Level Flow Control
Level Flow Control
Level Flow Control
EXPERIMENT 2
To study the response of level control process in open tank using the PID controller.
a) The process consists of a level tank T31 and a collection tank T32 connected with the appropriate
pumps and piping system.
To operate T31 as an Open tank, the top vent (V) and overflow drain (D) manual valves are opened, so
that the top space of T31 is at atmospheric pressure.
LAH31 : Tank level at T31 measured by LT31 exceeds the preset High level
alarm limit. The High alarm limit is set at PH1 at the PID1 page
LAH32 : Tank level at T32 exceeds the High level limit (shortest probe) of
the Level Switch LS32.
1. Tank T32 should be filled with water up to and just below the level of the shortest level probe (not
visible) of the Level Switch LS32 which is slightly below the tank (T32) overflow pipe outlet. Top
up the water later whenever necessary.
2. Operate Model WLF922 independently. Open the by-pass manual valve B33 of pump P33 to divert
any flow back into T32. Shut the interconnecting pipeline from Model WLF922 to Model WT922 at
the appropriate manual valve MV-T. Also shut the manual valve MV-D at the discharge of pump
P33, leading to the drain.
All pumps (P31, P32, P33) suction, discharge and by-pass valves are fully opened.
Operate T31 as an Open tank with the top vent (V) and overflow drain valves fully opened. The
pressurizing air inlet to T31 is isolated at its inlet manual valve (with the valve handle at 90 to
the air supply inlet tubing), located next to the preset Air Regulator AR31 near the top of tank
T31.
Operate T31 as a Self Regulating process. Open only the manual GATE valve at the gravity
discharge pipe at the tank bottom. The second manual globe valve at the second gravity
discharge pipe must remain shut, thus operating only one gravity discharge pipeline at the
bottom of tank T31.
Shut the two manual discharge valves of pump P31, one of which is at the strainer inlet.
For a Self Regulating process, pump P31 must be OFF.
The manual by-pass valve around the control valve LCV31 should be always shut but its two
adjacent manual valves should be always opened.
4. Compressed air is required to operate the control valve system LCY31/PP/LCV31 and to pressurize
tank T31. Check that the pressure is in accordance to the pressure indicated at the air pressure
regulator (IAS. Do not pressurize T31 yet. Shut the pressurizing air inlet manual isolation valve.
5. Note the following switches and pushbuttons but do not switch ON any pump yet.
Pump P33 : Pump P33 can be selected to either the AUTO or MAN position.
MAN position is the OVER-RIDE P33 position.
6. Check the Positioner (PP) manual By-pass switch at LCV31/PP. Make sure the Positioner (PP) is
connected to LCV31 i.e. do not by-pass it, but use the Positioner (PP).
Set the 1-2 Selector switch to Position 1 to operate LIC31 and display LIC31, Loop 1
accordingly.
With LIC31 in Manual (M) mode, adjust MV = 25%. Check that LCV31 is about 25%
OPENED (see the indicator scale at the valve stem). Also note that the control valve LCV31 is
Air-to-Open (ATO).
7. Start the recorder, LFR31 by pressing the RCD button ON, with the front swing cover opened.
Check the recorder chart speed (500mm/Hr) which is regularly printed out on the chart. The recorder
chart drive should be stopped (press RCD) when its chart recording is not required.
8. With the controller Selector switch in Position 1, display LIC31 faceplate at the controller. Note
that Position 1, PV1, SV1 and MV1 are displayed as PV, SV and MV in the main display page
(faceplate).
Set the setpoint (SV1) of LIC31 to 400 mm. Note that SV1 should be operated from 200 (25%)
to 640mm (80%) only.
Set the first (I) trial PID values at the PID1 page or panel as follows:-
LIC31 (PID1, Loop1): PB1 = 30%, TI1 = 25secs, TD1 = 0
9. When the level is near to the setpoint SV1, switch LIC31 to Auto (A) mode .Quickly change to the
FIC31(PID2) page and make sure the Cascade(C) mode indicator for FIC31 is lit up. Else press
C once. Switch back to LIC31(PID1) page.
Throughout the following test and observation, LIC31 is to remain in Auto (A) mode and the control
valve Positioner (PP) must be used and connected unless instructed otherwise.
10. The recorder LFR31 chart drive should be at fast speed (500 mm/Hr) with RCD ON. Check the
chart speed which is regularly printed out on the chart. Observe the level response at the red pen
until the response is almost steady to with 1.0 mm or it displays oscillatory response even after 3
cycles. Write down the setpoint (SV2) and PID values on the recorder chart paper beside its
response. These chart recordings constitute the results of your experiment and should be kept for
your reports.
11. Repeat the flow (green pen) observation by using the following TEST DISTURBANCE, one test at
a time. Start and end each test when the flow response is reasonably steady or remains oscillating
even after 3 cycles.
(i) Switch LIC31 to Manual (M) mode and quickly step change MV (inflow) by about 10%
to 20% . Then quickly switch LIC31 back to Auto (A) mode. This simulates a load step
test at the inflow. Observe the level (red pen) response similarly.
(ii) Open 1-turn, hold for 30 seconds and shut fully the pump by-pass manual valve B32.
This simulates a load pulse disturbance test at the inflow. Observe similarly.
Repeat the test with any of the above disturbances such as above, using the second (II) trial
PID values as follows:-
12. Level PID control with only Proportional (P) control mode
Repeat the test with only Proportional control mode. Integral control can be removed by setting
TI1 to its maximum (9999 secs). Proceed as follows:
Set LIC31 (PID1, Loop1): PB1 = 10%, TI1 = 9999 secs (Max), TD1 = 0 sec. Apply disturbance
test.
Repeat with PB = 5%.
Double the PB1 to say 20% and observe the damping at both the inflow (Green
pen) and level (Red pen) response and at the control valve LCV31. When the
level is almost steady at its setpoint again, apply test disturbance.
STOP ALL THE PUMPS. MAKE SURE BOTH THE MANUAL DISCHARGE
VALVES OF PUMP P31 ARE FULLY SHUT.
4.0 RESULTS/DISCUSSION
The recorder LFR31 records the results of the experiments. Relevant portions of the recorder chart
responses should be submitted as results of the experiment, with the following pertinent data marked on
the corresponding chart recording:-
The Recorder chart speed is occasionally printed on the chart, for example at
500 mm or 0.139 mm or 7.2 secs
Hr sec mm
a) Study and compare the level responses at different PID. Use the following terms to explain
the dynamics of process i.e. Rise time, Settling time, Overshoot and Period of oscillation.
b) Note that from the recorder chart response that even though the inflow (green pen) is
fluctuating, the level is held almost steady. Explain why.
d) Discuss the response when adding derivative (D) control mode.Observe the fluctuation of the
flow(green pen) and level(red pen). Is derivative control suitable?Eplain why.