PROCESS CONTROL

DESIGNING PROCESSES AND CONTROL

SYSTEMS FOR DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
McGraw-Hili Chemical Engineering Series

Editorial Advisory Board

Eduardo D. Glandt, Professor of Chemical Engineering, University
of Pennsylvania
Michael T. Klein, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Rutgers University
Thomas F. Edgar, Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas
at Austin

Bailey and Ollis: Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals

Bennett and Myers: Momentum, Heat and Mass Transfer
Carberry: Chemical and Catalytic Reaction Engineering
Coughanowr: Process Systems Analysis and Control
de Nevers: Air Pollution Control Engineering
de Nevers: Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineers
Douglas: Conceptual Design of Chemical Processes
Edgar and Himmelblau: Optimization of Chemical Process
Gates, Katzer, and Schuit: Chemistry of Catalytic Processes
Gupta and Kumar: Fundamentals of Polymers
King: Separation Processes .
Luyben: Essentials of Process Control
Luyben: Process Modeling, Simulation, and Control for Chemical Engineers
Marlin: Process Control: Designing Processes and Control Systems for
Dynamic Performa1lce
Middleman and Hochberg: Process Engineering Analysis in Semiconductor
Device Fabrication
Perry and Green: Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook
Peters and TImmerhaus: Plant Design and Economics for Chemical Engineers
Reid, Prausnitz, and Poling: Properties of Gasses and Uquids
Smith, Van Ness, and Abbott: Introduction to Chemical Engineering
Thennodynamics
Treybal: Mass Transfer Operations
Wentz: Hazardous Waste Management
PROCESS CONTROL
DESIGNING PROCESSES AND CONTROL
SYSTEMS FOR DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE

2nd Edition

Thomas E. Marlin
McMaster University

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PROCESS CONTROL
DESIGNING PROCESSES AND CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
International Editions 2000

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Marlin, Thomas E.
Process control: designing processes and control systems for dynamic performance I
Thomas E. Marlin. - 2nd ed.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 0-07-039362-1
1. Chemical process control. I. Title.
TPIS5.7S.M36S 2000
660'.281S-dc21 99-026739

When ordering this title, use ISBN 0-07-116357-3

Printed in Singapore
 About the
Author
Thomas E. Marlin is a professor of Chemical Engineering at McMaster University
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where he held the NSERC Industrial Research Chair
in Process Control. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts
in 1972. Then, he worked in industry for 15 years where he applied si mulation
and control to a wide range of continuous process in the chemical and petroleum
industries. In 1987, he served as the Visiting Fellow in Sydney, Australia. for the
Warren Centre Study on benefits from process control. A team of 40 engineers
investigated 7 case studies while refining methods for quantifying benefits from
automation. Dr. Marlin is currently Director of the McMaster Adva nced Control
Consortium, which is a collaboration between university researchers and numer-
ous companies. resu lting in leading research that is focused on challenges of great
relevance to industrial practitioners. He teac hes university courses in process con-
trol, process analysis, problem solving, and process design. In addition, he presents
industrial short courses on process control, benefits estimation, and optimi zation.
Dr. Marlin's research interests include real-time optimization and process control
design.

v
 Preface
Automation via feedback is not new. Early application of au tomatic comrol prin-
ciples appeared in antiquity, and widespread use of automation began in the nine-
teenth century when machinery was becoming the dominant method for manu-
fac turing goods. Great advances have been made in theory and prac ti ce so that
automation is now used in systems as commonplace as room heating and as excit-
ing as the navigation of interplanetary exploration and telecommunications. The
great change over the recent years is the integral- at times esse ntial-role of au-
tomation in OUf daily li ves and industrial systems.
Process control is a sub-discipline of automatic control that involves tailoring
methods fo r the efficie nt operation of chemical processes. Proper application of
process cont rol can improve the safety and profi tability of a process, while main-
taining consistentl y hi gh produ ct qu ality. The automati on of selected fun ctions
has relieved plant perso nal of tedious, routine tasks, providing them with time and
data to monitor and supervise operations. Essentially every chemical engineer de~
signi ng or operatin g plants is involved with and requires a background in process
contro l. This book provides an introducti on to process control with emphasis on
topics that are of use to the general chemical engineer as well as the specialist.

GOALS OF THE BOOK

The intent of this book is to present fundamental principles with clear ties to
applications and with guidelines on their reduction to practice. The presentation
is based on four basic tenets.

vii
viii Fundamentals
First, engineers should master control technology fundamentals, since there is no
Preface
set of heuristics or guidelines that can serve them through their careers. Since
these fundamentals must be presented with rigor, needed mathematical tools are
presented to assist the student. It may be worth recalling that these principles were
selected because they provide the simplest approaches for solving meaningful
problems.

Practice
Second, we are not efficient if we "start from scratch" every time we encounter
a problem; similar situations can be analyzed to develop guidelines for a defined
set of applications. Also, the fundamental concepts can be best reinforced and
enriched through the presentation of good engineering practice. With this per-
spective, important design guidelines and enhancements are presented as logical
conclusions and extensions to the basic principles. Coverage of implementation
issues includes pitfalls with the straightforward "textbook" approaches along with
modifications for practical application.

Complexity
Third, the presentation in this book follows the guideline "Everything should be
made as simple as possible, and no simpler." Naturally, many issues are easily
resolved using strclightforward analysis methods. However, the engineer must un-
derstand the complexity of automating a system, even when a closed-form solution
does not exist at the present time.

Design
Fourth, design is a capstone topic that enables engineers to specify, build and oper-
ate equipment that satisfies predetermined goals. Currently, closed-form solutions
do not exist for this activity; thus, a comprehensive designmethod for managing
the numerous interlocking design tasks is presented along with a step-by-step ap-
proach to guide the engineer through problem definition, preliminary analysis of
degrees of freedom and controllability, and selecting process and control structures.
Many guidelines, checklists, and examples aid the student in making well-directed
initial decisions and refining them through iterations to achieve the design goals.

THE READERS
Hopefully, readers with different backgrounds will find value in this treatment of
process control. A few comments are now addressed to the three categories of
likely readers of this book: university students, instructors, and practitioners.

Students
Many students find process control to be one of the most interesting and enjoyable
courses in the curriculum, because they apply the skills built in fluid mechanics,
heat transfer, thermodynamics, mass transfer, and reactor design. This presentation
emphasizes the central role of the process in the performance of control systems. ix
Therefore, dynamic process modelling is introduced early and applied throughout
the book. To help students, realistic process systems are studied in solved examples. Computer Tools and
The student may notice two important differences from other courses. First, Learning Aids
process control is often concerned with operating plants in which process equip-
ment has been built. Thus, the proper answer to the question "how can the exchanger
outlet temperature be raised to 56C?" is not "increase the heat transfer area"; per-
haps, the modification to operation would be "increase the heating medium flow
rate." Second, process control must operate over a wide range of conditions in
which the process behavior will change; thus, the engineer must design controls
for good performance with an imperfect knowledge of the plant. Deciding op-
erating policies for imperfectly known, non-linear processes is challenging but
provides an excellent opportunity to apply skills from previous courses, while
building expertise in process control.

Instructors
The book is flexible enough to enable each instructor to structure a course covering
basic concepts and containing the instructor's special insights, perhaps placing
more emphasis on instrumentation, mathematical analysis, or a special process
type, such as pulp and paper or polymer processing. The fundamental topics have
been selected to enable subsequent study of many processes, and the organization
of the last three parts of the book allows the selection of material most suited for
a particular course.
The material in this course certainly exceeds,-that'necessary for a single-
semester course. In a typical first course, instructors will cover most of Parts I-III
along with selected topics from the remainder of the book. A second semester
course can be built on the multivariable and design material, along with some non-
linear simulations of chemical process like binary distillation. Finally, some of the
topics in this book should be helpful in other courses. In particular, topics in Parts
IV-VI (e.g., selection of sensors, manipulated variables and inferential variables)
could be integrated into the process design course. In addition, the analyses of
operating windows, degrees of freedom, and controllability are facilitated by the
use of flowsheeting programs used in a design course.

Practitioner
This book should be useful to practitioners who are building their skills in process
control, because fundamental concepts are reduced to practice throughout. The
development of practical correlations, design rules, and guidelines are explained
so that the engineer understands the basis, correct application and limitations of
each. These topics should provide a foundation for developing advanced expertise
in empirical model building, loop pairing, centralized Model Predictive Control,
statistical process monitoring and optimization.

COMPUTER TOOLS AND LEARNING AIDS

Computers find extensive application in process control education, because many
calculations in process control education are too time-consuming to be performed
x by hand. To enable students to concentrate on principles and investigate multiple
cases, the Software lAboratory has been developed to complement the topics in
Preface this book. The software is based on the popular MATLABTM system. A User's
Manual provides documentation on the programs and provides extra problems
that students can solve using the software.
Computers can also provide the opportunity for interactive learning tools,
which pose questions, give students hints, and provide solutions. The Process
Control Interactive Learning Modules have been developed to help students en-
hance their knowledge through self-study. This is available via the WEB.
To learn about these and other complementary learning materials, visit the
Internet site established at McMaster University for process control education,
http://www.pc-education.mcmaster.ca.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am pleased to acknowledge the helpful comments and suggestions provided
by many students and instructors, including those who completed confidential
evaluations of the first edition. I would like to give special recognition to the
following instructors, who reviewed a provisional draft for the second edition and
provided thorough and insightful comments: Richard Braatz, Burton Davidson,
James McLellan, Lawrence Ricker, and Alex Zheng. Naturally, remaining errors
of commissiun or omission remain my responsibility.
Finally, I wC!uld like to acknowledge the great assistance provided me by
two mentors. Professor Tom McAvoy has always set high standards of rigor in
investigating meanirigful engineering problems. Dr. Nino Fanlo, one of the best
practitioners of process control, reminded me that good control theory must work
in the plant. I can only hope that this book passes on some of the benefit from
collaboration with these skilled engineers and fine individuals.

FEEDBACK
Feedback, using a system output to determine the value of an input, is the basic
concept in process control, but it also applies to a good textbook! I would appreciate
comments from readers and can assure you that every suggestion will be considered
seriously.

T. Marlin
Hamilton, Ontario
December 1999
 Brief Contents
PART I INTRODUCTION 1
1 INTRODUCTION TO PROCESS CONTROL 3
2 CONTROL OBJECTIVES AND BENEFITS 19
PART II PROCESS DYNAMICS 45
3 MATHEMATICAL MODELLING PRINCIPLES 49
4 . MODELLING AND ANALYSIS FOR PROCESS
CONTROL 97
5 DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF TYPICAL PROCESS
SYSTEMS 135
6 EMPIRICAL MODEL IDENTIFICATION 175
PART III FEEDBACK CONTROL 207
7 THE FEEDBACK LOOP 211
8 THE PID ALGORITHM 239
9 PID CONTROLLER TUNING FOR DYNAMIC
PERFORMANCE 267
10 . STABILITY ANALYSIS AND CONTROLLER
TUNING 303
11 DIGITAL IMPLEMENTATION OF PROCESS
CONTROL 357
12 PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF FEEDBACK
CONTROL 381
13 . PERFORMANCE OF FEEDBACK CONTROL
SYSTEMS 409
PART IV ENHANCEMENTS TO SINGLELOOP PID
FEEDBACK CONTROL 453 xi
xii 14. CASCADE CONTROL 457
15 FEEDFORWARD CONTROL 483
Brief Contents 16 ADAPTING SINGLE-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEMS
FOR NONLINEAR PROCESSES 511
17 INFERENTIAL CONTROL 535
18 LEVEL AND INVENTORY CONTROL 561
19 SINGLE-VARIABLE MODEL PREDICTIVE
CONTROL 583
PART V MULTIVARIABLE CONTROL 615
20 MULTILOOP CONTROL: EFFECTS
OF INTERACTION 619
21 MULTILOOP CONTROL: PERFORMANCE
ANALYSIS 661
22 VARIABLESTRUCTURE AND CONSTRAINT
CONTROL 705
23 CENTRALIZED MULTIVARIABLE CONTROL 727
PART VI PROCESS CONTROL DESIGN 761
24 PROCESS CONTROL DESIGN: DEFINITION
AND DECISIONS 765
25 PROCESS CONTROL DESIGN: MANAGING THE
DES{GN PROCEDURE 819
26 CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT 859
APPENDIX A PROCESS CONTROL DRAWINGS 889
APPENDIX B INTEGRATING FACTOR 895
APPENDIX C II CHEMICAL REACTOR MODELING
AND ANALYSIS 897
APPENDIX D APPROXIMATE DYNAMIC MODELS 909
APPENDIX E DETERMINING CONTROLLER
CONSTANTS TO SATISFY
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS 915
APPENDIX F II DISCRETE MODELS FOR DIGITAL
CONTROL 921
APPENDIX G IS GUIDE TO SELECTED PROCESS
EXAMPLES 925
APPENDIX H PARTIAL FRACTIONS AND
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 931
APPENDIX I PROCESS EXAMPLES OF
PARALLEL SYSTEMS 939
APPENDIX ... PROCESS CONTROL CASE STU.DY:
TWOPRODUCT DISTILLATION 949
APPENDIX K PROCESS CONTROL CASE STUDY:
FIRED HEATER 961
APPENDIX L ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL CONTROL
SYSTEMS 973
INDEX 1003
 Contents
Preface vii
Symbols and Acronyms xxv

PART I INTRODUCTION 1

1 INTRODUCTION TO PROCESS CONTROL 3

1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 What Does a Control System Do? 4
1.3 Why Is Control Necessary? 7
1.4 Why Is Control Possible? 7
1.5 How Is Control Done? 8
1.6 Where Is Control Implemented? 9
1.7 What Does Control Engineering "Engineer"? 10
1.8 How Is Process Control Documented? 12
1.9 What Are Some Sample Control Strategies? 13
1.10 Conclusions 14

2 CONTROL OBJECTIVES AND BENEFITS 19

2.1 Introduction 19
2.2 Control Objectives 20
xiii
xiv 2.3 Determining Plant Operating Conditions 25
2.4 Benefits for Control 28
Contents
2.5 Importance of Control Engineering 35
2.6 Conclusions 38

PART II PROCESS DYNAMICS 45

3 MATHEMATICAL MODELLING PRINCIPLES 49

3.1 Introduction 49
3.2 A Modelling Procedure 50
3.3 Modelling Examples 62
3.4 Linearization 69 'J'

3.5 Numerical Solutions of Ordinary Differential Equations 82

3.6 The Nonisothermal Chemical Reactor 85
3.7 Conclusions 86

4. MODELLING AND ANALYSIS FOR PROCESS

CONTROL 97
4.1 Introduction 97
4.2 The Laplace Transform 98
4.3 Input-Output Models and Transfer Functions 110
4.4 Block Diagrams 115
4.5 Frequency Response 119
4.6 Conclusions 125

5 DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF TYPICAL PROCESS

SYSTEMS 135
5.1 Introduction 135
5.2 Basic System Elements 136
5.3 Series Structures of Simple Systems 143
5.4 Parallel Structures of Simple Systems 152
5.5 Recycle Structures 155
5.6 Staged Processes 157
5.7 Multiple Input-Multiple Output Systems 163
5.8 Conclusions 165
~r

6 EMPIRICAL MODEL IDENTIFICATION 175 xv

6.1 Introduction 175
Contents
6.2 An Empirical Model Building Procedure 176
6.3 The Process Reaction Curve 179
6.4 Statistical Model Identification 188
6.5 Additional Topics in Identification 196
6.6 Conclusions 198

PART III FEEDBACK CONTROL 207

7 II THE FEEDBACK LOOP 211

7.1 Introduction 211
7.2 Process and Instrument Elements of the Feedback Loop 212
7.3 Selecting Controlled and Manipulated Variables 216
7.4 Control Perfonnance Measures for Common Input Changes 218
7.5 Approaches to Process Control 228
7.6 Conclusions 231

8 II THE PID ALGORITHM 239

8.1 Introduction 239
8.2 Desired Features of a Feedback Control Algorithm 240
8.3 Block Diagram of the Feedback Loop 242
8.4 Proportional Mode 245
8.5 Integral Mode 248
8.6 Derivative Mode 249
8.7 The PID Controller 252
8.8 Analytical Expression for a Closed-Loop Response 253
8.9 Importance of the PID Controller 257
8.10 Conclusions 258

9 PID CONTROLLER TUNING FOR DYNAMIC

PERFORMANCE 267
9.1 Introduction 267
9.2 Defining the Tuning Problem 268
9.3 Determining Good Tuning Constant Values 269
xvi 9.4 Correlations for Tuning Constants 278
9.5 Fine Tuning the Controller Tuning Constants 289
Contents
9.6 Conclusions 293

10 STABILITY ANALYSIS AND CONTROLLER

TUNING 303
10.1 Introduction 303
10.2 The Concept of Stability 303
10.3 Stability of Linear Systems-A Simple Example 304
10.4 Stability Analysis of Linear and Linearized Systems 305
10.5 Stability Analysis of Control Systems: Principles 308
10.6 Stability Analysis of Control Systems: The Bode Method 313
10.7 Controller Tuning Based on Stability: Ziegler-Nichols
Closed-Loop 329
10.8 Controller Tuning and Stability - Some Important
Interpretations 334
10.9 Additional Tuning Methods in Common Use,
with "a Recommendation 345
10.10 Conclusions 348
.
11 DIGITAL IMPLEMENTATION OF PROCESS
CONTROL 357
ILl Introduction 357
11.2 Structure of the Digital Control System 358
11.3 Effects of Sampling a Continuous Signal 362
11.4 The Discrete PID Control Algorithm 365
11.5 Effects of Digital Control on Stability, Tuning,
and Performance 367
11.6 Example of Digital Control Strategy 372
11.7 Trends in Digital Control 373
11.8 Conclusions 374

12 PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF FEEDBACK

CONTROL 381
12.1 Introduction 381
12.2 Equipment Specification 383
12.3 Input Processing 387
12.4 Feedback Control Algorithm 396
12.5 Output Processing 403 xvii
12.6 Conclusions 403
Contents

13 PERFORMANCE OF FEEDBACK CONTROL

SYSTEMS 409
13.1 Introduction 409
13.2 ControlPenonnance 410
13.3 Control Penonnance via Closed-Loop Frequency Response 412
13.4 Control Penonnance via Closed-Loop Simulation 422
13.5 Process Factors Influencing Single-Loop Control Penonnance 425
13.6 Control System Factors Influencing Control Penormance 433
13.7 Conclusions 443

PART IV ENHANCEMENTS TO SINGLELOOP PID

FEEDBACK CONTROL 453

14. CASCADE CONTROL 457

14.1 Introduction 457
14.2 An Example of Cascade Control 458
14.3 Cascade Design Criteria 461
14.4 Cascade Penormance 462
14.5 Controller Algorithm and Tuning 468
14.6 Implementation Issues 469
14.7 Further Cascade Examples 471
14.8 Cascade Control Interpreted as Distributed Decision Making 476
14.9 Conclusions 477

15 FEEDFORWARD CONTROL 483

15.l Introduction 483
15.2 An Example and Controller Derivation 483
15.3 Feedforward Control Design Criteria 486
15.4 Feedforward Penormance 489
15.5 Controller Algorithm and Tuning 492
15.6 Implementation Issues 494
15.7 Further Feedforward Examples 495
xviii 15.8 Feedforward Control Is General 503
15.9 Conclusions 504
Contents

16 ADAPTING SINGLELOOP CONTROL SYSTEMS

FOR NONLINEAR PROCESSES 511
16.1 Introduction 511
16.2 Analyzing a Nonlinear Process with Linear Feedback Control 512
16.3 Improving Nonlinear Process Performance through
Deterministic Control Loop Calculations 517
16.4 Improving Nonlinear Process Performance through
Calculations of the Measured Variable 519
16.5 Improving Nonlinear Process Performance through
Final Element Selection 520
16.6 Improving Nonlinear Process Performance through
Cascade Design 525
16.7 Real-Time Implementation Issues 526
16.8 Additional Topics in Control Loop Adaptation 526
.
16.9 Conclusions 528

17 INFERENTIAL CONTROL 535

17.1 Introduction 535

17.2 An Example of Inferential Control 537
17.3 Inferential Control Design Criteria 541
17.4 Implementation Issues 543
17.5 Inferential Control Example: Distillation 545
17.6 Inferential Control Example: Chemical Reactor 549
17.7 Inferential Control Example: Fired Heater 553
17.8 Additional Topics in Inferential Control 554
17.9 Conclusions 555

18 LEVEL AND INVENTORY CONTROL 561

18.1 Introduction 561

18.2 Reasons for Inventories in Plants 562
18.3 Level Processes and Controllers 564
18.4 A Nonlinear Proportional-Integral Controller 567
18.5 Matching Controller TIming to Performance Objectives 567
18.6 Determining Inventory Size 572
18.7 Implementation Issues 574 xix
18.8 Vessels in Series 574
Contents
18.9 Conclusions 576

19 SINGLE-VARIABLE MODEL PREDICTIVE

CONTROL 583
19.1 Introduction 583
19.2 The Model Predictive Control Structure 584
19.3 The IMC Controller 590
19.4 The Smith Predictor 600
19.5 Implementation Guidelines 604
19.6 Algorithm Selection Guidelines 605
19.7 Additional Topics in Single-Loop Model Predictive Control 608
19.8 Conclusions 609

PART V MULTIVARIABLE CONTROL 615

20 MULTILOOP CONTROL: EFFECTS

OF INTERACTION 619
20.1 Introduction 619
20.2 Modeling and Transfer Functions 621
20.3 Influence of Interaction on the Possibility of Feedback Control 624
20.4 Process Interaction: Important Effects on Multivariab
System Behavior 628
20.5 Process Interaction: The Relative Gain Array (RGA) 633
20.6 Effect of Interaction on Stability and Thning of Multiloop
Control Systems 638
20.7 Additional Topics in Interaction Analysis 650
20.8 Conclusions 651

21 MULTILOOP CONTROL: PERFORMANCE

ANALYSIS 661
21.1 Introduction 661
21.2 Demonstration of Key Multiloop Issues 662
21.3 Multiloop Control Performance through Loop Pairing 671
21.4 Multiloop Control Performance through Thning 682
21.5 Multiloop Control Performance through Enhancements:
Decoupling 683
xx 21.6 Multiloop Control Performance through Enhancements:
Single-Loop Enhancements 690
Contents 21.7 Additional Topics in Multiloop Performance 691
21.8 Conclusions 693

22 VARIABLE-STRUCTURE AND CONSTRAINT

CONTROL 705
22.1 Introduction 705
22.2 Split Range Control for Processes with Exce706
Manipulated Variables 706
22.3 Signal Select Control for Processes with Excess
Controlled Variables 710
22.4 Applications of Variable-Structure Methods for
Constraint Control 715
22.5 Conclusions 720

23 CENTRALIZED MULTIVARIABLE CONTROL 727

23.1 Introduction 727
23.2 Multivariable Model Predictive Control 728
23.3 An AItern~tive Dynamic Modelling Approach 730
23.4 The Single-Variable Dynamic Matrix Control (DMC) Algorithm 735
23.5 Multivariable Dynamic Matrix Control 744
23.6 Implementation Issues in Dynamic Matrix Control 748
23.7 Extensions to Basic Dynamic Matrix Control 751
23.8 Conclusions 757

PART VI PROCESS CONTROL DESIGN 761

24 PROCESS CONTROL DESIGN: DEFINITION

AND DECISIONS 765
24.1 Introduction 765
24.2 Defining the Design Problem 766
24.3 Measurements 7.71
24.4 Final Elements 776
24.5 Process Operability 778
24.6 Control Structure 789
24.7 Control Algorithms 792
24.8 Control for Safety 794
24.9 Performance Monitoring 799 xxi
24.10 The Flash Example Revisited 801
Contents
24.11 Conclusions 804

25 PROCESS CONTROL DESIGN: MANAGING THE

DESIGN PROCEDURE 819
25.1 Introduction 819
25.2 Defining the Design Problem 820
25.3 Sequence of Design Steps 823
25.4 Temporal Hierarchy of Control Structure 825
25.5 Process Decomposition 831
25.6 Integrating the Control Design Methods 833
25.7 Example Design: Chemical Reactor with Recycle 835
25.8 Summary of Key Design Guidelines 849
25.9 Conclusions 852

26 CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT 859

26.1 Introduction 859
26.2 Optimization 860
26.3 Statistical Process Control (SPC) 876
26.4 Conclusions 881

APPENDIXES 889

APPENDIX A PROCESS CONTROL DRAWINGS 889

A.I Identification Letters 889
A.2 Final Element 891
A.3 Process Equipment 892

APPENDIX B INTEGRATING FACTOR 895

APPENDIX C CHEMICAL REACTOR MODELING

AND ANALYSIS 897
C.l Energy Balance 897
C.2 Modelling of an Example Nonisothermal CSTR 899
C.3 The Reactor Transfer Functions 901
C.4 Multiple Steady States 902
xxii C.S Continuous Oscillations Due to Limit Cycles 906
C.6 Conclusions 907
Contents

APPENDIX D APPROXIMATE DYNAMIC MODELS 909

0.1 Method of Moments 909
D.2 Pade Dead Time Approximations 913

APPENDIX E DETERMINING CONTROLLER

CONSTANTS TO SATISFY
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS 915
E.! Simulation of the Controlled System Transient Response 91S
E.2 Optimization of the Tuning Constants 917

APPENDIX F DISCRETE MODELS FOR DIGITAL

CONTROL 921
F.l Gain 922
F.2 Dead Time 922
F.3 First-Order System 922
F.4 LeadlLag 923

APPENDIX G GUIDE TO SELECTED PROCESS

EXAMPLES 925
G.l Heat Exchanger 925
G.2 Tbree-Tank Mixing Process 926
G.3 Nonisothermal Stirred-Tank Chemical Reactor (CSTR) 926
G.4 Two-Product Distillation Column 926
G.S Two Series Isothermal Continuous Stirred-Tank
Reactors (CSTR) 927
G.6 Heat Exchange and Flash Drum 929

APPENDIX H PARTIAL FRACTIONS AND

FREQUEN~Y RESPONSE 931
H.I Partial Fractions 931
H.2 Frequency Response 936

APPENDIX I PROCESS EXAMPLES OF

PARALLEL SYSTEMS 939
APPENDIX J PROCESS CONTROL CASE STUDY: xxiii
TWOPRODUCT DISTILLATION 949
Contents

APPENDIX K PROCESS CONTROL CASE STUDY:

FIRED HEATER 961

APPENDIX L. ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL CONTROL

SYSTEMS 973
L.I Introduction 973
L.2 The z-transform 973
L.3 Methods for Analyzing Digital Control Systems 983
L.4 Digital Control Performance 989
L.5 Conclusions 1001

INDEX 1003
 Symbols and
Acronyms
Process control uses many symbols in equations and drawings. The equation sym-
bols are presented here. and the drawing symbols are presented along with common
process sketches in Appendix A. The symbols selected for this Table are used mul-
tiple times in the book and explained only where they are first used. If a symbol is
used only once and explained where used, it is not included in this table. Each entry
gives a short description and where appropriate, a reference is given to enable the
reader to quickly find further explanation of the symbol and related technology.

