eBook

Top 6 Questions to Answer to Reduce Process Variability eBook

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Top 6 Questions to Answer to Reduce Process Variability

There are times when a process variable (PV) shows an unacceptable level of variability around its setpoint (SP) while being regulated by a PID controller. In order to improve the quality of regulation of the process variable, there are six important questions to consider.

In this eBook we provide the six questions along with subsequent observations to help you in answering the questions.

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Tuning Rules for PI anad PID

Tuning Rules for PI and PID

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Tuning Rules for PI and PID

Determining Which Controller to Use

A key challenge in setting up a control system is determining what type of controller to use. The PID controller is generally accepted as the standard for process control, but the PI controller is sometimes a suitable alternative. A PI controller is the equivalent of a PID controller with its D (derivative) term set to zero.

It is important to understand how controllers interact with each different type of process. For details, see Table 1.

Table 1 – How PI and PID Controllers Interact with Different Kinds of Processes

Controller Pl Controller PID Controller
Effective for These Processes Fast processes, such as flow, pressure, and some temperature loops. Slower processes, such as level and insulated temperature.
Tuning Parameters P = Proportional
I= IntegralPl controller is the equivalent of a PID controller with its D (derivative) term set to zero.		 P = Proportional
I= Integral
D = DerivativeThe derivative term is particularly important for integrating processes, such as level, position, & well-insulated temperature.In general, using a derivative term can significantly increase the speed of the response of a non-integrating process and suppresses overshoot.
Response Speed Response is slower, thus enabling a smooth and accurate PV change. Response is faster, thus enabling setpoint to be reached more quickly.
Overshoot Overshoot will likely occur. Reduced or no overshoot.
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MANTRA v6002

MANTRA Advanced Process Control Software v6.0.0.2

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ControlSoft is pleased to announce the release of MANTRA Advanced Process Control Software v6.0.0.2. MANTRA v6.0.0.2 includes the following updates:

  • I/O Array Blocks – Six new I/O Array blocks have been added to the standard I/O block list. The blocks include Input Array (Boolean), Input Array (Integer), Input Array (Float), Output Array (Boolean), Output Array (Integer), and Output Array (Float).
  • Block Watch Window Automatic Tunable Upload – The tunable values edited from the Block Watch windows can now be uploaded automatically to the project database after updating the value in the Kernel.
  • OPC Device Status Detailed Dashboard – A detailed OPC Device information and connectivity status dashboard is now available in the Service Monitor Kernel icon.

For the full list of updates, please see the MANTRA Software 6.0.0.2 Release Notes, publication MN339C-EN, included with the software download.

Need help with advanced techniques for process control beyond basic PID control? Consider our Advanced Process Control Techniques training to learn about cascade control, override control, gain scheduling, feedforward compensation, and model-based control.

About ControlSoft

Since 1985, ControlSoft has been a global provider of platform-independent process control software and engineered solutions. Our products and services are sought by prominent companies in leading industries. By keeping a focus on improving plant availability, production efficiency, operational safety, and environmental compliance, we continue to deliver world-class control solutions for our customers.

Media Contact

Paul Botzman
pbotzman@controlsoftinc.com
phone 440-443-3900, ext. 101

Contact us to learn more about MANTRA.

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MANTRA is a registered trademark of ControlSoft Inc.

INTUNE v7501

INTUNE and INTUNE+ Software v7.5.1.0

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ControlSoft, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of INTUNE PID Loop Tuning Tools and INTUNE+ CLPM Software, v7.5.1.0.

INTUNE PID Tuning Tools includes robust auto-tuning and advisory adaptive-tuning tools that minimize the effort needed to optimally tune your PID controllers.

INTUNE+ CLPM Software is a non-intrusive plant management and process control predictive maintenance tool that combines process control monitoring with powerful diagnostic and tuning features.

INTUNE v7.5.1.0, includes includes the following enhancements:

  • Diagnostic Script, Retry-On-Error Option – The Diagnostic Script Plugins now have the option to automatically retry execution after an unhandled exception in the script.
  • OPC Array Datatypes – The IO driver will now detect unsupported OPC DA array datatype tags and report an error in the IO Quality column for the controller property.
  • Historian Data Status Dashboard – Trend Control now provides a Historian data dashboard to report information when loading historical data.
  • Command-line Enhancements for Auto-Start and Auto-Recovery – The INTUNE service command-line options have been updated to support starting/stopping the service and starting/stopping the INTUNE project together or in separate commands.

For the full list of updates, please see the INTUNE Software v7.5.1.0 Release Notes, publication MN113B-EN, included with the software download.

Want to learn more about PID tuning? Consider our PID Loop Tuning training to learn about PID control fundamentals, how to evaluate the health of PID loops and how to tune a PID controller.

About ControlSoft

Since 1985, ControlSoft has been a global provider of platform-independent process control software and engineered solutions. Our products and services are sought by prominent companies in leading industries. By keeping a focus on improving plant availability, production efficiency, operational safety, and environmental compliance, we continue to deliver world-class control solutions for our customers.

Media Contact

Paul Botzman
pbotzman@controlsoftinc.com
phone 440-443-3900, ext. 101

Contact us to learn more about INTUNE software.

Contact Us

INTUNE is a registered trademark of ControlSoft Inc.