1.

Develop a formula for finding the time constant of the liquid level system shown in Figure 1 when
the average operating level is ho. The resistance R is linear. The tank has three vertical walls and
one which slopes at an angle α from the vertical as shown. The distance separating the parallel
walls is 1.

Figure 1

2. The liquid level system shown in Figure 2 is initially at steady state with the inlet flow rate at 1
cfm. At time zero, one ft3 of water is suddenly added to the tank; at t =1, one ft3 is added, etc. In
other words, a train of unit impulses is applied to the tank in the intervals of 1 minute. Ultimately
the output wave becomes periodic as shown in the sketch. Determine the maximum and
minimum values of this output.

Figure 2

3. Starting from first principles, derive the transfer functions H1(s)/Q(s) and H2(s)/Q(s) for the liquid
level system shown in Figure 3. The resistances are linear and R1=R2 =1. Note that two streams
are flowing from tank 1, one of which flows into tank 2. You are expected to give numerical values
of the parameters in the transfer functions and to show clearly how you derived the transfer
functions.

Figure 3
4. The two tanks shown in Figure 4 are connected in an interacting fashion. The system is initially at
steady state with q = 10 cfm. The following data apply to the tanks: A1 = 1ft2 , A2 = 1.25 ft2 , R1 = 1
ft/cfm and R2 = 0.8 ft/cfm.
a. If the flow changes from 10 to 11 cfm according to a step change, determine H2(s), i.e. the Laplace
transform of H2(t), where H2 is the deviation in h2.
b. Determine H2(1), H2(4), H2(∞).
c. Determine the initial levels (actual levels) h1(0) and h2(0) in the tanks.
d. Obtain an expression for H1(s) for the unit-step change described above.

Figure 4

5. The following transfer functions have been evaluated the top product composition control of a
distillation column
x D ( s ) 0.40 e −1.8 s x D ( s) 0.10 e −1.1s
= =
x F ( s) 8.5 s + 1 L( s ) 4.2 s +1
a) Determine the continuous feed forward and feedback algorithm and values of all adjustable
parameters.
b) Draw the response of the system for a unit step change in load and unit step change in set point.

6. It is required to control a inverse response process occurring in a distillation column whose transfer
function is given as

2(1 − 4 s)
G( s) =
(2 s +1)(5 s +1)
a) Under pure proportional control, what is the range of values that Kc can take for the closed loop
system to be stable.
b) Evaluate offset when Kc=0.5.
c) Use an inverse response compensator and derive the controller block.
d) Draw the response of the process when a unit step change in set point is given.
e) Compare the response obtained above with the controller designed using Pade’s approximation.

7. For the time delay process with the following transfer function model
5 e −10.0 s
G(S ) =
15 s +1
 a) Use any (preferably Z-N) tuning rules to design a PI,PID controller and obtain closed loop
response.
b) Design a Smith Predictor for the given model specifying the transfer function to be implemented
in the minor loop. Implement the Smith prediction using Gc (Kc=0.3 and TI =15). Compare (a)
and (b) for a unit step change in set point.

8. The bottoms temperature of a distillation column is controlled by manipulating the steam flow rate
to the reboiler.The approximate transfer function for this is given by

0.25
y( s) = u1 ( s)
10 s + 1
However steam flow rate itself depends on the percent valve opening (u2) and steam supply
pressure (d1) which is known to fluctuate in an unpredictable but measurable fashion.
2.2 1.5
u1 ( s) = u 2 ( s) + d1 ( s )
2 s +1 0.5 s + 1
Design a cascade controller and show the response for a set point change in steam supply pressure.

9. In the top of a distillation column, distillate composition x D is controlled by manipulating reflux flow
rate ,L. The transfer functions for these are
x D ( s) 2 e −4 s
= g ( s) =
L( s ) 3 s +1
T ( s) 2 .5
= g 2 ( s) =
L( s ) 2 s +1
e −2 s
Gd =
0.2 s +1
Temperature at the top plate is found to be a faster output variable for control. Design a cascade
control scheme. Design the controllers and show the response for a load change.

10. For the multivariable process of distillation shown below, design a decoupler.
 − 2.16 e − s 1.26 e −0.3 s 
 
8.5 s + 1 7.05 s + 1 
 y1    m1 
y  =   m 
 2   − 2.75 e −1.8 s 4.28 e − 0.35 s   2
 
 8.2 s +1 9 s +1 
Show the response of the control system for a unit step change in y1