Symbol Description and reference

A Cross-sectional area of a vessel
Ai Fraction of component i
AR Amplitude ratio, equations (4.70) and (4.72)
AID Analog to digital signal conversion, Figure 11.1
C Concentration (mol/rn 3); SUbscript indicates component
CDF Control design form, Table 24.1
Cp Heat capacity at constant pressure
Process capability, equation (26.7)
Process capability, equation (26.8)
Heat capacity at constant volume
Valve characteristic relating pressure; orifice opening, and flow
through an orifice, equation (16. 13)

xxv
xxvi Symbol Description and reference
CSTR Continuous-flow stirred-tank chemical reactor
Symbols and
Acronyms CV Controlled variable
CVj Inferential controlled variable
CVI Future values of the controlled variable due to past changes in
manipulated variable
CVm Measured value of the controlled variable
D Disturbance to the controlled process
D(s) Denominator of transfer function, characteristic polynomial,
equation (4.42)
DCS Digital control system in which control calculations are
performed via digital computation
DMC Dynamic matrix control, Chapter 23
DOF Degrees of freedom, Table 3.2
D/A Digital-to-analog signal conversion, Figure I I. I
E Error in the feedback control system, set point minus controlled
variable, Figures 8.1 and 8.2
Activation energy of chemical reaction rate constant,
k = koe- E/ RT
EI Future errors due to past manipulated variable changes
F Flow; units are in volume per time unless otherwise specified
fc Fail close valve
Fe Flow of coolant
FD Flow rate of distillate
Fh Flow of heating medium
fo Fail open valve
FR Flow rate of reflux in distillation tower
!tune Detuning factor for multiIoop PID control, equation (21.8)
Fv Flow rate of vapor from a reboiler
Il.Fmax Largest expected change in flow rate, used to tune level
controllers, equations (18.12) and (18.13)
G(s) Transfer function, defined in equation (4.45) for continuous
systems and equation (L.14) for digital systems
The following are the most commonly used tJ:ansfer functions:
The argument (s) denotes continuous systems. If digital, replace
with (z).
Ge(s) = feedback controller transfer function' (see Figure 8.2)
=
Gd(S) disturbance transfer function
G p (s) = feedback process transfer function
=
G s (s) sensor transfer function
GII(s) = valve (or final element) transfer function
Symbol Description and reference xxvii
G cp (s) = controller transfer function in IMC (predictive
control) structure, Figure 19.2 Symbols and
Acronyms
G / (s)= filter transfer function which influences dynamics but
has a gain of 1.0
GfJ(s) = feedforward controller, equation (15.2)
G;j (s) = transfer function between input j and output i in a
multivariable system; see Figure 20.4
Gm(s) = model transfer function in !MC (predictive control)
structure, Figure 19.2
G~(s) = noninvertible part of the process model used for
predictive control, equation (19.14)
G;;; (s) = invertible part of the process model used for predictive
control, equation (19.14)
G()L(s) = "open-loop" transfer function, i.e., all elements in
the feedback loop, equation (10.24)
h Film heat transfer coefficient
H Enthalpy, equation (3.5)
HSS High signal select, Figure 22.9
6. He Heat of combustion
6. Hrxn Heat of chemical reaction
I Constant to be determined by initial condition of the problem
lAE Integral of the absolute value of the error, equation (7.1)
IE Integral of the error, equation (7.4)
IF Integrating factor, Appendix B
!MC Internal model control; see Section 19.3
ITAE Integral of the product of time and the absolute value of the error,
equation (7.3)
ISE Integral of the error squated, "equation (7.2)
k Rate constant of chemical reaction
koe- E1RT Rate constant of chemical reaction with temperature dependence
K Matrix of gains, typically the feedback process gains
Feedback controller gain (adjustable parameter), Section 8.4
Vapor-liquid eqUilibrium constant for component i
Steady-state gain between input j and output i in a multivariable
system, equation (20.11)
Steady-state process gain, (6.outputl6.input)
An additional term to specify the sign of feedback control when
the controller gain is limited to positive numbers,
equation (12.12)
Value of the controller gain (Ke) for which the feedback system
is at the stability limit, equation (10.40)
xxviii Symbol Description and reference
L Level
Symbols and
Acronyms .c Laplace transfonn operator, equation (4.1)
LSS Low signal select, Figure 22.9
I1L max Largest allowed deviation in the level from its set point due
to a flow disturbance, used to tune level controllers, equations
(18.12) and (18.13)
MIMO Multiple input and multiple output
MPC Model predictive control
MV Manipulated variable, Figure 8.2
MW Molecular weight
N(s) Numerator of transfer function, equation (4.42)
NE Number of equations
NV Number of variables
OCT Octane number of gasoline, equation (26.3b)
P Pressure
Period of oscillation
Perfonnance at operation (interval) j, equation (2.3)
Proportional band, Section 12.4
Ultimate period of oscillation of feedback system at its stability
limit, equation (10.40)
I1P Pressure difference
PI Proportional-integral control algorithm; see Section 8.7
PID Proportional-integral-derivative control algorithm; see
Section 8.7
Q Heat transferred
QDMC Quadratic Dynamic Matrix Control
r; Rate of fonnation of component i via chemical reaction
R Gas constant
RDG Relative disturbance gain, equation (21.11)
RGA Relative gain array, equation (20.25)
RVP Reid vapor pressure of gasoline, equation (26.3a)
s Laplace variable, equation (4.1)
s Maximum slope of system output during process reaction curve
experiment, Figure 6.3
Variance (square of standard deviation) for a sample
SIS Safety interlock system, Section 24.8
SP set point for the feedback controller, Figure 8.2
SPC Statistical process control, Section 26.3
Symbol Description and reference xxix
1 Time
Symbols and
T Temperature Acronyms
Ambient temperature
Derivative time in proportional-integral-derivative (PID)
controller, Section 8.6
Integral time in proportional-integral-derivative (PID)
controller, Section 8.5
Lead time appearing in the numerator of the transfer function;
when applied to feedforward controller, see equation (15.4)
Lag time appearing in the denominator of the transfer function;
when applied to feedforward controller, see equation (15.4)
TIme for the output of a system to attain 28% of its steady-state
value after a step input, Figure 6.4
Time for the output of a system to attain 63% of its steady-state
value after a step input, Figure 6.4
Time step in numerical solution of differential equations
(Section 3.5), time step in empirical data used for fitting
dynamic model (Section 6.4), or the execution period of a digital
controller (equation 11.6)
/::iT Temperature difference
TR Reset time, Section 12.4
U Internal energy, equations (3.4) and (3.5)
U(I) Unit step, equation (4.6)
UA Product of heat transfer coefficient and area
v Valve stem position, equivalent to percent open
v Volume of vessel
w Work
Xi Fraction of component i (specific component shown in
subscript)
XB Mole fraction of light key component in distillation bonoms
product
Mole fraction of light key component in the distillate product
Mole fraction of light key component in the distillation feed
z Variable in z-transform, Appendix L
Z Z-transform operator, Appendix L

Greek Symbols
a Relative volatility
Root of the characteristic polynomial, equation (4.42)
Size of input step change in process reaction curve, Figure 6.3
 Symbol Description and reference
~ Change in variable
Symbols and Size of output change at steady state in process reaction curve,
Acronyms
Figure 6.3
Phase angle between input and output variables in frequency
response, equation (4.73) and Figure 4.9
r Dead time in discretee time steps, Section F.2, and equation (F. 7)
7] Thermal efficiency, equation (26.1)
A Heat of vaporization
Relative gain, Section 20.5
Dead time, Examples 4.3, 6.1
8d = disturbance dead time
81j = dead time between input j and output i
8m = model dead time
8p = feedback process dead time
p Density
a Standard deviation of population
TIme constant
Td = disturbance time constant
TI = filter time constant
Tij = time constant between input j and output I
Tm = model time constant
Tp = feedback process time constant

Frequency in radians/time
Critical frequency, in radians/time, Section 10.7
Frequency of disturbance sine input
Damping coefficient for second-order dynamic system,
equation (5.5)
 Quick Reference
Guide
. ' . . - ..
. - . .....'-~."
..'-.".-
, :' ~:. '-. > ,':: ,

Mathematical Methods
Degrees of freedom 55
Frequency distribution 30
Frequency response 121-122
Laplace lransfomls 98-100
Linear operator 70
Partial fractions 107,932
Simulation by numerical methods 83
Stability 304
Taylor Series 71
Variance 30,221
z-transform 973

Control Algorithms
Dynamic Matrix Control (DMC) 735
Dynamic model 922, 730
Feedforward (lead/lag with dead time) 485, 493
Filter 390,392
Internal Model Controller (IMC) 594,595
Nonlinear proportional-integral 567
Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) 252,366
Smith predictor 600

xxxi
xxxii Block Diagrams
Block diagram algebra 116
Quick Reference Cascade 463
Feedforward 489
Internal Model Control (IMC) 592
Inferential control 537
Multiloop control 630
Parallel processes 152
Series processes 143
Single-loop feedback (PID) 243

Process Examples
See Appendix G for references to numerous solved 925
examples on the following processes;
Distillation
Flasq Separator
Heat Exchanger
Non-isothermal CSTR
Series CSTRs
Three-tank mixer

Controller Thning and Empirical Modelling

TIming goals 269
Ciancone, PID 281
Ciancone, PI 286
Digital, modification for 370
Dynamic Matrix Control (DMC) 750
Internal Model Control (IMC) 598
Level control 568
Lopez, PI 287
Multiloop PID 645
Process reaction curve 179
Statistical model fitting 188
Ziegler-Nichols, continuous cycling 330
Ziegler-Nichols, open-loop 347

Dynamic Systems
Dead time 103
First order 137
Integrator 140
Recycle 155
Second order 138
Series, interacting 151
Series, non-interacting 151
Control Design xxxii
Cascade control 461
Control Design Fonn (CDF) 768 Quick Referenc(
Control objectives 20
Feedforward 487
Gain scheduling 518
Inferential control 542
Level control 564
Safety 794
Selecting controlled variables 216, 775
Selecting manipulated variable 217
 Introduction
There is an old adage, " If yo u do not kn ow wh ere you arc goin g, any path will do,"
In o ther word s, a good knowledge o f the goa l is essenti al befo re o ne addresses the
detail s of a task. Engineers should kee p this adage in mind when study ing a new,
compl ex to pic, becau se th ey ca n easil y beco me 100 invo lved in the detail s and lose
track of the purpose of learning the topic. Process co nt rol is int rod uced in thi s first.
bri ef part of the book so that th e reader will understand the overall goal of process
au 'omalion and appreciate th e need for the tec hnical rigor of the subseq uent parts.
The study of process co ntrol introduces a new perspec ti ve to the mastery of
process systems: dYllamic opera tion. Prio r engineering co urses in the lyp ical CUf-
ric ulu m conce ntrate o n steady-slate process be havior, whic h si mpli fies earl y study
of processes and prov ides a basis fo r establishing proper equi pme nt sizes and de-
!ermini ng the best constant operatin g conditi o ns. However, no process ope rates at a
steady state (with a ll time derivati ves exactl y zero), because essenti all y all ex ternal
vari ab les, such as feed co mpositio n o r cooling medium temperature, change. Thu s,
the proCl".ss des ign mu st co nsider systems th at respond to ex ternal di sturbances and
maintain th e process o perati o n in a safe regio n th at yields hi gh-q uality products in a
profi table manner. The e mph as is o n good operati on, ac hieved through proper pi am
des ign and auto matio n, req uires a thoro ug h knowledge of the dynamic ope rat ion.
which is int rod uced in this part and cove red th oroughl y in Part II.
In addit ion, the study of process control introd uces a major new co ncept:feed-
back COll t rol. This concept is central to mos t a uto matio n syste ms that mo nitor a
process and adjust so me vari ables to maintain the sys tem at (or near) des ired con-
ditions. Feedback is one of the topics st udied and employed by e nginee rs of most
2 subdisciplines, and chemical engineers apply these principles to heat exchang-
ers, mass transfer equipment, chemical reactors, and so forth. Feedback control is
PART I introduced in this part and covered in detail in Part Ill.
Introduction Finally, the coverage of these topics in this part is qualitative, because it
precedes the introduction of mathematical tools. This qualitative presentation is
not a shortcoming; rather, the direct and uncomplicated presentation provides a
clear and concise discussion of some central ideas in the book. The reader is advised
to return to Part I to clarify the goals before beginning each new part of the book.
 Introduction to
Process Control
1.1 INTRODUCTION
When observing a chemical process in a plant or laboratory, onc sees flows surg-
in g from vessel to vessel, liquids bubbling and boiling, viscous material being
extruded. and all key measurements changing continuously, sometimes with small
fluctuations and other times in response to major changes. The conclusion imme-
diately drawn is that the world is dynamic! This simple and obvious statement
provides the key reason for process control. Only with an unders tandi ng of tran-
sient behavior of physical systems can engineers design processes thal perform
we ll in the dynamic world. In their early training, engineering students learn a
great deal about steady-state physical systems, which is natura l, because steady-
state systems are somewhat easier to understand and provide appropriate learning
examples. However, the practicing engineer should have a mastery of dynamic
physical systems as well. This book provides the basic info rmati on and engineer-
ing methods needed to analyze and design plants that function we ll in a dynamic
world.
Control engineering is an engineering science that is used in many engi neering
disciplines-for example. chemical, electrical . and mechanical engineering-and
it is app lied to a wide range of physical systems from electri cal c ircuits to guided
missiles to robots. The field of process control e ncompasses the bas ic principles
most useful when applied to the physicochemical systems often e ncountered by
chemical engineers, such as chemical reactors, heat exchangers, and mass transfer
equipment.
4 Since the principles covered in thi s book are basic to most tasks performed by
chemical engineers. control engi neering is not a narrow spec ialty but an essential
CHAPTER I topic for all chemi cal engin eers. For example. plant designers mu st consider the
Introduction to dynamic operation of all eq uipment, because the plant wi ll never operate at steady
Process Control
slate (with time derivatives exacLly eq ual to zero). Engineers charged with oper-
ating plants must ens ure that the proper response is made to the ever-occurring
di sturbances so that operation is safe and profitable. Finally, engineers perform-
ing experiments must conLroltheir equipment to obtain the conditions prescribed
by thei r experimental designs. In summary, the task of engineers is to design,
construct, and operate a physical system to behave in a desired manner, and an
essential element of this ac ti vity is sustained maintenance of the syste m .It the
desired co nditi ons-which is process co ntrol engi neering.
As you might expect, process control engineering involves a vast body of ma-
terial , including mathematical analysis and engi neering practice. However, be fore
Control we can beg in learning the specific principles and calcul ations, we mu st understand
the goals of process co ntrol and how it co mplements other aspects of che mi -
cal engi neering. This chapter int roduces these issues by addressing the followin g
questicns:
~sensor What does a control system do ?
Why is control necessary?
Why is coillrol possible?
How is control done?
Where is control implemented?
What does control engineering "engineer" ?
How is process control documented?
What are so me sampl e control strategies?

Final clement
1.2 WHAT DOES A CONTROL SYSTEM DO?
FIGURE 1.1
Example of feedback control for steering First, we will di scuss two exampl es of control sys tems encountered in everyday
an automobile. life. Then, we will discuss the features of these systems that are common to most
co ntrol systems and are generali zed in definitions of the terms control andfeedback
cOll/rol.
The first exampl e of a control system is a perso n driving an automobile, as
() (sensor) shown in Figure 1.1. The driver must have a goal or objecti ve; normall y, thi s wou ld
be to stay in a specific lane. First, the driver must determine the location of the
TI,crmOSlat ~ --- - - - t Con troller I automobile, which she does by usi'ng her eyes to see the position of the automobi le
on the road. Then, the driver must detennine or calculate the change required to
maintain the automobile at its desired position on the road. Finally, the driver must
change the position of the steerin g wheel by the amount calculated to bring about
the necessary correction. By continuously performing these three functions, the

J Furnace
I I Fuel Flow I driver can maintain the automobile very close to its desired position as disturbances
like bumps and curves in the road are encountered.
(final clement) The second example is the simple heating system shown in Figure 1.2. The
FIGURE 1.2 house, in a cold climate, can be maintained near a desired temperature by circulat-
Example of feedback control for ing hot water through a heat exchanger. The temperature in the room is determined
controlling room temperature. by a thermostat, which compares the measured valu e of the room temperature to
a desired range, say 18 to 22C. If the temperature is below 18C, the furnace and 5
pump are turned on, and if the temperature is above 22C, the furnace and pump
are turned off. If the temperature is between 18 and 22C, the furnace and pump What Does a Control
statuses remain unchanged. A typical temperature history in a house in given in System Do?
Figure 1.3, which shows how the temperature slowly drifts between the upper and
lower limits. It also exceeds the limits, because the furnace and heat exchanger
Controlled
cannot respond immediately. This approach is termed "on/off" control and can variable:
be used when precise control at the desired value is not required. We will cover Room
better control methods, which can maintain important variables much closer to temperature IS'C
their desired values, later in this book. Manipulated
. Now that we have briefly analyzed two control systems, we shall identify variable:
Furnace
some common features. The first is that each uses a specific value (or range) as a fuel
desired value for the controlled variable. When we cover control calculations in Time
Part ITI, we will use the term set point for the desired value. Second, the conditions FIGURE 1.3
of the system are measured; that is, all control systems use sensors to measure Typical dynamic response of the room
the physical variables that are to be maintained near their desired values. Third, temperature when controlled by on/off
each system has a control calculation, or algorithm, which uses the measured and feedback control.
the desired values to determine a correction to the process operation. The control
calculation for the room heater is very. simple (on/oft), whereas the calculation
used by thedriver may be very complex. Finally, the results of the calculation
are implemented by adjusting some item of equipment in the system, which is
termed the final control element, such as the steering wheel or the furnace and
pump switches. These key features are shown schematically in Figure 1.4, which
can ~e used to represent many control systems.
Now that we have discussed some common control systems and identified key
features, we shall define the term control. The diction'ary provides the definition
for the verb control as "to exercise directing influence." We will use a similar

Desired
value

._ . . . . . _ _ _ m

I
I
:
.... j conLer r. . m _ mm ;

I
I
I

,! B I
I

Final I I

I
I

element I
Other Process Other
inputs outputs

FIGURE 1.4
Schematic diagram of a general feedback control system showing
the sensor, control calculation based on a desired value, and final
element.
6 definition that is adapted to OUf purposes. The following definition suits the two
physical examples and the schematic representation in Figure 1.4.
CHAPTER I
Introd uction to
Process Control
Control (verb): To maintain desired conditions in a physical system by adjusting
selected variables in lhe system.
,

The contro l examples have an additional feature that is extremely important.

This isfeedback, which is defined as follows:

Feedback control makes use of an output of a system to influence an input to the

same system.

For example, the temperature of the room is used, through Ule thermostat onloff
decision, to influence the hot wa ter flow to the exchanger. When feedback is em-
ployed to reduce the magnitude of the difference between the actual and desired
values, it is temled "negative feedback ." Un less stated otherwise, we wi ll always
be discussing negative feedback and wi ll not use the modifier negative. In the so-
cial sciences and general vernacular, the phrase "negative feedback" indicates an
undesirable change, because most people do not enjoy receiving a signal that tells
them to correct an error. Most people would rather receive "positive feedback,"
a signal telling them to continue a tendency to approach the desired condition.
Thi s difference in terminology is un fort un ate; we will use the tenninology fo r
automatic control, with "negati ve" indicating a change that tends to approach the
desired va lue, throughout this book without exception.
The importance of feedback in control systems can be seen by consideri ng the
alternative wi thout feedback . For example, an altern ati ve approach for achieving
the desired room temperature would set the hot water fl ow based on the measured
. outside temperature and a model of the heat loss of the house. (This type of predic-
tive approach, termedfeedfonvllrd, will be encountered later in th e book, where its
use in combination wi th feedback will be explained.) The strategy withou t feedback
would not maintain the roo m near the desired value if the model had errors-as
it always would. Some causes of model error might be changes in external wind
velocity and directi on or inflows of air through open windows. On the oth er hand,
feedback control can continually manipulate the final element to achieve the de-
sired value, Thus, feedback provides the powerful feature of enabling a control
system to maintain the measured value near its desired value without requiring all
exact p/am model.
Before we complete thi s section, the terms input and output are clarified.
When used in discussing control systems, they do not necessarily refer to material
moving into and out of the system. Here, the term illPut refers to a vari able that
causes an output. In the steering example, the input is the steerin g wheel position,
and the output is the position of the automobile, In the room heating example, the
input is the fuel to the furnace, and the output is the room temperature. It is essential
to recognize that the input causes the output and that this relationship cannot be 7
inverted. The causal relationship inherent in the physical process forces us to select
the input as the manipulated variable and the output as the measured variable. Why Is Control
Numerous examples with selections of controlled and manipulated variables are Possible?
presented in subsequent chapters.
Therefore, the answer to the first question about the function of control is, "A
Feed ~ ITemperature I
feedback control system maintains specific variables near their desired values by
applying the four basic features shown in Figure 1.4." Understanding and designing .
i

feedback control systems is a major emphasis of this book.

t---~I------=:=::r-'-" Product
1.3 WHY IS CONTROL NECESSARY?
A natural second question involves the need for control. There are two major
reasons for control, which are discussed with respect to the simple stirred-tank
heat exchanger shown in Figure 1.5. The process fluid flows into the tank from a
pipe and flows out of the tank by overflow. Thus, the volume of the tank is constant.
The heating fluid flow can be changed by adjusting the opening of the valve in the
heating medium line. The temperature in the tank is to be controlled. Heating medium
The firs~ reason for control is to maintain the temperature at its desired value FIGURE 1.5
when disturbances occur. Some typical disturbances for this process occur in the Schematic drawing of a stirred-tank
following variables: inlet process fluid flow rate and temperature, heating fluid heating process.
temperature, and pressure of the heating fluid upstream of the valve. As an exercise,
you should determine how the valve should be adjusted (opened or closed) in
response to an increase in each of these disturbance variables.
The second reason for control is to respond to changes in the desired value. For
example, if the desired temperature in the stirred-tank heat exchanger is increased,
the heating valve percent opening would be increased. The desired values are
based on a thorough analysis of the plant operation and objectives. This analysis
is discussed in Chapter 2, where the main issues are arranged in seven categories:

1. Safety
2. Environmental protection
3. Equipment protection
4. Smooth plant operation and production rate
5. Product quality
6. Profit optimization
7. Monitoring and diagnosis

These issues are translated to values of variables-temperatures, pressures, flows,

and so forth-which are to be controlled.

1.4 WHY IS CONTROL POSSIBLE?

The proper design of plant equipment is essential for control to be possible and for
control to provide good dynamic performance. Therefore, the control and dynamic
operation is an important factor in plant design. Based on the key features of
feedback control shown in Figure 1.4, the plant design must include adequate
sensors of plant output variables and appropriate final control elements. The sensors
8 must respond rapidly so that the control action can be taken in real time. Sensors
using various physical principles are available for the basic process variables (flow,
CHAPTERl temperature, pressure, and level), compositions (e.g., mole fraction) and physical
Introduction to properties (e.g., density, viscosity, heat of combustion). Many of these sensors are
Process Control
inserted into the process equipment, with a shield protecting them from corrosive
effects of the streams. Others require a sample to be taken periodically from the
process; note that this sampling can be automated so that a new sensor result is
available at frequent intervals. The final control elements in chemical processes are
usually valves that affect fluid flows, but they could be other manipulated variables,
such as power to an electric motor or speed of a conveyor belt.
Another important consideration is the capacity of the process equipment.
The equipment must have a large enough maximum capacity to respond to all
expected disturbances and changes in desired values. For the stirred-tank. heat
exchanger, the maximum duty, as influenced by temperature, area, and heating
medium flow rate, must be large enough to maintain the tank. temperature for
all anticipated disturbances. This highest heat duty corresponds to the the highest
outlet temperature, the highest process fluid flow, the lowest inlet fluid temperature,
and the highest heat loss to the environment. Each process must be analyzed to
ensure that adequate capacity exists. Further discussion of this topic appears in the
next two chapters.
Therefore, the answer to why control is possible is that we anticipate the
expected changes in plant variables and provide adequate equipment when the plant
is designed. The adequate equipment design for control must be calculated based
on expected changes; merely adding extra capacity, say 20 percent, to equipment
sizing is not correct. In some cases, this would result in waste; in other cases, the
equipment capacity would not be adequate. If this analysis is not done properly
or changes outside the assumptions occur, achieving acceptable plant operation
through manipulating final control elements may not be possible.

1.5 (I HOW IS CONTROL DONE?

As we have seen in the automobile driving example, feedback control by human
actions is possible. In some cases, this approach is 'appropriate, but the continuous,
repetitious actions are tedious for a person. In addition, some control calculations
are too complex or must be implemented too rapidly to be performed by a person.
Therefore, most feedback control is automated, which requires that the key func-
tions of sensing, calculating, and manipulating be performed by equipment and
that each element communicate with other elements in the control system. Cur-
rently, most automatic control is implemented using electronic equipment, which
uses levels of current or voltage to represent values to be communicated. As would
be expected, many of the computing and some of the communication functions
are being performed increasingly often with digital technology. In some cases
control systems use pneumatic, hydraulic, or mechanical mechanisms to calcu-
late and communicate; in these systems, the signals are represented by pressure
. or physical position. A typical process plant will have examples of each type of
instrumentation and communication.
Since an essential aspect of process control is instrumentation, this book intro-
.duces some common sensors and valves, but proper selection of this equipment for
plant design requires reference to one of the handbooks in this area for additional
details. Readers are encouraged to be aware of and use the general references listed 9
at the end of this chapter.
Obviously, the other key element of process control is a device to perform the Where Is Control
calculations. For much of the history of process plants (up to the 196Os), control cal- Implemented?
culations were performed by analog computation. Analog computing devices are
implemented by building a physical system, such as an electrical circuit or mechan-
ical system, that obeys the same equations as the desired control calculation. As
you can imagine, this calculation approach was inflexible. In addition, complex cal-
culations were not possible. However, some feedback control is still implemented
in this inanner, for reasons of cost and reliability in demanding plant conditions.
With the advent of low-cost digital computers, most of the control calculations
and essentially all of the complex calculations are being performed by digital
computers. Most of the principles presented in this book can be implemented
in either analog or digital devices. When covering basic principles in this book,
we will not distinguish between analog and digital computing unless necessary,
because the distinction between analog and digital is not usually important as
long as the digital computer can perform its discrete calculations quickly. Special
aspects of digital control are introduced in Chapter 11. In all chapters after Chapter
11, the control principles are presented along with special aspects of either analog
or digital implementation; thus, both modes of performing calculations are covered
in an integrated manner.
For the purposes of this book, the answer to lhe question "How is control
done?" is simply, "Automatically, using instrumentation and computation that
perform all features of feedback control without requiring (but allowing) human
intervention."

1.6 II WHERE IS CONTROL IMPLEMENTED?

Chemical plants are physically large and complex. The people responsible for op-
erating the plant on a minute-to-minute basis must have information from much of
the plant available to them at a central location. The most common arrangement of
control equipment to accommodate this need is shown in Figure 1.6. Naturally, the
sensors and valves are located in the process. Signals, usually eleCtronic, commu-
nicate with the control room, where all information is displayed to the operating
personnel and where control calculations are performed. Distances between the
process and central control room range from a few hundred feet to a mile or more.
Some control is performed many miles from the process; for example, a remote oil
well can have no human present and would rely on remote automation for proper
operation.
In the control room, an individual is responsible for monitoring and operating
a section of a large, complex plant, containing up to 100 controlled variables and
400 other measured variables. Generally, the plant never operates on "automatic
pilot"; a person is always present to perform tasks not automated, to optimize
operations, and to intervene in case an unusual or dangerous situation occurs,
such as an equipment failure. Naturally, other people are present at the process
equipment, usually referred to as "in the field," to monitor the equipment and
to perform functions requiring manual intervention, such as backwashing filters.
Thus, well-automated chemical plants involve considerable interaction between
people and control calculations.
10 Local

CHAPTERl
, Local
display
Introduction to Central control
Process Control room

Cables potentially
hundreds of melers
long
Calculations
and display

FIGURE 1.6
Schematic representation of a typical control system showing both local
and centralized control equipment.

