Process Control in the Chemical Industry

Abstract

This chapter on process control in the chemical industry addresses the concepts and terminology that are needed to work in the field of process control. The material is presented in a straight forward manner that is independent of the control system manufacturer. In this chapter it is assumed the reader may not have worked in a process plant environment and may be unfamiliar with control systems. Thus, this chapter may serve as a guide for engineers that are just starting to work in this field. Much of the material on the practical aspects of control design and process applications is typically not included in process control classes taught at the university level. As control techniques are introduced, simple process examples are used to illustrate how these techniques are applied in industry. After covering the traditional techniques that are most often used in industry, a brief introduction is provided on advanced control techniques. Thus, whether the reader of this book is working as a process control engineer, working in a control group or working in an instrument department, the information will set a solid foundation needed to understand and work with existing control systems or to design new control applications.