文档介绍：P1: FJP/FKE P2: FJP/FGB P3: FJP/FGB QC: ANJ
9 August 1999 15:19 CHAP-01
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTORY REVIEW
G. McMillan
From the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s, the hiring of engineers and technicians dwindled to new lows.
Technical training was replaced with management training programs. Fast-track employees aspired
to be managers rather than technical leaders. This, combined with the early retirement of most of
the experienced engineers and technicians, led to a huge gap in age and experience in the area of
process/industrial instrumentation and control. Companies have attempted to replenish their technical
capability in the past few years, but the new hires are typically not given a mentor, access to a technical
training program, and technical support. Nor are they given time to develop their skills on projects of
plexity. Often they are thrown immediately into some very difficult situations.
To help address this new need, the emphasis of the new material in the handbook has shifted from
operating principles to application guidance. New features and process conditions that are important
considerations for essful installations are discussed. Selection ratings, key points, and rules of
thumb are offered. This update provides the reader with a perspective and appreciation for what is
important for implementation from authors with decades of experience.
Plants have also suffered from neglect. In attempt to improve the return on equity, capital was not
made available to replace old equipment. Meantime, the surge in the economy means plants are running
at 200% or more of name-plate capacity. As a result, equipment is pushed beyond its normal operating
region. This has increased the benefits from process control improvement to get the most out of a
plant. Section 10 has been added to provide prehensive treatment of this important opportunity.
The biggest news, of course, is the move to smart instrumentation, the Windows NT platform, and