A life-cycle approach to automation information management in the process industries

This paper presents an overview of the problems and possible solutions for automation information management and utilization in the process industries. The process plant life-cycle model is introduced and the cost structure of process automation investments is reviewed in this context. The general trends in process industry and developments in automation technologies are described and their effects are discussed. The advances in engineering CAD systems and their usability in solving the information management needs over the lifetime of process plants is assessed. This paper also presents one application of advanced engineering CAD system for automation information management in an oil refinery.