2.

Transfer Function Models For Multiple Feed

A transfer function analysis can also be used when there is more than one input variable. The following
figure shows more than feed with their input’s variables:
v(t)
V(s)

The General Transfer Function G(s) is given within the following:

  Y(s)=
Where,
  Y(s)=   U(s)=   V(s)=

Ch.E403_Process Control (I) _ Transfer Function/ Lect. M. F. M. 1

Example 4:

Consider the continuous blending process in the next

figure. For simplicity, we make the following
assumptions:
1. Liquid density ρ and volume V are constant.
2. Mass flow rates w1, w2, and w are constant.
  the 𝑑𝑥
Then unsteady-state component balance equation is:
𝜌𝑉 =𝑤1 𝑥 1+ 𝑤2 𝑥2 −𝑤𝑥 ………………. 4.1
𝑑𝑡
Derive transfer function models for two cases: (a) Inlet concentration x 1 varies while x2 is constant. (b) Inlet
concentrations x1 and x2 vary.

SOLUTION
(a): Inlet concentration x1 varies while x2 is constant. We will derive a transfer function model between exit
composition x (the output variable) and inlet composition x 1 (the input variable), starting with Eq.4.1. The
steady-state version of Eq. 4.1 is:

  0 ………………. 4.2

Ch.E403_Process Control (I) _ Transfer Function/ Lect. M. F. M. 2

Where the bar over a symbol denotes a nominal steady-state value. Subtracting Eq. 4.2 from Eq. 4.1 gives:
  𝑑𝑥 ′ ′
𝜌𝑉 =𝑤1 𝑥 1 − 𝑤 𝑥 ………………. 4.3
𝑑𝑡
Where the two deviation variables are defined as:
  ∆  -
∆  - ………………. 4.4
  =
  Because is a constant, it follows that: ………………. 4.5

Substituting Eq. 4.5 into Eq. 4.3 gives the solute component balance in deviation variable form:
  𝑑 𝑥 ′1 ′ ′
𝜌𝑉 =𝑤 1 𝑥 1 − 𝑤 𝑥 ………………. 4.6
𝑑𝑡
 Assume that the blending system is initially at the nominal steady state. Thus, and. Taking the Laplace transform
of Eq. 4.6 gives:
′ ′
( 0 ) ′ ′
 𝜌 𝑉𝑠 [ 𝑋 1 ( 𝑠 ) − 𝑥1 ( 0 ) ] =𝑤 1 𝑋 1( 𝑠) − 𝑤 𝑋 (𝑠 ) ………………. 4.7

∆
 
 Where and . Rearranging ∆
 
gives the transfer function G(s) between the exit and inlet compositions:

Ch.E403_Process Control (I) _ Transfer Function/ Lect. M. F. M. 3

 ′
 𝑋 1 ( 𝑠 ) 𝑤1
′
= ………………. 4.8
𝑋 1 ( 𝑠 ) 𝜌 𝑉𝑠+ 𝑤
  is useful to place the transfer function in a standard form by dividing both the numerator and the
It
denominator by :
′
 𝑋 1 ( 𝑠 ) ∆
 
𝐾1
′
= 𝐺 ( 𝑠 )= ………………. 4.9
𝑋 1 ( 𝑠) 𝜏 𝑠 +1
𝑤1  𝜌 𝑉
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜏 = ∆
  ∆ 
Where constants K1 and τ are defined as: 𝐾 1= ………………. 4.10
𝑤 𝑤
Useful physical interpretations of K and τ will be introducing in the next subject of dynamic behaviour of
process.

(b): Both inlet concentrations, x1 and x2, vary:

For the case of two input variables, x1 and x2, two transfer functions are needed to describe their effects on
output variable x. Their derivation is analogous to the derivation for case (a). For this case, the steady-state
version of Eq. 4.1 can be written as
 0=𝑤 1 ´ 𝑥 1+ 𝑤2 ´𝑥 2 − 𝑤 ´𝑥 ………………. 4.11
Subtracting Eq. 4.11 from Eq. 4.1 and introducing deviation variables gives:
  𝑑 𝑥 ′1 ′ ′ ′
𝜌𝑉 =𝑤 1 𝑥 1+ 𝑤 2 𝑥 2 − 𝑤 𝑥 ………………. 4.12
𝑑𝑡
Ch.E403_Process Control (I) _ Transfer Function/ Lect. M. F. M. 4
 ∆
 
