate, gas cylinder depletion and air filter status. While a pressure signal alone gives an indirect measurement of the amount of gas particles at one location of the system, the combination of both pressure and temperature feedback that digital pressure sensors provide delivers a much better estimate of the amount of gas at the location, and therefore better system conditioning and monitoring. This allows system developers to get closer to the ideal working conditions for the application. Using digital pressure sensors in these systems could enable the creation of custom dashboards that monitor the fullness of gas bottles and their locations, allowing operators to more efficiently troubleshoot and maintain the system.

Though there are still installations where using analog pressure sensors make the most sense, there is a growing number of applications in industry 4.0 that benefit from using their digital counterparts. From EMI resistance and scalable networking to sensor diagnostics and data protection, digital pressure sensors enable remote monitoring and predictive maintenance, increasing the efficiency and reliability of the system. Robust sensor designs that feature specifications such as IP69K ratings, additional data integrity checks and extensive onboard electronics for EMI protection will help prolong service life and reduce potential signal errors.

Source: https://www.manufacturingtomorrow.com/article/2020/11/the-advantages-of-digital-pressure-sensors-in-industrial-applications/16127