INTRODUCTION TO

PROCESS CONTROL

Prepared by:
Engr. R. O. Dacanay

Definition of Process Control

Early humans found it necessary to regulate some of
their external environmental parameters to maintain
life. This regulation could be defined as artificial
process control or simply process control.
Process Control is accomplished by observing a
parameter, comparing it to some desired value, and
initiating a control action to bring the parameter as
close as possible to the desired value.

Definition of Process Control

All process systems consist of three
main factors or terms: the manipulated
variables, disturbances and the controlled
variables.
MANIPULATED
VARIABLES

PROCESS

DISTURBANCE
S

CONTROLLED
VARIABLES

Definition of Process Control

MANIPULATED VARIABLE---

is the input
variable or parameter to a process that is varied
by a control signal from the processor to an
actuator. By changing the input variable the
value of the measured variable can be controlled.
Typical manipulated variables are valve
position, motor speed, damper position or blade
pitch.

Definition of Process Control

CONTROLLED/MEASURED

VARIABLE---

is the monitored output variable from a process.

The value of monitored output parameter is
normally held within tight given limits.
The controlled variables are those conditions,
such as temperature, level, position, pressure, pH,
density, moisture content, weight and speed, that
must be maintained at some desired value.

Definition of Process Control

DISTURBANCES---

enter or affect the process

and tend to drive the controlled variables away
from their desired value or set point condition.
Typical disturbances include changes in
ambient temperature, in demand for product or in
the supply of feed material. The control system
must adjust the manipulated variable so that the
set point value of controlled variable is
maintained despite the disturbances.

Elements of Process Control

System
The four elements of process control system are:

1) PROCESS---

consists of an assembly of
equipment and material that is related to some
manufacturing operation or sequence.

2) MEASUREMENT---

refers to the conversion

of the process variable into an analog or digital
signal that can be used by the control system. The
device that performs the initial measurement is
called a sensor or instrument.

Elements of Process Control System

3) EVALUATION---

in the evaluation step of

process control system, the measurement value is
examined, compared with the desired value or set
point and the amount of corrective action needed
to maintain proper control is determined. A device
called controller performs this evaluation.
The controller can be pneumatic, electronic,
or mechanical device mounted in a control panel
or on the process equipment.

Elements of Process Control System

4) CONTROL---

the control element in a control

loop is the device that exerts a direct influence on
the process or manufacturing sequence. This final
control element accepts an input from the
controller and transforms it into some proportional
operation that is performed on the process.
Devices such as electrical motors, pumps,
dampers and control valves are used as control
elements.

Elements of Process Control System

Block diagram of the four elements of process
control system:
DISTURBANCE
S
INPU
T

SET
POINT

CONTROL

PROCESS

EVALUATION

MEASUREMEN
T

OUTPUT