Other control configurations are possible and are used when appropriate. For
example, small panels with instrumentation can be placed near a critical piece of
process equipment when the operator needs to have access to the control system
while introducing some process adjustments. This arrangement would not prevent
the remainder of the plant from being controlled from a central facility. Also, many
sensors provide a visual display of the measured value, which can be seen by the
local operator, as well as a signal transmitted to the central control room. Thus,
the local operator can determine the operating conditions of a unit, but the indi-
vidual local displays are distributed about the plant, not collected in a single place
for the local operator.
The short answer to the location question is

1. Sensors, local indicators; and valves are in the process.

2. Displays of all plant variables and control calculations are in a centralized
facility.

It is worth noting that increased use of digital computing makes the distribution
of the control calculation to the sensor locations practical; however, all controllers
would be connected to a computing network that would function like a single
computer for the purposes of the material in this book.

1.7 WHAT DOES CONTROL. ENGINEERING "ENGINEER"?

What can engineers do so that plants can be maintained reliably and safely near
desired'values? Most of the engineering decisions are introduced in the following
five topics.
Process Design 11
A key factor in engineering is the design of the process so that it can be controlled
What nOes Control
well. We noted in the room heating example that the temperature exceeded the Engineering
maximum and minimum values because the furnace and heat exchanger were not "Engineer"?
able to respond rapidly enough. Thus, a more "responsive" plant would be easier
to control. By responsive we mean that the controlled variable responds quickly
to adjustments in the manipulated variable. Also, a plant that is susceptible to few
disturbances would be easier to control. Reducing the frequency and magnitude
of disturbances could be achieved by many means; a simple example is placing a
large mixing tank before a unit so that feed composition upsets are attenuated by
the averaging effects of the tank. Many more approaches to designing responsive
processes with few disturbances are covered in the book.

Measurements
Naturally, a key decision is the selection and location of sensors, because one can
control only what is measured! The engineer should select sensors that measure
important variables rapidly and with sufficient accuracy. In this book, we will
concentrate on the process analysis related to variable selection and to determining
response time and accuracy needs. Details of a few common sensors are also
presented as needed in exercises; a full review of sensor technology and commercial
equipment is available in the references at the end cif this chapter.

Final Elements
The engineer must provide handles-manipulated variables that can be adjusted by
the control calculation. For example, if there were no valve on the heating fluid in
Figure 1.5, it would not be possible to control the process fluid outlet temperature.
This book concentrates on the process analysis related to final element location.
We will typically be considering control valves as the final elements, with the
percentage opening of these valves determined by a signal sent to the valve from a
controller. Specific details about the best final element to regulate flow of various
fluids-liquids, steam, slurries, and so forth-are provided by references noted at
the end of this chapter. These references also present other final elements, such as
motor speed, that are used in the process industries.

Control Structure
The engineer must decide some very basic issues in designing a control system. For
example, which valve should be manipulated to control which measurement? As
an everyday example, one could adjust either the hot or cold water valve opening
to control the temperature of water in a shower. These topics are presented in later
chapters, after a sound basis of understanding in dynamics and feedback control
principles has been built.

Control Calculations
After the variables and control structure have been selected, equation(s) are cho-
sen that use the measurement and desired values in calculating the manipulated
variable. As we shallieam, only a few equations are sufficient to provide good
12 control for many types of plants. After the control equations' structure is defined,
parameters that appear in the equations are adjusted to achieve the desired control
CHAPTERl performance for the particular process.
introduCtion to
Process Control

1.8 [i HOW IS PROCESS CONTROL DOCUMENTED?

As with all activities in chemical engineering, the results are documented in many
forms. The most common are equipment specifications and sizing, operating man-
uals, and technical documentation of plant experiments and control equations. In
addition, control engineering makes extensive use of drawings that concisely and
unequivocally represent many design decisions. These drawings are used for many
purposes, including designing plants, purchasing equipmen4 and reviewing oper-
ations and safety procedures. Therefore, many people use them, and to avoid mis-
understandings standard symbols have been developed by the Instrument Society
of America for use throughout the world. We shall adhere to a reduced version of
this excellent standard in this book because of its simplicity and wide application.
Sample drawings are shown in Figure 1.7. All process equipment-piping,
vessels, valves, and so forth-is drawn in solid lines. The symbols for equipment
items such as pumps, tanks, drums, and valves are simple and easily recognized.
Sensors are designated by a circle or "bubble" connected to the point in the process
where they are located. The first letter in the instrumentation symbol indicates the
type of variable measured; for example, "T' corresponds to temperature. Some of
the more common designations are the following:

A Analyzer (specific analysis is often indicated next to the symbol, for

example, p (for density) or pH)
F Flow rate
L Level of liquid or solids in a vessel
P Pressure
T Temperature

Note that the symbol does not indicate the physical principle used by the sensor.
Backup tabular documentation is required to det~rmine such details.
The communication to the sensor is shown as a solid line. If the signal is used
only for display to the operator, the second letter in the symbol is "1" for indicator.
Often, the "I" is not used, so that a single letter refers to a measurement used for
monitoring only, not for control.
If the signal is used in a calculation, it is also shown in a circle. The second letter
in the symbol indicates the type of calculation. We consider only two possibilities
in this book: "e" for feedback control and "Y" for any other calculation, such
as addition or square root The types of control calculations are covered later in
the book. A noncontrol calculation might use the measured flow and temperatures
around a heat exchanger to calculate the duty; that is, Q = pCpF(T;.n - Tout). For
controllers, the communication to the final element is shown as a dashed line when
it is electrical, which is the mode communication considered in designs for most
of this book.
The basic symbols with their meanings are documented in Appe~dix A. This
simplified version of the Instrument Society of America standards is sufficient for
 13

What Are Some

Sample Control
t------4---_......-:~__._._. Product Strategies?

Heating medium

(a) (b)

Feed A

t-----1-----~~_y_.. Product

(e) (d)
FIGURE 1.7
(a) Continuous stirred-tank reactor with composition control. (b) Flow controller.
(c) Tank level with controller. (d) Mixing process with composition control.

this textbook and will provide an adequate background for more complex drawings.
While using the standards may seem like additional work in the beginning, it should
be considered a smal~ investment leading to accurate communication, like learning
grammar and vocabulary, used by alI chemical engineers.

1.9 l!I WHAT ARE SOME SAMPLE CONTROL STRATEGIES?

Some very simple example process control systems are given in Figure 1.7a
through d. Each drawing contains a process schematic, a controller (in the in-
strumentation c;ircle), and the connection between the measurement and the ma-
nipulated variable. As a thought exercise, you should analyze each process control
system to verify the causal process relationship and to determine what action the
controlIer would take in response to a disturbance or a change in desired value (set
point). For example, in Figure 1.7a, with an increase in the inlet temperature, the
control system would sense a decrease in the outlet composition of reactant. In
response, the control system would adjust the heating coil valve, closing it slightly,
until the outlet composition returned to its desired value.
A sample of a more complex process diagram, this one without the control
design, is given in Figure 1.8. The process includes a chemical reactor, a flash
14
CHAPTER!
Introduction to
Process Control

Feed Heat Chemical Heat Flash

Tank Exchanger Reactor Exchanger Separator
FIGURE 1.8
Integrated feed tank, reactor, and separator with recycle.

separator, heat exchangers, and associated piping. Note that a control design en-
gineer must select from a large number of possible measurements and valves to
determine controller connections from an enormous number of possibilities! In
Chapter 25 you will design a control system for this process that controls the
key variables, such as reactor level and separator temperature, based on specified
control objectives.

1.10 II CONCLUSIONS
The material in this chapter has presented a qualitative introduction to process
control. You have learned the key features of feedback control along with the types
of equipment (instruments and computers) required to apply process control. The
importance of the process design on control was discussed several times in the
chapter.
Based on this introduction, we are prepared to discuss more carefully the
goals' of process control in Chapter 2. Understanding the process control goals is
essential to selecting the type of analysis used in control engineering.

REFERENCES
ISA,ISA-SS.3, Graphic Symbols/or Distributed ControVShared Display In-
strumentation, Logic and Computer Systems, Instrument Society of Amer-
ica, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1983.
ISA, ISA-SS.l, Instrumentation Symbols and Identification, Instrument Soci-
ety of America, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1984.
 ISA, ISA-S5.5, Graphic Symbolsfor Process Displays, Instrument Society of 15
America, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1985.
IS A, ISA -S5.4-I989, Instrument Loop Diagrams, Instrument Society of Amer- Additional Resources
ica, Research Triangle Park, NC, July, 1989.
Mayer, Otto, Origins of Feedback Control, MIT Press, 1970.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Process and control engineers need to refer to books for details on process control
equipment. The following references provide an introduction to the resources on
this specialized information.

Clevett, K., Process Analyzer Technology, Wiley-Interscience, New York,

1986.
Considine, R., and S. Ross, Handbook ofApplied Instrumentation, McGraw-
Hill, New York, 1964.
Liptak, B., Instrument Engineers Handbook, Vol. I: Process Measurements
and Vol. 2: Process Control, Chilton Book Company, Radnor, PA, 1985.
Driskell, L., Control Valve Selection and Sizing, ISA Publishing, Research
Triangle Park, NC, 1983.
Hutchison, J. (ed.), ISA Handbook of Control. Valves (2nd ed.), Instrument'
Society of America, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1976.
,ISA, Standards and Practices for Instrumentation and Control (II th ed.),
Instrument Society of America, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1992.

The following set of books gives a useful overview of process control, ad-
dressing both equipment and mathematical analysis.

Andrew, W., and H. Williams, Applied Instrumentation in the Process Indus-

tries (2nd ed.), Volume I: A Survey, Gulf Publishing, Houston, 1979.
Andrew, W., and H. Williams, Applied Instrumentation in the Process Indus-
tries (2nd ed.), Volume II: Practical Guidelines, Gulf Publishing, Hous-
ton, 1980.
Andrew, W., and H. Williams, Applied Instrumentation in the Process Indus-
tries (2nd ed.), Volume Ill: Engineering Data and Resource Manual, Gulf
Publishing, Houston, 1982.
Zoss, L., Applied Instrumentation in the Process Industries, Volume IV: Con-
trol Systems Theory, Troubleshooting, and Design, Gulf Publishing, Hous-
ton, 1979.

The following references provide clear introductions to general control meth-

ods and specific control strategies in many process industries, such as petrochem-
ical, food, steel, paper, and several others.

Kane, L. (Ed.), Handbook of Advanced Process Control Systems and Instru-

mentation, Gulf Publishing, Houston, 1987.
Matley, J. (Ed.), Practical Instrumentation and Control II, McGraw-Hill, New
York,1986.

/
16 The following are useful references on drawing symbols for process and con-
trol equipment.
CHAPTER!
Introduction to Austin, D., Chemical Engineering Drawing Symbols, Halsted Press, London,
Process Control
1979.
Weaver, R., Process Piping Drafting (3rd ed.), Gulf Publishing, Houston,
1986.

Finally, a good reference for terminology is

ISA, Process Instrumentation Terminology, ANSIIISA S51.1-1979, Instru-

ment Society of America, Research Triangle Park, NC, December 28,
1979.

QUESTIONS
1.1. Describe the four necessary components of a feedback control system.
1.2. Review the equipment sketches in Figure Q 1.2a and b and explain whether
each is or is not a level feedback control system. In particular, identify the
four necessary components of feedback control, if they exist.
(a) the flow in is a function of the connecting rod position.
(b) The flow out is a function of the level (pressure at the bottom of the
tank) and the resistance to flow.

Flow in varies, cannot be adjusted

Flow out
varies, cannot
be adjusted

Flow out depends on

the level and resistance
% valve opening depends due to the exit constriction
on the connecting rod position and pipe
(a) (b)

FIGURE Q1.2

1.3. Give some examples of feedback control systems in your everyday life,
government, biology, and management. The control calculations may be
automated or performed by people.
1.4. Discuss the advantages of having a centralized control facility. Can you
think of any disadvantages?
1.5. Review the processes sketched in Figure 1.7a through d in which the con-
trolled variable is to be maintained at its desired value.
(a) From your chemical engineering background, suggest the physical
principle used by the sensor.
 (b) Explain the causal relationship between the manipulated and controlled 17
variables.
(c) Explain whether the control valve should be opened or closed to in- Questions
crease the value of the controlled variable.
(d) Identify possible disturbances that could influence the controlled vari-
able. Also, describe how the process equipment would have to be sized
to account for the disturbances.
1.6. The preliminary process designs have been prepared for the systems in
Figure Q 1.6. The key variables to be controlled for the systems are (a) flow
rate, temperature, composition, and pressure for the flash system and (b)
composition, temperature, and liquid level for the continuous-flow stirred-
tank chemical reactor. For both processes, disturbances occur in the feed
temperature and composition. Answer the following questions for both
processes.
(a) Determine which sensors and final elements are required so that the
important variables can be controlled. Sketch them on the figure where
they should be located.
(b) Describe how the equipment capacities should be determined.
(c) Select controller pairings; that is, select which measured variable should
be controlled by adjusting which manipulated variable.
(These examples will be reconsidered after quantitative methods have been
introduced. )

Heat exchangers
Vapor

Liquid

Pump
(a)

Cooling
(b)

FIGURE Q1.6
18 1.7. Consider any of the control systems shown in Figure 1.7a through d. Sug-
gest a feedback control calculation that can be used to detennine the proper
CHAPTER 1 value of the manipulated valve position. The only values available for the
Introduction to calculation are the desired value and the measured value of the controlled
Process Control
variable. (Do the best you can at this point Control algorithms for feedback
control are presented in Part ID.)
1.8. Feedback control uses measurement of a system output variable to deter-
mine the value of a system input variable. Suggest an alternative control
approach that uses a measured (disturbance) input variable to determine
the value of a different (manipulated) input variable, with the goal of main-
taining a system output variable at its desired value. Apply your approach
to one of the systems in Figure 1.7. Can you suggest a name for your
approach?
1.9. Evaluate the potential feedback control designs in Figure QI.9. Determine
whether each is a feedback control system. Explain why or why not, and
explain whether the control system will function correctly as shown for
disturbances and changes in desired value.

------ .. o
~--f':)lCI-....... 0

---------------------------------------_.
(a) Level control (b) Level control

r--------------------------

::-+
o

AC A
+
component

(e) Composition control without (d) Temperature control

chemical reaction
FIGUREQ1.9
 Control
Objectives and
Benefits
2.1 iii INTRODUCTION
The first chapter provided an overview of process control in which the close asso-
ciation between process control and plant operation was noted. As a consequence,
control objectives are closely tied to process goals, and control benefits are closely
tied to attaining these goals. In this chapter the control objectives and benefits Equipment
Design
are discussed thorou ghly, and several process examples are presented. The control
objectives provide . the basis for all technolog y and design methods presented in
subsequent chapters of the book.
While this book emphasizes the contribution made by automatic control , con- Sare.
lrol is only one of many factors that must be considered in improving process Operating
\ - - - f - - - Profitable
Pl ant
performance. Three of the most important faelOTs are shown in Figure 2. 1. which Condit ions Operation
indicates that proper equipment design, operating cond ition s, and process control
should all be achieved simultaneously to attain safe and profitable plant operation.
Clearly, equipment should be designed to provide good dynami c responses in addi-
tion to high steady-state profit and efficiency. as covered in process design co urses
Control
and books. Also. the plant operating conditions, as well as achieving steady-state
plant object ives. should provide flexibility for dynamic operation . Thus. achiev-
ing excellence in plant operation requires consideration of all factors. This book FIGURE 2.1
addresses all three factors; it gives guidance on how to design processes and select Schematic representation or three
operating conditions favoring good dynamic performance, and it presents automa- critical clements for achieving excellent
tion methods to adjust the manipulated variables. plant performance.
20 2.2 El CONTROL OBJECTIVES
The seven major categories of control objectives were introduced in Chapter I.
CHAPTER 2
Control Objectives They are discussed in detail here, with an explanation of how each influences the
and Benefits control design for the example process shown in Figure 2.2. The process separates
two components based on their different vapor pressures. The liquid feed stream,
consisting of components A and B, is heated by two exchangers in series. Then
Control Objectives the stream flows through a valve to a vessel at a lower pressure. As a result of
the higher temperature andJower pressure, the material forms two phases, with
1. Safety most of the A in the vapor and most of the B in the liquid. The exact compositions
2. Environmental Protection
3. Equipment Protection
can be determined from an equilibrium flash calculation, which simultaneously
4. Smooth Operation solves the material, energy, and eqUilibrium expressions. Both streams leave the
and Production Rate vessel for further processing, the vapor stream through the overhead line and
S. Product Quality the liquid stream out from the bottom of the vessel. Although a simple process,
6. Profit the heat exchanger with flash drum provides examples of all control objectives,
7. Monitoring and Diagnosis and this process is analyzed quantitatively with control in Chapter 24.
A control strategy is also shown in Figure 2.2. Since we have not yet studied
the calculations used by feedback controllers, you should interpret the controller as
a linkage between a measurement and a valve. Thus, you can think of the feedback
pressure control (PC) system as a system that measures the pressure and maintains
the pressure close to its desired value by adjusting the opening of the valve in the
overhead vapor pipe. The type of control calculation, which will be covered in
depth in later chapters, is not critical for the discussions in this chapter.

Safety
The safety of people in the plant and in the surrounding community is of paramount
importance. While no human activity is without risk, the typical goal is that working
at an industrial plant should involve much less risk tha~ any other activity in a
person's life. No compromise with sound equipment and control safety practices
is acceptable.
Plants are designed to operate safely at expected temperatures and pressures;
however, improper operation can lead to equipment failure and release of poten-
tially hazardous materials. Therefore, the process control strategies contribute to
the overall plant safety by maintaining key variables near their desired values.
Since these control strategies are important, they are automated to ensure rapid
and complete implementation. In Figure 2.2, the equipment could operate at high
pressures under normal conditions. If the pressure were allowed to increase too
far beyond the normal value, the vessel might burst, resulting in injuries or death.
Therefore, the control strategy includes a controller labelled "PC-I" that controls
the pressure by adjusting the valve position (i.e., percent opening) in the vapor line.
Another consideration in plant safety is the proper response to major incidents,
such as equipment failures and excursions of variables outside of their acceptable
bounds. Feedback strategies cannot guarantee safe operation; a very large distur-
bance could lead to an unsafe condition. Therefore, an additional layer of control,
termed an emergency system, is applied to enforce bounds on key variables. Typ-
ically, this layer involves either safely diverting the flow of material or shutting
down the process when unacceptable conditions occur. The control strategies are
usually not complicated; for example, an emergency control might stop the feed
to a vessel when the liquid level is nearly overflowing. Proper design of these
 To
21
1------.. Containment
Control Objectives

Liquid
I I

~---------------~---------------

Process Steam
fluid
FIGURE 2.2
Flash separation process with control strategy.

emergency systems is based on a structured analysis of hazards (Battelle Labora-

tory, 1985; Warren Centre, 1986) that relies heavily on experience about expected
incidents and on the reliability of process and control equipment.
In Figure 2.2, the pressure is controlled by the element labelled "PC." Nor-
mally, it maintains the pressure at or near its desired value. However, the control
strategy relies on the proper operation of equipment like the pressure sensor and
the valve. Suppose that the sensor stopped providing a reliable measurement; the
control strategy could improperly close the overhead valve, leading to an unsafe
pressure. The correct control design would include an additional strategy using
independent equipment to prevent a very high pressure. For example, the safety
valve shown in Figure 2.2 is closed unless the pressure rises above a specified
maximum; then, it opens to vent the excess vapor. It is important to recognize that
this safety relief system is called on to act infrequently, perhaps once per year
or less often; therefore, its design should include highly reliable components to
ensure that it perfonns properly when needed.

Environmental Protection
Protection of the environment is critically important. This objective is mostly a pro-
cess design issue; that is, the process must have the capacity to convert potentially
toxic components to benign material. Again, control can contribute to the proper
operation of these units, resulting in consistently low effluent concentrations. In
addition, control systems can divert effluent to containment vessels should any
22 extreme disturbance occur. The stored material could be processed at a later time
when normal operation has been restored.
CHAPTER 2 In Figure 2.2, the environment is protected by containing the material within
Control Objectives the process equipment. Note that the safety release system directs the material for
and Benefits
containment and subsequent "neutralization," which could involve recycling to the
process or combusting to benign compounds. For example, a release system might
divert a gaseous hydrocarbon to a flare for combustion, and it might divert a water-
based stream to a holding pond for subsequent purification through biological
treatment before release to a water system.

Equipment Protection
Much of the equipment in a plant is expensive and difficult to replace without
costly delays. Therefore, operating conditions must be maintained within bounds
to prevent damage. The types of control strategies for equipment protection are
similar to those for personnel protection, that is, controls to maintain conditions
near desired values and emergency controls to stop operation safely when the
process reaches boundary values.
In Figure 2.2, the equipment is protected by maintaining the operating con-
ditions within the expected temperatures and pressures. In addition, the pump
could be damaged if no liquid were flowing through it. Therefore, the liquid level
controller, by ensuring a reservoir of liquid in the bottom of the vessel, protects
the pump from damage. Additional equipment protection could be provided by
adding an emergency controller that would shut off the pump motor when the
level decreased below a specified value.

Smooth Operation and Production Rate

A chemical plant includes a complex network of interacting processes; thus, the
smooth operation of a process is desirable, because it results in few disturbances to
all integrated units. Naturally, key variables in streams leaving the process should
be maintained close to their desired values (i.e., with small variation) to prevent
disturbances to downstream units. In Figure 2.2, the liquid from the vessel bottoms
is processed by downstream equipment. The control strategy can be designed to
make slow, smooth changes to the liquid flow. Naturally, the liquid level will not
remain constant, but it is not required to be constant; the level must only remain
within specified limits. By the use of this control design, the downstream units
would experience fewer disturbances, and the overall plant would perform better.
There are additional ways for upsets to be propagated in an integrated plant.
For example, when the control strategy increases the steam flow to heat exchanger
E-I02, another unit in the plant must respond by generating more steam. Clearly,
smooth' manipulations of the steam flow require slow adjustnients in the boiler
operation and better overall plant operation. Therefore, we are interested in both
the controlled variables and the manipulated variables. Ideally; we would like to
have tight regulation of the controlled variables and slow, smooth adjustment of
the manipulated variables. As we will see, this is not usually possible, and some
compromise is required.
People who are operating a plant want a simple method for maintaining the
production ra~ at the desired value. We will include the important production rate
goal in this control objective. For the flash process in Figure 2.2, the natural method 23
for achieving the desired production rate is to adjust the feed valve located before
the flash drum so that the feed flow rate F\ has the desired value. Control Objectives

Product Quality
The final products from the plant must meet demanding quality specifications set
by purchasers. The specifications may be expressed as compositions (e.g., percent
of each component), physical properties (e.g., density), performance properties
(e.g., octane number or tensile strength), or a combination of all three. Process
control contributes to good plant operation by maintaining the operating condi-
tions required for excellent product quality. Improving product quality control is a
major economic factor in the application of digital computers and advanced control
algorithms for automation in the process industries.
In Figure 2.2, the amount of component A, the material with the higher vapor
pressure, is to be controlled in the liquid stream. Based on our knowledge of
thermodynamics, we know that this value can be controlled by adjusting the flash
temperature or, equivalently, the heat exchanged. Therefore, a control strategy
would be designed to measure the composition in real time and adjust the heating
medium flows that exchange heat with the feed.

Profit
Naturally, the typical goal of the plant is to return a profit. In the case of a utility such
as water purification, in which no income from sales is involved, the equivalent
goal is to provide the product at lowest cost. Before achieving the profit-oriented
goal, selected independent variables are adjusted to satisfy the first five higher-
priority control objectives. Often, some independent operating variables are not
specified after the higher objectives (that is, including product quality but excepting
profit) have been satisfied. When additional variables (degrees of freedom) exist,
the control strategy can increase profit while satisfying all other objectives.
In Figure 2.2 all other control objectives can be satisfied by using exchanger
E-l 0 1. exchanger E-I02, or a combination of the two, to heat the inlet stream.
Therefore, the control strategy can select the correct exchanger based on the cost
of the two heating fluids. For example, if the process fluid used in E-I 0 1 were less
costly. the control strategy would use the process stream for heating preferentially
and use steam only when required for additional heating. How the control strat-
egy would implement this policy, based on a selection hierarchy defined by the
engineer, is covered in Chapter 22.

Monitoring and Diagnosis

Complex chemical plants require monitoring and diagnosis by people as well as
excellent automation. Plant control and computing systems generally provide mon-
itoring features for two sets of people who perform two different functions: (I) the
immediate safety and operation of the plant, usually monitored by plant operators,
and (2) the long-term plant performance analysis, monitored by superviso[S and
engineers.
The plant operators require very rapid information so that they can ensure that
the plant conditions remain within acceptable bounds. If undesirable situations
24 occur-or, one hopes, before they occur-the operator is responsible for rapid
recognition and intervention to restore acceptable performance. While much of
CHAPTER 1 this routine work is automated, the people are present to address complex issues
Control Objectives that are difficult to automate, perhaps requiring special information not readily
and Benefits
available to the computing system. Since the person may be responsible for a plant
section with hundreds of measured variables, excellent displays are required. These
are usually in the form of trend plots of several associated variables versus time
1~1!.~tnd and of indicators in bar-chart form for easy identification of normal and abnormal
operation. Examples are shown in Figure 2.3.
Since the person cannot monitor all variables simultaneously, the control sys-
Time tem includes an alarm feature, which draws the operator's attention to variables

~
that are near limiting values selected to indicate serious maloperation. For exam-

n4 n 4 ~
Bar display
with desired ple, a high pressure in the flash separator drum is undesirable and would at the
values least result in the safety valve opening, which is not desirable, because it diverts
FC-I TI-I PC-I LC-I indicated material and results in lost profit and because it may not always reclose tightly.
FIGURE 2.3 Thus, the system in Figure 2.2 has a high-pressure alarm, PAH. If the alarm is ac-
Examples of displays presented to a tivated, the operator might reduce the flows to the heat exchanger or of the feed to
process operator. reduce pressure. This operator action might cause a violation of product specifica-
tions; however, maintaining the pressure within safe limits is more important than
product quality. Every measured variable in a plant must be analyzed to determine
whether an alarm should be associated with it and, if so, the proper value for the
alarmlimit..
Another group of people monitors the longer-range performance of the plant
to identify opportunities for improvement and causes for poor operation. Usually,
a substantial sample of data, involving a long time period, is used in this analysis,
so that the effects of minor fluctuations are averaged out. Monitoring involves
important measured and calculated variables, including equipment performances
(e.g., heat transfer coefficients) and process performances (e.g., reactor yields and
material balances). In the example flash process, the energy consumption would be
monitored. An example trend of some key variables is given in Figure 2.4, which
shows that the ratio of expensive to inexpensive heating source had an increasing
trend. If the feed flow and composition did not vary significantly, one might suspect

TC-l
Flash
o~------------------------------------~~------~

FI-2

o~------------------------------------------------------~
FI-3
Steam

o~~~----------------------------------------------~
Time (many weeks)
FIGURE 2.4
Example of long-term data, showing the increased use of
expensive steam in the flash process.
that the heat transfer coefficient in the first heat exchanger, E-IO I, was decreasing 25
due to fouling. Careful monitoring would identify the problem and enable the
engineer to decide when to remove the heat exchanger temporarily for mechanical Determining Plant
cleaning to restore a high heat transfer coefficient. Operating Conditions
Previously, this monitoring was performed by hand calculations, which was
a tedious and inefficient method. Now, the data can be collected, processed if ad-
ditional calculations are needed,.and reported using digital computers. This com-
bination of ease and reliability has greatly improved the monitoring of chemical
process plants.
Note that both types of monitoring-the rapid display and the slower process
analysis-require people to make and implement decisions. This is another form of
feedback control involving personnel, sometimes referred to as having "a person
in the loop," with the "loop" being the feedback control loop. While we will
concentrate on the automated feedback system in a plant, we must never forget that
many of the important decisions in plant operation that contribute to longer-term
safety and profitability are based on monitoring and diagnosis and implemented
by people "manually."
Therefore, Control Objectives

I. Safety
2. Environmental Protection
All seven categories of control objectives must be achieved simultaneously; failure 3. Equipment Protection
to do so leads to unprofitable or, worse, dangerous plant operation. 4. Smooth Operation
and Production Rate
5. Product Quality
In this section, instances of all seven goals were identified in the simple heater 6. Profit
and flash separator. The analysis of more complex process plants in terms of the 7. Monitoring and Diagnosis
goals is a challenging task, enabling engineers to apply all of their chemical engi-
neering skills. Often a team of engineers and operators, each with special experi-
ences and insights, performs this analysis. Again, we see that control engineering
skills are needed by all chemical engineers in industrial practice.

