The Woodward ProTech TPS (Total Protection System) is a highly advanced, SIL 3-rated safety system designed for the protection of critical rotating machinery. As a robust and versatile hardware-software platform, the ProTech TPS provides high-speed, reliable trip and control functionality for steam, gas, and hydro turbines, as well as large compressors. It integrates advanced diagnostic capabilities with redundant architectures to ensure maximum process availability and safety in demanding industrial environments.
📋 Product Specifications
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System Type: SIL 3-rated Safety Instrumented System (SIS)
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Architecture: Triple Modular Redundant (TMR) or Dual Redundant
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Processing Speed: High-speed scanning for sub-millisecond response times
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Communication: Modbus TCP/IP, Ethernet, and serial connectivity
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Safety Rating: Designed for API 670 and SIL 3 compliance
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Operating Temperature: -20°C to +60°C
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Mounting Type: Rack-mounted / Panel-mounted
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Country of Origin: USA / Germany
🌐 Application Fields
The ProTech TPS is primarily deployed in critical power generation and petrochemical applications where turbine safety is paramount. It is widely utilized in:
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Gas and Steam Turbines: Providing overspeed protection and critical trip monitoring.
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Large Compressors: Managing surge control and mechanical health monitoring.
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Oil & Gas Refineries: Ensuring emergency shutdown (ESD) reliability in high-risk zones.
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Power Plants: Integrating with existing DCS/PLC architectures to provide a fail-safe secondary protection layer.
🛠️ Product Usage Instructions
The ProTech TPS should be installed in a climate-controlled enclosure, following the provided cabinet layout diagrams to ensure proper thermal dissipation. Field sensors (such as speed probes or vibration sensors) must be wired to the redundant input modules, ensuring cable shielding is grounded to the system’s protective earth. Configuration is performed through the dedicated Woodward programming software. During the setup process, users must verify the trip logic settings, alarm thresholds, and communication maps before the system is commissioned for live operation. Regular proof-testing of the safety loops is required to maintain the SIL 3 integrity rating.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes the ProTech TPS “SIL 3” rated? A: The system achieves SIL 3 certification through its redundant, fail-safe architecture (typically TMR), internal self-diagnostics, and high-integrity design that detects and isolates faults without causing a nuisance trip.
Q: Can it communicate with my existing DCS? A: Yes, the ProTech TPS supports industry-standard communication protocols like Modbus TCP/IP, allowing it to easily pass status data, trip information, and diagnostic alerts to your primary control system.
Q: What is the benefit of the TMR (Triple Modular Redundant) architecture? A: TMR allows the system to continue operating even if one module fails. It uses a “voting” logic, where at least two out of three modules must agree on the health of the machine, preventing false trips while maintaining high reliability.
Q: How do I handle a system alarm? A: Alarms should be investigated via the system’s diagnostic interface. If an alarm indicates a hardware fault, the modular design allows for the hot-swapping of specific cards, provided the redundant safety configuration is maintained during the process.
