PCT23MKII – Process Plant Trainer

 

PCT23MKII – Process Plant Trainer

The Armfield Process Plant Trainer – PCT23MKII can be used to demonstrate a complete range of process control methods and strategies.

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Description

The Armfield Process Plant Trainer – PCT23MKII can be used to demonstrate a complete range of process control methods and strategies. Manual control and single feedback loops through to sophisticated cascade loops can be demonstrated along with distributed supervisory control of the whole process, by a remotely located computer.

The system is a miniature replication of a true production process. The student is presented with real process control problems with realistic dynamic behaviour and instabilities.

Technical Specifications

Flow rate ranges

  • Product stream: 0-480ml/min
  • Washing reagent: 0-480ml/min
  • Heating fluid: 0-600ml/min
  • Max. temperature of heating fluid: 80°C
  • Heat exchanger: Plate type
  • Feed and reagent vessel capacity: 5.7 litres (each)
  • Heating vessel capacity: 3.7 litres
  • Signal voltages: 0-5V
  • Level sensor range: 0-250mm
  • Flow sensor range: 0-500ml/min
  • Temperature sensor range: 0-100°C

Safety features

RCD in the console, all circuits protected by MCB’s, 24V dc operation of solenoid valves and pump motors

Heating vessel

  • Thermostat limiting max temp
  • Low level switch
  • Vent to avoid pressurisation

Features & Benefits

The Armfield Process Plant Trainer is a miniature version of a real industrial process, having typical problems of dynamics and stability for which control strategies must be devised and operated.

The following process characteristics are incorporated:

  • Multiple inputs and outputs
  • Presence of dead time
  • Recycling to minimise energy needs
  • Alarms with corrective actions
  • Operational sequencing from start up to shut down

The trainer allows the user to investigate various control techniques associated with process plant. These techniques range progressively from single loop analogue control through to multi loop PLC systems and ultimately to distributed supervisory control of the whole process by a remotely located PC station.

The Process Plant Trainer incorporates an electrical console which provides access to the various signals associated with measurement and control of the process allowing a variety of control possibilities:

  • Manual operation
  • Data logging using a PC or chart recorder
  • Manual control via a PC using a mimic diagram
  • Direct digital control using a PC
  • Use of industrial, PID or programmable controllers
  • Use of customer-provided controllers
  • Use of serial communications for supervisory control of individual controllers (SCADA)

Computer software is supplied with the Process Plant Trainer which allows control and/or data logging using a PC.

Downloads

Experimental content – PCT23

Practical training exercises

The Armfield PCT23MKII Process Plant trainer is designed to cover course topics ranging from a first introduction to the subject of process control through to demonstrations of the latest advanced techniques including the use of online mathematical models.

Plant Monitoring using a PC – Gaining familiarity with computer-based mimic diagrams for monitoring process variables: level, temperatures, flows and power.

Calibration of Sensors – To calibrate the level sensor installed on the Process Plant Trainer.

Process Dynamics I

  • Steady State Operation (Direct Heating) – Introducing a first order system and the achievement of steady state by investigating the hot water tank characteristics (observing the effect of constant direct heating on the temperature in the hot water tank)
  • Indirect Heat Exchange – Demonstrating indirect heating using a plate heat exchanger
  • Dead Time – Demonstration of the phenomenon of dead time
  • Step Changes – Measuring the response of a system (the plate heat exchanger) to step changes
  • Heat Transfer Losses – To calculate heat transfer losses for the system

