Practical PID Controller Features

In order for any PID controller to be practical, it must be able to do more than just implement the PID…

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A Comparison of PID Controller Tuning Techniques

In this section I will show screenshots from a process loop simulation program illustrating the effectiveness…

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Controller Output Current Loops

The simplest form of 4-20 mA current loop is the type used to represent the output of a process controller,…

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the Negative Consequences of Poor PID Controller Tuning

Much has been written about the benefits of robust PID control. Increased productivity, decreased equipment…

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Periodic Table of the Ions

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Ethernet networks: Repeaters, Cabling and Switching Hubs

An engineer named Bob Metcalfe conceived the idea of Ethernet in 1973, while working for the Xerox research…

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Sequential Function Chart (SFC) Programming

(Will be addressed in future versions of this book)

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Indicators, Recorders, Process Switches and Alarms

So far we have just looked at instruments that sense, control, and influence process variables. Transmitters,…

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Physics and Chemistry Terminology and Definitions

Atom: the smallest unit of matter that may be isolated by chemical means. Particle: a part of an atom,…

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The Concept of Integration

Suppose we wished to measure the consumption of propane over time for a large propane storage tank supplying a…

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Metering Pumps

A very common method for directly controlling low flow rates of fluids is to use a device known as a metering…

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Metric Prefixes and Prefix Scale

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References

Lipták, Béla G. et al., Instrument Engineers’ Handbook – Process Measurement and Analysis Volume I,…

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Ratio Control

Most people reading this book have likely had the experience of adjusting water temperature using two hand…

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Pilot Valves and Pneumatic Amplifying Relays

Self-balancing mechanisms consisting solely of a baffle/nozzle detector coupled to a feedback bellows, while…

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Control Valve Sizing

When control valves operate between fully open and fully shut, they serve much the same purpose in process…

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Periodic Table of the Elements

All substances are comprised of various elements in various combinations and proportions. Elements may thus be…

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How to Teach Yourself PLC Programming

Learning PLC programming is a very important skill. If your job involves programming, then you will likely…

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Digital PID Controllers

The vast majority of PID controllers in service today are digital in nature. Microprocessors executing PID…

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Instrument Identification Tags

Up until this point, we have explored various types of instrumentation diagram, each one making reference to…

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Numerical Integration

As we have seen, the concept of integration is finding the accumulation of one variable multiplied by another…

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On/off Shut-off Valves

An on/off valve is the fluid equivalent of an electrical switch: a device that either allows unimpeded flow or…

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Motives for Compromising the Security of an Industrial Control System

There are multiple motives for compromising the security of an industrial control system, some of which…

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Structured Text (ST) Programming

(Will be addressed in future versions of this book)

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