Control Systems Engineering Design Criteria

TABLE OF CONTENTS

G-i

Appendix G - Control Systems Engineering Design Criteria

G.1 Introduction.

G.2 Codes and Standards.

G.3 Control Systems Design Criteria .

G.3.1 General Plant Control Philosophy .

G.3.2 Pressure Instruments .

G.3.3 Temperature Instruments 

G.3.4 Level Instruments.

G.3.5 Flow Instruments .

G.3.6 Control Valves 

G.3.7 Instrument Tubing and Installation.

G.3.8 Pressure and Temperature Switches

G.3.9 Field-Mounted Instruments..

G.3.10 Instrument Air System 

G.1 INTRODUCTION

This appendix summarizes the codes, standards, criteria, and practices that will be generally used

in the design and installation of instrumentation and controls for the Bullard Energy Center

(BEC). More specific project information will be developed during execution of the project to

support detailed design, engineering, material procurement and construction specifications.

G.2 CODES AND STANDARDS

The design of the control systems and components will be in accordance with the laws and

regulations of the federal government, the State of California, County of Fresno, and local

ordinances and industry standards. The most current issue or revision of rules, regulations,

codes, ordinances, and standards at the time of filing this Application for Certification (AFC)

will apply, unless otherwise noted. If there are conflicts between cited documents, the more

conservative requirements will apply.

The following codes and standards are applicable to the mechanical aspects of the power facility:

• The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

• Instrument Society of America (ISA)

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

• National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)

• National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

G.3 CONTROL SYSTEMS DESIGN CRITERIA

G.3.1 General Plant Control Philosophy

An overall distributed control system (DCS) or programmable logic controller (PLC) will be

used as the top-level supervisor and controller for the project. DCS/PLC operator workstations

will be located in the control room of the Administration and Control Building. The intent is for

the plant operator to be able to completely run the entire power island from a DCS/PLC operator

station, without the need to interface to other local panels or devices. The DCS/PLC system will

provide appropriate hard-wired signals to enable control and operation of all plant systems

required for complete automatic operation.

Each combustion turbine generator (CTG) is provided with its own microprocessor-based control

system with both local and remote operator workstations, installed on the turbine-generator

control panels and in the remote main control room, respectively. The DCS/PLC shall provide

supervisory control and monitoring of the turbine generator.

Appendix G

Control Systems Engineering Design Criteria

G-2

Several of the larger packaged subsystems associated with the project include their own PLCbased

dedicated control systems. For larger systems that have dedicated control systems, the

DCS/balance-of-plant (BOP) PLC will function mainly as a monitor, using network data links to

collect, display, and archive operating data.

Pneumatic signal levels, where used, will be 3 to 15 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) for

pneumatic transmitter outputs, controller outputs, electric-to-pneumatic converter outputs, and

valve positioner inputs.

Instrument analog signals for electronic instrument systems shall be 4- to 20- milliampere (ma)

direct current (dc).

The primary sensor full-scale signal level, other than thermocouples, will be between 10

millivolts (mV) and 125 volts (V).

G.3.2 Pressure Instruments

In general, pressure instruments will have linear scales with units of measurement in psig.

Pressure gauges will have either a blowout disk or a blowout back and an acrylic or shatterproof

glass face.

Pressure gauges on process piping will be resistant to plant atmospheres.

Pressure test points will have isolation valves and caps or plugs. Pressure devices on pulsating

services will have pulsation dampers.

G.3.3 Temperature Instruments

In general, temperature instruments will have scales with temperature units in degrees

Fahrenheit. Exceptions to this are electrical machinery resistance temperature detectors (RTDs)

and transformer winding temperatures, which are in degrees Celsius.

Dial thermometers will have 4.5- or 5-inch-in-diameter (minimum) dials and white faces with

black scale markings and will be every-angle type and bimetal actuated. Dial thermometers will

be resistant to plant atmospheres.

Temperature elements and dial thermometers will be protected by thermowells except when

measuring gas or air temperatures at atmospheric pressure. Temperature test points will have

thermowells and caps or plugs.

RTDs will be 100 ohm platinum or 10 ohm copper, ungrounded, three-wire circuits (R100/R0-

1.385). The element will be spring-loaded, mounted in a thermowell, and connected to a cast

iron head assembly.

Thermocouples will be single-element, grounded, spring-loaded, Chromel-Constantan (ANSI

Type E) for general service. Thermocouple heads will be the cast type with an internal

grounding screw.

