Skip to product information
1 of 1
Regular price £90.69 GBP
Regular price Sale price £90.69 GBP
Sale Sold out
Free UK Shipping

Freshly Printed - allow 7 days lead

Data-to-Information Handbook
Building Effective Display Systems for Refining Processes

Ike Brackin (Author), Mark J. Nixon (Author), Dave Strobhar (Author)

9781394402458, Wiley

Hardback, published 11 June 2026

256 pages
25.6 x 18.3 x 2 cm, 0.68 kg

Transform process data into actionable information??using proven design principles

Data-to-Information Handbook: Building Effective Display Systems for Refining Processes is a practical guide for designing human-machine interfaces (HMIs) that transform raw data into clear, actionable information. Written by experts with extensive experience in control systems and operator performance, the book is grounded in the IEC 63303 and ISA-101 standards and offers comprehensive guidance on creating effective display systems that enhance operator decision-making and reduce uncertainty in continuous process environments.

The handbook explains display design principles and examples from continuous process plants across multiple industries. It specifies the information needed at each hierarchy level for major equipment and sections, with detailed representations for refinery processes. The book delivers three key applications: designing new systems, evaluating existing ones, and generating practical improvement concepts.

The book also:

  • Combines guidance from the IEC 63303 and ISA-101 standards with practical strategies for??building effective HMI displays in continuous process environments.
  • Provides a complete hierarchical display system for an entire refinery with examples for??different hierarchy levels.
  • Specifies information requirements at each display level for major equipment and sections in??process plants.
  • Offers detailed representations of systems and equipment for major refinery processes with practical display examples.
  • Includes proven concepts and techniques for modifying existing graphics to enhance operator perceptibility and confidence.

The Data-to-Information Handbook is essential for project engineers, process automation engineers, display designers, and operators working in continuous process industries. Practitioners will learn to design displays that significantly improve operator confidence, reduce uncertainty, and support better decision-making in control rooms across refining, chemical, and related industries.

