Elements of Process

Control System
DR KS NAGLA
DR BR AMBEDKAR NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JALANDHAR
 Elements of Process Control

The elements of the process control system can be defined by

the separate functional parts of the system.
 Process
 Measurement
 Error Detector
 Controller
 Control element
 Block diagram of a control loop defines all the basic
elements and signals involved
Controlling
Input to process
control variable
element

Controlled
variable

Measured
value
Physical Diagram pf process control loop
Block diagram of process control loop
 Process

 In general, a process can consist of a complex assembly of

phenomena that relate to some manufacturing sequence.
 Many variables may be involved in such a process, and it may be
desirable to control all these variables at the same time.
 There may be a single-variable processes, in which only one
variable is to be controlled,
 In multivariable processes, in which many variables, perhaps
interrelated, may require regulation.
 The process is often also called the plant.
 Measurement

 In general, a measurement refers to the conversion of the variable into

some corresponding analog of the variable, such as a pneumatic
pressure, an electrical voltage or current, or a digitally encoded signal.
 A sensor is a device that performs the initial measurement and energy
conversion of a variable into analogous digital, electrical, or pneumatic
information.
 Further transformation or signal conditioning may be required to
complete the measurement function. The result of the measurement is a
representation of the variable value in some form required by the other
elements in the process-control operation.
 Error Detector

 Error detectors perform the crucial task of comparing the

reference and output signals. If the inputs and outputs are
already in the form of electrical voltages then the error
detector is a simple comparator.
 This error has both a magnitude and polarity for the automatic
control system
 Controller

 A controller is an instrument used for controlling a process variable . It

continuously monitors the error signal and gives a corrective output to the final
control element.
 Classification: Analog or Digital controller , Pressure, flow, temperature, level
controller etc.
 Computer, single board computer, microcontroller, microprocessor, PLC etc
 Control Element

 The final element in the process-control operation is the device that

exerts a direct influence on the process; that is, it provides those
required changes in the controlled variable to bring it to the setpoint.
 This element accepts an input from the controller, which is then
transformed into some proportional operation performed on the
process. This element is also referred to as the final control
element.
YouTube Video Lecture Link

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuK2SBIN7n0&t=10s
END