NPIPNG DEE E4 –Instrumentation & Process Control

Final Control Element_ Lecture#13

The final control element does the required changes in the manipulated variables and this variable will satisfy the
requirements of a controlled process. In any control system, the selection of the type of your final control element and
its location in the process is very important. We can describe the final control element as a component in a control
system that would regulate the flow of energy to the process. The final control element would directly determine the
manipulated (output) variable value (MV).

Mostly the final control element would be a valve and its main purpose is to open and close as per the command from a
controller. There are also other final control elements that you can use depending on the process you are controlling.

What does a final control element do in a control system?

The final control element is also known as the correcting part of

the control system. This element would receive the input from
the controller and this input will be converted into a
proportional operation which will be performed on the process.
In any type of control system, the final control element would
correct a variable that is not close to the set point (SP). As we
discussed above mostly the final control element would be a
valve or motor. This part in the control system implements the
decision which is made by the controller.

What are the elements of a Final Control Element?

Signal conversion is done to the control signal; the control signal

will be modified so that it can be transmitted to the next part
which is the actuator. In order to do the signal, a conversion
transducer is used because it can convert control signals from one
form to the other. The signals could be current, pressure,
temperature, voltage, etc. The final control element would
operate according to the control signal and we must take care of
the final control element properly because it does the final part in
a control system. So if there is any problem with the final control
element then it must be rectified quickly. The final control
element can be operated by means of pneumatic, electric,
hydraulic, or mechanical methods.

Types of Final Control Element

Control Valve

A control valve is one of the most used final control element in process
control. Control Valves are used to control flow and that can be gas,
water, or chemicals. By doing so the control valve can handle the load
disturbances and also the process variable (PV) will be kept close to the
set point (SP). The elements which are to be controlled by a control
valve would be the capacity, range, and pressure of the process. The
selected control valve must be able to provide the proper quantity of
the process fluid otherwise it will affect the process. We will learn more
about the selection of control valves in later lectures.
 The above image shows the parts of a control valve, the Actuator is in direct link with the mechanical valve plug which
moves in and out of the valve seat/body as per the control signal. There are certain types of actuators such as
pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric. The Positioner is another part of the control valve and it positions the actuator of the
control valve according to the value of the control signal. A positioner receives the input signal from the controllers
output signal and can be either electrical or a pneumatic signal and it gives the required power/position to the actuator.

Solenoid valve is a type of control valve which can be seen in many process control applications. The flow can be turned
on or off if it is a two-port valve, if it is a three-port valve then the outflow can be switched between the two outlet
ports. The control valve is used in industries for many purposes, example to control the process of water for batching,
mixing, washing, blending, or also for on/off type purpose.

Metering Pump

The metering pump can be considered as the positive

displacement pump and it can vary the discharge capacity
manually or automatically as per the requirement of the
process condition. This pump has good repetitive accuracy
and they are capable to pump certain chemicals including
acids, bases, corrosive or viscous liquids, and also slurries.
A reciprocating piston will do the pumping action by
pressing or squeezing against a hose that contains the
process fluid. Metering pumps are mostly used for
processes that requires low flow rates with quiet accurate
discharge. In Industries it is mostly used for chemical
. dosing applications.

Variable Speed Drives

A variable speed drive is a device that can be used to control the speed of an electric motor which drives certain rotating
machines. Typical examples are pumps, air compressors, conveyor systems and many more.

Benefits of using a VSD in Process Control.

 Operation is smoother
 Acceleration can be controlled
 Different operating speed for each process can be done
 Process variable change can be compensated
 The slow operation can be done for setup purpose
 Production rate can be controlled
 Accurate positioning can be achieved
 Torque or tension can be controlled
 Energy and time can be saved

We can also reduce the energy consumption by using a VSD. Electric motors consume a lot of energy therefore by
controlling the motor using a VSD we can reduce the power consumption.

The VSD operation takes place by converting the incoming fixed frequency supply into a variable frequency output. So
low frequency can be used for slow speed and high frequency can be used for faster speed. We can vary the output by
enabling the motor to generate more or less torque according to our requirement