List of Figures xiv

List of Tables xix

About the Book xxi

About the Authors xxii

Acknowledgments xxiv

1 What’s in this Handbook? 1

1.1 Overview 1

Review Questions/Exercises 2

Reference 2

2 How to Use this Handbook 3

2.1 Overview 3

Review Questions/Exercises 4

References 4

3 Display Design Process 5

3.1 Purpose 5

3.2 Basic Principles 6

3.3 Overall 6

3.4 Steps 7

3.4.1 Determine the Content 7

3.4.2 Identify the Constraints 7

3.4.3 Determine the Display Style 7

3.4.4 Create the Design Concept 8

Review Questions/Exercises 8

Reference 9

4 Characteristics of Human Information Processing 11

4.1 Short-Term Memory 11

4.1.1 Example 12

4.2 Signal-to-Noise Ratio 14

4.2.1 Example 15

4.3 Patterns/Emergent Features 16

4.3.1 Example 16

4.4 Display Proximity 17

4.4.1 Example 17

4.5 Processing Rates 18

4.6 Absence of Cues 19

4.7 Object Integration 19

4.7.1 Example 20

4.8 User Capability 20

4.9 Consistency 21

4.10 Summary of Key Human Factors 22

Review Questions/Exercises 23

References 23

5 Types of Data 25

5.1 Raw Data 25

5.2 Static Data 26

5.3 Composite Data 26

5.4 Data Scaling and Normalization 26

Review Questions/Exercises 27

6 Data Representation 29

6.1 Overview 29

6.2 Qualitative Representation 30

6.2.1 Analog 30

6.2.2 Trend 31

6.2.3 Radar Plots 32

6.3 Quantitative Representation 33

6.4 Data Coding 33

6.4.1 Color 34

6.4.2 Shape 34

6.4.3 Alphanumeric 34

6.4.4 Position 34

Review Questions/Exercises 35

References 35

7 Display Levels and Types 37

7.1 Overview 37

7.2 Display Levels 37

7.2.1 Level 1 (L1) – COSA Graphics 38

7.2.2 Level 2 (L2) 38

7.2.3 Level 3 (L3) 38

7.2.4 Special-Purpose Displays (L4) 40

7.3 Number of Displays 40

7.4 Display Styles 45

Review Questions/Exercises 45

References 45

8 Arranging Elements 47

8.1 Overview 47

8.2 Closure 47

8.3 Emergent Features 48

8.3.1 Arrangement of Dials for Emergent Features 48

8.3.2 Arrangement of Analog Bars for Emergent Features 49

8.3.3 Normalizing for Emergent Features 49

8.3.4 Graphic Layout for Emergent Features 49

8.4 Displaying Information Logically 50

8.5 Comparing Related Items in Tabular Format 50

Review Questions/Exercises 51

Reference 51

9 Content Determination 53

9.1 Description 53

9.2 Top-Down Methods 53

9.2.1 Idef 53

9.2.2 Cta 55

9.2.3 Application of Top-Down Techniques 55

9.2.3.1 Desalter Description 55

9.2.3.2 Applying CTA to a Desalter 56

9.2.3.3 Applying IDEF to a Desalter 57

9.3 Bottom-Up Methods 58

9.4 Output 59

Review Questions/Exercises 59

References 59

10 Rudimentary Process Equipment 61

10.1 Overview 61

10.2 Blowers 61

10.2.1 Description 61

10.2.2 Key Parameters 62

10.2.3 L1 Display 62

10.2.4 L2 Display 63

10.2.5 L3 Display 63

10.3 Compressors 64

10.3.1 Description 64

10.3.2 Key Parameters 64

10.3.3 L1 Display 66

10.3.4 L2 Display 68

10.3.5 L3 Display 68

10.4 Heat Exchangers 68

10.4.1 Description 68

10.4.2 Key Parameters 68

10.4.3 L1 Display 68

10.4.4 L2 Display 71

10.4.5 L3 Display – Steam Reboiler 71

10.4.6 L3 Display – Fin Fan 71

10.4.7 L3 Display – Condenser/Waste Heat Boiler (WHB) 71

10.4.8 L3 Display – Bypass 72

10.5 Pumps 72

10.5.1 Key Parameters 73

10.5.2 L1 Display 73

10.5.3 L2 Display 73

10.5.4 L3 Display 74

10.6 Rotating Equipment Drivers 74

10.6.1 Key Parameters 74

10.6.2 L3 Display – Turbine 74

10.7 Valves 76

10.7.1 Description 76

10.7.1.1 On-Off Valves 76

10.7.1.2 Motor-Operated Valves 77

10.7.1.3 Modulating Valves 77

10.7.2 Key Parameters 77

10.8 Common Equipment Summary 77

Review Questions/Exercises 80

Reference 80

11 Major Pieces of Equipment 81

11.1 Boilers 81

11.1.1 Description 81

11.1.2 Key Parameters 81

11.1.3 L1 Display 82

11.1.4 L2 Display 82

11.1.5 L3 Display 82

11.2 Desalters 82

11.2.1 Description 82

11.2.2 Key Parameters 82

11.2.3 L1 Display 86

11.2.4 L2 Display 86

11.2.5 L3 Display 86

11.3 Distillation Columns (Simple Distillation) 86

11.3.1 Description 86

11.3.2 Key Parameters 86

11.3.3 L1 Display 86

11.3.4 L2 Display 91

11.3.5 L3 Display 91

11.4 Fired Heaters 92

11.4.1 Description 92

11.4.2 Key Parameters 92

11.4.3 L1 Display 95

11.4.4 L2 Display 95

11.4.5 L3 Display 95

11.5 Fixed-Bed Reactors and Dryers 97

11.5.1 Description 97

11.5.2 Key Parameters 97

11.5.3 L1 Display 97

11.5.4 L2 Displays 97

11.5.5 L3 Displays 100

11.6 Fractionators (Complex Distillation) 100

11.6.1 Description 100