Process Dynamics II

  • Interaction – Demonstrating the interaction between different loops in the system.Understanding how changing one process variable (e.g. flow rate) affects all the others (eg. temperatures)
  • Heat Regeneration – From both environmental and economic viewpoints, recycling or regeneration of energy within the process is desirable. The heat exchanger on PCT23 is equipped with a regeneration section where incoming cold feed is preheated by outgoing hot product
  • Indirect Cooling – In some situations, the finished product will need to be cooled further for final storage even after giving up energy in the regeneration section of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger on PCT23 is equipped with a cooling section where outgoing roduct can be indirectly cooled using cold water (or chilled water)
  • Process Duty – Understanding process duty and temperature differentials in the heat exchanger
  • PID Control of Level using Software – Introduction to level control using a PC (single loop PID controller in software)
  • PID Control of Flow using Software – Introduction to flow control using a PC (single loop PID controller in software)
  • PID Control of Temperature using Software – Introduction to temperature control using a PC (single loop PID controller in software)
  • PID Control of Conductivity using Software -To control the conductivity of the final product by adding a salt solution to the feed
  • Indirect PID Control of Temperature – To demonstrate single loop PID control
  • PID Control of Temperature with Dead Time – To demonstrate single loop PID control, with product temperature controlling heater power
  • PID Control with Alarm Driven Disturbances – To demonstrate the effect on control action of including an alarm-activated diverter valve
  • Controller Optimisation – Determining the ideal control parameters for a simple system (single loop, temperature to heater power)
  • Controller Optimisation with Dead Time – Determining the ideal control parameters for a simple system with dead time (single loop, temperature to heater power)
  • Two Loop Cascade Control – To demonstrate cascade control, whereby product temperature controls hot water temperature set point, which in turn controls heater power
  • Two Loop Control and Interaction – To demonstrate the effect on process response of two separate PID control loops which interact
  • Three Loop Control – To demonstrate multivariable control with interacting and non-interacting loops
  • Fault Finding and Diagnostics – Fault simulation and diagnosis by the instructor switching out selected signals

With optional PCT23SCADA Software

  • Introduction to Scada – An introduction to SCADA with serial communications from a remote PC to and from the controller

Included in the basic equipment supply is an advanced educational software package, which implements the control functions. The software displays a real time process mimic diagram and includes PID control algorithms, with user control over the key parameters. A number of predefined student exercises are implemented, such as alarm actions and acknowledgements, different single PID loops, cascade and multiple PID loops.

Included in the software is a sophisticated data logging and graphical display capability. This capability can be used even when the control signals are derived externally or manually. The data can be saved and recalled, or exported in Microsoft® Excel format.

Other facilities included in the software are a series of presentation screens to aid in the setting up, using the equipment, analysing the results, etc. This is backed up by a comprehensive help system. Advanced users may wish to produce their own control software using packages such as LabVIEW™, MatLab or ‘C’. This is possible using the USB interface on the PCT23 as the low level software driver (DLL) is accessible and interfacing instructions are provided.

For more advanced use, an optional software package has been developed to demonstrate SCADA. This package (order code PCT23SCADA) enables the PLC to control the process and extracts the data from the PLC via an RS232 connection. The PLC data is then displayed on the mimic diagram, giving the PC the supervisory role of the SCADA implementation.

PCT23 Flow Diagram

 

PCT23 software screen shot

  • A bench mounted process plant trainer with multiple streams both interacting and non-interacting. The process plant incorporates a miniature three-stage plate heat exchanger heated from a hot water circulator, two independent feed tanks, a holding tube with product divert valve and two variable-speed peristaltic pumps
  • Temperature, level, flow and conductivity control loops can be implemented
  • Manual control, single feedback loops, through to sophisticated cascade loops and distributed supervisory control of the whole process by a remotely located computer can be demonstrated
  • The effect of ‘dead time’ and heat recycle can be demonstrated
  • An electrical console provides measurement and control of the process plant and enables a variety of control techniques including manual operation, on/off control, control from an external signal and control from a PC or PLC
  • The equipment incorporates electrical fault simulation and control, data logging software, and a USB computer interface

PCT23SCADA: SCADA Software

This software contains the facilities required to demonstrate SCADA using the Armfield PCT23MKII.

It includes:

  • SLC500 ladder logic routines written specifically for the PCT23MKII
  • The communications facilities to enable the PCT23MKII software to display and data log the SLC500 parameters
  • The additional exercises for the PCT23MKII, enabling SCADA to be demonstrated in the same manner as the other exercises

Electrical supply:

  • PCT23MkII-A: 220-240V/1ph/50Hz
  • PCT23MkII-B: 120V/1ph/60Hz
  • PCT23MkII-G: 220V/1ph/60Hz

Cold water supply: 4 l/min @ 2 bar

Software requires the user to have a PC running Windows 7 or above with a USB port.

PACKED AND CRATED SHIPPING SPECIFICATIONS

Volume: 1.2m³

Gross Weight: 167kg

Process unit

Length: 0.550m

Width: 1.000m

Height: 0.530m

Console

Length: 0.280m

Width: 0.425m

Height: 0.400m

  • PCT23MkII-A
  • PCT23MkII-B
  • PCT23MkII-G

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