ACHEMA 2024: HIMA Shows How the Digitalization of Functional Safety Creates Added Value in Practice

Summary

June 10, 2024 - At ACHEMA 2024, HIMA is showcasing real world examples of the benefits of the next stage of the digitalization of functional safety. For example, customers experience how to use secure remote connections in safety projects and how safety information can be clearly displayed on role-specific dashboards and used for process optimization.

The digitalization of functional safety is revolutionizing the process industry by unlocking the considerable optimization potential in the execution of key tasks that are essential for safe and compliant operation.
HIMA is presenting five showcases, each demonstrating a unique aspect of how the digitalization of functional safety adds value to operators.
 

Showcase #1: There is no functional safety without security

This three-tier security portfolio, ranging from basic security measures to advanced intrusion detection systems, shows how functional safety and security intertwine. A practical demonstration illustrates the different security levels and shows how a user-centric security approach can be scaled to both new and existing plants. HIMA is showcasing how secure remote maintenance is carried out, and how communication is appropriately secured by using cyber diodes. Finally, a new zero-trust solution can be seen at the booth, extending what was previously possible.

Showcase #2: Automated testing solutions

HIMA is demonstrating how the digitization of the safety lifecycle makes it easier for operators to monitor and comply with the complex requirements of the IEC 61511 standard. Solutions for a safer and more secure operation, from HAZOP and LPA studies to automated safety tests are presented. HIMA is pursuing a holistic approach and is also showing solutions for a digital workflow that automates and simplifies recurring tests and their evaluations. This increases safety by eliminating systematic failures and reduces the non-value-added workload on operators.

Showcase #3: Seamless engineering processes

HIMA’s concept is demonstrating how it enables seamless integration of data through all phases of safety engineering. Enormous amounts of data are generated and processed using tools that are largely independent of each other, especially in the engineering process. HIMA is showcasing how digitalization integrates the data from these independent processes. This improves quality, saves time and costs, and reduces unplanned changes and manual interventions. It showcases how efficient information management can be implemented throughout the safety lifecycle from risk analysis to maintenance.

Showcase #4: Safety lifecycle digitalization

An effective management of change in safety systems is critical to ensure compliance with safety standards requirements. HIMA is showing how digital tools and automated processes can be used to implement changes efficiently and in compliance with the standards.

"HIMA Safety Lifecycle Digitalization" is shown to support operators in monitoring the reliability of the components and enable them to act in the event of unexpected behaviour. Secure connections from the ACHEMA trade show floor to the HIMA Customer Solutions Center in Brühl illustrate how an enterprise-wide digital safety lifecycle is implemented in practice, even on geographically separated assets. HIMA’s customers are using secure connections like these to perform functions including the automatic inventorying of safety assets, or the triggering of automated recurrent testing. HIMA is demonstrating how to integrate safety-relevant plant and operating data across site boundaries while meeting the requirements of the IEC 61511 standard.
Visualization of the safety status is done via configurable dashboards that provide tailored information depending on the user’s profile, from the safety engineer to the operations manager. While the safety engineer receives detailed data on the operational safety of specific functions, the operations manager gains a quick overview of the health of the safety functions. The customizable dashboards are based on predefined templates that can be extended as needed to meet specific requirements. This also includes equipment qualification in terms of operational reliability as well as compliance with certain operating modes and, for example, enabling a low-demand mode verification.

Showcase #5: Safety Navigator–the digital training platform

International universities are using HIMA’s "Safety Navigator" as a digital training platform. It provides the complete teaching content, and associated performance certificates, for each subject. Students appreciate the flexibility to define their individual learning packages, which is unusual in academia. Partner universities have access to this high-quality training program that teaches not only the relevant standards, but also the latest technical developments in the field of functional safety.

Pipeline management with leak detection for hydrogen pipelines

In addition to safe and secure digital solutions, new applications will also be presented. The FLOWorX pipeline management solution has been further developed to monitor and secure hydrogen and other gas transportation pipelines. Hydrogen pipelines pose significant additional risks compared to conventional pipelines. The latest version of FLOWorX allows operators to minimize these risks and locate leaks immediately.
 

Conclusion

At ACHEMA 2024, HIMA will show how the digitalization of functional safety simultaneously improves compliance and risk management and enables significant cost savings and efficiency gains. With the new dashboards and the demonstration of the showcases, HIMA is setting new standards in functional safety.

About HIMA Group

The HIMA Group is a global independent provider of safety-related automation solutions for the process and rail industries that protect people, assets, and the environment from harm. Founded in 1908, the family-owned company is headquartered in Brühl, near Mannheim, (Germany).

The HIMA Group employs approx. 1050 employees in 22 group companies worldwide. Regional centers are located in Breda, the Netherlands (Europe), Stockport, England (UK), Kristiansand, Norway (Scandinavia), Singapore (North and South East Asia), Perth (Australia and New Zealand), Shanghai (China), Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Middle East) and Houston, USA (North America). 

The open and independent HIMA Safety Platform combines hardware and software on a single technology platform and offers a uniform security concept. With more than 50,000 installed safety systems (SIL 3 / SIL 4, PL e, CENELEC SIL 4), HIMA is considered a technology leader. In addition to proven safety technology, HIMA offers consulting, safety engineering, and services as well as training.

This results in solutions that ensure functional safety and OT security, compliance with standards, process efficiency and plant availability throughout the entire safety lifecycle.

About HIMA

As a safety expert, HIMA is pioneering the digitalization of functional safety and generates significant added value for customers with holistic safety solutions.

Since the 1960s, HIMA has been a reliable partner to the world's largest companies in the process industry, including chemicals, petrochemicals, energy and oil and gas.

Typical safety applications include Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESD), Fire & Gas (F&G) systems, Burner Control /  Management Systems (BCS/BMS) for Burners and Boilers, Turbo Machinery Control (TMC) for Turbomachinery and Compressors, Pipeline Management Control (PMC) with Leak Detection, High-Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS) for overpressure protection of pipelines, subsea systems for the deep sea, and overfill protection systems for tank farms.

In 2015, HIMA revolutionized the railway industry with the first CENELEC SIL 4 certified Safety PLC. These commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products are open safety controllers that can be easily integrated and maintained into a wide variety of solutions. Today, HIMA also offers holistic safety solutions for applications such as level crossings, signaling interlockings, and on-board systems for rolling stock. Our rail solutions suite includes Power SCADA for Electrification, SCADA BMS for rail tunnel control, overspeed prevention systems, interlockings for railway depots, and automatic door control.