G.3.4 Level Instruments

Reflex-glass or magnetic level gauges will be used. Level gauges for high-pressure service will

have suitable personnel protection.

Appendix G

Control Systems Engineering Design Criteria

G-3

Gauge glasses used in conjunction with level instruments will cover a range that is covered by

the instrument. Level gauges will be selected so that the normal vessel level is approximately at

gauge center.

G.3.5 Flow Instruments

Flow transmitters will be the differential pressure type with the range matching the primary

element. In general, linear scales and charts will be used for flow indication and recording.

In general, airflow measurements will be temperature-compensated.

G.3.6 Control Valves

Control valves in throttling service will generally be the globe-body cage type with body

materials, pressure rating, and valve trims suitable for the service involved. Other style valve

bodies (e.g., butterfly, eccentric disk) may also be used when suitable for the intended service.

Valves will be designed to fail in a safe position.

Control valve body size will not be more than two sizes smaller than line size, unless the smaller

size is specifically reviewed for stresses in the piping.

Control valves in 600-class service and below will be flanged where economical. Where flanged

valves are used, minimum flange rating will be ANSI 300 Class.

Severe service valves will be defined as valves requiring anti-cavitation trim, low noise trim, or

flashing service, with differential pressures greater than 100 pounds per square inch differential

(psid).

In general, control valves will be specified for a noise level no greater than 90 A-weighted

decibels (dBA) when measured 3-feet downstream and 3-feet away from the pipe surface.

Valve actuators will use positioners and the highest pressure, smallest size actuator, and will be

the pneumatic-spring diaphragm or piston type. Actuators will be sized to shut off against at

least 110 percent of the maximum shutoff pressure and designed to function with instrument air

pressure ranging from 60 to 125 psig.

Handwheels will be furnished only on those valves that can be manually set and controlled

during system operation (to maintain plant operation) and do not have manual bypasses.

Control valve accessories (excluding controllers) will be mounted on the valve actuator unless

severe vibration is expected.

Solenoid valves supplied with control valves will have Class H coils. The coil enclosure will

normally be a minimum of NEMA 4 but will be suitable for the area of installation.

Terminations will typically be by pigtail wires.

Valve position switches (with input to the DCS for display) will be provided for motor operated

valves (MOVs) and open/close pneumatic valves. Automatic combined recirculation flow

control and check valves (provided by the pump manufacturer) will be used for pump minimumflow

recirculation control. These valves will be the modulating type.

Appendix G

Control Systems Engineering Design Criteria

G-4

G.3.7 Instrument Tubing and Installation

Tubing used to connect instruments to the process line will be 3/8- or 1/2-inch-outside diameter

copper or stainless steel as necessary for the process conditions.

Instrument tubing fittings will be the compression type. One manufacturer will be selected for

use and will be standardized as much as practical throughout the plant.

Differential pressure (flow) instruments will be fitted with three-valve manifolds; two-valve

manifolds will be specified for other instruments as appropriate.

Instrument installation will be designed to correctly sense the process variable. Taps on process

lines will be located so that sensing lines do not trap air in liquid service or liquid in gas service.

Taps on process lines will be fitted with a shutoff (root or gauge valve) close to the process line.

Root and gauge valves will be main-line class valves.

Instrument tubing will be supported in both horizontal and vertical runs as necessary.

Expansion loops will be provided in tubing runs subject to high temperatures. The instrument

tubing support design will allow for movement of the main process line

.

G.3.8 Pressure and Temperature Switches

Field-mounted pressure and temperature switches will have either NEMA Type 4 housings or

housings suitable for the environment.

In general, switches will be applied such that the actuation point is within the center one-third of

the instrument range.

G.3.9 Field-Mounted Instruments

Field-mounted instruments will be of a design suitable for the area in which they are located.

They will be mounted in areas accessible for maintenance and relatively free of vibration and

will not block walkways or prevent maintenance of other equipment. Freeze protection will be

provided.

Field-mounted instruments will be grouped on racks. Supports for individual instruments will be

prefabricated, off-the-shelf, 2-inch pipe stand. Instrument racks and individual supports will be

mounted to concrete floors, to platforms, or on support steel in locations not subject to excessive

vibration.

Individual field instrument sensing lines will be sloped or pitched in such a manner and be of

such length, routing, and configuration that signal response is not adversely affected.

Local control loops will generally use a locally-mounted indicating controller (flow, pressure,

temperature, etc.).

Liquid level controllers will generally be the non-indicating, displacement type with external

cages.

Appendix G

Control Systems Engineering Design Criteria