Distributed Control Systems
Emad Ali
Chemical Engineering Department
King SAUD University
Distributed Control Systems
Collection
of hardware and instrumentation
necessary for implementing control systems
Provide
the infrastructure (platform) for
implementing advanced control algorithms
History of Control Hardware
Pneumatic Implementation:
Transmission: the signals transmitted
pneumatically are slow responding and
susceptible to interference.
Calculation: Mechanical computation devices
must be relatively simple and tend to wear out
quickly.
History (cont.)
Electron analog implementation:
Transmission: analog signals are susceptible to
noise, and signal quality degrades over long
transmission line.
Calculation: the type of computations possible
with electronic analog devices is still limited.
History (cont.)
Digital
Implementation:
Transmission: Digital signals are far less sensitive
to noise.
Calculation: The computational devices are digital
computers.
Advantages of Digital System
Digital computers are more flexible because they
are programmable and no limitation to the
complexity of the computations it can carry out.
Digital systems are more precise.
Digital system cost less to install and maintain
Digital data in electronic files can be printed out,
displayed on color terminals, stored in highly
compressed form.
Computer Control Networks
1. PC Control:
Good for small
processes such as
laboratory prototype
or pilot plants, where
the number of
control loops is
relatively small
Display
Main
Computer
Final
control
element
PROCESS
Data
acquisition
Computer Control Networks
2. Programmable Logic Controllers:
specialized for non-continuous systems such as
batch processes.
It can be used when interlocks are required; e.g., a
flow control loop cannot be actuated unless a pump
has been turned on.
During startup or shutdown of continuous processes.
Computer Control Networks
Supervisory (host)
Computer
3. DCS
Most
comprehensive
Operator
Control
Panel
Operator
Control
Panel
Archival
Data
Storage
Data highway
To other Processes
Local data acquisition and
control computers
Main
Control
Computer
Local
Computer
Local
Computer
To other Processes
Local
Computer
Local Display
PROCESS
Local Display
DCS Elements-1
Local Control Unit: This unit can handle 8 to 16
individual PID loops.
Data Acquisition Unit: Digital (discrete) and analog I/O
can be handle.
Batch Sequencing Unit: This unit controls a timing
counters, arbitrary function generators, and internal
logic.
Local Display: This device provides analog display
stations, and video display for readout.
Bulk Memory Unit: This unit is used to store and recall
process data.
DCS Elements-2
General Purpose Computer : This unit is programmed
by a customer or third party to perform optimization,
advance control, expert system, etc
Central Operator Display: This unit typically contain
several consoles for operator communication with the
system, and multiple video color graphics display units
Data Highway : A serial digital data transmission link
connecting all other components in the system. It allow
for redundant data highway to reduce the risk of data loss
Local area Network (LAN)
Advantages of DCS
Access a large amount of current information from the data
highway.
Monitoring trends of past process conditions.
Readily install new on-line measurements together with local
computers.
Alternate quickly among standard control strategies and
readjust controller parameters in software.
A sight full engineer can use the flexibility of the framework to
implement his latest controller design ideas on the host
computer.
Modes of Computer control
1. Manual
2. Automatic
signals from digital
computer
FC
Local PID
controller
PID with local set point
3. Supervisory
PID with remote set
point (supervisory)
4. Advanced
Supervisory Control mode
Flow measurement
to computer
valve setting
from computer
Direct digital Control mode
Additional Advantage
Digital DCS systems are more flexible.
Control algorithms can be changed and
control configuration can be modified without
having rewiring the system.
Categories of process information
Type
Example
Digital. 1
Relay, Switch
Solenoid valve
Motor drive
Generalized. 2
digital
Alphanumerical displays
Pulse. 3
Turbine flow meter
Stepping motor
Analog. 4
Thermocouple or strain gauge (mill volt)
Process instrumentation (4-20 am)
Other sensors (0-5 Volt)
Interface between digital computer and
analog instruments
(A/D)
Transducers convert analog signals to
digital signals. (Sensor
Computer)
(D/A)
Transducers convert digital signals to
analog signals. (Computer
Valve)
Data resolution due to digitization
Accuracy
depends on resolution.
Resolution depends on number of bits:
Resolution = signal range 1/(2m -1)
m = number of bits used by the digitizer (A/D)
to represent the analog data
Data Resolution
Signal = 0 - 1 Volt, 3 bit digitizer:
Binary
representation
Digital
Equivalent
Analog
equivalent
Analog range
covered
000
001
010
011
100
101
110
111
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
0
1/7
2/7
3/7
4/7
5/7
6/7
1
to 1/14 0
to 3/14 1/14
to 5/14 3/14
to 7/14 5/14
to 9/14 7/14
to 11/14 9/14
to 13/14 11/14
to 14/14 13/14
Data Resolution
Digital data
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0
1/7
2/7
3/7 4/7 5/7
Analog data
6/7
Utilization of DCS
DCS
vendor job:
installation
Control
Configuration
Built-in
Engineer Job:
PID control:
How to Tune the PID control?
Utilization of DCS
Implementation
of advanced control:
Developed software for control algorithms, DMC,
Aspen, etc.
Control-oriented programming language supplied
by the DCS vendors.
Self-developed programs using high-level
programming languages (Fortran, C++)
Advanced control topology
Process
PI
system
DCS
Two-ways
Data Bus
PI interface
Online: Real-time data
PI interface: C++ or Fortran
Workstation
DCS Vendors
Honeywell
Fisher-Rosemont
Baily
Foxboro
Yokogawa
Siemen
Thank You