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Media Pack: This is NeSSI




Media Pack: This is NeSSI


Revision B
November 2006

Page 1 of 4
What is NeSSI?
The New Sampling/Sensor Initiative aims to make significant improvement to the design and
operation of on-line analyser systems.
The driving forces behind the initiative are economic: NeSSI will make analyser systems less
expensive and they will give a better pay back.

GOALS
HOW
To reduce the cost to build
Standardisation, reducing design and engineering time. Simplified assembly, reducing manufacturing costs. Less field infrastructure, reducing construction costs.
To reduce the cost to operate
Faster, easier predictive maintenance, reducing technician time. Remote connectivity, reducing engineering support time. Smart diagnostics, improving maintenance efficiency.
To increase the credits
Higher reliability, delivering valuable data for more of the time.


The elements of a NeSSI system

The substrate provides the channels through which samples flow and the mechanical platform on
which sample system components, sensors and analysers are mounted.
The NeSSI-bus provides networked connectivity to components and sensors mounted on the
substrate.
The Sensor Actuator Manager (SAM) is the interface between the NeSSI-bus and EtherNet. It
enables process measurements with their validity codes to be seen by a Distributed Contol System
(DCS) and it enables maintenance-related data to be viewed from remote locations. SAM also
includes smart functionality for advanced diagnosis of system health. Remote control of the
sample system, for example valve switching is also available via the NeSSI-bus and SAM.
Programmable Substrate Heater
Ethernet LAN
V
A
P
F
SAM
PDA/PC
Auxiliary Heating/Cooling
Substrate
T
T
Standard
Sampling
Interface
dcs
o&m
user
Standard
Connectivity
Interface
SP76 Mechanical Rail
NeSSI-bus Electrical Rail
Standard
Software Shell
(AppLI)
Standard
Connectivity
Interface (ConnI)





Media Pack: This is NeSSI


Revision B
November 2006

Page 2 of 4
The NeSSI generations
Generation 1: Fluid handling systems
Designed to the ANSI/ISA SP76.00.02-2002
standard, which specifies the layout of fluid
flow channels and mechanical fixing holes.
Generation I is well tested in the field on gas,
vapour and liquid streams (liquids include
water and hydrocarbons up to diesel). This is
estimated to encompass about 90% of all
streams routinely measured by process
analysers.
Generation I systems have been demonstrated to be at least as reliable as traditional sample
systems and in many cases they are superior. For example, they are less likely to leak after
disassembly or replacement of components.
Although the cost of substrate blocks is higher than equivalent traditional systems, if design and
assembly time is taken into account, it is reckoned that overall the cost to build is about equal.

Generation II: Electrically networked systems
The NeSSI-bus connects field devices to
the Sensor Actuator Manager (SAM)
An analyser LAN (or ANLAN) transmits data
to process control systems in the DCS
domain and to maintenance staff in the
operations and maintenance domain.
Corporate computing infrastructure may
enable interaction with NeSSI systems from
anywhere in the enterprise.
Level 3 LAN
Enterprise
Domain
Level 4 Enterprise LAN
AnLAN
O&M
Domain
Level 2 LAN = Field LAN
Measurement
Domain SAM
eSAM Level 1 Sensor
Bus (CAN)
DCS
Domain
c-LAN
The NeSSI-bus will be intrinsically safe,
allowing systems to operate in hazardous
areas and making it easy to plug in or remove
components - no conduit or cumbersome
protection systems will be needed.
Smart systems will incorporate control and
diagnostics.
Gen III
Gen II
Gen I
Mechanical Components (mostly)
IS serial bus, miniTransducers
local wireless
Platform for microAnalytical, remote
wireless, advanced gas & liq. sensors
End User Value

Generation III: Microanalytical systems
In the future, measurement devices will include lab-on-
a-chip, MEMS-based miniature analysers and other
small sensor technologies. These will all be readily
integrated into the NeSSI framework.
It is anticipated that the value that NeSSI delivers to
the end users will increase as progress through the
generations is achieved.




Media Pack: This is NeSSI


Revision B
November 2006

Page 3 of 4
The key objectives


Objective 1
Facilitate the acceptance and implementation of
modular, miniature & smart sample system
technology based on ANSI/ISA SP76 standard
substrate

Objective 2
Provide a technology bridge to the process for sensor
or lab-on-a-chip micro-analytical devices

Objective 3
Promote the concept of field-mounted (By-Line)
smart analytical systems

Objective 4
Lay the groundwork for Pipe to Pixel open
connectivity architecture for intrinsically safe device
(sensors and actuators) communication (NeSSI-
bus) and industry standard communication
protocols





Media Pack: This is NeSSI


Revision B
November 2006

Page 4 of 4
Status and current activities
Generation I: Fluid handling systems
NeSSI-systems are available from Swagelok, CIRCOR and Parker-Hannifin. Initial designs have
been refined following extensive field testing and all three manufacturers have stable, well-proven
products.
NeSSI-compatible sample system components are readily available and the list includes
gauges, valves, flow indicators, flow controllers, pressure regulators, filters and pumps.
Major end users consider that NeSSI systems are well proven and are superior to traditional
designs. They are beginning to specify NeSSI for use on major new projects.
NeSSI systems are also finding increasing use in R&D labs where the ease with which fluid
handling systems can be reconfigured is proving to be a valuable advantage.

Generation II: Electrically networked systems
Developing the network is the major item of work in hand at present. As a "let's get something
going" option, Siemens Applied Automation Inc. are using I
2
C technology and demonstration units
are being tested in conjunction with each of the substrate vendors and a major end user. In the
short term I
2
C is expected to be the first system to arrive commercially.
Concurrently, there are efforts to specify and develop an intrinsically safe version of CAN-bus
which might supersede I
2
C at a later date. Additionally, Foundation Fieldbus has been proposed
as a third option, although activity is slow.

Generation III: Microanalytical systems
Some analysers, such as oxygen, moisture, refractive index, UV and n-IR spectrometers are
already available in NeSSI versions.
Proprietary developments are in hand and we expect that over the next few years many NeSSI-
compatible sensors and analysers will come to the marketplace.

Who is involved?
NeSSI operates under the sponsorship and umbrella of CPAC (Center for Process Analytical
Chemistry) at the University of Washington in Seattle.

NeSSI is a non-affiliated, international, ad hoc group composed of over 400 people, including
end-users, manufacturers of sample system components and makers of process analysers. Some
of the most active companies who are driving NeSSI forward include ExxonMobil, Dow
Chemical, Swagelok, CIRCOR, Parker-Hannifin, Siemens Applied Automation, ABB and Emerson
Process Solutions (Fisher-Rosemount), but many other companies are participating in discussions,
developing NeSSI-compatible products and using NeSSI systems.

Sources of more detailed information
CPAC maintains a section on its web-site at
http://www.cpac.washington.edu/NeSSI/NeSSI.htm

where discussion documents and presentations from all NeSSI meetings are posted. NeSSI
has been on the agenda at major conferences such as IFPAC, APACT, Pittcon and the ISA AD for
several years. Bulletins on activities and conferences are issued several times per year.
All information in this media pack may be freely reproduced. JPEG files of all figures are available.