2.3 Ii3 DETERMINING PLANT" OPERATING CONDITIONS

A key factor in good plant operation is the determination of the best operating
conditions, which can be maintained within small variation by automatic control
strategies. Therefore, setting the control objectives requires a clear understanding
of how the plant operating conditions are determined. A complete study of plant
objectives requires additional mathematical methods for simulating and optimizing
the plant operation. For our purposes, we will restrict our discussion in this section
to small systems that can be analyzed graphically.
Determining the best operating conditions can be performed in two steps.
First, the region of possible operation is defined. The following are some of the
factors that limit the possible operation:

Physical principles; for example, all concentrations ~ 0

Safety, environmental, and equipment protection
Equipment capacity; for example, maximum flow
Product quality
26 The region that satisfies all bounds is termed the feasible operating region or, more
commonly, the operating window. Any operation within the operating window is
CHAPTER 2 possible. Violation of some of the limits, called soft constraints, would lead to
Control Objectives poor product quality or reduction of long-term equipment life; therefore, short-
and Benefits
term violations of soft constraints are allowed but are to be avoided. Violation of
critical bounds, called hard constraints, could lead to injury or major equipment
damage; violations of hard constraints are not acceptable under any foreseeable
circumstances. The control strategy must take aggressive actions, including shut-
ting down the plant, to prevent hard constraint violations. For both hard and soft
constraints, debits are incurred for violating constraints, so the control system is
designed to maintain operation within the operating window. While any operation
within the window is possible and satisfies minimum plant goals, a great difference
in profit can exist depending on the conditions chosen. Thus, the plant economics
must be analyzed to determine the best operation within the window. The con-
trol strategy should be designed to maintain the plant conditions near their most
profitable values.
The example shown in Figure 2.5 demonstrates the operating window for a
simple, one-dimensional case. The example involves a fired heater (furnace) with
a chemical reaction occurring as the fluid flows through the pipe or, as it is often
called, the coil. The temperature of the reactor must JJe held between minimum (no
reaction) and maximum (metal damage or excessive side reactions) temperatures.
When economic objectives favor increased conversion of feed, the profit function
monotonically increases with increasing temperature; therefore, the best operation
would be at the maximum allowable temperature. However, the dynamic data show
that the temperature varies about the desired value because of disturbances such as
those in fuel composition and pressure. Therefore, the effectiveness of the control
strategy in maximizing profit depends on reducing the variation of the temperature.
A small variation means that the temperature can be operated very close to, without
exceeding, the maximum constraint.
Another example is the system shown in Figure 2.6, where fuel and air are
mixed and combusted to provide heat for a boiler. The ratio of fuel to air is im-
portant. Too little air (oxygen) means that some of the fuel is uncombusted and
wasted, whereas excess air reduces the flame temperature and, thus, the heat trans-

Flue gas

max

~
E
~
8.

JI.-_____ Temperature
.a-..

Fuel
FIGURE 2.5
Example of operating window for fired-heater temperature.
 Flue gas Unsafe 27

c
t
r---+-..... Steam
Determiriing Plant
Operating Concijtlons

Water
Radiation ~

o 2 4
Excess oxygen (%)
FIGURE 2.6
Example of operating window for boiler combustion flue gas
excess oxygen.

fer. Therefore, the highest efficiency and most profitable operation are near the
stoichiometric ratio. (Actually, the best value is usually somewhat above the stoi-
chiometric ratio because of imperfect mixing, leakage, and complex combustion
chemistry.) The maximum air flow is determined by the air compressor and is
usually not a limitation, but a large excess of air leads to extremely high fuel costs.
Therefore, the best plant operation is at the peak of the efficiency curve. An effec-
tive control strategy results in a small variation in the excess oxygen in the flue
gas, allowing operation near the peak.
However, a more important factor is safety, which provides another reason
for controlling the excess air. A deficiency of oxygen could lead to a dangerous
condition because of unreacted fuel in the boiler combustion chamber. Should this
situation occur, the fuel could mix with other air (that leaks into the furnace cham-
ber) and explode: Therefore, the air flow should never fall below the stoichiometric
value. Note that the control sketch in Figure 2.6 is much simpler than actual control
designs for combustion systems (for example, API, 1977).
Finally, a third example demonstrates that this analysis can be extended to
more than one dimension. We now consider the chemical reactor in Figure 2.5
with two variables: temperature and product flow. The temperature bounds are the
same, and the product flow has a maximum limitation because of erosion of the
pipe at the exit of the fired heater. The profit function, which would be calculated
based on an analysis of the entire plant, is given as contours in the operating
window in Figure 2.7. In this example, the maximum profit occurs outside the
operating window and therefore cannot be achieved. The best operation inside the
window would be at the maximum temperature and flow, which are found at the
upper right-hand comer of the operating window. As we know, the plant cannot
be operated exactly at this point because of unavoidable disturbances in variables
such as feed pressure and fuel composition (which affects heat of combustion).
However, good control designs can reduce the variation of temperature and flow
so that desired values can be selected that nearly maximize the achievable profit
while not violating the constraints. This situation is shown in Figure 2.7, where
28 "",,"--

CHAPTER 2 I
.... --- ..
Control Objectives I
I
I
I
,-"",- , \

and Benefits ,
I \ \
I I
\
,,
,,
I

,,, ,,
I \
,,
,, ,',"'---'"
, ,,
,, :' Max profit ...
I

,,
I ~\
I
I
I
I

,,
I

I
I

,,

Temperature
FIGURE 2.7
Example of operating window for the feed and
temperature of a fired-heater chemical reactor.

a circle defines the variation expected about the desired values (Perkins, 1990;
Narraway and Perkins, 1993). When control provides small variation, that is, a
circle of small radius, the operation can be maintained closer to the best operation.
All of these examples demonstrate that

,: Process conttofunproveS:pIant perfonnance by reducing the variation of key vari- "

.:,ables..When"the ..variatiQii.has been reduced, the desired value' of theeontrolled" :-
',Variable can ~ adjuste(:t~increase profit.
" ; ;; ~ .'

Note that simply reducing the variation does not always improve plant op-
eration. The profit contours within the operating window must be analyzed to
determine the best operating conditions that take advantage of the reduced varia-
tion. Also, it is important to recognize that the theoretical maximum profit cannot
usually be achieved because of inevitable variation due to disturbances. This situ-
ation should be included in the economic analysis of all process designs.

2.4 BENEFITS FOR CONTROL

The previous discussion of plant operating conditions provides the basis for cal-
culating the benefits for excellent control performance. In all of the ,examples
discussed qualitatively in the previous section, the economic benefit resulted from
reduced variation of key variables. Thus, the calculation of benefits considers the 29
effect of variation on plant profit. Before the method is presented, it is emphasized
that the highest-priority control objectives-namely, safety, environmental protec- Benefits for Control
tion, and equipment protection-are not analyzed by the method described in this
section. Although the control designs for these objectives often reduce variation,
they are not selected for increasing profit but rather for providing safe, reliable
plant operation.
Once the profit function has been determined, the benefit method needs to
characterize the variation of key plant variables. This can be done through the
calculation shown schematically in Figure 2.8. The plant operating data, which is
usually given as a plot or trend versus time, can be summarized by a frequency
distribution. The frequency distribution can be determined by taking many sample
measurements of the process variable, usually separated by a constant time period,
and counting the number of measurements whose values fall in each of several
intervals within the range of data values. The total time period covered must be
long compared to the dynamics of the process, so that the effects of time correlation
in the variable and varying disturbances will be averaged out.
The resulting distribution is plotted as frequency; that is, as fraction or percent
of measurements falling within each interval versus the midpoint value of that
interval. Such a plot is called afrequency distribution or histogram. If the variable
were constant, perhaps due to perfect control or the presence of no disturbances,
the distribution would have one bar, at the constant value, rising to 1.0 (or 100%).
As the variation in the values increases, the distribution becomes broader; thus,
the frequency distribution provides a valuable summary of the variable variation.
The distribution could be described by its moments; in particular, the mean
and standard deviation are often used in describing the behavior of variables in
feedback systems (Snedecor and Cochran, 1980; Bethea and Rhinehart, 1991).
These values can be calculated from the plant data according to the following

Plot of
data versus
time
_ t'1. A..A
v1V :

Frequency
distribution
of data

FIGURE 2.8
Schematic presentation of the method for representing the
variability in plant data.
30 equations:
1 n
CHAPTER 2 Mean=Y=-LY; (2.1)
Control Objectives n ;=1
and Benefits
2:7=1 (Y; - 9)2
Standard deviation = Sy = (2.2)
n-l
0.4 r-------:II'~---_.,
where Y; = measured value of variable
8c
~ 0.3
::J
s:n == variance
number of data points
g
'0 0.2 When the experimental distribution can be characterized by the standard nor-
>.
u
c mal distribution, the variation about the mean is characterized by the standard
u
6- 0.1 deviation as is shown in Figure 2.9. (Application of the central limit theorem to
J: data whose underlying distribution is not normal often results in the valid use
of the normal distribution.) When the number of data in the sample are large,
-2 -I 0 2 3
Deviation from mean the estimated (sample) standard deviation is approximately equal to the popula-
(in multiples of the standard deviation) tion standard deviation, and the following relationships are valid for the normally
FIGURE 2.9 distributed variable:

Normal distribution.
About 68.2% of the variable values are within s of mean:
About 95.4% of the variable values are within 2s of mean.
About 9~.7% of the variable values are within 3s of mean.

In all control performance and benefits analysis, the mean and standard de-
viation can be used in place of the frequency distribution when the distribution is
normal. As is apparent, a narrow distribution is equivalent to a small standard devia-
tion. Although the process data can often be characterized by a normal distribution,
the method for calculating benefits does lIot depend on the normal distribution,
which was introduced here to relate the benefits method to statistical terms often
used to describe the variability of data.
The empirical histogram provides how often-that is, what percentage of the
time---:-a variable has a certain value, with the value for each histogram entry taken
as the center of the variable interval. The performance of plant operation at each
variable value can be determined from the performance function. Depending on
the plant, the performance function could be reactor conversion, efficiency, pro-
duction rate, profit, or other variable that characterizes the quality of operation.
The average performance for a set of representative data (that is, frequency dis-
tribution) is calculated by combining the histogram and profit function according
to the following equation (Bozenhardt and Dybeck, 1986; Marlin et al., 1991; and
Stout and Cline, 1976).
M

Pave =L FjPj (2.3)

j=1

where Pave = average process performance

Fj = fraction of data in interval j = N j / NT
N j = number of data points in interval j
NT = total number of data points
Pj = performance measured at the midpoint of interval j
M = number of intervals in the frequency distribution
 31
Plot of
data versus Benefits for Control
time

IU
U
a
: ---------
~ E
IU 0
~'t:
Q., 8.

Process
variable
FIGURE 2.10
Schematic presentation of the method for calculating the
average process performance from plant data.

This calculation is schematically shown in Figure 2.10. The calculation is tedious

when done by hand but is performed easily with a spreadsheet or other computer
program.
Note that methods for predicting how improved control affects the frequency
distribution require technology covered in Part III of the book. These methods
require a sound understanding of process dynamic responses and typical control
calculations. For now, we will assume that the improved frequency distribution
can be predicted.

EXAMPLE 2.1.
This example presents data for a reactor of the type shown in Figure 2.5. The
reaction taking place is the pyrolysis of ethane to a wide range of products, one
of which is the desired product, ethylene. The goal for this example is to maximize
the conversion of feed ethane. This could be achieved by increasing the reactor
temperature, but a hard constraint, the maximum temperature of 864C, must not
be exceeded, or damage will occur to the furnace. Control performance data is
provided in Table 2.1.
In calculating benefits for control improvement, the calculation is performed
twice. The first calculation uses the base case distribution, which represents the
plant performance with poor control. The base case reactor temperature, shown as
the top graph in Figure 2.11, might result from control via the plant operator occa-
sionally adjusting the fuel flow. The second calculation uses the tighter distribution
shown in the middle graph, which results from improved control using methods de-
32 scribed in Parts III and IV. The process performance correlation, which is required
to relate the temperature to conversion, is given in the bottom graph. The data for
CHAPTER 2 the graphs, along with the calculations for the averages, are given in Table 2.1.
Control Objectives The difference between the two average performances, a conversion increase
and Benefits of 4.4 percent, is the benefit for improved control. Note that the benefit is achieved
by reducing the variance and increasing the average temperature. Both are re-
quired in this example; simply reducing variance with the same mean would not
be a worthwhile achievement! Naturally, this benefit must be related to dollars
and compared with the costs for equipment and personnel time when deciding
whether this investment is justified. The economic benefit would be calculated as
follows:

Llprofit = (feed flow) (Ll conversion) ($/kg products) (2.4)

In a typical ethylene plant, the benefits for even a small increase in conversion
would be much greater than the costs. Additional benefits would result from fewer
disturbances to downstream units and longer operating life of the fired heater due
to reduced thermal stress.

EXAMPLE 2.2.
A second example is given for the boiler excess oxygen shown in Figure 2.6. The
discussion in the previous section demonstrated that the profit is maximized when
the excess Gxygen is maintained slightly above the stoichiometric ratio. where
the efficiency is at its maximum. Again, the process performance function, here
efficiency, is used to evaluate each operating value, and frequency distributions
are used to characterize the variation in performance.
The performance is calculated for the base case and an improved control
case, and the benefit is calculated as shown in Figure 2.12 for an example with

TABLE 2.1
Frequency data for Example 2.1
. Data with
Initial data Improved control
Temperature midpoint Conversion PJ
(DC) (%) FJ PJ*FJ F] PJ*FJ
842 50 0 0 0 0
844 51 0.0666 3.4 0 0
846 52 0.111 5.778 0 0
848 53 0.111 5.889 0 0
850 54 0.156 8.4 0 0
852 55 0.244 13.44 0 0
854 56 0.133 7.467 0 0
856 57 0.111 6.333 0 0
858 58 0.044 2.578 0.25 14.5
860 59 0.022 1.311 0.50 29.5
862 60 0 0 0.25 15
Average conversion (%) = L PJ * FJ = 54.6 59
 0.25 0.25 , - - - - = - --------.
33
0.20 0.201--- - -
.2 .2 Benefits for Control
g~
0. 15
u
,g 0. 15 f---- - -
~

~ 0.10
"S- r--- 5 0. 101---
J: 0.05 I-- !" 0.05 f----

0.00 LL
842 846 850 854
L,
858 862
0.00
0.25 1.25 2.25 3.25 4.25 5. 25
Temperature Oxygen (mo) %)

0.50 ,---- 0.50

0.45 r-- 0.45
]' 0.40 I-- '2 0.40
u 0.35 r-- .9
u 0.35
~ 0.30 I-- g 0.30
-;::: 0.25 ~ 0.25
"
5 0.20 5" 0.20
"8" " 0. 15

I.
~
0.15
~
.t 0.10 "- 0. 10
0.05
0.00 I
842
I I
846
I I I
850 854 858
I I
862
0.05
0.00 I I
I
0.25 1.25 2.25 3.25 4.2)- 5.25
. 1.
Tcmperalure Oxygen (mol % )

0.60 88.00
0.59 / 87.50
0.58
/ 87.00
/ "-
c
0
.~ 0.57 / 86.50 I '\.
0.56
/ g86.00
I "\
"0
>
c / I "\
u
0.55 'G85.50
/ "'Ui85.00 I \
"c 0.54
/ I \
"
~
0.53 84.50
iii
0.52 / 84.00 I '\.
0.5 1
/ 83.50
1/1 I I I I I I I I I 83.00 I I I I I I I I I 11
0.50
842 846 850 854 858 862 0.25 1.25 2.25 3.25 4.25 5.25
Temperature Oxygen (mol %)
FIGURE 2.11 FIGURE 2.12

Data for Example 2.1 in which the Data for Example 2.2 in which the
benefits of reduced variation and closer benefits of reducing the v;l riution of
approach to the maximum temperature excess oxygen in boiler flu e gas are
limit in a chemical reactor are calcu lated. calculated.

realistic data. Th e data for the graphs, along with the calculations for the averages,
are given in Table 2.2. The average efficiency increased by almost 1 percent with
better control and would be related to profit as follows:
t:.profit = (t:. efficiency/100) (steam flow) (t:.H~p) ($/energy) (2.5)
This improvement would result in fu el savings worth tens of thousands of dollars
per year in a typical industrial boiler. In thi s case , the average of the process
variable (excess oxygen) is the same for the initial and improved operations, be-
cause the improvement is due entirely to the reduction in the variance of the excess
34 oxygen. The difference between the chemical reactor and the boiler results from
the different process performance curves. Note that the improved control case has
CHAPTER 2 its desired value at an excess oxygen value slightly greater than where the maxi-
Control Objectives mum profit occurs, so that the chance of a dangerous condition is negligibly small.
and Benefits

A few important assumptions in this benefits calculation method may not be

obvious, so they are discussed here. First, the frequency distributions can never
be guaranteed to remain within the operating window. If a large enough data
set were collected, some data would be outside of the operating window due to
infrequent, large disturbances. Therefore, some small probability of exceeding the
constraints always exists and must be accepted. For soft constraints, it is common
to select an average value so that no more than a few percent of the data exceeds the
constraint; often the target is two standard deviations from the limit For important
hard constraints, an average much farther from the constraint can be selected, since
the emergency system will activate each time the system reaches a boundary.
A second assumption concerns the mixing of steady-state and dynamic re-
lationships. Remember that the process performance function is developed from
steady-state analysis. Th~ frequency distribution is calculated from plant data,
which is inherently dynamic. Therefore, the two correlations cannot strictly be
used together, as they are in equation (2.3). The difficulty is circumvented if the
plant is assumed to have operated at quasi-steady state at each data point, then
varied to the next quasi-steady state for the subsequent data point When this
assumption is valid, the plant data is essentially from a series of steady-state oper-
ations, and equation (2.3) is valid, because all data and correlations are consistently
steady-state.

TABLE 2.2
Frequency data for Example 2.2
Data with
Initial data Improved control
Excess oxygen midpoint Boller efficiency PJ
(mol fraction) (%) FJ PJ*FJ FJ PJ*FJ
0.25 83.88 0 0 0 0
0.75 85.70 0 0 0 0
1.25 86.85 0.04 3.47 0 0
1.75 87.50 0.12 10.50 0.250 2.19
2.25 87.70 0.24 21.05 0.475 41.66
2.75 87.54 0.12 10.50 0.475 41.58
3.25 87.10 0.20 17.42 0.025 2.18
3.75 86.48 0.04 3.46 0 0
4.25 85.76 0.08 6.86 0 0
4.75 85.02 0.04 3.40 0 0
5.25 84.36 0.08 6.75 0 0
5.75 83.86 0.04 3.35 0 0
Average efficiency (%) = E Pj *F =
j 86.77 87.70
 Third, the approach is valid for modifying the behavior of one process variable, 35
with all other variables unchanged. If many control strategies are to be evaluated,
the interaction among them must be considered. The alterations to the procedure Importance or Control
depend on the specific plant considered but would normally require a model of the Engineering
integrated plant.

.~ ,'- :~<::.><.;:J~. :~}.~~~i~-}':0~>~~: .-~:.::~.~.::t:::~:1).1~~~:" ',; ,~': 'i~~L.~~~.~;i.,t~. ~.:~. ~:' .-~);!;1iJ~~t; !:,:::':
The analysis method presentediilthis'Section demonstrates thatinformation'on the
,', 'vaTiiilt~1i.ti~~J(eyV(ri;'a~1~i,ireqm~l~r'tWijhi6Dg the peifomiance'of a~pnXi~~ :
,",;averag~Ues.i;f p~~_abl~ '~'tUJ.f1i1ilequate. .;!- '.; l; '.' ( , .' '/ . " ':': ',.~ ,
, ' , ; ,i-,-

The method explained in this section clearly demonstrates the importance of

understanding the goals of the plant prior to evaluating and designing the control
strategies. It also shows the importance of reducing the variation in achieving good
plant operation and is a practical way to perform economic evaluations of potential
investments.

2.5 IMPORTANCE OF CONTROL ENGINEERING

Good control performance yields substantial benefits for safe and profitable plant
operation. By applying the process control principles in this book, the engineer
will be able to design plants and control strategies that achieve the control objec-
tives. Recapitulating the material in Chapter 1, control engineering facilitates good
control by ensuring that the following criteria are satisfied.

Control Is Possible
The plant must be designed with control strategies in mind so that the appropriate
measurements and manipulated variables exist. Control of the composition of the
liquid product from the flash drum in Figure 2.2 requires the flexibility to adjust
the valves in the heating streams. Even if the valve can be adjusted, the total heat
exchanger areas and utility flows must be large enough to satisfy the demands of
the flash process. Thus, the chemical engineer is responsible for ensuring that the
process equipment and control equipment provide sufficient flexibility.

The Plant Is Easy to Control

Clearly, reduction in variation is desired. 1Ypically, plants that are subject to few
disturbances, due to inventory (buffer) between the disturbance and the controlled
variable, are easier to control. Unfortunately, this is contradictory to many modem
designs, which include energy-saving heat integration schemes and reduced plant
inventories. Therefore, the dynamic analysis of such designs is important to deter-
mine how much (undesired) variance results from the (desired) lower capital costs
and higher steady-state efficiency. Also, the plant should be "responsive"; that is,
the dynamics between the manipulated and controlled variables should be fast-the
faster the better. Plant design can influence this important factor substantially.
36 Proper Control Calculations Are Used
Properly designed control calculations can improve the control performance by
CHAPTER 2
Control Objectives reducing the variation of the controlled variable. Some of the desired characteristics
and Benefits for these calculations are simplicity, generality, reliability, and flexibility. The basic
control algorithm is introduced in Chapter 8.

Control Equipment Is Properly Selected

Equipment for process control involves considerable cost and ~ust be selected
carefully to avoid wasteful excess equipment. Information on equipment cost can
be obtained from the references in Chapter 1.
EXAMPLE 2.3.
Control performance depends on process and control equipment design. The
plant section in Figure 2.13a and b includes different designs for a packed-bed
chemical reactor and two distillation towers. The feed to the plant section experi-
ences composition variation, which results in variation in the product composition,
which should be maintained as constant as possible.
The lower-cost plant design in Figure 2.13a has no extra tankage and a low-
cost analyzer that must be placed after the distillation towers. The more costly
design has a feed tank, to reduce the effects of the feed compositions through
mixing, and a more expensive analyzer located at the outlet of the reactor for faster
sensing. ThUs, the design in Figure 2.13b has smaller disturbances to the reactor
and faster control. The dynamic responses show that the control performance of
the more costly plant is much better. Whether the investment is justified requires an
economic analysis of the entire plant. As this example demonstrates, good control
engineering involves proper equipment design as well as control calculations.

EXAMPLE 2.4.
Control contributes to safety by maintaining process variables near their desired
values. The chemical reactor with highly exothermic reaction in Figure 2.14 demon-
strates two examples of safety through control. Many input variables, such as feed
composition, feed temperature, and cooling temperature, can vary, which could
lead to dangerous overflow of the liquid and large temperature excursions (run-
away). The control design shown in Figure 2.14 maintains the level near its desired
value by adjusting the outlet flow rate, and it maintains the temperature near its
desired value by adjusting the coolant flow rate. If required, these controls could
be supplemented with emergency control systems.

EXAMPLE 2.5.
The type of control calculation can affect the dynamic performance of the process.
Consider the system in Figure 2.15a through C, which has three different control
designs, each giving a different control performance. The process involves mixing
.two streams to achieve a desired concentration in the exit stream by adjusting one
of the inlet streams. The first design, in Rgure 2.15a, gives the result of a very sim-
ple feedback control calculation, which keeps the control/ed variable from varying
too far from but does not return the controlled variable to the desired value; this
deviation is termed offset and is generally undesirable. The second design, in
Figure 2.15b, uses a more complex feedback control calculation, which provides
 37

Importance of Control
Feed Engineering
composition

~Maximum
AI~
(a)
Time

Feed
compostition

~-.---A

~MaXimum
AI~
(b)
Time
FIGURE 2.13
(a) Example of a process design that is difficult to control.
(b) Example of a process that is easier to control.

response to disturbances that returns the controlled variable to its desired value.
Since the second design relies on feedback principles, the controlled variable ex-
periences a rather large initial deviation, which cannot be reduced by improved
TC
feedback calculations. The third design combines feedback with a predicted cor-
rection based on a measurement of the disturbance, which is called feedforward.
The third design provides even better performance by reducing the magnitude
of the initial response along with a return to the desired value. The calculations
used for these designs, along with criteria for selecting among possible designs,
.,,
I . ___ _

are covered in later chapters. This example simply demonstrates that the type of
calculation can substantially affect the dynamic response of a control system. FIGURE 2.14
Control for stirred-tank reactor.
38 IFeed ~itiOn

-/ ~ AC'll~t
IJ~itiOn AC-l t=
CHAPTER 2
Control Objectives
and Benefits
U L! m TI~
mDcF m
Time

(a)
;............ t:... ~.~. (b)

FIGURE 2.15

2.6 II CONCLUSIONS
Good control design addresses a hierarchy of control objectives, ranging from
safety to product quality and profi 4 which depend on the operating objectives for
the plant. The objectives are determined by both steady-state and dynamic analysis
of the plant performance. The steady-state feasible operating region is defined by
the operating window; plant operation should remain within the window, because
constraint violations involve severe penalties. Within the operating window, the
condition that results in the highest profit is theoretically the best operation. How-
ever, because the plant cannot be maintained at an exact value of each variable due
to disturbances, variation must be considered in selecting an operating point that
does not result in (unacceptably frequent) constraint violations yet still achieves a
high profit. Process control reduces the variation and results in consistently high
product quality and close approach to the theoretical maximum profit. Methods
for quantitatively analyzing these factors are presented in this chapter.
. As vie have learned, good performance provides ''tight'' cOntrol of key vari-
ables; that is, the variables vary only slightly from their desired values. Clearly,
understanding the dynamic behavior of processes is essential indesigning control
strategies. Therefore, the next part of the book addresses process dynamics and
modelling. Only with a thorough knowledge of the process dynamics can we design
control calculations that meet demanding objectives and yield large benefits.
REFERENCES 39
API, American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 550 (2nd ed.),
Additional Resources
Manual on Installation of Refining Instruments and Control Systems:
Fired Heaters and Inert Gas Generators, API, Washington, DC, 1977.
Bethea, R., and R. Rhinehart, Applied Engineering Statistics, Marcel Dekker,
New York, 1991.
Battelle Laboratory, Guidelinesfor Hazard Evaluation Procedures, American
Institute for Chemical Engineering (AIChE), New York, 1985.
Bozenhardt, H., and M. Dybeck, "Estimating Savings from Upgrading Process
Control," Chern. Engr., 99-102 (Feb. 3, 1986).
Gorzinski, E., "Development of Alkylation Process Model," European Conf.
on Chem. Eng., 1983, pp. 1.89-1.96.
Marlin, T., J. Perkins, G. Barton, and M. Brisk, "Process Control Benefits,
A Report on a Joint Industry-University Study," Process Control, J, pp.
68-83 (1991).
Narraway, L., and J. Perkins, "Selection of Process Control Structure Based
on Linear Dynamic Economics," IEC Res., 32, pp. 2681-2692 (1993).
Perkins, J., "Interactions between Process Design and Process Control," in
J. Rijnsdorp et ale (ed.), DYCORD+ 1990, International Federation of
Automatic Control, Pergamon Press, Maastricht, Netherlands, pp. 195-
203 (1989). .
Snedecor, G., and W. Cochran, Statistical Methods, Iowa State University
Press, Ames, lA, 1980.
Stout, T., and R. Cline, "Control System Justification," Instrument. Tech., Sept.
1976,51-58.
Warren Centre, Major Industrial Hazards, Technical Papers, University of
Sydney, Australia, 1986.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The following references provide guidance on performing benefits studies in in-
dustrial plants, and Marlin et al. (1987) gives details on studies in seven industrial
plants.

