DESCRIPTION

Technical Description

This trainer provides a comprehensive experimental introduction to the fundamentals of control engineering using an example of continuous pH control.

A caustic solution is added to fresh water by way of a metering pump. The pH value of this solution is measured. The acid is then added to the solution as a neutralising reagent by way of a second metering pump. The chemical reaction occurs in a pipeline system. The pH value is then remeasured. A state-of-the-art digital industrial controller controls the second metering pump with reference to this pH value. The neutralised solution flows into the product tank. A third manual measurement of the pH value in the product tank permits disposal of solution with a neutral pH value. The pH value of the input solution can be varied by manually adjusting the metering pump or by varying the quantity of fresh water. This enables disturbances to be simulated. The controlled variable X and the manipulating variable Y are plotted directly on an integrated 2-channel line recorder. Alternatively, the variables can be tapped as analogue signals at lab jacks on the switch cabinet. This enables external recording equipment, such as an oscilloscope or a flatbed plotter, to be connected.

A process control software (RT 650.50) is optionally available. The software permits the construction of a complete networked system comprising multiple trainers from the RT 512 - RT 552 series. The key process variables can also be represented, and control functions executed.

The well-structured instructional material sets out the fundamentals and provides a step-by-step guide through the experiments.

Learning Objectives / Experiments

- fundamentals of control engineering
- real industrial control engineering components
- operation and parameterisation of the local controller  
  * manually
  * using the RT 650.50 process control software 
- pH value control
  * influence of dead time
- ratio control
- investigation of disturbance and control response
- controller optimisation 
- properties of the open and closed control loops
- processing of process variables using external equipment, e.g. oscilloscope or plotter
- together with accessory RT 650.50 and other trainers (RT 512 - RT 542): familiarisation with and use of process control software (SCADA)