 Where . Again, assuming that the blending system is initially at the nominal steady state, taking the Laplace
transform of Eq. 4.12 gives:
( 0 )
 𝜌 𝑉𝑠 𝑋 1 ( 𝑠 ) − 𝑥1 ( 0 ) =𝑤 1 𝑋 ′1 ( 𝑠 ) +𝑤 2 𝑋 ′2 (𝑠) − 𝑤 𝑋 ′ ( 𝑠) ………………. 4.13
[ ′ ′
]
Which can be rearranged as:
  ′( ) 𝐾1 ′ 𝐾2 ′
𝑋1 𝑠 = 𝑋1 𝑠 + ( ) 𝑋 2 ( 𝑠 ) ………………. 4.14
𝜏 𝑠+1 𝜏 𝑠 +1
Where K2 is defined as:
  =
𝐾 ∆  𝑤 2 ………………. 4.15
2
𝑤
 In order to derive the transfer function between x and x 1, assume that x2 is constant at its nominal steady-state
value, . Therefore, , , and Eq. 4.14 reduces to the previous transfer function relating x and x 1 (see Eq. 4.9).
′
 𝑋 1 ( 𝑠 ) ∆
 =𝐺 ( 𝑠 )∆  = 𝐾 1
′ 1 ………………. 4.16
𝑋 1 ( 𝑠) 𝜏 𝑠 +1
 Similarly, the transfer function between x and x2 can be derived from Eq. 4.14 and the assumption that x 1 is
constant
′
at its nominal steady-state value, :
 𝑋 1 ( 𝑠 ) ∆ = 𝐺 ( 𝑠 )∆ = 𝐾 2
′ 2 ………………. 4.17
𝑋 2 ( 𝑠) 𝜏 𝑠 +1
Ch.E403_Process Control (I) _ Transfer Function/ Lect. M. F. M. 5
The models in Eqs. 4.16 and 4.17 are referred to as first-order transfer functions, because the denominators are
first order in the Laplace variable s. Three important aspects of these derivations are:
1. A comparison of Eq. 4.14 to Eq. 4.17 shows that the effects of the individual input variables on the output
variable are additive. This result is a consequence of the Principle of Superposition for linear models.
2. The assumption of an input being constant in the derivations of Eqs. 4.16 and 4.17 seems restrictive but
actually is not, for the following reason. Because a transfer function concerns the effect of a single input on
an output, it is not restrictive to assume that the other independent inputs are constant for purposes of the
derivation. Simultaneous changes in both inputs can be analyzed, as indicated by Eq. 4.14.
3. A transfer function model allows the output response to be calculated for a specified input change. For
example, Eq.4.16 can be rearranged as:
′ ′
 𝑋 1 ( 𝑠 )=𝐺 1 ( 𝑠 ) 𝑋 1 ( 𝑠 ) ………………. 4.18

 
After specifying , its Laplace transform can be determined using the related table. Then the output response
can be derived from Eq. 4.18.

Ch.E403_Process Control (I) _ Transfer Function/ Lect. M. F. M. 6

3. Properties of Transfer Functions
1. Additive Property of Transfer Functions
An output variable can be affected by more
than one input variable. Because transfer
functions are models of linear systems, the
Principal of Superposition applies. Thus,
the effects of the individual inputs on the
output are additive, as shown in the
following figure for a two-input, single-
output system:

  Y(s)=

This additive property is also illustrated in the transfer function model for the blending system in Eq. 4.14 in the
example (4).

Ch.E403_Process Control (I) _ Transfer Function/ Lect. M. F. M. 7

2. Multiplicative Property of Transfer Functions

Transfer function models also exhibit a

multiplicative property for a sequence of
individual models. For the series
configuration of two transfer functions
shown in the following figure, it follows
that:

  (s)=
  (s)=
Thus, the overall transfer function between Y2 and U is the product of the two individual transfer functions, G 1
and G2.

Ch.E403_Process Control (I) _ Transfer Function/ Lect. M. F. M. 8