PCI Experiment – 2022

Nominal specifications

tank depth: 150 mm

diameter: 190 mm

flow: 0 to 3 L/min

Data provided

You have been provided flow calibration data for four (4) pump speeds: 35%, 50%, 75% and 100%.

Proportional-only (P) control

You have been provided data examining proportional-only control for the following settings:

setpoint = +20mm ; Kc = 1 setpoint = +20mm ; Kc = 2

setpoint = +20mm ; Kc = 5 setpoint = +30mm ; Kc = 6.6
Proportional-Integral (PI) control

You have been provided data examining proportional-only control for the following settings:

SP = +30mm ; Kc = 10, Ti = 100 seconds

SP = +30mm ; Kc = 10, Ti = 600 seconds
SP = +30mm ; Kc = 5, Ti = 50 seconds
SP = +50mm ; Kc = 4, Ti = 100 seconds
SP = +50mm ; Kc = 6.6, Ti = 100 seconds

Task list
You are tasked with the following:
1. Determine the volumetric flowrate at each of the four provided pump speeds (35%, 50%, 75%
and 100%) and prepare a calibration chart of volumetric flowrate (as L/min) versus pump
speed (as % max flow). (4 marks)
2. Determine the closed-loop process gain (Kp’) and closed-loop process time constant (p’) from
each of the proportional-only control trials [Kp’ = KcKp/(1+KcKp); p’ = /(1+KcKp)]. (8 marks)
3. Determine process gain (Kp) and process time constant (p) from each of the proportional-only
control trials (ie. from task 2 above). (8 marks)
4. Determine how the offset varies with process gain using the data from each of the
proportional only trials. (5 marks)
5. Comment on how the reset time (Ti) effects the process response to a step change in setpoint
for PI control at a fixed controller gain (Kc) (4 marks)
6. Comment on how the controller gain (Kc) effects the process response to a step change in
setpoint for PI control at a fixed reset time (Ti) (6 marks)
7. Comment on any overshoot or offset which results from each of the PI control trials. (5 marks)

You are to complete these tasks as part of your Tutorial submission group, with submission due by:
Friday 28th October 11:59 pm