Control Objectives and Feedback Control

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Part I.

Discuss whether each of the following control designs, as shown in Fig.1.0, satisfies the
specified control objective.

a. Control the flow in a pipe.

b. Control the flow in a pipe.
c. Control the pressure in an enclosed vessel.
d. Control the pressure in an enclosed vessel.

a. Flow

Answer: The design satisfies the control objective. This is because the flow in the
upstream is monitored and controlled. The problem to regulate the amount of flow to
pass through is being addressed.

b. Flow

Answer: The design satisfies the control objective. This is because the flow in
downstream, is being monitored and controlled. Thus, the flow passing through is being
regulated at the desired set point.

c. Pressure

Answer: The design satisfies the control objective. This is because the tank pressure is
the manipulated variable. Therefore, it is correct that the pressure control connected to
the tank is signaling to the FCE, to compare error from desired setpoint, and make
adjustments.
Control Objectives and Feedback Control
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d. Pressure

Answer: The design doesn’t satisfy the control objective. This is because the objective
is to control the pressure in the vessel not the pressure in the piping. In order to relieve
and hold the pressure, the controller should be connected to the tank.

Part II. Possibility of Feedback Control

Engineers must be able to quickly determine whether feedback control is possible.

For many “straightforward” process systems, we can make this determination using
qualitative analysis of the process behavior. If we do not have sufficient insight, we can
develop mathematical models and perform identification experiments.

In this exercise, we will build our ability to use the modeling principles to predict the
behavior of process systems. Here, we will apply qualitative reasoning to determine
whether feedback control is possible for some proposed designs. Feedback is possible
if a causal relationship exist between the manipulated and controlled variables.

In addition, engineers must actually do it in the real world. Thus we require sensors and
final elements (valves). The designs provide proposals for the equipment associated
with each design; we will evaluate these as well.

Scenario: You are studying to be become an instrumentation and control

engineer and an acquaintance has asked you to evaluate some designs that he
has prepared. He says that he does not have as much knowledge as you have in
control and would appreciate your assistance.

For each of the designs, determine whether feedback control is possible and
evaluate the instrumentation recommendations.

The proposed designs are presented in Table 1.0.

Control Objectives and Feedback Control
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Table 1.0 Proposed Control Designs with instrumentation recommendations.

Flow Control:

 Centrifugal pump with constant

speed (rpm)
 Orifice plate sensor (flow)
 Globe valve (FCE)

Flow Control:

 Positive displacement pump

 Orifice plate sensor (flow)
 Butterfly valve (FCE)

Flow Control:

 Centrifugal pump with variable

speed driver (pump varies in speed
thus flow also changes)
 Orifice plate sensor (flow)

Temperature Control:

 Manipulate the cooling water flow

 Bimetallic coil sensor (temperature
 Globe valve (FCE)

Temperature Control:
 Manipulate the cooling water flow
 Bimetallic coil sensor (temperature)
 Globe valve (FCE)

Temperature Control of Boiling Water:

 Manipulate one exiting flow

 Flexible diaphragm (pressure
sensor)
 Globe valve (FCE)
 Liquid level Control:

 Manipulate the exit flow

 Pressure difference sensor (level)
 Needle valve (FCE)

Pressure Control:

 Manipulate one exiting flow

 Flexible diaphragm (pressure
sensor)
 Globe valve (FCE)

Pressure Control:

 Manipulate exiting flow from vessel

 Piezoelectric (pressure sensor)
 Globe valve (FCE)

Composition Control in isothermal

CSTR:

 Manipulate the inlet flow

 Control CV, measured using
refractive index
 Ball valve
 Level maintained constant by LC
Composition Control in isothermal
CSTR:

 Manipulate the inlet flow

 Control CV, Ball valve
Level maintained constant by LC

Answers:

a. Feedback control is possible in the design since the flow is relieved from upstream.
The controller here dictates the flow rate and signals at what position it should
maintain its opening.

b. Feedback control is still possible since it monitors the flow and controls the FCE
whether the fluid should be released or not. The change of pump will not affect how
the controller regulates the flow.
c. In the diagram, the pump varies the speed and the controller dictates if the flow rate
should be maintained or changed. Thus, it is possible of feedback control.

d. In this situation, there are two inlet flow, the cooling water and the hot fluid. If the
goal is to manipulate the cooling water, the TC should be connected in the outlet
flow since it carries the combined temperature. Hence, the design is possible of
feedback control.

e. In this situation the controller is connected to the hot fluid. We know that temperature
is notoriously slow and hard to control. If the controller adjusts the cooling water flow
according to hot fluid temperature, it will be hard to achieve the desired temperature.
Therefore, the design is not possible of feedback control.

f. In the diagram, the controller monitors the temperature of the boiling water and
signals the valve if it needs more hot oil or not. Hence, the feedback control is
possible.

g. Feedback control is possible in the design. This is because the sensor monitors the
level and the controller commands the valve at what position it should maintain its
opening to control the level.

h. In the diagram, the pressure is relieved through the exiting flow. If the controller
dictates the opening of valve according to the piping pressure, then the objective to
control the pressure is met. Hence, feedback control is possible.

i. In the diagram, the controller dictates the valve opening to manipulate the outflow.
Through this the pressure inside the vessel is maintained. Therefore, feedback
control is possible.

j. Feedback control is possible in the design. This is because the analytical controller
dictates the valve its opening according to the state of composition inside the vessel.

k. Although the reaction is different this time, feedback control is still possible in the
design since the analyzer dictates and manipulates the inlet flow. There is no
change of control from diagram j.