Unit modules are the highest level control entities in the physical hierarchy in a DeltaV batch application. Each unit module represents a piece or group of equipment used to carry out part of a batch process; a unit module executes phase logic to carry out that process. A unit module contains module blocks representing equipment modules and control modules that identify the actual equipment to be manipulated when that unit module runs.
You can create unit modules by dragging a unit module class to the Process Cell (or Area) in the System Configuration/Control Strategies section of the DeltaV Explorer. When the unit module is created, all the contained equipment module classes and control module classes are instantiated.
If you are not using class-based modules, the control modules associated with the unit module can be dragged into the unit module.
Our sample paint application will have unit modules for one base tank (UM_BASE_400), three color tanks (UM_COLOR 100, UM_COLOR_200, and UM_COLOR_300), and two blenders (UM_BLENDER_500 and UM_BLENDER_600). After a unit module is created, we will rename each of the contained control module and equipment module instances to make the names more meaningful for the individual unit. Note that, in the DeltaV Explorer hierarchy, the name of the module block from which the module instance was created appears in parentheses after the module name to help in identifying the source. (The module block Properties dialog can be opened to see the name of the module class.)