Marlin, T., J. Perkins, G. Barton, and M. Brisk, Advanced Process Control

Applications-Opportunities and Benefits, Instrument Society of Amer-
ica, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1987.
Shunta, J., Achieving World Class Manufacturing through Process Control,
Prentice-Hall PTR, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1995.

For further examples of operating windows and how they are used in setting process
operating policies, see

Arkun, Y., and M. Morari, "Studies in the Synthesis of Control Structures for
Chemical Processes, Part IV," AIChE J., 26,975-991 (1980).
Fisher, W., M. Doherty, and J. Douglas, ''The Interface between Design and
Control," IEC Res., 27,597-615 (1988).
40 Maarleveld, A., and J. Rijnsdorp, "Constraint Control in Distillation Columns,"
A utomatica , 6,51-58 (1970).
CHAPTER 2 Morari, M., Y. Arkun, and G. Stephanopoulos, "Studies in the Synthesis of
Control Objectives Control Structures for Chemical Processes, Part III," AIChE 1., 26, 220
and Benefits
(1980).
Roffel, B., and H. Fontien, "Constraint Control of Distillation Processes,"
Chern. Eng. Sci., 34, 1007-1018 (1979).

, , .

to
These q~~tions provide exercises in relating p_-~ability .,erfo~ce.
Much of the remainder of the book addresseshow~s'~ntrol can~uce the
variability oCkey variables. . - -- -

QUESTIONS
2.1. For each of the following processes, identify at least one control objective in
each of the seven categories introduced in Section 2.2. Describe a feedback
approach appropriate for achieving each objective.
(a) The reactor-separator system in Figure 1.8
(b) The boiler in Figure 14.17
(c) The distillation column in Figure 15.18
(d) The fired heater in Figure 17.17

2.2. The best distribution of variable values depends strongly on the perfor-
mance function of the process. Three different performance functions are
given in Figure Q2.2. In each case, the average value of the variable (xavc)
must remain at the specified value, although the distribution around the av-
erage is not specified. The performance function, P, can be assumed to be

A B C
c c c
.2 0 0
:; -5 3
os
.D ? osen
.0 ? osen
.D ?
""
C C is
IU IU IU
U U U
c fa fa
co:
E E E
.g ~ ~
8- 8- 8-
en
~ en

J
IU IU

~
Average Average Average
Process variable Process variable Process variable
FIGURE Q2.2
 a quadratic function of the variable, x, in every segment of the distribution. 41

P; = a + b (x; - xave) + C (x; - Xave)2 Questions

For each of the cases in Figure Q2.2, discuss the relationship between the
distribution and the average profit, and determine the distribution that will
maximize the average performance function. Provide quantitative justifi-
cation for your result.
2.3. The fired heater example in Figure 2.11 had a hard constraint.
(a) Sketch the performance function for this situation, including the per-
formance when violations occur, on the figure.
(b) Assume that the distribution of the temperature would have 0.005 frac-
tion of its operation exceeding the limit of 864C and that each time
the limit is exceeded, the plant incurs a cost of $1,000 to restart the
equipment. Can you calculate the total cost per year for exceeding the
limit?
(c) Make any additional assumptions and complete the calculation.

2.4. Sometimes there is no active hard constraint. Assume that the fired heater
in Figure 2.11 has no hard constraint, but that a side reaction forming
undesired products begins to occur significantly at 850C. This side reaction
has an activation energy with larger magnitude than the product reaction.
Sketch the shape of the performance function for this situation. How would
you determine the best desired (average) value of the temperature and the
best temperature distribution?
2.S. Sometimes engineers use a shortcut method for determining the average
process performance. In this shortcut, the average variable value is used,
rather than the full distribution, in calculating the performance. Discuss the
assumptions implicit in this shortcut and when it is and is not appropriate.
2.6. A chemical plant produces vinyl chloride monomer for subsequent produc-
tion of polyvinyl chloride. This plant can sell all monomer it can produce
within quality specifications. Analysis indicates that the plant can produce
175 tons/day of monomer with perfect operation. A two-month production
record is given in Figure Q2.6. Calculate the profit lost by not operating
at the highest value possible. Discuss why the plant production might not
always be at the highest possible value.
2.7. A blending process, shown in Figure Q2. 7, mixes component A into a
stream. The objective is to maximize the amount of A in the stream without
exceeding the upper limit of the concentration of A, which is 2.2 molelm3
The current operation is "open-loop," with the operator occasionally look-
ing at the analyzer value and changing the flow of A. The flow during the
period that the data was collected was essentially constant at 1053 m3/h.
How much more A could have been blended into the stream with perfect
control, that is, if the concentration of A had been maintained exactly at its
maximum? What would be the improvement if tlJe new distribution were
normal with a standard deviation of 0.075 mole/m3 ?
42 176.00 r-; - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - ,

' \r;~=r;;k,
175 .00
C HAPTER 2 174.00
Control Objcctives ~

.,
and Benefils ~ 173.00
c
g 172.00
~ 171.00
c
.2 170.00
U
"
-0 169.00
e
"- 16B.00

167.00
166.00
1/
0 2
Time (months)
FIGURE Q2.6

(Reprinted by permission. Copyright 1987, Instrument

Society or America. From Marlin, T. et al., Advanced
Process Control Appiicatio1ls-Opporllmities aud Benefits,
ISA, 1987.)

*
Pure A

Sol" n( Blended
------''--@.,.A~
I'"--~- slrc:un

,Limiting
Historical data , value
0.3
0.25
~ 0.2

"5-
J:
0.15
0.1 -
0.05
o 1 1.1
f1 Kl-
1.5 1.6 1.7 lo B 1.9 2.0 2. 1
Concentration of A in blend. moles/Ill l
FIGU RE Q2.7

2.8. The performance function for a distillation tower is given in Figure Q2.8
in terms of lost profit from the best operation as a function of the bottoms
impurity, AB (S tout and Cline, 1978). Calculate the average performance
for the four distributions (A through D) given in Table Q2.8 along with
the average and standard deviation of the concentratiori. Xs. Discuss the
relationship between the distributions and the average performance.
 0.00 ,--------:::;IIi::""'""----------, TABLE Q2.& 43
>. -10.00
CIS Questions
"0 Fraction of time at Jes
(;il -20.00
i- Je8 A B C D
~ -30.00
8. 0.25 0 0 0 0
u
u -40.00 0.5 0.25 0.05 0 0
a
E -50.00 0.75 0.50 0.05 0 0
~ 1.0 0.25 0.10 0 0
If -60.00
1.5 0 0.20 0 0.333
-70.00 '--_....L.._ _ _ _' - - _........_ - - - - ' ' " - _..........._ - - ' 2.0 0 0.30 0 0.333
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 3.0 0 0.20 0.25 0.333
Bottoms impurity, Xs 4.0 0 0.10 0.50 0
5.0 0 0 0.25 0
FIGURE Q2.&
6.0 0 0 0 0
(Reprinted by permission. Copyright C1976, Instrument
Society of America. From Stout, T., and R. Cline,
"Control Systems Justification." Instr. Techn.,
September 1976, pp. 51-58.)

2.9. Profit contours similar to those in Figure Q2.9 have been reported by
Gorzinski (1983) for a distillation tower separating nonnal butane and
isobutane in an alkylation process for a petroleum refinery. Based on the
shape of the profit contours, discuss the selection of desired values for the
distillate and bottoms impurity variables to be used in an automation strat-
egy. (Recall that some variation about the desired values is inevitable.) If
only one product purity can be controlled tightly to its desired value, which
would be the one you would select to control tightly?

2 3
Light key in bottoms (mole %)

FIGURE Q2.9
 Process
Dynamics
The engineer must understand the dyna mic behavi or of a physica l syste m in order
(0 design the equipment, selec t operatin g conditions, and implement an a ~uomation

technique properly. The need for understanding dynami cs is first illustrated through
the di scussion of two exa mples. The first involves th e dyna mi c respo nses of the bus
and bicycle s~ow n in Figure 1l. 1. W hen th e drivers wish to maneuver the vehicles,
such as to make a 180' U turn, the bicycle can be easily tu rned in a small radius,
whil e the bus requi res a n arc of considerably larger rad ius. Clearly, the design of
the vehicle affec ts the possible maneuverab ili ty, even when the bus has an expert
dri ver. Also, the driver of the bus and the ride r of the bicycle mus t usediffe rent rules
in steering. This simple exa mp le de monstrates that ( 1) a key as pect of automation is
designing and buil ding equipmentth m can be easily co ntrolled, and (2) th e design
and implementati on of an automati on system requires knowledge of the dynamic
behavior of the system.
These two important principles can be applied to th e chemical reaclOr exam-
ple shown in Figure 1I .2. The reac tor operati on can be influenced by adj usting the
opening of the valve in the coolant pipe, and the outlet conce ntrati on is measured
by an analyzer located downstream from the reac tor olltl el. Regarding the first
principle (the effect of process design), it seems likely th at the delay in measuring
the outlet concentrati on would reduce the effective ness of feedback control. Re-
garding the second principle (the effect of automation method), a very aggress ive
method for adjusting the coolant flow could cause a large overshoot or oscillations
in returning the concentration to its desired value; thus, the feedback adjustments
should be tailored to the specific process.
 46 The knowledge of dynamic behavior required for process control is formalized
in mathematical models. In fact, modelling plays such a central role in the theory
PART II and practice of process control that the statement is often made that modelling is
Process Dynamics the key element in the successful application of control. A complete explanation
of the needs of process control cannot be presented until more detail is covered
on feedback systems; however, the importance of the four basic questions to be
addressed through modelling should be clear from the general discussion in the
previous chapters, along with the examples in Figures 11.1 and 11.2.

1. Which variables can be influenced? Process control inherently involves some

manipulated variables, which can be adjusted, and some controlled variables,
which are affected by the adjustments. By turning the steering wheel, the
driver can influence the direction of the bus, but not its speed. By changing
the coolant valve opening in the reactor example, the reactor temperature
and concentration can be influenced. The identification of variables will be
addressed in this part through the analysis of degrees of freedom and cause-
effect relationships, and the aspect of controllability will be introduced later
FIGURE 11.1
in the book.
Bus and bicycle maneuverability. 2. Over what range can the variables be altered? The acceptable range of pro-
cess variables, such as temperature and pressure, and the limited range of the
manipulated variables places bounds on the effects of adjustments. The bus
wheels Can only be turned a maximum amount to the right and left, and the
coolant valve is limited between fully closed (no flow) and fully opened (max-
~ imum flow). The range of possible values is termed the operating window,
and models can be used to determine the bounds or "frame" on this window
quantitatively.
3. How effectively can feedback maintain the process at desired conditions? The
following aspects of the process behavior are required to implement process
control.
(a) Sign and magnitude of response: The bus driver must know how the bus
will respond when the wheel is turned clockwise, and the operator needs
FIGURE 11.2 to know whether temperature will increase or decrease when the valve
is opened. It is essential that the sign does not change and is best if the
Nonisothennal CSTR. magnitude does not vary greatly.
(b) Speed of response: The speed must be known to determine the manipu-
lations that can be entered; if the manipulations are too aggressive, the
system can oscillate and even become unstable. This can happen in driving
a bus on a slippery road and in trying to control the concentration when
System A there is a long delay between the adjusted variable and measurement.
Output
(c) Shape of response: The shape of dynamic responses can vary greatly. For
System B .....-_ _---' example. the two responses in Figure 11.3 have the same "speed" as mea-
Output sured by the time to reach their final values. but the shapes are different.
"Response A, which gives an indication of the response without delay, is
Input better for control than response B, which gives no output indication of
the input change for a long time.
Time 4. How sensitive are the results? Process control systems are usually applied in
, FIGU~"~ 11.3 industrial-scale plants that change operations often and experience variation
 in operating conditions and equipment performance. This variation affects 47
the dynamic behavior of the process, the items in the preceding question,
which must be considered in process control. For example, the behavior of Process Dynamics
the chemical reactor could depend on an inhibitor in the feed and catalyst
deactivation. The analysis of the possible variation in the system and sensitivity
of the dynamic behavior to the variability begins in the modelling procedure.

In summary, the dynamic features most favorable to good control include

(1) nearly constant sign and magnitude, (2) a fast response, (3) minimum delay,
and (4) insensitivity to process changes. This good situation cannot always be
achieved through process design, because processes are designed to meet additional
requirements such as high pressures, volumes for reactor residence times, or area
for mass transfer and heat transfer. However, the features that favor good control
should be a consideration in the process design and must be known for the design
of the process controls.
The modelling procedures in this part provide methods for determining these
features and for relating them to process equipment design and operating variables.
There are many types of models used by engineers, so important aspects of these
models used in this book are briefly summarized and compared with alternatives.

1. Mathematical models: The following definiti<?n of a mathematical model was

given by Denn (1986).

A mathematical model of a process is a system of equations whose so-

lution, given specific input data, is representative of the response of the
process to a corresponding set of inputs.

We will deal exclusively with mathematical models for process analysis. In

contrast, experimental or analog methods can use physical models, like a
model airplane in a wind tunnel or an electrical circuit, to represent the be-
havior of a full-scale system empirically.
2. Fundamental and empirical models: Fundamental models are based on such
principles as material and energy conservation and can provide great insight as
well as predictive power. For many systems, fundamental models can be very
complex, and simplified empirical models based on experimental dynamic
data are sufficient for many process control tasks. Both types of models are
introduced in Part II.
3. Steady-state and dynamic models: Both steady-state and dynamic models are
used in process control analysis. Dynamic modelling is emphasized in this
book because it is assumed that the reader has prior experience in steady-state
modelling.
4. Lumped and distributed models: Lumped models are valid for systems in
which the properties of a system do not depend on the position within the sys-
tem. For lumped systems, steady-state models involve algebraic equations, and
dynamic models involve ordinary differential ~quations. Distributed models
are valid for systems in which the properties depend on position,- and their
dynamic models involve partial differential equations. To maintain a manage-
48 able level of mathematical complexity, essentially all models in this book will
involve lumped systems, with the exception of a model for pure transportation
PARTn delay in a pipe. Since many chemical process designs involve inventories that
Process Dynamics are approximately well-mixed, lumped models are often sufficient, but each
system should be evaluated for the proper modelling assumptions.

Finally, one must recognize that modelling is performed to answer specific

questions; thus, no one model is appropriate for all situations. The methods in
this part have been selected to provide the information required for the control
analyses included in this book and provide only a limited introduction to the topic
of process modelling. Many interesting modelling concepts, mathematical solution
techniques, and results for important process structures are not included. Therefore,
the reader is encouraged to refer to the references at the end of each chapter.

REFERENCE
Denn, M., Process Modeling, Pitman Publishing, Marshfield, MA, 1986.
 Mathematical
Modelling
Principles
3.1 INTRODUCTION
The models addressed in this chapter are based on fundamental theories or laws,
such as the conservations of mass, energy, and momentum. or many approaches to
understanding physical systems, engineers tend to favor fundamental models for
several reasons. One reason is the amazingly small number of principles that can
be used to explain a wide range of physical systems; thus, fundamental principles
simplify our view of nature. A second reason is the broad range of applicability
of fundamental models, which allow extrapolation (with caution) beyond regions
of immediate empirical experience; -this enables engineers to evaluate potential
changes in operating conditions and equipment and to design new plants. Perhaps
the most important reason for using fundame ntal models in process control.is the
analytical expressions they provide relating key featu res of the physical system
(flows, volumes, temperatures, and so forth) to its dynamic behavior. Since chemi-
cal engineers design the process, these relationships can be used to design processes
that are as easy to control as possible, so that a problem created through poor pro-
cess design need not be partially solved through sophisticated control calculations.
The presentation in this chapter assumes that the reader has previously studied
the principles of modelling material and energy balances, with emphasis on steady-
state systems. Those unsure of the principles should refer to one of the many
introductory textbooks in the area (e.g., Felder and Rousseau, 1986; Himmelblau,
1982). In this chapter, a step-by-step procedure fordeveloping fundamental models
is presented that emphasizes dynamic models used to analyze the transient behavior
 50 of processes and control systems. The procedure begins with a definition of the
goals and proceeds through formulation, solution, results analysis, and validation.
CHAPTER 3 Analytical solutions will be restricted to the simple integrating factor for this
Mathematical chapter and will be extended to Laplace transforms in the next chapter.
Modelling Principles
Experience has shown that the beginning engineer is advised to follow this
procedure closely, because it provides a road map for the sequence of steps and a
checklist of issues to be addressed at each step. Based on this strong recommen-
dation, the engineer who closely follows the procedure might expect a guarantee
of reaching a satisfactory result. Unfortunately, no such guarantee can be given,
because a good model depends on the insight of the engineer as well as the pro-
cedure followed. In particular, several types of models of the same process might
be used for different purposes; thus, the model formulation and solution should
be matched with the problem goals. In this chapter, the modelling procedure is
applied to several process examples, with each example having a goal that would
be important in its own right and leads to insights for the later discussions of
control engineering. This approach will enable us to complete the modelling pro-
cedure, 'including the important step of results analysis, and learn a great deal of
useful information about the relationships between design, operating conditions,
and dynamic beh~vior.

3.2 m A MODELLING PROCEDURE

Modelling is a task that requires creativity and problem-solving skills. A general
method is presented in Table 3. I as an aid to learning and applying modelling
skills, but the engineer should feel free to adapt the procedure to the needs of

TABLE 3.1
Outline of fundamental modelling procedure
1. Define goals 5. Analyze results
a. Specific design decisions a . Check results for correctness
b. Numerical values 1. Limiting and approximate answers
c. Functional relationships 2. Accuracy of numerical method
d. Required accuracy b. Interpret results
2. Prepare information 1. Plot solution
a. Sketch process and identify system 2. Characteristic behavior like
b. Identify variables of interest oscillations or extrema
c. State assumptions and data 3. Relate results to data and assumptions
3. Formulate model 4. Evaluate sensitivity
a. Conservation balances 5. Answer "what if" questions
b. Constitutive equations 6. Validate model
c. Rationalize (combine equations a. Select key values for validation
and collect terms) b. Compare with experimental results
d. Check degrees of freedom c. Compare with results from more complex
e. Dimensionless form model
4. Determine solution
a. Analytical
b. Numerical

"
particular problems. It is worth noting that the steps could be divided into two 51
categories: steps 1 to 3 (model development) and steps 4 to 6 (model solution
or simulation), because several solution methods could be applied to a particular A ModeUing
model. All steps are grouped together here as an integrated modelling procedure, Procedure
because this represents the vernacular use of the term modelling and stresses the
need for the model and solution technique to be selected in conjunction to satisfy
the stated goal successfully. Also, while the procedure is presented in a linear
manner from step 1 to step 6, the reality is that the engineer often has to iterate to
solve the problem at hand. Only experience can teach us how to "look ahead" so that
decisions at earlier steps are made in a manner that facilitate the execution of later
steps. Each step in the procedure is discussed in this section and is demonstrated
for a simple stirred-tank mixing process.

Define Goals
Perhaps the most demanding aspect of modelling is judging the type of model
needed to solve the engineering problem at hand. This judgment, summarized in
the goal statement, is a critical element of the modelling task. The goals should
be specific concerning the type of information needed. A specific numerical value
may be needed; for example, ''At what time will the liquid in the tank overflow?"
In addition to specific numerical values, the engineer would like to determine
semi-quantitative information about the characteristics of the system's behavior;
for example, "Will the level increase monotonically or will it oscillate?" Finally,
the engineer would like to have further insight requiring functional relationships;
for example, "How would the flow rate and tank volume influence the time that
the overflow will occur?"
Another important factor in setting modelling goals is the accuracy of a model
and the effects of estimated in~ccuracy on the results. This factor is perhaps not
emphasized sufficiently in engineering education-a situation that may lead to
the false impression that all models have great accuracy over large ranges. The
modelling and analysis methods in this book consider accuracy by recognizing
likely errors in assumptions and data at the outset and tracing their effects through
the modelling and lateranalysis steps. It is only through this careful analysis that
we can be assured that designs will function properly in realistic situations.
EXAMPLE 3.1.
Goal. The dynamic response of the mixing tank in Figure 3.1 to a step change
in the inlet concentration is to be determined, along with the way the speed and
shape of response depend on the volume and flow rate. In this example, the outlet
stream cannot be used for further production until 90% of the change in outlet con-
centration has occurred: therefore, a specific goal of the example is to determine
how long after the step change the outlet stream reaches this composition.

Prepare Information
The first step is to identify the system. This is usually facilitated by sketching the
process, identifying the key variables, and defining the boundaries of the system FIGURE 3.1
for which the balances will be formulated. Continuous-flow stirred tank.

,
52

CHAPTER 3
Mathematical
Modelling Principles

The assumption of a well-stirred vessel is often employed in this book because

even though no such system exists in fac~ many systems closely approximate
this behavior. The reader should not infer from the use of stirred-tank models in
this book that more complex models are never required. Modelling of systems
via partial differential equations is required for many processes in which product
quality varies with position; distributed models are required for many processes,
such as paper and metals. Systems with no spatial variation in important variables
are turmed lumped-parameter systems, whereas systems with significant variation
in oile or more directions are termed ai~tributed-parameter systems.
In addition to system selection; ali models require information to predict a
system's behavior. An important cOlllponent of the information is the set of as-
sumptions on which the model will be based; these are selected after consideration
of the physical system and the accuracy required to satisfy the modelling goals.
For example, the engineer usually is not concerned with~the system behavior at
the atomic level, and frequently nQ~ at the microscopic level. Often, but not al-
ways, the macroscopic behaViQt; is sufficient to understand process dynamics and
control. Tht! assumptions useci'~ften involve a compromise between the goals of
modelling, which may (avor det~led and complex models, and the solution step,
which favors simpler models.
A second component of the information is data regarding the pbysicophemical
system (e.g., heat capacities, reaction rates, and densities). In addition, the'external
variables that are inputs to the system must be defined. These external variables,
sometimes termed/orcing functions, could be changes to operating variables in-
troduced by a person (or control system) in an associated process (such as inlet
temperature) or changes to the behavior of the system (such as fouling of a heat
exchanger).
EXAMPLE 3.1.

Information. The system is the liquid in the tank. The tank has been designed
well, with baffling and impeller size, shape, and speed such that the concentration
should be uniform in the liquid (Foust et aI., 1980).
Assumptions.
1 . Well-mixed vessel
2. Density the same for A and solvent
3. Constant flow in
Data. .
1. Fo = 0.085 m3/min; V = 2.1 m3 ; CAinil = 0.925 mole/m3; ~CAO = 0.925 mole/m3 ;
thus, CAO = 1.85 mole/m3 after the step
2. The system is initially at steady state (CAD = C A = CAinil at 1 = 0)

Note that the inlet concentration, CAO, remains constant after the step change has
been introduced to this two-component system.
Formulate the Model 53
First, the important variables, whose behavior is to be predicted, are selected. Then
A Modelling
the equations are derived based on fundamental principles, which usually can Procedure
be divided into two categories: conservation and constitutive. The conservation
balances are relationships that are obeyed by all physical systems under common
assumptions valid for chemical processes. The conservation equations most often
used in process control are the conservations of material (overall and component),
energy, and momentum. --------_/_~--
These conservation balances are often written in the following general fonn
for a system shown in Figure 3.2:
Accumulation = in - out + generation (3.1)

For a well-mixed system, this balance will result in an ordinary differential equation
when the accumulation tenn is nonzero and in an algebraic equation when the
accumulation tenn is zero. General statements of this balance for the conservation
of material and energy follow.
FIGURE 3.2
OVERALL MATERIAL BALANCE. General lumped-parameter system.
{Accumulation of mass} = {mass in} - {mass out} (3.2)

COMPONENT MATERIAL BALANCE.

{Accumulation of component mass}
= {component mass in} - {component mass out}
+ {generation of component mass}
(3.3)

ENERGY BALANCE.
{Accumulation of U + PE + KE} = {U + PE + KE in due to convection}
- {U + PE + KE out due to convection}
+Q-W
(3.4)
which can be written for a system with constant volume as
{Accumulation of U + PE + KE} = {H + PE + KE in due to convection}
- (H + PE + KE out due to convection}
+Q-Ws
(3.5)
where H = U + pv = enthalpy
KE = kinetic energy
PE = potential energy
pv = pressure times specific volume (referred to as flow work)
Q = heat transferred to the system from the surroundings
U = internal energy
W = work done by the system on the surroundings
Ws = shaft work done by the system on the surroundings
54 The equations are selected to yield information on the key dependent vari-
ables whose behavior will be predicted within the defined system. The following
CHAPl'ER3 guidelines provide assistance in selecting the proper balances.
Mathematical
Modelling Principles
If the variable is total liquid mass in a tank or pressure in an enclosed gas-filled
vessel, a material balance is appropriate.
If the variable is concentration (mole/m 3 or weight fraction, etc.) of a specific
component, a component material balance is appropriate.
If the variable is temperature, an energy balance is appropriate.

Naturally, the model may be developed to predict the behavior of several dependent
variables; thus, models involving several balances are common.
In fact, the engineer should seek toU,predict the behavior of all important de-
pendent variables using only fundamental balances. However, we often find that
an insufficient number of balances exist to determine all variables. When this is the
case, additional constitutive equations are included to provide sufficient equations
fer a completely specified model. Some examples of constitutive equations follow:

Heat transfer: Q = hA(IlT)

Chemical reaction rate: rA = koe- E / RT CA
Fluid flow: =
F C v (IlP / p)I/2
Equation of state: PV = nRT
Phase equilibrium: y; = K;x;

The constitutive equations provide relationships that are not universally applicable
but are selected to be sufficiently accurate for the specific system being studied.
The applicability of a constitutive equation is problem-specific and is the topic of
a major segment of the chemical engineering curriculum.
An important issue in deriving the defining model equations is "How many
equations are appropriate?" By that we mean the proper number of equations to
predict the dependent variables. The proper number of equations can be determined
from the recognition that th~ model is correctly formulated when the system's
behavior can be predicted from the model; thus, a well-posed problem should
have no degrees of freedom. The number of degrees offreedom for a system is
defined as
OOF=NV -NE (3.6)
with OOF equal to the number of degrees of freedom, NY equal to the number of
dependent variables, and NE equal to the number of independent equations. Not
every symbol appearing in the equations represents a dependent variable; some
are parameters that have known constant values. Other symbols represent external
variables (also called exogenous variables); these are variables whose values are
not dependent on the behavior of the system being studied. External variables may
be constant or vary with time in response to conditions external to the system,
such as a valve that is opened according to a specified function (e.g., a step). The
value of each external variable must be known. NV in equation (3.6) represents
the number of variables that depend on the behavior' of the system and are to be
evaluate4, through the model equations.
 It is important to recognize that the equations used to evaluate NE must be ss
independent; additional dependent equations, although valid in that they also de-
scribe the system, are not to be considered in the degrees-of-freedom analysis, A ModeUing
because they are redundant and provide no independent information. This point is Procedure
reinforced in several examples throughout the book. The three possible results in
the degrees-of-freedom analysis are summarized in Table 3.2.
After the initial, valid model has been derived, a rationalization should be
considered. First, equations can sometimes be combined to simplify the overall
model. Also, some terms can be combined to form more meaningful groupings
in the resulting equations. Combining terms can establish the key parameters that
affect the behavior of the system; for example, control engineering often uses
parameters like the time constant of a process, which can be affected by flows,
volumes, temperatures, and compositions in a process. By grouping terms, many
physical systems can be shown tQ have one of a small number of mathematical
model structures, enabling engineers to understand the key aspects of these physical
systems quickly. This is an important step in modelling and will be demonstrated
through many examples.
A potential final modification in this step would be to transform the equation
into dimensionless form. A dimensionless formulation has the advantages of (1)
developing a general solution in the dimensionless variables, (2) providing a ratio-
nale for identifying terms that might be negligible, and (3) simplifying the repeated
solution of problems of the same form. A potential "disadvantage is some decrease
in the ease of understanding. Most of the modelling in this book retains problem
symbols and dimensions for ease of interpretation; however, a few general results
are developed in dimensionless form.
EXAMPLE 3.1.

