Module 4

Distributed Control System

RENU G
AP EIE
FISAT
 Centralized Computer Control System
• All computer functions including Direct Digital control and
supervisory is incorporated in one complex box “
Central or main frame computer”.

• Much faster and had big memory capacity

Disadvantages:

• Expensive requirement of large communication system

• Electrical noise

• Complete stoppage of plant in case of failure of the

centralized computer system, communication system
Distributed Computer Control System

• Total work is divided up and spread across several computers

• Each unit carrying out similar tasks

• In case of failure of one unit, tasks can be transferred to other

units

• All units will be connected by a single high speed data link

which permits communication between the units.

 Features of Distributed Control System
• Modular system development

• Color CRT operator interface.

• Programming done using keyboard

• Wide selection of control algorithm

• Redundancy, data highway communication

• Easy communication with central computer

• Rapid maintenance and extensive diagnosis

• Global data base simplifies data collection

• Can incorporate Personal computer as a special operator console

Direct Digital Control (DDC)
• Loop Control

• Computer connected in feedback

loop, controller, control algorithm

converted in to program form.

• Any control equation can be chosen,

need not be limited to three mode

control

• Computer produces the control signal

DCS Architecture
• Equipment is separated in functional area and is installed in

different work areas of process plant

• Plant operator monitors set point, process parameters from

central control room

• Parameters are displayed on CRT

• Can also change the control conditions using a keyboard

• Distributed controllers mainly does two functions

1. Measurement of analog variables and discrete inputs

2. Generation of control signals to actuators

Modules in DCS

• Operator Stations: Microprocessors based

CRT and keyboard communication with control
devices and display.

• Remote multi function microprocessor based

controller (PLCs).

• Digital data link that connects the

multifunction controllers with central operator
console.
Advantages
• Superior operator interfacing

• Real time process control

• Distribution and connectivity of control devices

and computing platforms throughout the plant.

• Flexibility of implementing control.

• Single failure will not shut down the entire

operation
Operator Console
• Work centre of operator

• Monitors the process

• Operators decide on control action required

based on the trends, patterns .

• Enters set point and other process parameters

using keyboard

• Connected to peripherals such as discs, tapes,

trend recorders, printers, plotters etc
Video Display
• Process monitor
• Touch screens
• Wall mounted display , observable from the
control room work area
Key Board
• Connected in monitor housing
• Key may be movable push button, printed
squares on a flexible membrane,
• Some keyboard use special function keys,
programmable by the user or using the
conventional type
Displays
• Group Display
• overview Display
• Detail Display
• Graphic Display
• Trend Display
Group Display
Over View Display
Detail Display
Graphic Display
Trends Display
Local Control Unit (LCU)
• Process I/O signals are connected to LCU
• Dedicated card controllers
▫ Most critical control loop must be connected

▫ Most expensive method

▫ 1 to 4 analog output

▫ 4 to 20 analog inputs

▫ 2 to 8 digital input and output

▫ Speed is 10 execution per second

▫ Can be provided with hardware faceplate

▫
▫ Connected to data highway

▫ Central controller fails or data high way fails only the communication fails but the loop
operation continues
• Unit Operations Controllers
▫ UOC dedicated to a unit operation
▫ Central controller fails or data high way fails only
the communication fails but the unit operation
working continues
▫ If UOC fails only that unit operation fails
• Local Multiplexers
▫ This type of LCU does only monitoring no
controlling function is done.
I/O hardware
Digital Inputs
• Indicates status
• Help of switches, relays, contacts, o/p of digital
sensors
• Current of 10 mA indicates contact closure
• Data from field will be taken as a word
• Word length depends on machine
• 16 bit machine- system will read 16 inputs
simultaneously
• More than 16 inputs, multiplexing will be used.
Pulse input
• Same as that of sensing a voltage level
• Output of the sensing circuit is directly
connected to counter
• From counter to system
Digital output
• Can be a digital word, bit position with 1 latches
a contact or ON a switch
• Bit position with 0 unlatches a contact or OFF a
switch
• Similar is the case with pulse output
• Bit position with 1 produces a pulse and bit
position with ) produces no pulse
Analog Outputs
• Converted to analog signals using D/A
converters
• Can use resistor ladder logic or weighted value
resistors
• Errors might occur during conversion
• Accuracy and stability of reference voltage is
required
Analog input
• Converted to digital by A/D converters
• Simultaneous method or Counter method
• Common method successive approximation
method
.

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DCS Flow sheet
• In most of the process industries, the events and
the instruments involved in the process are
diagrammatically represented by various letters
and symbols. Such a sheet which carries details
of theses processes and instruments is called
flow sheet or process diagram.
• An instrument engineer need to understand the
flow sheets in order to understand the process
and instruments involved in that process
• Symbols and identifications are based on the
instrument functions, and method of
representation indicates the means of process
measurement & control
• The logic symbols used to denote binary (on-off)
process operations, and illustrate a typical
application of the symbols to a plant process.
Logic symbol diagramming is applicable to any
process control system that uses switching
devices to initiate normal or emergency
operations.
• Logic symbol diagrams are appropriate
whenever the operating requirements of the
process have to be described to operating
personnel,maintenance workers, designers,or
others, and it is particularly useful for group
discussions.
• The graphic symbols are used in the design,
construction and operation of process control
systems by the engineer, technician or operator.
• Each instrument identification or tag number
consists of a functional identification and a loop
identification. A typical tag number is PRC-8,
for a pressure recording controller, which
has the functional identification PRC and the
loop identification 8. The tag number may
be expanded to include coded information such
as plant area designation, flow sheet number, etc