Process Control: Modeling, Design, and Simulation

15.1. Background

This textbook has emphasized controller design, primarily for SISO control loops. Much attention has been focused on control algorithms (such as PID or IMC) and tuning [adjusting the PID parameters, or the IMC “filter factor” (λ)]. Some attention has also been paid to control-loop interaction, particularly for two input–two output systems. Much of what a control or process engineer does, however, is not related to specific control algorithm and tuning details. A process engineer must be concerned about the operation of an entire process plant or operating unit, and not just individual control loops or even unit operations. The issues addressed by a process engineer are similar to those developed in Chapter 1, but on a much larger ...