Introduction to Process Control (II)
Classification of Process Control Strategies
• Feedback control
Method 1 is an
example of a
feedback
control strategy.
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Introduction to Process Control (II)
The distinguishing feature of feedback control is that the
controlled variable is measured, and that the measurement
is used to adjust the manipulated variable. For feedback
control, the disturbance variable is not measured.
An important advantage of feedback control is that
corrective action occurs regardless of the source of the
disturbance.
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Introduction to Process Control (II)
For example, in the blending process, the feedback control
strategy can accommodate disturbances in w1, as well as
x1. Its ability to handle disturbances of unknown origin is a
major reason why feedback control is the dominant process
control strategy.
However, feedback control does have a fundamental
limitation: no corrective action is taken until after the
disturbance has upset the process, that is, until after the
controlled variable deviates from the set point.
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Introduction to Process Control (II)
•Feedforward control
Method 2 is an
example of a
feedforward
control strategy.
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Introduction to Process Control (II)
The distinguishing feature of feedforward control is that
the disturbance variable is measured, but the controlled
variable is not.
The important advantage of feedforward control is that
corrective action is taken before the controlled variable
deviates from the set point.
Ideally, the corrective action will cancel the effects of the
disturbance so that the controlled variable is not affected
by the disturbance.
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Introduction to Process Control (II)
Although ideal cancelation is generally not possible,
feedforward control can significantly reduce the effects of
measured disturbances.
Feedforward control has three significant disadvantages:
(i) the disturbance variable must be measured (or
accurately estimated), (ii) no corrective action is taken for
unmeasured disturbances, and (iii) a process model is
required. For example, the feedforward control strategy for
the blending system (Method 2) does not take any
corrective action for unmeasured w1 disturbances.
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Introduction to Process Control (II)
A more practical approach is to use a combined
feedforward–feedback control system, in which feedback
control provides corrective action for unmeasured
disturbances, while feedforward control reacts to measured
disturbances before the controlled variable is upset.
Consequently, in industrial applications, feedforward
control is normally used in combination with feedback
control. This approach is illustrated by Method 3, a
combined feedforward–feedback control strategy because
both x and x1 are measured.
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Introduction to Process Control (II)
Summary:
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Introduction to Process Control (II)
Process Control Diagrams
Block diagram for the outlet composition feedback control system.
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Introduction to Process Control (II)
The operation of the feedback control system can be
summarised as follows:
• Analyzer and transmitter: The tank exit concentration
is measured by an analyzer and then the measurement is
converted to a corresponding electrical current signal by a
transmitter.
• Feedback controller: The controller performs three
distinct calculations. First, it converts the actual set point
xsp into an equivalent internal signal sp. Second, it
calculates an error signal e(t). Third, it calculates a
controller output p(t).
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Introduction to Process Control (II)
• Control valve: The controller output p(t) in this case is a
DC current signal that is sent to the control valve to adjust
the valve stem position, which in turn affects flow rate
w2(t).
This is the end of Part II
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