11.6.2 Key Parameters 100

11.6.3 L1 Display 100

11.6.4 L2 Display 100

11.6.5 L3 Display 102

11.7 Tanks (Sphere, Fixed Roof, and Floating Roof) 105

11.7.1 Description 105

11.7.2 Key Parameters 105

11.7.3 L1 Display 105

11.7.4 L2 Display 105

11.7.5 L3 Display 108

11.8 Vessels (Accumulators, Surge Drums, and Other Types) 108

11.8.1 Description 108

11.8.2 Key Parameters 108

11.8.3 L1 Display 108

11.8.4 L2 Displays 109

Review Questions/Exercises 109

12 Refinery Units 111

12.1 Overview 111

12.1.1 Refinery Overview 111

12.1.2 Building Displays 112

12.2 Crude/Vacuum Unit 114

12.2.1 Description 114

12.2.2 Key Parameters 115

12.2.3 L1 Display 116

12.2.4 L2 Display 116

12.3 Delayed Coking 120

12.3.1 Description 120

12.3.2 Key Parameters 120

12.3.3 L1 Display 121

12.3.4 L2 Display 122

12.4 Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) 124

12.4.1 Description 124

12.4.2 Key Parameters 125

12.4.3 L1 Display 125

12.4.4 L2 Display 125

12.5 Hydrotreating 129

12.5.1 Description 129

12.5.2 Key Parameters and Control 131

12.5.3 L1 Display 132

12.5.4 L2 Display 132

12.6 Naphtha Reforming 133

12.6.1 Description 133

12.6.2 Key Parameters and Control 134

12.6.3 L1 Display 136

12.6.4 L2 Display 136

12.7 Hydrocracking 137

12.7.1 Description 137

12.7.2 Key Parameters and Control 139

12.7.3 L1 Display 139

12.7.4 L2 Display 139

12.8 Amine Gas Treating 142

12.8.1 Description 142

12.8.2 Key Parameters and Control 144

12.8.3 L1 Display 146

12.8.4 L2 Display 146

12.9 Alkylation Unit 146

12.9.1 Description 146

12.9.2 HF Alkylation 146

12.9.2.1 L1 Display 147

12.9.2.2 L2 Display 147

12.9.3 Sulfuric Acid (H 2 SO 4)Alkylation 148

12.9.3.1 L1 Display 150

12.9.3.2 L2 Display 150

12.10 Sulfur Recovery Unit (SRU) and Tail Gas Treating Unit (TGTU) 151

12.10.1 Description 151

12.10.2 Key Parameters and Control 153

12.10.3 L1 Display 157

12.10.4 L2 Display 157

12.11 Flare/Flare Gas Recovery 157

12.11.1 Description 157

12.11.2 Key Parameters and Control 160

12.11.3 L1 Display 162

12.11.4 L2 Display 162

12.12 Product Blender 162

12.12.1 Description 162

12.12.2 Key Parameters and Control 165

12.12.3 L1 Display 165

12.12.4 L2 Display 165

Review Questions/Exercises 165

References 166

13 Special-Purpose Displays 167

13.1 Overview 167

13.2 Area Monitoring 167

13.3 Pumps 169

13.4 Emergency Block/Isolation Valves 173

13.5 Start-up/Shutdown 173

13.6 SISs 173

13.7 Apc 175

13.8 Vibration/Bearing Temperatures (Bentley-Nevada) 175

Review Questions/Exercises 175

Appendix A Applying Styles on a Specific Project 177

A. 1 Overview 177

A. 2 Workspace and Screen Layout 177

A.2. 1 Screen Size and Resolution 177

A.. 2 Number of Monitors 177

A.2. 3 Screen Zones 177

A.2. 4 System Toolbar 179

A.2. 5 Navigation Menu 179

A.2. 6 Widgets Area 179

A.2. 7 Alarm and Status Banner 180

A.2. 8 Faceplates 180

A.2. 9 Operating Window 181

A. 3 Displaying Visual Information 181

A.3. 1 Global Definitions 181

A.3. 2 Color Usage and Definition 181

A.. 3 Screen Background Colors 181

A.3. 4 Static Object Colors 182

A.3. 5 Dynamic Object Colors 183

A.3. 6 Alphanumeric Characters 183

A.3. 7 Alphanumeric Status Indication 184

A.3. 8 Data Bar 184

A.3. 9 Dynamic Values 185

A.3. 10 Lines 185

A. 4 Common Shape Behaviors 187

A.4. 1 Target and Selection Box 187

A.4. 2 Mouse Over 188

A.4.3 Mouse Click Functionality 188

References 188

Appendix B Designing the Graphics 189

B.1 Design Process 189

B.2 Determining the Content 189

B.2.1 Decision Mapping 189

B.2.2 Storyboarding 191

B.2.3 Storytelling 193

B.2.4 Determining Leading Indicators 194

B.3 Encoding Data Values 196

B.4 Determining Where to Display Values 196

B.5 Determining the Best Design for Remaining Objects 197

B.6 Determining the Importance of Information 197

References 197

Appendix C Cognitive Task Analysis 199

C.1 Overview 199

C.2 Fired Heater 200

C.3 Distillation and Fractionating Columns 200

C.4 Heat Exchanger 200

References 203

Appendix D Evaluating Graphics 205

D.1 Introduction 205

D.2 Clutter Coefficient and Visual Search 205

References 207

Appendix E Answers to Questions/Exercises 209

Appendix F Parameter Tag Names 215

F.1 Overview 215

F.2 Common First Letter in Tag 216

Reference 216

Glossary 217

Abbreviations 219

Bibliography 225

Index 227

Subject Areas: Mechanical engineering & materials [TG]

View full details