AUTOMATION AND PROCESS CONTROL

CRT - Temperature Control and Regulation Study Unit

1. General
This unit makes it possible to analyse the behavior of a control loop where the controlled quantity is the temperature of a
liquid in a tank.
Temperature control is one of the main problems encountered in factory automation and process control.
It is also extremely interesting for teaching purposes, because temperature varies very slowly over time and therefore makes
it possible to apply different control techniques and to assess the effects of the control parameters involved.
Students may test out the use of different types of regulators, as are currently employed in industrial applications, and the
tests can be performed in highly realistic conditions, as the system is entirely made of industrial quality components.
With this trainer, all the tests can be performed through a Personal Computer and a special software for Windows.
It is suitable to an interdisciplinary laboratory, because it includes mechanical, chemical, electronic and EDP contents.
2. Composition
The CRT unit consists of:
• Process Rig with electrical equipment (code 916921):
• Control and monitoring software CRS/T (code 917019);
• Optional MiniReg electronic regulator (code 916940);
• Optional CRSS Control and Regulation Simulation Software (code 971704);
Optional components are described in separate data sheets.

DIDACTA Italia S.r.l. - Strada del Cascinotto, 139/30 - 10156 Torino - Italy
Tel. +39 011 2731708 - Fax +39 011 2733088 - http://www.didacta.it - E-mail: info@didacta.it
3. Description
Process Rig and Electrical Equipment
The aim of this process (see fig. 3) is to control the water temperature in a Pirex tank (12) in the presence of external
disturbances
The water is taken from a collection tank (1) through a centrifugal pump (2) and is introduced into a circuit.
During its forced circulation the water reaches the tank (12), where it can be heated by varying the intensity of the electric
current through a resistor (11). From the tank (12) the water returns to the collection tank (1).
The main flow can be adjusted through valve (8) and measured by means of flow-meter (7).
Valves (4) and (6) make it possible to create an independent disturbance flow.
The value of the controlled quantity (Y) is acquired through a Pt100 probe.
Another Pt100 probe supplies a signal (Tmax) to a safety thermostat included in the electrical equipment (9). Since this
thermostat makes it possible to set the maximum temperature manually, it can also be used as an On-Off controller.
Closed loop control can be performed in different ways:
• via software, by using the CRS/T software program than runs on the Personal Computer (10);
• through the optional electronic regulator, MiniReg (8);
• through the thermostat included in the electric equipment (9).
The control action is either of PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) or On-Off type, and is achieved by comparing the signal
corresponding to the water temperature in the tank (Y) with a Set-Point signal selected by the user.
Hence the regulator generates an actuating signal (X) that acts on the current in the resistance (11).
Furthermore, the Personal Computer can control the disturbance flow-rate by generating a signal (n) which acts on the
solenoid valve (4).
The electrical equipment (9) includes the safety thermostat, the controls for the main electrical components of the unit, an
AD/DA conversion board to interface with the Personal Computer through the USB port, a digital indicator to display the
instantaneous temperature value.

Fig. 1 - CRS/T Software: On-Off parameters setting window Fig. 2 - CRS/T Software: Real time signal diagram

CRS/T Control and Monitoring Software

The Control and Monitoring Software, running in the MS-Windows environment, makes it possible to perform either PID or
On-Off type digital control via software. Control parameters can be set independently and in real time (see fig. 1) and so can
the characteristics of the Set-Point and disturbance signals.
The software makes it possible to observe the process in real time by displaying on screen the diagram of the controlled
quantity, the actuating signal, the Set-Point signal and the disturbance signal as a function of time (see fig. 2).
This diagram can be printed at any time, whilst the samples of the signals and the control parameters can be saved in a file,
in ASCII format, or printed out.
It is also possible to use the software only to observe the process, using an external regulator (e.g. the optional MiniReg). In
this case, it is possible to transmit the Set-Point to the regulator via software.

4. Experiments
• Study of the process and the industrial components employed;
• Determination of open loop process characteristics;
• Determination of closed loop process characteristics with PID control, and effects of the three control actions
(proportional, integral, derivative);
• Study of system stability in the different conditions and calibration of the different control actions;
• Determination of closed loop process characteristics with On-Off control, and effects of the regulator parameters;
• Demonstration of the use of an electronic type local regulator with remote Set-Point (with optional MiniReg).

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5. Required PC Configuration
Hardware
• PC minimum Pentium with Hard Disk (>10Gb) and CD drive, SVGA graphic card 800x600, mouse, RAM 32 MB, USB
port;
• Graphic Printer.
Software
• XPMS-Windows or later versions.
6. Required Services
• Electric Power Supply 220/240 V AC - 50/60 Hz
7. Weight and Dimensions
• Dimensions: 750 x 450 x 750h mm
• Weight: 30 kg

Fig. 3 - General synoptic

1. Water collection tank
2. Centrifugal pump
3. Valve for main flow-rate manual adjustment
4. Solenoid valve to introduce the disturbance
5. Valve for disturbance flow-rate manual adjustment
6. Manual valve
7. Flow-meter for direct flow reading
8. Optional MiniReg electronic regulator
9. Electrical equipment
10. Personal Computer (not included)
11. Electric heating resistance
12. Pirex tank with two Pt100 probes
13. Discharge valve
X. Actuating signal
Y. Controlled variable signal
n. Disturbance signal
Tmax Safety thermostat signal
Cod. R00786/E 0308 Ed. 01 Rev. 03

In any time and without notice, Didacta Italia can carry out any appropriate modification on the product details, always
maintaining their main features, according to the designing and teaching necessity. Page 4