Going e-way: Automation of operations at Low Temperature Facility, TIFR

Large scale uninterrupted cryogen production and distribution, control and monitoring of the complex helium liquefier plant, accounting of expensive helium gas, effective usage of limited skilled manpower and plant safety are some of the growing requirements of TIFR Low Temperature Facility (LTF).

 

In an attempt towards development of a modern and paperless facility, we have carried out a significant automation in the facility recently. State-of-the-art tools and utilities such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), data logging, remote monitoring, remote diagnostics, graphical process visualisation, internet and communication through mobile phones were deployed.

 

We will discuss some of the technical details concerning the plant automation. We will also show how the automation has already resulted in improved efficiency and reduced downtime of the plant, apart from achieving most of the major requirements and demands.