Advanced Practical Process Control

An application-oriented approach to process control. The reference text systematically explains process identification, control and optimization, the three key steps needed to solve a multivariable control problem. Theory is discussed as far as it is needed to understand and solve the defined problem, while numerous examples written in MATLAB illustrate the problem-solving approach.

This text and reference offers an application-oriented approach to process control. It systematically explains process identification, control and optimization, the three key steps needed to solve a multivariable control problem. Theory is discussed as far as it is needed to understand and solve the defined problem, while numerous examples written in MATLAB illustrate the problem-solving approach.

This book is aimed at engineers and technicians who need to have a clear, practical understanding of the essentials of process control, loop tuning and how to optimize the operation of their particular plant or process. The reader would typically be involved in the design, implementation and upgrading of industrial control systems. Mathematical theory has been kept to a minimum with the emphasis throughout on practical applications and useful information.This book will enable the reader to:* Specify and design the loop requirements for a plant using PID control* Identify and apply the essential building blocks in automatic control* Apply the procedures for open and closed loop tuning* Tune control loops with significant dead-times* Demonstrate a clear understanding of analog process control and how to tune analog loops* Explain concepts used by major manufacturers who use the most up-to-date technology in the process control field · A practical focus on the optimization of process and plant· Readers develop professional competencies, not just theoretical knowledge· Reduce dead-time with loop tuning techniques

This expanded new edition is specifically designed to meet the needs of the process industry, and closes the gap between theory and practice. Back-to-basics approach, with a focus on techniques that have an immediate practical application, and heavy maths relegated to the end of the book Written by an experienced practitioner, highly regarded by major corporations, with 25 years of teaching industry courses Supports the increasing expectations for Universities to teach more practical process control (supported by IChemE)

So why another book on process control? Process Control: A Practical Approach is a ground-breaking guide that provides everything needed to design and maintain process control applications. The book follows the hierarchy from basic control, through advanced regulatory control, up to and including multivariable control. It addresses many process-specific applications including those on fired heaters, compressors and distillation columns. Written with the practicing control engineer in mind, the book: Brings together proven design methods, many of which have never been published before Focuses on techniques that have an immediate practical application Minimizes the use of daunting mathematics – but for the more demanding reader, complex mathematical derivations are included at the end of each chapter Covers the use of all the algorithms, common to most distributed control systems This book raises the standard of what might be expected of even basic controls. In addition to the design methods it describes any shortcuts that can be taken and how to avoid common pitfalls. Proper application will result in significant improvements to process performance. Myke King’s practical approach addresses the needs of the process industry, and will improve the working practices of many control engineers. “This book would be of value to process control engineers in any country.” – Mr Andrew Ogden-Swift, Chairmain, Process Management and Control Subject Group, Institution of Chemical Engineers, UK “This book should take the process-control world by storm.” – Edward Dilley, Lecturer in Process Control, ESD Simulation Training

This book fills the gap between basic control configurations (Practical Process Control) and model predictive control (MPC). For those loops whose performance has a direct impact on plant economics or product quality, going beyond simple feedback or cascade can improve control performance, or specifically, reduce the variance about the target. However, the effort required to implement such control technology must be offset by increased economic returns from production operations. The economic aspects of the application of the various advanced control technologies are stressed throughout the book.

Practical Process Control (loop tuning and troubleshooting). This book differs from others on the market in several respects. First, the presentation is totally in the time domain (the word "LaPlace" is nowhere to be found). The focus of the book is actually troubleshooting, not tuning. If a controller is "tunable", the tuning procedure will be straightforward and uneventful. But if a loop is "untunable", difficulties will be experienced, usually early in the tuning effort. The nature of any difficulty provides valuable clues to what is rendering the loop "untunable". For example, if reducing the controller gain leads to increased oscillations, one should look for possible interaction with one or more other loops. Tuning difficulties are always symptoms of other problems; effective troubleshooting involves recognizing the clues, identifying the root cause of the problem, and making corrections. Furthermore, most loops are rendered "untunable" due to some aspect of the steady-state behavior of the process. Consequently, the book focuses more on the relationship of process control to steady-state process characteristics than to dynamic process characteristics. One prerequisite to effective troubleshooting is to "demystify" some of the characteristics of the PID control equations. One unique aspect of this book is that it explains in the time domain all aspects of the PID control equation (including as the difference between the parallel and series forms of the PID, the reset feedback form of the PID equation, reset windup protection, etc.) The book stresses an appropriate P&I (process and instrumentation) diagram as critical to successful tuning. If the P&I is not right, tuning difficulties are inevitable. Developing and analyzing P&I diagrams is a critical aspect of troubleshooting.

This book focuses on those functionalities that can provide significant improvements in Proportional–integral–derivative (PID) performance in combination with parameter tuning. In particular, the choice of filter to make the controller proper, the use of a feedforward action and the selection of an anti-windup strategy are addressed. The book gives the reader new methods for improving the performance of the most widely applied form of control in industry.

Intended for control system engineers working in the chemical, refining, paper, and utility industries, this book reviews the general characteristics of processes and control loops, provides an intuitive feel for feedback control behavior, and explains how to obtain the required control action witho