PB302

U Series 3 Plus
Performance Controller
for Axial and Centrifugal Compressors

Description Benefits
The Series 3 Plus Performance Controller is designed Series 3 Plus Performance Controllers offer many
to provide precise and reliable capacity control of benefits you can’t get from conventional, general-
centrifugal and axial compressors. It can be easily purpose controllers, including:
configured for any of the following applications: • More precise control of your process because the
• controlling any single-input performance variable, built-in loop-decoupling algorithms allow the Perfor-
such as a pressure or flow rate; mance Controllers to avoid process disruptions
• calculating and controlling the temperature- and caused by Antisurge Controller actions
pressure-compensated mass flow rate; • Less compressor downtime because our process-
limiting and manual-override algorithms eliminate
• manipulating the compressor’s proximity-to-surge unnecessary process trips due to overload condi-
in response to changes in the output of a master tions or inadvertent operator errors
Performance Controller in a load-sharing network.
• More reliable operation because fall-back control
The Performance Controller can also improve pro- strategies permit continued capacity regulation
cess and compressor reliability by limiting critical even after transmitter failures
pressures, temperatures, speeds or other variables to
avoid compressor trips due to overload, overspeed or Benefits, continued on rear panel
high temperature. Limiting control loops can be
enabled for two such variables, in which case the
output is modulated to satisfy the most restrictive con-
dition that exists at any given time.
This controller also features automatic start-up and
shut-down ramping and can exchange information
with higher-level computers or distributed-control sys-
tems via the Modbus serial-communication protocol.
Plus, the Performance Controller’s loop-decoupling
and load-sharing features make it the ideal compan-
ion to our Series 3 Plus Antisurge Controller [PB301].
Achieving Integrated Performance
and Antisurge Control
Axial and centrifugal compressors require at least two
control loops, one to manipulate the speed, inlet valve
or guide-vanes to match compressor throughput to
process requirements, and a second to manipulate a
recycle or blow-off valve to prevent surge. Close coor-
dination is required to prevent loop interactions from
creating pressure and flow oscillations that can
degrade both control precision and surge protection.
Performance and Antisurge Controllers use a dedi-
cated serial communication link to notify each other of
their intended control actions. Each can then adjust its
own output so that it compliments rather than impairs
the control actions of its companion controllers.
Description, continued on rear panel

PB302 (2.1) March 2000


Description, continued from front panel
This decoupling action enables them to provide more
reliable surge protection and improved performance
control. Because the controllers do not operate at
cross purposes, they can be tuned faster to achieve
both high speed and stable control.
Achieving Optimal Load Distribution in
Multiple Compressor Networks
Combining Performance and Antisurge Controllers
also enables you to use our patented load-sharing
algorithm for multiple compressor applications.
A Series 3 Plus load-sharing control system consists
of a Station (Performance) Controller, a Load-Sharing
(Performance) Controller for each compressor, and
an Antisurge Controller for each compressor or com-
pressor section.
The Station Controller regulates the capacity control
variable (for example, discharge header pressure)
Summary of Features
The many built-in, keyboard-configurable features of
the Series 3 Plus Performance Controller include:
• primary control of any single-input process variable,
a pressure- and temperature-compensated mass
flow rate, or a load-sharing variable based on com-
pressor proximity to surge
• control of any two process limiting variables
• sequencing of compressor start-up and shut-down
• integrated loop decoupling prevents interacting
control loops from destabilizing your process
• bumpless transfer between manual and automatic
operating modes
• manual override prevents inadvertent compressor
damage due to operator error
• input testing and fallback strategies keep your com-
pressor on-line in the event of a transmitter failure
• tracking and self-test features allow smooth, auto-
matic switching to redundant controllers in the event
of a controller failure
• standard hardware simplifies maintenance and
spare parts stocking
• Modbus interface enables communications with
host computers or distributed control systems
PB302 (2.1)
COMPRESSOR CONTROLS CORPORATION
L 4725 121st Street, Des Moines, IA 50323, USA
Phone: (515) 270-0857 • Fax: (515) 270-1331 • Web: www.cccglobal.com
Printed in U.S.A.
indirectly, by sending its control response (the station
control signal) to the Load-Sharing and Antisurge
Controllers. They, in turn, directly manipulate the
compressor control elements.
Depending on its proximity to surge, each compres-
sor’s Antisurge or Load-Sharing Controllers (or both)
applies a gain to the station control signal and adds
the result to its own control action. For example, when
the discharge pressure is too low, a Load-Sharing
Controller might speed up its compressor while the
Antisurge Controllers reduced its recycle rate. This
would yield an immediate pressure increase.
In addition, the Load-Sharing Controllers use their
local PID loops to drive all of the compressor operat-
ing points to a common distance from surge.
This method optimizes overall process efficiency by
avoiding unnecessary recycle or blow-off. Load distri-
bution occurs automatically, even when compressors
are being brought on- or off-line or when their thermo-
dynamic efficiencies change (as when filters plug up).
Conventional load-sharing strategies employing
base-loading, pressure-to-flow cascade, or biasing of
a single controller’s output are far less effective, if they
work at all. Such systems commonly experience load
oscillations that degrade control precision. They also
produce a less efficient load distribution in which the
least-loaded compressors are more likely to surge.
Benefits, continued from front panel
• Optimal efficiency in multi-compressor applications
because our patented load-sharing algorithms elim-
inate unnecessary recycling
• Simplified operation due to automation of start-up,
shut-down, and load-sharing procedures
• Lower engineering costs because the Series 3 Plus
Performance Controller is designed specifically for
compressor applications, thus eliminating custom
software design and debugging costs and reducing
startup expenses
This product is covered by U.S. and foreign patents allowed
and pending. The impeller logo, Safety On, and Recycle Trip
are registered trademarks of Compressor Controls Corp.
March 2000