Process Measurement, Dynamics and Control

Process control is about understanding the dynamics of the process, selecting an appropriate measurement device for the controlled variable and making adjustments to the process to keep the controlled variable at a desired value. This module provides an introduction to basic Process Control.

Students will learn how signals from process sensors are measured, transmitted and conditioned. The factors that should be considered when specifying process instrumentation are also covered. These include the common metrics of instrumentation capabilities, safety aspects and costing.

The module emphasises that time-dependent behaviour has significant influence on process design, operation and safety. General representations of dynamical systems are presented. Students will be taught Laplace Transforms, the mathematical tool for analysing the dynamic behaviour of linear time-invariant systems. The concept of feedback control is introduced and students will learn several techniques for tuning 3-term PID controllers and how to analyse a close loop system for stability.

Finally, students will be taught how to draw P&IDs to depict instrumentation deployed in a chemical process plant.