Tuning of industrial control systems

Suitable for beginners, this book takes a practical but systematic approach to tuning. The aim is to provide insight into tuning procedures rather than a series of formulas to be memorized. The author gives helpful rules of thumb to speed the learning process during field training. The text begins with a discussion of common techniques for measuring the dynamic response of a process and choosing appropriate performance criteria. Later chapters cover selection and tuning of feedback control modes, including computer- and microprocessor-based controllers, and advanced modes. The second edition includes numerous examples of tuning, including the effect of hysteresis in flow control loops, averaging and tight level control, cascade control of a jacketed chemical reactor, feedforward control of a heater, and loop interaction and ratio control in a blender. Also included is an introduction to a model reference control and a chemical reactor control example to illustrate it.