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Control System Training: History of Automation and Process
Control System Training: History of Automation and Process
• The replaced devices provide the system with efficient control and
produces quality output.
• They also maintain the system output at the desired condition leading to
reduced cost production and increased returns.
• This automation process has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
ELECTRICAL CONTROL
• The development of electrical devices like relays made simple
operations like on/ off to be done by these device than humans in
field. This was a huge step towards automation. This system of relay
based control and simple computer operations started making
process control much easier but, the biggest disadvantage was due to
the massive wiring system of the relay circuit. This massive wired
system made wiring and troubleshooting difficult.
Classification: Restricted Page 5
ELECTRONIC CONTROL
• With the development of microprocessors and microcontrollers the relay
logics were being implemented in gates on small IC chips ,this reduced the
wired systems largely. Thus the processes were more efficiently controlled.
• As efficiency increased, industries started planning for upgrading of the
industries. This posed a problem as these devices came with limited inputs
and outputs.
• The programming of the microprocessor and microcontroller was difficult
as it required skilled people to do the job.
• The devices were application specifically programed and upgrading of
process meant replacing the entire kit.
• The microcontroller or microprocessors were also not able to with stand
the high temperature of process industries.
• With the development of first PLC device by Richard Morley of MODICON in 1960’s ,
the answer to most of industrial requirements was met.
• The PLC device was designed as a rugged device with proper protection, thus making
it suitable for various kinds of industries.
• The programming of the PLC was very simple and did not require any skilled
programmers.
• When upgrading had to be done addition of inputs and outputs was easy as only I/O
modules had to be added to existing control system.
• These advantages made the PLC as the best solution for complete industrial
automation.
• Over the period more complex control operations led to the DCS also becoming
prominent in process control.
• This automation is best suited for batch production process where product
volume is medium to high. But in this, it is hard to change and reconfigure
the system for a new product or sequence of operations. Therefore, new
product or reconfigure of sequence of operations requires a long setup.
• Process as used in the terms process control and process industry, refers to
the methods of changing or refining raw materials to create end products.
The raw materials, which either pass through or remain in a liquid, gaseous,
or slurry (a mix of solids and liquids) state during the process, are
transferred, measured, mixed, heated or cooled, filtered, stored, or
handled in some other way to produce the end product.
• PROCESS INDUSTRY: Process industries are those industries where the raw
material is subjected to physical or chemical changes which transforms or
converts it to different product/ products.
• Process industries include the chemical industry, the oil and gas industry,
the food and beverage industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the water
treatment industry, and the power industry
CONTINUOUS PROCESS
Continuous process is the manufacture process in which, from the receipt
of the raw material to processing of final product happens continuously.
In continuous process the raw material is either bulky or fluid in large
quantity that flow continuously and undergoes a chemical reaction or is
subjected to heat treatment. These are the 24 x 7 kind of industries which
have a specifies maintenance periods.
Examples: Refineries, chemical plants , blast furnaces.