Formulation. Since this problem involves concentrations, overall and compo-

nent material balances will be prepared. The overall material balance for a time

TABLE 3.2
Summary of degrees-of-freedom analysis
OOF = NV-NE
OOF=O The system is exactly specified, and the solution of the model can proceed.
OOF<O The system is overspecified, and in general, no solution to the model exists
(unless all external variables and parameters take values that fortuitously satiSfy
the model equations). This is a symptom of an error in the formulation. The likely
cause is either (1) improperly designating a variable(s) as a parameter or
external variable or (2) including an extra, dependent equation(s) in the model.
The model must be corrected to achieve zero degrees of freedom.
DOF>O The system is underspecified, and an infinite number of solutions to the model
exists. The likely cause is either (1) improperly designating a parameter or external
variable as a variable or (2) not including in the model all equations that determine
the system's behavior. The model must be corrected to achieve zero degrees
of freedom.
56 increment ~t is
{Accumulation of mass} = {mass in} - {mass out} (3.7)
CHAPTER 3
Mathematical (PV)(I+~I) - (pV)(I) = Fop~t - F.p~t (3.8)
Modelling Principles with p = density. Dividing by ~t and taking the limit as ~t -+ 0 gives
~O
d(pV) dp dV
- - = V~ + p - =pFo-pF. (3.9)
dt , 'dt dt
The flow in, Fo, is an external variable, because it does not depend on the
behavior of the system. Because there is one equation and two variables (V and
F I ) at this point, a constitutive expression is required for the flow out. Since the
liquid exits by overflow, the flow out is related to the liquid level according to a weir
equation, an example of which is given below (Foust et a!., 1980).
FI = kFJL - Lw for L > Lw (3.10)
= = =
with kF constant, L V / A, and Lw level of the overflow weir. In this problem,
the level is never below the overflow, and the height above the overflow, L - L w,
is very small compared with the height of liquid in the tank, L. Therefore. we will
assume that the liquid level in the tank is approximately constant. and the flows in
and out are equal, Fo = FI = F
dV
-
dt
= Fo - F. =0 :. V = constant (3.11 )

This res~t. stated as an assumption hereafter. will be used for all tanks with
overflow. as shown in Figure 3.1.
The next step is to formulate a material balance on component A. Since the
tank is well-mixed. the tank and outlet concentrations are the same:

Accumulation of
{ component A
I= {comp~nent } _ {component} + {generatioq } (3.12)
A 10 A out of A
(MWA VCA)t+~I - (MWA VCA), = (MWA FCAo - MWAFCA)~t (3.13)
with CA being moles/volume of component A and MWA being its molecular weight.
and the generation term being zero. because there is no chemical reaction. Divid-
ing by ~t and taking the limit as ~t -+ 0 gives

(3.14)

One might initially believe that another balance on the only other component.
solvent S. could be included in the model:
dCs
MWs V dt = MWsF(Cso - Cs) (3.15)

with Cs the moles/volume and MWs the molecular weight. However. equation (3.9)
is the sum of equations (3.14) and (3.15); thus. only two of the three equations
are indepsndent. Therefore, only equations (3.11) and (3.14) are required for the
model and should be considere~:"in determining the degrees offreedom. The fol-
lowing analysis shows that the model using only independent equations is exactly
specified: "

Variables: CA and FI
External variables: Fo and CAO DOF = NV - NE = 2 - 2 = 0
Equations: (3.11) and (3.14)

"\
 Note that the variable t representing time must be specified to use the model 57
for predicting the concentration at a particular time.
A Modelling
Procedure

The model is fonnulated assuming that parameters do not change with time,
which is not exactly correct but can be essentially true when the parameters change
slowly and with small magnitude during the time considered in the dynamic mod-
elling problem. What constitutes a "small" change depends on the problem, and
a brief sensitivity analysis is included in the results analysis of this example to
determine how changes in the volume and flow would affect the answer to this
example.

Mathematical Solution
Determining the solution is certainly of importance. However, the engineer should
realize that the solution is implicitly contained in the results of the Infonnation and
Formulation steps; the solution simply "figures it out." The engineer would like
to use the solution method that gives the most insight into the system. Therefore,
analytical solutions are preferred in most cases, because they can be used to (I) cal-
culate specific numerical values, (2) determine important functional relationships
among design and operating variables and system behavior, and (3) give insight
into the sensitivity of the result to changes in data. These results are so highly
prized that we often make assumptions to enable us to obtain analytical solutions;
the most frequently used approximation is linearizing nonlinear tenns, as covered
in Section 3.4.
In some cases, the approximations necessary to make analytical solutions
possible introduce unacceptable errors into the results. In these cases, a numeri-
cal solution to the equations is employed, as described in Section 3.5. Although
the numerical solutions are never exact, the error introduced can usually be made
quite small, often much less than the errors associated with the assumptions and
data in the model; thus, properly calculated numerical solutions can often be con-
sidered essentially exact. The Ibajor drawback to numerical solutions is loss of
insight.

EXAMPLE 3.1.

Solution. The model in equation (3.14) is a linear, first-order ordinary differential

equation that is not separable. tiowever, it can be transformed into a separable
form by an integrating factor, which becomes more easily recognized when the dif-
ferential equation is rearranged in the standard form as follows (see Appendix B):

.th V 2.1 m 3
WI F = 0.085 m3/ min = 24.7 mm = T == time constant
(3.16)
The parameter T is termed the time constant of the system and will appear in many
. models. The equation can be converted into separable form by multiplying both
sides by the integrating factor, and the resulting equation can be solved directly:
58 Integrating factor = IF = exp ( / ~dt) = e'/r
CHAPTER 3
Mathematical e'/r (dC A + .!.CA) = e'lr dCA + CA de'lr = d(e'lrCA) = CAO e,/r (3.17)
Modelling Principles dt r dt dt dt r

f d(CAe'/r) = f cA:el/r dt = C;o f e'/r dt

CAe'/r = CAOr e'/r + I

r
=
CA CAO + Ie-'/r

Note that the integration was simplified by the fact that CAO is constant after the
step change (i.e., for t > 0). The initial condition is CA(t) = CAinil at t = 0, which
can be used to evaluate the constant of integration, I. This formulation implies that
the time t is measured from the introduction of the step change.
:. C A = CAO + (CAinil - CAo)e-llr (3.18)
(CA - CAini,) = [CAO - (CAO )init1(l - e-1lr x)
The final equation has used the extra relationship that (CAO)inil = CAinil. Sub-
stituting the numerical values gives
CA - 0.925 = (CAO - 0.925)(1 - e-'/24.')
Two important aspects of the dynamic behavior can be determined from equa-
n
tion (3.18). The first is the "speed of the dynamic response, which is characterized
by the time constant, r. The second is the steady-state gain, which is defined as
.
Steady-state gam = K = ~~ output
p
input
~CA
= - - = 1.0
~CAO

Note that in this example the time constant depends on the equipment (V)
and operation of the process (F), and the steady-state gain is independent of
these design and operating variables. These values are not generally applicable
to other processes.

Results Analysis
The first phase of the results analysis is to evaluate whether the solution is correct,
at least to the extent that it satisfies the formulation. This can be partially verified by
ensuring that the solution obeys some limiting criteria that are more easily derived
than the solution itself. For example, the result

Satisfies initial and final conditions

Obeys bounds such as adiabatic reaction temperature
Contains negligible errors associated with numerical calculations
Obeys semi-quantitative expectations, such as the sign of tile output change

Next, the engineer should "interrogate" the mathematical solution to elicit the
information needed to achieve the original modelling goals. Determining specific
numerical values is a major part of the results analysis, because engineers need
to make quantitative decisions on equipment size, operating conditions, and so
forth. However, results analysis should involve more extensive interpretation of 59
the solution. When meaningful, results should be plotted, so that key features like
oscillations or extrema (maximum or minimum) will become apparent. Important A Mode1ling
features should be related to specific parameters or groups of parameters to assist Procedure
in understanding the behavior. Also, the sensitivity of the result to changes in
assumptions or data should be evaluated. Sometimes this is referred to as what-if
analysis, where the engineer determines what happens if a parameter changes by a
specified amount. A thorough results analysis enables the engineer to understand
the result of the formulation and solution steps.
EXAMPLE 3.1.

Results analysis. The solution in equation (3.18) is an exponential curve as F

shown in Figure 3.3. The shape of the curve is monotonic, with the maximum ~AO
rate of change occurring when the inlet step change is entered. The manner in
which the variable changes from its initial to final values is influenced by the time
F
constant (T), which in this problem is the volume divided by the flow. Thus, the
same dynamic response could be obtained for any stirred tank with values of flow
and volume that give the same value of the time constant. It is helpful to learn a
few values of this curve, which we will see so often in process control. The values
for the change in concentration for several values of time after the step are noted v
in the following table. '--------"

Time from step Percent of final steady-state change in output

o o
T 63.2
2T 86.5
3T 95.0
4T 98.2

The specific quantitative question posed in the goal statement involves deter-
mining the time until 90 percent of the change in outlet concentration has occurred.
This time can be calculated by setting C A = CAinit + 0.9(CAO - CAinit) in equation
(3.18), which on rearrangement gives

t = -T In (0. 1[(CA)init - CAO]) = -(24.7)(-2.30) = 56.8 min

(CA)init - CAO
Note that this is time from the introduction of the step change, which, since the step
is introduced at t = 10, becomes 66.8 in Figure 3.3. One should ask how important
the speCification is; if it is critical, a sensitivity analysis should be performed. For
example, if the volume and flow are not known exactly but can change within
5 percent of their base values, the time calculated above is not exact. The range
for this time can be estimated from the bounds on the parameters that influence
the time constant:
(2.1)( 1.05) .
Maximumt = (0.085)(0.95) (-2.30) = 62.8 mm
(2.1)(0.95) .
Minimumt = (0.085)(1.05) (-2.30) = 51.4 mm
Given the estimated inaccuracy in the data, one should wait at least 62.8 (not 56.8)
60 2~----r-----~----~----~----~----~
IS limit
CHAPTER 3 "g
Mathematical
Modelling Principles
8c 1.5
8
i
8
o I W I ~ 100 120
:--T--1 Time (min)

2 I I I I I

C
0
"g
c
8
c
0
I~ -
u
Qj
:s
_I 1_ ~ J_ ~
0
0 20 60 80 100 120
Time (min)
FIGURE 3.3
Dynamic result for Example 3.1.

minutes after the step to. be sure that 90 percent of the concentration change has
occurred"

VALIDATION. Validation involves determining whether the results of steps 1

through 5 truly represent the physical process with the required fidelity for the
specified range of conditions. The question to be evaluated is, "Does the model
represent the data well enough that the engineering task can be performed using
the model?" Since we know that all models are simplified representations of the
true, complex physical world, this question must be evaluated with careful atten-
tion to the application of the model. We do not have enough background in control
engineering at this point, so the sensitivity of process and control design to mod-
elling errors must be deferred to a later point in the book; however, all methods
will be based on models, so this question will be addressed frequently because of
its central importance.
While the sensitivity analysis in step 5 could build confide{1ce that the results
are likely to be correct, a comparison with empirical data is needed to evaluate
the validity of the model. One simple step is to compare the results of the model
with the empirical data in a graph. If parameters are adjusted to'improve the fit of
the model to the data, consideration should be taken of the amount the parameters
must be adjusted to fit the data; adjustments that are too large raise a warning that
the model may be inadequate to describe the physical system.
 It is important to recognize that no set of experiences can validate the model. 61
Good comparisons only demonstrate that the model has not been invalidated by
the data; another experiment could still find data that is not properly explained A Modelling
by the model. Thus, no model can be completely validated, because this would Procedure.
require an infinite number of experiments to cover the full range of conditions.
However, data from a few experiments can characterize the system in a limited
range of operating variables. Experimental design and modelling procedures for
empirical models are the topic of Chapter 6.

EXAMPLE 3.1.

Validation. The mixing tank was built, the experiment was performed. and sam-
ples of the outlet material were analyzed. The data points are plotted in Figure 3.4
along with the model prediction. By visual evaluation and considering the accuracy
of each data point. one would accept the model as "valid" (or. more accurately.
not invalid) for most engineering applications.

The modelling procedure presented in this section is designed to ensure that

the most common issues are addressed in a logical order. While the procedure is
important, the decisions made by the engineer have more impact on the quality of
the result than the procedure has. Since no one is prescient, the effects of early as-
sumptions and formulations may not be appropriate for the goals. Thus, a thorough
analysis of the results should be performed so that the sensitivity of the conclusions
to model assumptions and data is clearly understood. If the conclusion is unduly
sensitive to assumptions or data, an iteration would be indicated, employing a more

0.9,..-------------------,
0.8

.S! 0.7
~
~ 0.6
o
~ 0.5
=
'':::
:5e 04
.
~
u 0.3
co
oa 0.2
0.1

10 20 30 40 so 60 70 80
Time from input step (min)
FIGURE 3.4
Comparison of empirical data (squares) and model (line) for
Example 3.1:
62 rigorous model or more accurate data. Thus, the procedure contains the essential
opportunity for evaluation and improvement.
CBAPTER3
Mathematical
Modelling Principles 3.3 MODELLING EXAMPLES
Most people learn modelling by doing modelling, not observing results of others!
The problems at the end of the chapter, along with many solved and unsolved
problems in the references and resources, provide the reader with ample opportu-
nity to develop modelling skills. To assist the reader in applying the procedure to
a variety of problems, this section includes a few more solved example problems
with solutions. In all examples, steps I to 5 are performed, but validation is not.
EXAMPLE 3.2. Isothermal CSTR
F The dynamic response of a continuous-flow, stirred-tank chemical reactor (CSTR)
will be determined in this example and compared with the stirred-tank mixer in
Example 3.1.
F Goal. Determine the dynamic response of a CSTR to a step in the inlet concen-
tration. Also, the reactant concentration should never go above 0.85 mole/m3 If
an aiarm sounds when the concentration reaches 0.83 mole/m3 , would a person
have enough time to respond? What would a correct response be?
v Information. The process is the same as shown in Figure 3.1, and therefore, the
system is the"liquid in the tank. The important variable is the reactant concentration
in the reactor.

Assumptions. The same as for the stirred-tank mixer.

Data. The flow, volume, and inlet concentrations (before and after the step) are
the same as for the stirred-tank mixer in Example 3.1.

1. F=0.085 m3/min; V=2.1 m3 ; (CAO)lnit=0.925 mole/m 3 ; LlCA o=O.925 mole/m 3

2. The chemical reaction is first-order, rIa = -kCA with k = 0.040 min-I.
3. The heat of reaction is negligible, and no heat is transferred to the surround-
ings.

Formulation. Based on the model of the stirred-tank mixer, the overall material
balance again yields Fo = FI = F. To determine the concentration of reactant, a
component material balance is required, which is different from that of the mixing
tank because there is a (negative) generation of component A as a result of the
chemical reaction.
Accumulation Of} = {com~nent} _ {component} + { generation} (3.19)
{ component A A In A out of A
(MWA VCA)t+~' - (MWA VeAl, = (MWA FCAo -MWAFCA -MWA VkCA)Llt (3.20)
Again, dividing by MWA(Llt) and taking the limit as Llt ... 0 gives

dCA
--:it + ;1CA = yCAO
F ..
WIth the time constant l' = F'+V Vk (321)
.

The degrees-of-freedom anafysis yields one equation, one variable (CA ), two ex-
ternal variables (F and CAO ), and two parameters (V and k). Since the number of
variables is equal to the number of equations, the degrees of freedom are zero,
and the model is exactly specified.
Solution. Equation (3.21) is a nonseparable linear ordinary differential equation. 63
which can be solved by application of the integrating factor:
ModelUng E~ples
IF = exp ( / ; dt) = e'lt
tlt
d(CAe ) FC tIt
dt = V AOe

/ d(CAetlt) = F~AO / etft dt

(3.22)
CAetIt = -
FCAOT: etIt I
V- +
CA = -FT:C
V
Ao+le-tIt

The data give the initial condition of the inlet concentration of 0.925 mole/m 3
=
at the time of the step. t O. The initial steady-state reactor concentration can be
determined from the data and equation (3.21) with dCAldt O. =
F
(CA)inil = F + Vk (CAO)inil
0.085 mole
= 0.085 + (2.1)(0.040) 0.925 = 0.465-;J
The constant of integration can be evaluated to be
I = F[(CAO)inil - (CAo)] = -F(ACAo)
F+Vk F+VK
This can be substituted in equation (3.22) to give
C = FCAO _ F(ACAO ) e-tlt
A F+Vk F+Vk
(3.23)
F I/t
= (CA)inil + F + Vk [CAO - (CAO)inil](l - e- )
This can be rearranged with Kp = FI(F + Vk) to give the change in reactor
concentration.
C A - (CA)init = KpACAo(l - e-tlt ).
ACA = (0.503)(0.925)(1 - e-tlt )
Again. the time constant determines the "speed" of the response. Note that in this
example, the time constant depends on the equipment (V), the operation (F), and
the chemical reaction (k), and that by comparing equations (3.16) and (3.21) the
time constant for the chemical reactor is always shorter than the time constant for
the mixer, using the same values for F and V. Their numerical values are
V 21 .
T: = = = 12.4mm
F + VK 0.085 + 2.1 (0.040)
K _ F = 0.085 = 0.503 mole/m33
p - F + VK 0.085 + 2.1 (0.04) mole/m
Thus, the steady-state gain and time constant in this example depend on equip-
ment deSign and operating conditions.
Resuffs analysIs. Rrst, the result from equation (3.23) is calculated and plot-
ted. As shown in Rgure 3.5a, the reactant concentration increases as an expo-
nential function to its final value without overshoot or oscillation. In this case, the
64 concentration exceeds its maximum limit; therefore, a corrective action will be
evaluated. The concentration reaches the alarm limit in 19.6 minutes after the step
CHAPTER 3 (29.6 minutes in the figure) and exceeds the maximum limit after 22.5 minutes.
Mathematical The sensitivity of this result can be evaluated from the analytical solution; in partic-
Modelling Principles ular, the dependence of the time constant on variables and parameters is given in
equation (3.21). The time difference between the alarm and the dangerous condi-
tion is too short for a person to respond reliably, because other important events
may be occurring simultaneously.
Since a response is required, the safety response should be automated; safety
systems are discussed in Chapter 24. A proper response can be determined by
conSidering equation (3.21). The goal is to ensure that the reactor concentration
decreases immediately when the corrective manipulation has been introduced.
One manner (for this, but not all processes) would be to decrease the inlet con-
centration to its initial value, so that the rate of change of CA would be negative
without delay. The transient response obtained by implementing this strategy when
the alarm value is reached is shown in Figure 3.5b. The model for the response
after the alarm value has been reached, 29.6 minutes, is of the same form as
equation (3.23), with the same time constant and gain.

EXAMPLE 3.3. Two isothermal CSTR reactors

A problem similar to the single CSTR in Example 3.2 is presented, with the only
difference that two series reactors are included as shown in Figure 3.6. Each tank
is one-half the volume of the tank in Example 3.2.

Goal. The same as that of Example 3.2, with the important concentration be-
ing in the second reactor. Determine the time when this concentration exceeds
0.85 mole/m 3

c lr---,.---r"--.--...-----.~-.,...--.-----. c 1 r-~---r"--r--...__-r--__,.---r"-...,
o
~c- 0.8 ....
.. !:!~!!.................
Aia~
............................................
......, .:'............................................. .~ 0.8
Limit
::::AI~~:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

QJ
cu
80.6
: :
,
: :
. 8c
80.6
/
Q) : : .i
80.4 I-----L_--I..._..:.I:-1.._.&---1'-----1.._-'----1 8 0.4
o
I-----'-_--'-_-'-_...L..-_I-----'-_--'-_...J
o 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min) Time (min)
c
o
2 r-__,.--,..-,---.--...--
,---.--.,...--.-----. , .
'gc
g 1 F--
-
8
u
:s o L"."...----"_ _"-,---'_ _"'_
. - - - ' ' - - - - ' - -.....----'
.!!
oS
o
o 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min) Time (min)
(a) (b)
FIGURE 3.5
Results for Example 3.2: (a) without action at the alarm value; (b) with action at the alarm value.
F 65

Modelling Examples

F
CAl

FIGURE 3.6
1\vo CSTRs in series.

InformatIon. The two systems are the liquid in each tank. The data is the same
as in Example 3.2, except that Vt = V2 = 1.05 m3

1. F = 0.085 m3/min; (CAO)init = 0.925 mole/m 3 ; 6.CAo = 0.925 mole/m3

2. The chemical reaction is first-order, LA = -kCA with k = 0.040 min-to
3. The reactor is well mixed and isothermal.
Formulation. Again, due to the assumptions for tlie overflow tanks, the volumes
in the two tanks can be taken to be constant, and all flows are constant and equal.
The value of the concentration in the second tank is desired, but it depends on the
concentration in the first tank. Therefore, the component balances on both tanks
are formulated.

First tank: (3.24)

Second tank: (3.25)

The result is two linear orc:nary differential nquations, which in general must be
solved simultaner'Jsly. Note that the two equations could be combined into a single
second-order difft rential equation; thus, the system is second-order.
Before proce<::ding to the solution, we should discuss a common error in for-
mulating a model for this example. The engineer might formulate one com;:)Qnent
material balance, as given in the following.
Incorrect model
System: liquid in both tanks
dCAl
Component balance: ---;It = F(CAO - CAl) - VkCAl

The choice of the system is not correct, because a balance on component A (CAl)
must have a constant concentration of component A that is independent of location
within the system. This condition is satisfied by the second tank, but not by both
tanks. Also, the reaction rate depends on the concentration, which is different for
the two tanks. Therefore, the correct model includes two component balances, one
for each tank. Note that the correct model includes a balance for an intermediate
variable, CAt, that is not a goal of the modelling but is required to determine CA2 .

-. -)

F C~ I

( "
66 SolutIon. In equations (3.24) and (3.25), the balance on the first tank does not in-
volve the concentration in the second tank and thus can be solved independently
CHAPTER 3 from the equation representing the second reactor. (More general methods for
Mathematical solving simultaneous linear differential equations, using laplace transforms, are
Modelling Prindples presented in the next chapter.) The solution for the first balance can be seen to be
exactly the same form as the result for Example 3.2, equation (3.23). The analytical
expression for the concentration at the outlet of the first tank can be substituted into
equation (3.25) to give the model which must be solved. In this solution, the sub-
script Us" designates the initial steady-state value of the variable before the step,
and no subscript indicates the variable after the step; also, 6.CAo = CAo - CAOs'
Therefore, the model for CA2 after the substitution of equation (3.23) is

(3.26)

Since the two reactors are identical (and linear), the steady-state gains and time
constant for both are identical, Le.,
K = FI/(FI + V.k) = F2/(F2 + V2k) = 0.669 (outlet molelm3 )/(inlet molelm3)
r = VI/(F. + V.k) = V2/(F2 + V2k) = 8.25 min
(3.27)
Equation (3.26) can be solved by applying the integrating factor method.

~ IF = exp ( / ; dt) = e 'lr

~ O.S
~C e~) e*
o 20 40 60
;t = K[KCAOs + K 6.CAo (1 - e- r/r ) ] _
r
(3.28)
Time (min)
C A2 = K2 (C~Os f e lfr dt + 6.~AO f e'lr dt - 6.~AO f e-1lr e'/r dt) e-1lr

A
6 CA2 = K 2 ( CAOs + 6.CAo - 6.C o
-r-te- Ilr) + le-Ilr
.~
c limit
8c ............................................................. The integration constant can be evaluated using the initial condition of the reactor
8 concentration, which can be determined by setting dCA2 /dt = 0 in equation (3.26)
N
~
to give CA2 = K 2 (CAOs) at t = O.
~ O.S
)to .,il
K 2CAOs = K2 ( CAOS + 6.CAO - 6.~AO r;-tlr ) + IE-tlr when t =0
0 20 40 60
Time (min) :.1 = -K 2 6.CAO
Substituting the expression for the integration constant into equation (3.28) gives
2 I I the final expression for the concentration in the second reactor.
C
.=g 1.5
0

r0-
- CA2 = K2 [ CAOs + 6.CAo (1 - e-
1Ir
) - 6.CAO ( .; ) e-
,lr
] (3.29)
c
8c The data can be substituted into equation (3.29) to give
0
u
= 0.414 + 0.414(1 -
:sU -
1 - CA2 e-t!8.25) - O.OSOte-I /8.25 (3.30)
-
Results ana/pls. The shape of the transient of the concentratjon in the second
I I
0.5 of two reactors in Rgure 3.7 is very different from the transient for one reactor in
0 20 40 60
Tune (min) Figure 3.3. The second-order response for this example has a sigmoidal or "S"
shape, with a derivative that goes through a maximum at an inflection point and
FIGURE 3.7
reduces to zero at the new steady state. Also, the total conversion of reactant
Dynamic responses for Example 3.3. is different from Example 3.2, although the total reactor volume is the same in
both cases. The increased conversion in the two-reactor system is due to the 67
higher concentration of the reactant in the first reactor. In fact, the concentration
of the second reactor does not reach the alarm or limiting values after the step Modelling Examples
change for the parameters specified, although the close approach to the alarm
value indicates that a slight change could lead to an alarm.
The action upon exceeding the alarm limit in the second reactor would not be
as easily determined for this process, since equation (3.25) shows that decreas-
ing the inlet concentration to the first reactor does not ensure that the derivative
of the second reactor's concentration will be negative. The system has "momen-
tum," which makes it more difficult to influence the output of the second reactor
immediately.

