Process Control Fundamentals
Process control simply refers to the control of a process. The main goal of process control is to stabilize process operations in order to consistently produce the desired results, and it can be automatic or manual. In modern processing and manufacturing industries, process control is frequently implemented by automated, computer- based control systems which utilize a number of different “tools.” The fundamental building block of these systems is the “process control loop.” This module discusses open and closed loop controllers, as well as specific examples of each.
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Course Details
Learning Objectives
• Define “process control”
• Differentiate between open loop and closed loop control systems
• List the elements of a simple feedback loop
• Describe the difference between continuous controls and discrete controls
Specs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of process control?
What is an open-loop controller?
What is a closed-loop controller?
What is a continuous control?
What does a logic control do?
What is a discrete sequencing control?
Sample Video Transcript
An open loop controller uses an input variable to produce the desired output. One example of an open loop controller is shown here. In this system, a steam coil is used to heat liquid in a tank. A manually adjusted valve on the steam line is used to affect the temperature of the liquid. In the best-case scenario, the relationship between the valve setting and the liquid temperature is well-known. However, because this is an open loop, the final liquid temperature is not used to change the valve setting. If this sort of feedback were used, this would be a closed loop controller. Open loop controllers are sometimes referred to as “non-feedback” controllers. They are best used on well-defined systems, where the relationship between the input variables and output variables are known.