EXAMPLE 3.4. On/off room heating

The heating of a dwelling with an on/off heater was discussed in Section 1.2. The
temperature was controlled by a feedback system, and semi-quantitative argu-
ments led to the conclusion that the temperature would oscillate. In this section, a
very simple model of the system is formulated and solved.
Goal. Determine the dynamic response of the room temperature. Also, ensure
that the furnace does not have to switch on or off more frequently than once per
3 minutes, to allow the combustion zone to be purged of gases before reignition.
Information. The system is taken to be the air inside the dwelling. A sketch of
the system is given in Figure 1.2. The important variables are the room temperature
and the furnace on/off status.
Assumptions.
1. The air in the room is well mixed.
2. No transfer of material to or from the dwelling occurs.
3. The heat transferred depends only on the temperature difference between the
room and the outside environment.
4. No heat is transferred from the floor or ceiling.
5. Effects of kinetic and potential energies are negligible.
Data.
1. The heat capacity of the air Cv is 0.17 cal/(goC), density is 1190 g/m3
2. The overall heat transfer coefficient, UA = 45 x 103 cal/(OC h).
3. The size of the dwelling is 5 m by 5 m by 3 m high.
4. The furnace heating capacity Qh is either 0 (off) or 1.5 x 106 '(On) cal/h.
5. The furnace heating switches instantaneously at the values of 17C (on) and
23C (off).
6. The initial room temperature is 20C and the initial furnace status is "off."
7. The outside temperature To is 10C.
Formulation. The system is defined as the air inside the house. To determine the
temperature, an energy balance should be formulated, and since no material is
transferred, no material balance is required. The application of the energy balance
in equation (3.5) to this system gives
dU
dt = (0) - (0) + Q - W, (3.31)

The shaft work is zero. From principles of thermodynamics and heat transfer. the
following expressions can be used for a system with negligible accumulation of
68 potential and kinetic energy:
dU _ VC dT
CHAPTER 3 dt - P U dt (3.32)
Mathematical
Modelling Principles with

1O~
when T > 23C
Qh = { I.S x when T < 17C
unchanged when 17 < T < 23C
to give

(3.33)

The degrees of freedom for this formulation is zero since the model has two equa-
tions, two variables (T and Qh), four parameters (UA, CII , V, and p), and one exter-
nal variable (Ta). Thus, the system is exactly specified with equation (3.33), when
the status of the heating has been defined by equation (3.32).
Solution. Rearranging equation (3.33) gives the following linear ordinary differ-
ential equation:
dT +.!.T = UATa + Qh with ~ = VpCu (3.34)
dt ~ VpCu UA
Equation (3.34) is a linear differential equation when the value of heat transferred,
Qh, is constant. As described in the example data, Qh has one of two constant
values, depending on the status' of the furnace heating. Thus, the equation can be
solved using the integrating factor with one value of Qh until the switching value
of temperature is reached; then, the equation is solved with the appropriate value
of Qh until the next switch occurs. The solution for equation (3.34) is given in the
following:
T - 7inil = (Tfinal - 7inlt)(1 - e-tlr ) (3.35)
where t = time from step in Qh
~ = time constant = 0.34 h
Tfinal = final value ofT as t-+-oo = Ta + Qh/UA
= lOoe when Qh = 0
= 43.3e when Qh = I.S X 106
1inll = the value of T when a step in Qh occurs
Results analysis. First, the numerical result is determined and plotted in Figure
3.8. From the initial condition with the furnace off, the temperature decreases
according to equation (3.35) until the switch value of 17C is reached. Then, the
furnace heating begins instantaneously (Qh changes from 0 to 1.5 x 106 ), and
since the system is first-order with no "momentum, n the temperature immediately
begins to increase. This procedure is repeated as the room temperature follows a
periodic trajectory between 17 and 23C.
The analytical solution provides insight into how to alter the behavior of the
system. The time constant is proportional to the mass in the room, which seems
reasonable. Also, it is inversely proportional to the heat transfer coefficient, since
the faster the heat transfer, the more quickly the system reaches an equilibrium
with its surroundings; therefore, insulating the house will decrease UA and increase
the time constant. Finally, the time constant does not depend on the heating by
the furnace, which is the forcing function of the system; therefore, increasing the
capacity of the furnace will not affect the time constant, although it will affect the
time between switches.
r.. 69

i
8. 20
Linearization
e
~

J
o 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2
Time (hr)

I I I I I I I I I I

- ~ ~
- ~ ~
-
- -

I I I I I I I I

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2

Time (hr)
FIGURE 3.8
.
Dynamic response for Example 3.4.

The goals of the modelling exercise have been satisfied. The temperature has
been determined as a function of time, and the switching frequency of the furnace
has been determined to be over 3 minutes; that is, longer than the minimum limit.
However, a switch could occur much faster due to a sudden change in outside
temperature or to a disturbance such as a door being opened, which would allow
a rapid exchange of warm and cold air. Therefore, a special safety system would
be included to ensure that the furnace would not be restarted until a safe time
period after shutting off.
Building heating and air conditioning have been studied intensively, and more
accurate data and models are available (McQuiston and Parker, 1988). Also, some
extensions to this simple example are suggested in question 3.9 at the end of the
chapter (adding capacitance, changing VA, and including ventilation).
This example is the first quantitative analysis of a continuous feedback con-
trol system. The Simplicity of the model and the on/off control approach facilitated
the solution while retaining the essential characteristics of the behavior. For most
industrial processes, the oscillations associated with on/off control are unaccept-
able, and more complex feedback control approaches, introduced in Part III, are
required to achieve acceptable dynamic performance.

3.4 LINEARIZATION
The models in the previous sections were easily solved because they involved
linear equations, which were a natural result of the conservation balances and con-
stitutive relationships for the specific physical systems. However, the conservation
and constitutive equations are nonlinear for most systems, and general methods for
70 developing analytical solutions for nonlinear models are not available. An alter-
native is numerical simulation, covered later in this chapter, which can provide
CHAPI'ER3 accurate solutions for specific numerical values but usually offers much less un-
Mathematical derstanding. Fortunately, methods exist for obtaining approximate linearized so-
Modelling Principles
lutions to nonlinear systems, and experience over decades has demonstrated that
linearized methods of control systems analysis provide very useful results for many
(but not all) realistic processes. Therefore, this section introduces the important
method for developing approximate linear tnodels.
First, the concept of linearity needs to be formally defined. This will be done
using the concept of an operator, which transforms an input variable into an output
variable.

We can test any term in a model using equation (3.36) to determine whether it is
linear. A fe~ examples are given in the following table.

Function Check for. linearity Is check satisfied?

:F(x) = kx k(axl
OJ
+ bX2) == kaxi + kbx2 Yes
:F(x) = kx l/2 k(axl + bX2) 1/2 ~ k(axl) 1/2 + k(bx2) 1/2 No

Next, it is worthwhile considering the dynamic behavior of a process, such as

the stirred-tank heat exchanger shown in Figure 3.9, subject to changes in the feed
temperature and cooling fluid flow rate. For a linear system, the result of the two
changes is the sum of the results from each change individually. The responses to
step changes in the feed temperature (at t = 5) and cooling medium flow rate (at
F
t = 20) are shown in Figure "3.10. The responses in parts a and b are the effects

~
of each disturbance individually, and the response in part c is the total effect,
which for this linear process is the sum of the two individual effects. Note that the
true physical system experiences only the response in Figure 3.10c; the individual
T responses are the linear predictions for each input change. (The model for this
system will be derived in Example 3.7.) This concept, as an approximation to real
nonlinear processes, is used often in analyzing process controlsystems.
A linearized model can be developed by approximating each nonlinear term
with its linear approximation. A nonlinear term can be approxi~ated by a Taylor
series expansion to the nth order about a point if derivatives up to nth order exist at
the point; the general expressions for functions of one and two variables are given
in Table 3.3.
FIGURE 3.9
The term R is the remainder and depends on the order of the series. A few
Stirred tank with heat exchanger. examples of nonlinear tenus that commonly occur in process models, along with
TABLE 3.3 71
Taylor series for functions of one and two variables
Linearization
Function of one variable about x,
2
F(x) = F(x,) + elFI
- (x - x,) + I -
-2' FI (x - x, )'
d" +R (3.38)
dx x. . (X -'".

Function of two variables about Xb I Xls

F(x " x,) = F(x,,, x,,) + aFI (x , -x,,)+ aFI (x,-x,,)

aX I 01"1< .1"21 aX2 Xh.X20

(3 .39) ,,-0
]
~ 01---,
g,
c
"
~
u
, , ,
their linear approximations about Xl . are the following: o 20 40 60
Time (min)

'" x s' / 2 + ~X-

2 .f I !2 (X - x)
F(x) = x' /2 F (r) S
(a)

x x, 1
F (x) = - - F (x) '" 1 + ax, + {l + ax, )2 (x - x,)
I +ax
The acc uracy of th e lineari zati on can beesti maled by comparing the mag ni tude "",gE
of the remainde r, R' , to the linear term. For a linear Taylor seri es approx imati on h
in one variable, .=
g,
0
2 c
FI
R' -_ -1-d- 2 ( )'-
x-x., with ~ between x and X s (3.37) ~
U
o

2 dx .<~(

The acc uracy of a sample linearization is depicted in Figure 3. 11. From this o 20 40 60
Time (min)
fi gure and equation (3.37), it can be seen that the acc uracy of the linear approxima-
tion is relati vely beller when ("1 ) the second-order deri vati ve has a small magn itude (b)
(there is little curvature) and (2) the region about the base point is small. The suc-
cessful application of li neari zation to process control systems is typically justi fied
by the small region of operation of a process when under control. Although the h
uncontrolled system might operate over a .large regio n because of disturbances in .S
in put vari ables, the controlled process variables shoul d operate over a much smaller g,
range, where the linear approximation often is adequate. Note that the accuracy of ] 0
u
the lineari zation would in general depend on the normal operating point Xs '
Several modelling examples of lineari zed models are now given, with the
"~
linearized results compared with the nonlinear results. In all cases, the models
wiil be expressed in devi ation vari ables, such as x - xs , where the subscript s o 20 40 60
represents the steady-state value of the vari able. The deviation vari able will always Ti me (min)
be designated with a prime n. (c)

FIGURE 3.10
Response of the linear system in
Deviation variable: (x - Xs) '= x' with Xs = steady-state value Figure 3.9 to positive step ch anges in
c _ ~

two input variables, To and Fe.

72 9~--------------------------------------~

8
CHAPTER 3
Mathematical
Modelling Principles 7
~

16
>
55
"0
c
&4
"0

::. 3 L.-_-~ ~~
~~

#,,'
2 ~~~~~~

I ~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~~~
o 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2
x, independent variable
FIGURE 3.11
Comparison of a nonlinear function y = (1.5x2 + 3) with its linear
approximation about x, = I.

A deviation variable simply translates the variable value (x) by a constant, and
the value of the variable (x) is easily recovered by adding the initial steady-state
value Xs to its deviation value, x'. The use of deviation variables is not necessary
and provides no advantage at this point in our analysis. However, expressing a
model in deviation variables will be shown in Chapter 4 to provide a significant
simplification in the analysis of dynamic systems; therefore, we will begin to use
them here for all linear or linearized systems.

EXAMPLE 3.5. Isothermal CSTR

F
The solution to the single-tank CSTR problem in Example 3.2 is now presented for
a second-order chemical reaction.

F Goal. Determine the transient response of the tank concentration in response to

a step in the inlet concentration for the nonlinear and linearized models.

Information. The process equipment and flow are the same as shown in Figure
3.1. The important variable is the reactant concentration in the reactor.
v
Assumptions. The same as in Example 3.1.

Dafs. The same as in Example 3.2 except the chemical reaction rate is second-
order, with rA = -kC~ and k = 0.5[(mole/m3 ) minrl.

1. F=0.085m3/min; V=2.1 m3; (CAO)init =0.925 mole/m 3 ; LlCAo=0.925 mole/m 3 ;

=0.236 mole/m3
(CA)inlt
2. The reactor is isothermal.

Formulation. The formulation of the equations and analysis of degrees of free-

dom are the same as in Example 3.2 except that the rate term involves the reactant
concentration to the second power. 73
dCA 2
V - = F(CAO - CA ) - VkCA Linearization
dt
To more clearly evaluate the model for linearity, the values for all constan'~ ~,n :hi~
example) can be substituted into equation (3.40), giving the following:
dC A 2
(2.IJy, = (0.085)(1.85 - CA ) - (2.1)(0.50)CA

The only non;inear term in the equation is the second-order concentration ter...., in
the rate ex.)ression. This term can be linearized by expressing it as a Taylor series
and retaining only the linear terms:

cl ~ cL + 2CAs (C A - CAs) (3.41)

Recall that CAs is evaluated by setting the derivative to zero in equation (3.40)
and solving for C A , with CAO having its initial value before the input perturbation,
because the linearization is about the initial steady state. The approximation is
now substituted in the process model:
dCA 2
V Y, = F(CAO - CA ) - [VkC As + 2VkCAs (C A - CAs)] (3.42)

The model can be expressed in deviation variables by first repeating the linearized
model, equation (3.42), which is valid for any time, at the steady-state point, when
the variable is equal to its steady-state value:

dCAs = F(CAos -
o = V dt CAs) - [ VkCAs
2
+ 2VkCAs (CAs - CAs) ] (3.43)

Then equation (3.43) can be subtracted from equation (3.42) to give the equation
in de\,latio~ variables:

(3.44)

The resulting model is a first-order, linear ordinary differential equation, which can
be rearra'1ged into the standard form:

dC~
dt
+ .!.C' - ~ C'
T A - V AO Wit
.h
T
V 3 62 .
= F + 2VkCAs = . mm (3.45)

Solution. Since the input forcing function is again a simple step, the analytical
sOlutil.l1" can be derived by a straightforward applicatior: u7 the integrating factor:

C~ = C~o (F + :VkCAs) (1 - e-I/~) = ~CAoKp(l- e-I/~)

with
F
Kp = F +2VkC = 0.146 and 6.CAO = 0.925 moleJmJ (3.46)
As
The data can be substituted into this expression to give
C~ = (0.925)(0.146)(1 _ e- I / 3.62 )
Results Analysis. The linearized solution from equation (3.46) is plotted in Fig-
ure 3.12 in comparison with the solution to the original nonlinear differential
equation, equation (3.40). The linear solution can be seen to give a good semi-
quantitative description of the true process response.
74 Deviation
variables
CHAPTER 3 c:
0
'::2
Mathematical g .35
Modelling Principles
8=
0.1
c:
0 0.3
u
U
':I
::I .25
0
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Time (min)

CAO

1 ~
-- .............. ;..................;..................;...................;...................; ...................; .................- 0

o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Time (min)
FIGURE 3.12
Dynamic responses for Example 3.5.

An important advantage of the linearized solution is in the analytical relation-

ships. For example, the time constants and gains of the three similar continuous-
flow stirred-tank processes-mixer, linear reactor, and linearized model of nonlin-
ear reactor-are summarized in Table 3.4. These results can be used to learn how
process equipment design and process operating conditions affect the dynamic
responses. Clearly, the analytical solutions provide a great deal of useful informa-
tion on the" relationship between design and operating conditions and dynamic
behavior.

TABLE 3.4
Summary of linear or linearized models for single stirred-tank systems
Is the system Time constant Steady-state gain,
Physical system linear? (T' Kp
Example 3.1 (CST mixing) Yes V/F 1.0
Example 3.2 (CSTR with Yes V/(F + Vk) F/(F. + Vk)
first-order reaction)
Example 3.5 (CSTR with No V/(F+2VkCAf ) F/(F + 2VkCAf )
second-order reaction) .(lin"earized model) " (linearized model)
.oq
EXAMPLE 3.6. Tank draining 75
The level and flow through a partially opened restriction out of the tank system in
Figure 3.13 is considered in this example. Linearization

Goal. Determine a model for this system. Evaluate the accuracies of the lin-
earized solutions for small (10 m3/h) and large (60 m3/h) step changes in the inlet
flow rate.
Information. The system is the liquid in the tank, and the important variables
are the level and flow out.
Assumptions.
1. The density is constant.
2. The cross-sectional area of the tank, A, does not change with height.
L----L._ _ _ _ _.-.....&.._~ Fl
Data. Pa
1. The initial steady-state conditions are (i) flows = Fo = FI = 100m3/h and (ii)
FIGURE 3.13
level = L = 7.0 m.
2. The cross-sectional area is 7 m2 Level in draining tank for Example 3.6.
FormulatIon. The level depends on the total amount of liquid in the tank; thus,
the conservation equation selected is an overall material balance on the system.
dL
pA = pFo - pFJ (3.47)
Tt
This single balance does not provide enough information, because there are
two unknowns, Fl and L. Thus, the number of degrees of freedom (1) indicates that
another equation is required. An additional equation can be provided to determine
Fl without adding new variables, through a momentum balance on the liquid in
the exit pipe. In essence, another subproblem is defined to formulate this balance.
The major assumptions for this subproblem are that

1. The system is at quasi-steady state, since the dynamics of the pipe flow will
be fast with respect to the dynamics of the level.
2. The total pressure drop is due to the restriction.
3. Conventional macroscopic flow equations, using relationships for friction fac-
tors and restrictions, can relate the flow to the pressure driving force (Foust
et aI., 1980; Bird, Stewart, and Lightfoot, 1960).

With these assumptions, which relate the flow out to the liquid level in the tank, the
balance becomes
(3.48)

with Pa constant. The system with equations (3.47) and (3.48) and with two vari-
ables, Fl and L, is exactly specified. After the equations are combined, the system
can be described by a single first-order differential equation:
dL 0.5
A-=Fo-kF1L (3.49)
dt
To more clearly evaluate the model for linearity, the values for all constants (flOW,
=
area, and kFI 37.8) can be substituted into equation (3.49), giving the following:

(7) ~~ = (100 + 10) - (37.8)L.5

 The only nonlinear term in the equation is the square root of level, which can be
linearized as shown in the following:
CHAPTER 3
(3.50)
Mathematical
Modelling Principles
This expressior ,~an ':>e used to r~place the nOll~ir.9ar term. The resulting equation,
after subtracting the H1earized balance at stead/-state conditions and noting that
the input is ~. :~O;-istc;;ll :;tep (Le., F~ = ~Fo), is
dL' . -os,
A-
dt
= ~.ro - (CJ.5'''FIL s . )L nS1)

Solution. The linearized differential equation can be rearrdnged and so: led as
before.
dL' 1, I. = __A--:~
-+
dt
-L
1"
= -6.Fo
A
with 1"
0.5k FI L;o.s
(3.52)

giving the solution

L' = 1"6.Fo + le-I/r (3.53)

A
The initial condition is that L' = 0 at t = 0, with time measured from the input step;
thus. I = -1"6.Fo/A. Substitution gives

L' = 1"6.Fo (1- e-I/'r)

A
(3.54)
with Kp =.:.A =----
0.5k L;o.s
FI

For this example,

3 m3 h m
kFI = Fis = 100 m /h = 37.g
L~'s ~ mO.s mO.s
/ 1" = 0.98 h Kp =0.14-
3
-
m /h

L' = 0.146.Fo(1 - e-t / O98 )

Resulfs analysis. The solution of the linearized model indic~tet an exponential
response to a step change. The results for the small and larg9 step changes in flow
in are plotted in Figure 3.14a and b, respectively. The solutiori to the approximate
linearized model is quite accurate for the small step; however, it is i.laccurate for a
large step, even predicting an impossible negative level at the final steady state.
The general trend that the linearized model should be more accurate for a small
than for a large step conforms to the previous discussion of the Taylor series. Also,
F the large variation of the level, which for the larger input step is not maintained
close to its initial condition as shown in Figure 3.14b, suggests that the linear

~
solution might not be very accurate.

T
EXAMPLE 3.7. Stirred-tank heat exchanger
To provide another simple example of an energy balance, th~ stirred-tank heat
exchanger in Figure 3.9 is considered.
Goal~ The dynamic response of the tank temperature to a step change in the
coolant flow is to be determined.
Information. The system is the liquid in the tank.
 Deviation 77
.
-
variables
I---!... - 0 Linearization
5

o -7

o 0.5 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 'i

Time (hr)

no o
~
c:.:

~ sol L. _..L..---'_--'-_

Co 0.5 1.5'" 2.;" 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

-50

T:"me~;lr)
(a)

Deviation
variables
o
5

o -7

o 0.5 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

Time (hr)

. ,
o

50 - -50

o 0.5 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

Time (hr)
(b)
FIGURE 3.14
Dynamic responses for Example 3.6: (a) for a small input change
(linearized and nonlinear essentially the same curve); (b) for a
largeinputchang~

Assumptions.
1. The tank is well insulated. so that negligible heat is transferred to the sur-
roundings.
2. The accumulation of energy in the tank walls and cooling coil is negligible
compared with the accumulation in the liquid.
78 3. The tank is well mixed.
4. Physical properties are constant.
CBAPfER3 5. The system is initially at steady state.
Mathematical
Modelling Principles Data. F=0.085 m3/min; V=2.1 m3 ; Ts = 85.4C; p= 106 g/m 3 ; Cp = I cal/(goC);
To =
150C; Tcin =
25C; FCI = 0.50 m3/min; Cpc = I cal/( goC); Pc =
106 g/m 3 ;
a = 1.41 x lOS cal/minoC; b = 0.50.
Formulation. Overall material and energy balances on the system are required
to determine the flow and temperature from the tank. The overall material balance
is the same as for the mixing tank, with the result that the level is approximately
= =
constant and Fo F. F. For this system, the kinetic and potential energy ac-
cumulation terms are zero, and their input and output terms cancel if they are not
zero. The energy balance is as follows:
dU
dt = (Ho} - (H.} +Q- W, (3.55)

Also, it is assumed (and could be verified by calculations) that the shaft work is
negligible. Now, the goal is to express the internal energy and enthalpy in measur-
able variables. This can be done using the following thermodynamic relationships
(Smith and Van Ness, 1987):
dUldt = pVCu dTldt ~ pVCp dTldt (3.56)
Hi = pCpF;(T; - Tref) (3.57)
Note that the heat capacity at constant volume is approximated as the heat capac-
ity at constant pressure, which is acceptable for this liquid system. Substituting
the relationships in equations (3.56) and (3.57) into (3.55) gives
dT
pVCPdt = pCpF[(To - Tref ) - (T. - Tref)] +Q (3.58)

This is the basic energy balance on the tank, which is one equation with two
variables, T and Q. To complete the model, the heat transferred must be related
to the tank temperature and the external variables (coolant flow and temperature).
Thus, a subproblem involving the energy balance on the liquid in the cooling coils
is now defined and solved (Douglas, 1972). The assumptions are

1. The coil liquid is at a quasi-steady state.

2. The coolant physical properties are constant.
3. The driving force for heat transfer can be approximated as the average be-
tween the inlet and outlet.

With these assumptions, the energy balance on the cooling coil is

Q
Tcout = Tan - - - - (3.59)
PcCpcFc
The subscript c refers to the coolant fluid. Now, two constitutive' relationships are
employed to complete the model. The heat transferred can be expressed as

Q = -UA(~Thn ~ -UA [(T - Tcin ) ~ (T - Tcout )] (3.60)

The heat transfer coefficient would depend on both film coefficients and the wall
resistance. For many designs the outer film resistance in the stirred tank and
the wall resistance would be small compared with the inner film resistance; thus,
UA ~ hinA. The inner film coefficient can be related to the flow by an empirical 79
relationship of the form (Foust et aI., 1980)
Linearization
(3.61 )

Equations (3.59) to (3.61) can be combined to eliminate Trout and UA to give

the following expression for the heat transferred:
aFb+1
Q= e b (T - Tcin ) (3.62)
aFe
F.e+--
2Pe C pe
This solution to the subproblem expresses the heat transferred in terms of the
specified, external variables (Fe and Tcin) and the tank temperature. which is the
dependent variable to be determined. Equation (3.62) can be substituted into
equation (3.58) to give the final model for the stirred-tank exchanger.
dT aFb+1
VpC P -
dt
= CppF(To - T) - e Fb (T - Trin ) (3.63)
F. a e
e+--
2Pe C pe
The degrees-of-freedom analysis results in one variable (T). one equation
(3.63), four external variables (Trin, To. and F are assumed constant. and Fe can
change with time), and seven parameters. Thus, the model is exactly specified.
To evaluate the linearity of the model, all constants (for this example) are
substituted into equation (3.63) to give the following:

(2.1 x 1(>") ~~ = (0.85 x 106)(150 - T) - ~.~ (~.:~J;$ (T - 25)

The model is nonlinear because of the Fe terms and the product of Fe times T.
Therefore. the second term in equation (3.63) must be linearized using the Taylor
series in two variables. which yields the following result:

(3.64)

The linear approximation can be used to replace the nonlinear term. and again
the equation can be expressed in deviation variables:
dT' ,. , ,
V CPPTt = FpCp(-T)- UA$T + KFeFc (3.66)

Solution. The resulting approximate model is a linear first-order ordinary differ-

ential equation that can be solved by applying the integrating factor. '

dT' + .!.T' = KFe F' F

with t' = ( -
UA.
+ VpC-_$
)-1 (3.67)
dt t' VpCp t: . V p
80 Deviation
variables
90
CllAPTER3
Mathematical
Modelling Principles e
S
[ 85 0.0
e /
Nonlinear
~ ................ __ ... _...... _-_ ...
Linear .........
80 -5.0
0 5 to 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time (min)

I I I I I I I I I

~ 0.6 I- 0.1
0
c
C!
c.u
'8
u 0.5" r--- - 0.0
I I I I I I I I I

0 5 IO 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time (min)
FIGURE 3.15
Dynamic response for Example 3.7.

For a step change in the coolant flow rate at I = 0 and T' (0) = 0, the solution is
given by

(3.68)

The linearized coefficients can calculated to be KFc =

-5.97 X 106 ([cal/min]/
[ml/min]), KT = -9.09 x 104 ([cal/min]/oC). The steadystate gain and time constant
can be determined to be

C F VA )-1
KFc T
c =-33.9~/
Kp=-v . T = (- + __s = 11.9min
p p m mm V VpC p

Results analysis. The solution gives an exponential relationship between time

and the variable of interest. The approximate linearized response is plotted in
Figure 3.15 along with the solution to the nonlinear model. For the magnitude of the
step change considered, the linearized approximation provides a good estimate
of the true response.
The analytical linearized approximation provides relationships between the
"transient response and process deSign and operation. For example, since VA; > 0,
equation (3.67) demonstrates that the time constant for the heat exchanger is
always smaller than the time constant for the same stirred tank without a heat
exchanger, for which T = V / F.
 81

Linearization

FIGURE 3.16
Simplified schematic of flow through valve.

EXAMPLE 3.8. Flow manipulation

As explained briefly in Chapter 1, process control requires a manipulated variable
that can be adjusted independently by a person or automation system. Possible
manipulated variables include motor speed and electrical power, but the manip-
ulated variable in the majority of process control systems is valve opening, which
influences the flow of gas, liquid, or slurry. Therefore, it is worthwhile briefly consid-
ering a model for the effect of valve opening on flow. A simplified system is shown
in Figure 3.16, which is described by the following macroscopic energy balance
(Foust et aI., 1980; Hutchinson, 1976). \

F= CvV JpO-PI
--- (3.69)
p

where Cv = inherent valve characteristic

v = valve stem position, related to percent open
F = volumetric flow rate
The valve stem position is changed by a person, as with a faucet, or by an auto-
mated system. The inherent valve characteristic depends in general on the stem
position; also, the pressures in the pipe would depend on the flow and, thus, the
stem position. For the present. the characteristic and pressures will be considered
to be approximately constant. In that case, the flow is a linear function of the valve
stem position:

F'-CJpO-PI
- II V'-K
- V' II
.
wIth Kv = CII JpO-PI
--p- (3.70)
P
Thus, linear or linearized models involving flow can be expressed as a function of
valve position using equation (3.70). This is the expression used for many of the
models in the next few chapters. More detail on the industrial flow systems will be
presented in Chapters 7 (automated valve design) and 16 (variable characteristics
and pressures).

The procedure for linearization in this section has applied classical methods to
be performed by the engineer. Software systems can perform algebra and calculus;
therefore, linearization can be performed via special software. One well-known
software system for analytical calculations is Maple .. We will continue to use
the "hand" method because of the simplicity of the models. Whether the models
are linearized by hand or using software, the engineer should always thoroughly
understand the effects of design and operating variables on the gains, time constant,
and dead time. - .
82 The examples in this section have demonstrated the ease with which lineariza-
tion can be applied to dynamic process models. As shown in equation (3.37), the
CHAPTER 3 second-order term in the Taylor series gives insight into the accuracy of the linear
Mathematical approximation. However, there is no simple manner for evaluating whether a linear
Modelling Principles
approximation is appropriate, since the sensitivity of the modelling results depends
on the formulation, input variables, parameters, and, perhaps most importantly, the
goals of the modelling task. An analytical method for estimating the effects of the
second-order terms in the Taylor series on the results of the dynamic model is
available (Douglas, 1972); however, it requires more effort than the numerical so-
lution of the original nonlinear equations. Therefore, the analytical method using
higher-order terms in the Taylor series is not often used, although it might find
application for a model solved frequently.
One quick check on the accuracy of the linearized model is to compare the
final values, as time goes to infinity, of the nonlinear and linearized models. If
they differ by too much, with this value specific to the problem, then the linearized
model would be deemed to be of insufficient accuracy. If the final values are close
enough, the dynamic responses could still differ and would have to be evaluated.
Also, values of the time constants and gain at the initial and final conditions can be
determined; if they are significantly different, the linearized model is not likely to
provide adequate accuracy. The reader will be assisted in making ~ese decisions by
numerous examples in this book that evaluate linearized control methods applied
to nonlinear processes.

The p~ctions.from a linearized dynamic model are sufficiently accurate for most
controtSYStem~igncal~~ons if the values of steady-s~gabi',8nd:time con-
stant(s) ,~ ~ throughQut. ~e transient, i.e., from the initial to ~ cOnditions.

The more complete approach for checking accuracy is to compare results from
the linearized and full nonlinear models, with the nonlinear model solved using
numerical' methods, as discussed in the next section. Fundamental models can
require considerable engineering effort to develop and solve for complex processes,
so this approach is usually reserved for processes that are poorly understood or
known to be highly nonlinear. In practice, engineers often learn by experience
which processes in their plants can be analyzed using linearized models.
Again, this experience indicates that in the majority of cases, linear models
are adequate for process control. An additional advantage of approximate linear
models is the insight they provide into how process parameters and operating
conditions affect the transient response.

3.5 NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS OF ORDINARY

DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
There are 'situations in which accurate solutions of the nonlinear equations are re-
quired. Since most systems of nonlinear algebraic and differential equations can-
not be solved analytically, approximate solutions are determined using numerical
methods. Many numerical solution methods are available, and a thorough coverage
of the topic would require a complete book (for example, Carnahan et a1., 1969,
and Maron and Lopez, 1991). However, a few of the simplest numerical methods 83
for solving ordinary differential equations will be introduced here, and they will
be adequate, if not the most efficient, for most of the problems in this book. Numerical Solutions of
Numerical methods do not find analytical solutions like the expressions in the Ordinary Differential
Equations
previous sections; they provide a set of points that are "close" to the true solution
of the differential equation. The general concept for numerical solutions is to use
an initial value (or values) of a variable and an approximation of the derivative over
a single step to determine the variable after the step. For example, the solution to
the differential equation
dy
= f(y, t) with Y It=I;= Yi
dt (3.71)

can be approximated from t = ti to t = ti+lt with At = tHI - tit by a linear

Taylor series approximation to give

YI+1 "" Yi + [i, 1, (11+1 -Ii) (3.72)

YHI ~ Yi + f(yi., t)At

The procedure in equation (3.72) is the Euler numerical integration method (Car-
nahan et al., 1969). This procedure can be repeated for any number of time steps
to yield the approximate solution over a time interval.
Numerical methods can include higher-order" terms in the Taylor series to
improve the accuracy. The obvious method would be to detennine higher-order
terms in the Taylor series in equation (3.72); however, this would require algebraic
manipulations that are generally avoided, although they could be practical with
computer algebra. A manner has been developed to achieve the equivalent accuracy
by evaluating the first derivative term at several points within the step. The result is
presented here without derivation; the derivation is available in most textbooks on
numerical analysis (Maron and Lopez, 1991). There are many forms of the solution,
all of which are referred to as Runge-Kutta methods. The following equations are
one common form of the Runge-Kutta fourth-order method:
At
YHI = Yi + 6(ml + 2m2 + 2m3 + m4) (3.73)

with ml = f(Yi, ti)

m2=t(YI+ ~tmloll+ ~')

m3 =t (YI + ~t m2.11 + ~')
m4 = !(Yi + Atm3, ti + At)
All numerical methods introduce an error at each step, due to the loss of
the higher-order terms in the Taylor series, and these errors accumulate as the
integration proceeds. Since the accumulated error depends on how well the function
is approximated, the Euler and Runge-Kutta methods have. different accumulated
errors. The Euler accumulated error is proportional to the step size1the Runge-
Kutta error in equation (3.73) depends on the step size to the fourth power. Thus,
the Euler method requires a smaller step size for the same accuracy as Runge-
Kutta; this is partially offset by fewer calculations per step required for the Euler
84 method. Since the errors from both methods increase with increasing step size, a
very small step size might be selected for good accuracy, but a very small step size
CllAPTER3 has two disadvantages. First, it requires a large number of steps and, therefore,
Mathematical long computing times to complete the entire simulation. Second, the use of too
Modelling Principles
small a step size results in a very small change in y, perhaps so small as to be lost
due to round-off. Therefore, an intermediate range of step sizes exists, in which
the approximate numerical solution typically provides the best accuracy.
The engineer must choose the step size 6t to be the proper size to provide
adequate accuracy. The proper step size is relative to the dynamics of the solution;
thus, a key parameter is 6t / 1', with l' being the smallest time constant appearing
in a linear(ized) model. As a very rough initial estimate, this parameter could be
taken to be approximately 0.01. Then, solutions can be determined at different step
sizes; the region in which the solution does not change significantly, as compared
with the accuracy needed to achieve the modelling goal, indicates the proper range
of step size. There are numerical methods that monitor the error during the problem
solution and adjust the step size during the solution to achieve a specified accuracy
(Maron and Lopez. 1991).
Some higher-order systems have time constants that differ greatly (e.g., 1') = 1
and 1'2 = 5000); these systems are referred to as srijJ. When explicit numerical
methods such as Euler and Runge-Kutta are used for these systems, the step size
must be small relative to the smallest time constant for good accuracy (and sta-
bility), but the total interval must be sufficient for the longest time constant to
respond. Thus, the total number of time steps can be extremely large, and com-
puter resources can be exorbitant. One solution method is to approximate part of
the system as a quasi-steady state; this was done in several of the previous exam-
ples in this chapter, such as Example 3.7, where the coolant energy balance was
modelled as a steady-state process. When this is not possible, the explicit numeri-
cal methods described above are not appropriate, and implicit numerical methods,
which involve iterative calculations at each step, are recommended (Maron and
Lopez, 1991).
Either the Euler or the Runge-Kutta method should be sufficient for the prob-
lems encountered in this book, but not for all realistic process control simulations.
Recommendations on algorithm selection are available in the references already
noted, and various techniques have been evaluated (Enwright and Hull, 1976). The
numerical methods are demonstrated by application to examples.
EXAMPLE 3.9. Isothermal CSTR
F In Example 3.5 a model of an isothermal CSTR with a second-order chemical
reaction was derived and an approximate linear model was solved. The nonlinear
model cannot be solved analytically; therefore, a numerical solution is presented.
F The Euler method can be used, which involves the solution of the following equation
at each step, i:

CN+! = CN + b&t (~(CAO; - CAl) + kC~/) (3.74)

v
An appropriate step size was found by trial and error to be 0.05. (Note that
b&t/T: = 0.014.) The numerical solution is shown in Figure 3.12 as the result from
the nonlinear model.
 In summary, numerical methods provide the capability of solving complex, 85
nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Thus, the engineer can formu~ate a model
to satisfy the modelling goals without undue concern for determining an analyt- The Nonisothermal
ical solution. This power in developing specific solutions is achieved at a loss in Chemical Reactor
engineering insight, so that the linearized solutions are often derived to establish
relationships.

3.6 l?l THE NONISOTHERMAL CHEMICAL REACTOR

One of the most important processes for the engineer is the chemical reactor be-
cause of its strong influence on product quality and profit. The dynamic behaviors
of chemical reactors vary from quite straightforward to highly complex, and to
evaluate the dynamic behavior, the engineer often must develop fundamental mod-
els. A simple model of a non isothermal chemical reactor is introduced here with
a sample dynamic response, and further details on modelling a continuous-flow
stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) are presented in Appendix C along with additional as-
pects of its dynamic behavior. In this introduction, the reactor shown in Figure 3.17
is modelled; it is a well-mixed, constant-volume CSTR with a single first-order
reaction, exothermic heat of reaction, and a cooling coil. The system is the liq-
uid in the reactor. Since the concentration changes, a component material balance
is required, and since heat is transferred and the heat of reaction is significant,
an energy balance is required. Thus, the following two equations must be solved
simultaneously to determine the dynamic behavior of the system:
Material balance on component A:

(3.75)

Energy balance:
dT aFt.~
-d = FpCp(To - T)
t
+ F.c + a Fb/2
c
C (T -1:.)
Pc pc (3.76)
+( -D.Hrx ,,) V koe-EIRT CA

The second term on the right-hand side of the energy balance represents the heat
transferred via the cooling coil, with the heat transfer coefficient a function of the
coolant flow rate as described in Example 3.7.
The dynamic behavior of the concentration of the reactant and temperature to
a step change in the cooling flow can be determined by solving equations (3.75) and T
(3.76). Since these equations are highly nonlinear, they are solved numerically here,
using data documented in Section C.2 of Appendix C. The dynamic behaviors of
the concentration and temperature to a step in coolant flow are shown in Figure 3.18.
Note that for this case, the dynamic behavior is underdamped, yielding oscillations
that damp out with time. (You may have experienced this type of behavior in an
automobile with poor springs and shock absorbers when the suspension oscillates
for a long time after striking a bump in the road.) Certainly, the large oscillations
over a long time can lead to undesired product qUality. . FIGURE 3.17
Not all chemical reactors behave with this uriderdamped behavior; many are Condnuous-ftow stirred-tank
more straightforward with overdamped dynamics, while a few are much more chemical reactor with
challenging. However, the engineer cannot determine the dynamic behavior of cooling coil.
86 c
0
.~ 0.26
CHAPTER 3 c
Mathematf~
Modelling Priodples 8
9""
ti 0.24
~

0 2 3 4 5 6
Tune (min)

1396
8-
e
~

9""
ti 394
~

0 2 3 4 5 6
Time (min)
FIGURE 3.18
Dynamic response of a CSTR to a step change in coolant flow of -1 m3/min at
t 1. =

a reactor based on the physical structure, such as a CSTR or packed bed, or on

specific design parameters. Therefore, the engineer must apply modelling and
analysis to predict the dynamic behavior. Hopefully, your interest will be piqued
by this example, and you will refer to the detailed reactor modelling and analysis
found in Appendix C.

3.7 CONCLUSIONS
The procedure in Table 3.1 provides a road map for developing, solving, and
interpreting mathematical models based on fundamental principles. In addition
to predicting specific behavior, these models provide considerable insight into the
relationship between the process equipment and operating conditions and dynamic
behavior. A thorough analysis of results is recommended in all cases so that the
sensitivity of the solution to assumptions and data can be evaluated.
Perhaps the most important concept is

The models used in process control are developed to relate each input variable
(cause) to the output variable (effect). The mooelling approach enables us to reach
this goal by (1) developing the fundamental model and (2) deriving the linearized
models for each input output dynamic response. The approach can be demonstrated 87
by repeating the model for the isothermal CSTR with first-order kinetics derived
in Example 3.2. Conclusions

(3.77)

In this discussion, we will consider the situation in which the feed flow rate can
be regulated by a valve, while the feed concentration is determined by upstream
equipment that causes unreg1:llated variations in the concentration. Thus,
CA = key output variable
F = manipulated input variable
CAO = disturbance input variable F
Equation (3.77) can be linearized and expressed in deviation variables to give the
following approximate model:
F
(3.78)

with ,,= V/(F+ Vk)

KF = (CAo - CA.)/(Fs + Vk) v
KCAO = F /(F + Vk)
A model for each input can be derived by assuming that the other input is constant
(zero deviation) to give the following two models, one for each input, in the standard
form.
Effect of the disturbance:
dC~ I ,
"dt + CA = KCAOCAO (3.79)

Effect of the manipulated variable:

dC~ + C'A =
"dt K F'
F (3.80)

Note that separate models are needed to represent the dynamics between the two
inputs and the output; thus, the single-component material balance yields two
input/output models. If more input variables were considered, for example, tem-
perature, additional input/output models would result.
This modelling approach provides very important infonnation about the dy-
namic behavior of the process that can be determined from the values of the steady-
state gains and the time constants. The definitions of the key parameters are sum-
marized in the following:

Parameter Symbol Definition Units

Steady-state gain K Output/input (.6.outpuV.6.input)ss
Time constant Multiplies derivative Time
in standard model form
88 The values of these parameters can be used to estimate the magnitude and
speed of the effects of the input changes on the output variable. This modelling
CHAPTER 3 procedure enables the engineer to relate the dynamic behavior of a process to
Mathematical the equipment sizes, physical properties, rate processes, and operating conditions.
Modelling Principles
For example, the steady-state effect of the flow disturbance (F) depends on its
gain (KF), which is affected by the equipment (V), chemistry (k), and operating
conditions (F, CAO, and CAs). Recall that we are compromising accuracy through
linearization to achieve these insights.

The engineer should interpret linearized models to determine the factors in1luencing
dynamic behavior, i.e., influencing the gains and time constants.

As we build understanding of process control in later chapters, this interpre-

tation will prove invaluable in designing process with favorable dynamics and
designing feedback process control calculations.
The observant reader may have noticed the similarities among the behaviors
of many of the examples in this chapter. These similarities will lead to important
generalizations, presented in Chapter 5, about the dynamics of processes that can
be represented by simple sets of differential equations: one ordinary differential
equation (first-order system), two equations (second-order system), and so forth.
However, before exploring these generalities, some useful mathematical methods
are introduced in Chapter 4. These mathematical methods are selected to facilitate
the analysis of process control systems using models like the ones developed in
this chapter and will be used extensively in the remainder of the book.

REFERENCES
Bird, R., \V. Stewart, and E. Lightfoot, Transport Phenomena, Wiley, New
York,1960.
Carnahan, B., H. Luther, and 1. Wilkes, Applied Numerical Methods, Wiley,
New Yor~ 1969.
Douglas, J., Process Dynamics and Control. Volume I. Analysis of Dynamic
Systems, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1972.
Enwright, W., and T. Hull, SIAM J. Numer. Anal.. 13,6,944-961 (1976).
Felder, R., and R. Rousseau, Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes
(2nd ed.), Wiley, New York. 1986.
Foust, A., L. Wenzel, C. Clump. L. Maus, and L. Andersen, Principles of Unit
Operations, Wiley. New York. 1980.
Himmelblau, D., Basic Principles and Calculations in Chemical Engineering,
Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1982.
Hutchinson, J. (ed.), ISA Handbook of Control Valves (2nd ed.), Instrument
Society of America. Research Triangle Park, NC, 1976.
Levenspiel, 0., Chemical Reaction Engineering, Wiley, New York, 1972.
Maron, M., and R. Lopez, Numerical Analysis. A Practical Approach (3rd
ed.), Wadsworth, Belmont, CA, 1991.
 McQuiston, F., and J. Parker, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (3rd 89
ed.), Wiley, New York, 1988.
Smith, J., and H. Van Ness, Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermo- Additional Resources
dynamics (4th ed.), McGraw-Hill, New York, 1987.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The following references, in addition to Douglas (1972), discuss goals and meth-
ods of fundamental modelling for steady-state and dynamic systems in chemical
engineering.

Aris, R., Mathematical Modelling Techniques, Pitman, London, 1978.

Denn, M., Process Modeling, Pitman Publishing, Marshfield, MA, 1986.
Franks, R., Modelling and Simulation in Chemical Engineering, Wiley-
Interscience, New York, 1972.
Friedly, J., Dynamic Behavior of Processes, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs,
NJ,1972.
Himmelblau, D., and K. Bishoff, Process Analysis and Simulation, Detemlin-
istic Systems, Wiley, New York, 1968.
Luyben, W., Process Modelling, Simulation, and Control for Chemical Engi-
neers (2nd ed.), McGraw-Hill, New ~ork, 1989.

Guidance on the formulation, analysis, and efficient numerical computation

of the sensitivity of the solution of differential equations to parameters is given in
the following.

Leis, J., and M. Kramer, "The Simultaneous Solution and Sensitivity Analysis
of Systems Described by Ordinary Differential Equations," ACM Trails.
on Math. Software, 14, 1, 45-60 (1988).
Tomovic, R., and M. Vokobratovic, General Sensitivity Theory, Elsevier, New
York,1972.

The following reference presents methods for evaluating feasible operating

conditions and economic optima in processes.

Edgar, T., and D. Himmelblau, Optimization ofChemical Processes, McGraw-

Hill, New York, 1988.

The following reference discusses modelling as applied to many endeavors and

gives examples in other disciplines, such as economics, biology, social sciences,
and environmental sciences.

Murthy, D., N. Page, and E. Rodin, Mathematical Modelling, Pergamon Press,

Oxford, 1990.

Stirred tanks are applied often in chemical engineering. Details on their design
and performance can be found in the following reference.

Oldshue, J., Fluid Mixing Technology, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1983.

90
In answering the questions in this chapter (and future chapters), careful attention
CHAPTER 3 should be paid to the modelling methods and results. The following summary of the
Mathematical modelling method is provided to assist in this analysis.
Modelling Principles
Define the system and determine the balances and constitutive relations used.
Annlyze the degrees of freedom of the model.
Determine how the design and operating values influence key results like gains
and time constants.
Determine the shape of the dynamic response. Is it monotonic, oscillatory. etc.?
If nonlinear, estimate lhe accuracy of the linearized result.
Analyze the sensitivity of the dynamic response to parameter values.
Discuss how you would validate the model.

QUESTIONS
3.1. The chemical reactor in Example 3.2 is to be modelled, with the goal of
determining the concentration of the product CD as a function oftime for the
same input change. Extend the analytical solution to answer this question.
3.2. The seri es of two tanks in Example 3.3 are to be modelled with Vt + V2 =
2.1 aryd VI = 2V, . Repeat the analysis and solution for this situation.
3.3. The step input is changed to an impulse for Example 3.3. An impulse is a
"spike" with a (nearly) instantaneous duration and nonzero integral; phys-
ically, an impulse would be ac hieved by rapidly dumping extra component
A into the first tank. Solve for the outlet concentration of the second tank
after an impulse of M moles of A is put into the first tank.
3.4. A batch reactor with the parameters in Example 3.2 is initially empty and
is filled at the inlet flow rate. with the outlet flow being zero. Determine
the concentration of A in the tank during the filling process. After the tank
is full, the outlet How is set equal to the inlet flow ; that is, the reactor is
operated like a continuous-flow CSTR. Determine the concentration of A
to th e steady state.
3.5. The system in Example 3.1 has an input concentration that varies as a sine
with amplitude A and frequency w . Determine the outlet concentration for
this input.
3.6. The level-flow system is Figure Q3.6 is to be analyzed. The flow Fo is
constant. The flow F3 depends on the valve opening but nOl on the levels,
whereas flows F t and F, depend on the varying pressures (i.e., levels).
The system is initially at steady state, and a step increase in F3 is made by
adjusting the valve. Determine the dynamic response of the levels and flows
using an approximate linear model. Without specific numerical values,
sketch the approximate dynamic behavior of the variables.
3.7. The behavior of the single CSTR with the kinetics shown below is consid-
ered in this question. The goal is to control the concentration of product D
in the effluent. Your supervisor proposes the feed concentration of reactant
 91

Linearization

FIGURE Q3.6

A as the manipulated variable for a feedback controller. Is this a good idea?

kAO
A D'
kA~ B ABO
In answering this question, you may use the following information: (I)
the tank is well mixed and has a constant volume and temperature; (2)
all components have the same molecular weights and densities; (3) all
reactions are elementary; thus, in this case they are all first-order; (4) the
volumetric feed flow is constant (F) and contains only component A (CAO).
(a) Starting with fundamental balances, derive the model (differential
equations) that must be solved to determine the behavior of the con-
centration of component D.
(b) Express the equations from part (a) in Iinear(ized) deviation variables
and define the time constants and gains. Fo
(c) Does a causal relationship exist between CAo and CD?

3.S. The level-flow system in Figure Q3.8 is to be analyzed. The flow into the
system, Fo, is independent of the system pressures. The feed is entirely
liquid, and the first vessel is closed and has a nonsoluble gas in the space

.b=k
above the nonvolatile .liquid. The flows FJ and F2 depend only on the
pressure drops, because the restrictions in the pipes are fixed. Derive the
linearized model for this system in response to a step change in Fo, solve
the equations, and, without specific numerical values, sketch the dynamic
responses. FIGURE Q3.8

3.9. The room heating Example 3.4 is reconsidered; for the following situations,
each representing a single change from the base case, reformulate the model
as needed and determine the dynamic behavior of the temperature and
heating status.
92 (a) Due to leaks, a constant flow into and out of the room exists. Assume
that the volume of air in the room is changed every hour with entering
CHAPTER 3 air at the outside temperature.
Mathematical (b) A mass of material (e.g., furniture) is present in the room. Assume
Modelling Principles
that this mass is always in equilibrium with the air; that is, the heat
exchange is at quaSi-steady state. The mass is equivalent to 200 kg of
wood.
(e) The ambient temperature decreases to -10C.
(d) The duty of the furnace is reduced to 0.50 x 106 when on.
(e) The heat transferred to the room does not change instantaneously when
the furnace status changes. The relationship between the heat generated
in the furnace (Q,), which changes immediately when the switch is
activated, and the heat to the room (Qh) is
dQh
T:Qdt = Q, - Qh with T:Q = 0.10 h

3.10. Determine the dynamic responses for a + I0 percent change in inlet flow rate
in place of the original input change for one or more of Examples 3.2, 3.5,
and 3.7. Determine whether the model must be linearized in each case. For
cases that require lineanzation, estimate the errors introduced and compare
a numerical solution with the approximate, linear dynamic response.
3.11. A stirred-tank heater could have an external jacket with saturated steam
condensing in the jacket to heat the tank. Assume that this modification
has been made to the system in Example 3.7 and derive an analytical ex-
pression for the response of the tank temperature to a step change in the
steam pressure. Begin by sketching the system and listing assumptions.
3.12. The tank draining problem in Example 3.6 has been modified to remove
the restriction (partially opened valve) in the outlet line. Now, the line is
simply a pipe. Reformulate and solve the problem for the two following
cases, each with a pipe long enough that end conditions are negligible.
(a) The flow in the outlet pipe is laminar.
(b) The flow in the outlet pipe is turbulent.

3.13. Answer the following questions.

(a) Explain what is meant by a stiff system of differential equations. Under
what conditions (changing values of parameters) would the equations
in Example 3.3 be stiff? If they were stiff, suggest several ways to
solve them numerically. Would this stiffness affect the accuracy of the
analytical solutions of the linearized model?
(b) The analysis of degrees of freedom suggests that terms that are constant
in the current examples be separated into two categories: parameters
and external variables. Why would this be useful for future analysis of
feedback control systems? Suggest two subcategories for the external
variables and why they might be useful for feedback control analysis.
(e) The degrees-of-freedom analysis should define the proper number of
equations for a model Suppose that the following model were pro-
posed for Example 3.6.
dL .
Adi = Fo - FJ (5)(2) = 10
 When Fo is constant, this model has two equations and two unknown 93
variables, L and Fl. Explain why this model does not satisfy the
degrees-of-freedom analysis and provide a mathematical test that can Linearization
be applied to potential equation sets.
(d) Is it possible for a model to be linear for one external input perturbation
and nonlinear for another? Explain and give examples.
(e) Give the equations to be solved at every time step for an Euler integra-
tion of the nonisothermal chemical reactor model in equations (3.75)
and (3.76).

3.14. The chemical reactor in Example 3.3 is considered in this question. The only
change to the problem is the input function; here, the inlet concentration is
returned to its initial value in a step 5 minutes after the initial step increase.
(a) Determine the dynamic response of the concentration of both tanks.
(b) Compare your answer to the shape of the plot in Figure 3 .5b and explain
similarities and differences.
(c) Based on your results in (a) and (b), discuss how you would design
an emergency system to prevent the concentration of A in the second
tank from exceeding a specified maximum value. Discuss the variables
F and C AO as potential manipulated variables, and select the value to
which the manipulated variable should be set when the action limit
is reached. Also, discuss how you would determine the value of the
action limit.

3.15. The dynamic response of the CSTR shown in Figure 3.1 is to be determined
as follows.
Assumptions: (i) well mixed, (ii) isothermal, (iii) constant density, and (iv)
constant volume.
Data: V = 2 m3; F = I m 31h; CAO(O) = 0.5 mole/m 3.
Reaction: A ~ Products
with rA = -kl CA/(l + k2CA) mole/(m 3 h)
kl = 1.0 h- l

k2 = 1.0 m 3/mole
(a) Formulate the model for the dynamic response of the concentration of
A.
(b) Linearize the equation in (a).
(c) Analytically solve the linearized equation for a step change in the inlet
concentration of A, CAO.
(d) Give the equation(s) for the numerical solution of the "exact" nonlin-
ear equation derived in (a). You may use any of the common numerical
methods for solving ordinary differential equations.
(e) Calculate the transients for the (analytical) linearized and (numerical)
nonlinear models. Graph the results for both the nonlinear and lin-
earized predictions for two cases, both of which start from the initial
conditions given above and have the magnitudes (I) 6.CAo = 0.5 and
(2) 6.CAO = 4.0. Provide an annotated listing of your program or
spreadsheet.
if) Discuss the accuracy of the linearized solutions compared with solu-
tions to the "exact" nonlinear equations for these two cases.
94 3.16. Discuss whether linearized dynamic models would provide accurate rep-
resentations of the dynamic results for
CHAPTER 3 (a) Example 3.2 with l!1CAO =
-0.925 moles/m3
Mathematical
ModelUng Principles
(b) Example 3.7 for l!1Fc =
-9.25 m3/min
3.17. A stirred-tank mixer has two input streams: FA which is pure component
A, and FB, which has no A. The system is initially at steady state, and
the flow FA is constant The flow of B changes according to the following
=
description: From time 0 ~ t., F~ (t) at (a ramp from the initial condi-
tion); and from time t. ~ 00, Fa(t) = at. (constant at the value reached
at tl). The following assumptions may be used:
(1) The densities of the two streams are constant and equal, and there
is no density change on mixing.
(2) The volume of the liquid in the tank is constant.
(3) The tank is well mixed.
(a) Sketch the process, define the system, and derive the basic balance for
the weight fraction of A in the exit stream, X A.
(b) Derive the linearized balance in deviation variables.
(c) Solve the equation for the forcing function, Fa (t), defined above. (Hint:
You may want to develop two solutions, first from 0 ~ t. and then
II ~ 00.)
(d) Sketch the dynamic behavior of F~(t) and X~ (I).

3.18. In the tank system in Figure 3.13, the outflow drains through the outlet
pipe with a restriction as in Example 3.6, and in this question, a first-order
F3 chemical reaction occurs in the tank. Given the following data, plot the
........ operating window, i.e., the range of possible steady-state operating condi-
r--' CA3
tions, with coordinates of level and concentration of A. Discuss the effect
of changing reactor temperature on the operating window, if any.
Design parameters: Cross-sectional area = 0.30 m2 , maximum

~
=
level 4.0 m. The chemical reaction is first-order with leo =
2.28 X 107
(h -I) and E / R = 5000 K. The base-case conditions can be used to
back-calculate required parameters. The base case data are T = 330 K,
= = =
L 3.33 m, F 10 m3/h, and CA 0.313 mole/m3. The external vari-
ables can be adjusted over the following ranges: 0.20 :s CAO :s 0.70 and
......... F4
r--' 3.0:s F :s 12.5.
CA4
3.19. A system of well-mixed tanks and blending is shown in Figure Q3. 19. The
delays in the pipes are negligible, the flow rates are constant, and the streams
have the same density. Step changes are introduced in CAl at I. and CA2 at
FIGURE Q3.19 12, with 12 > II. Determine the transient responses of C AJ , CA4, and CAS.

3.20. Determining the sensitivity of modelling results to parameters is a key

aspect of results analysis. For the result from Example 3.2,

CA = CAinil + l!1CAoKp ( l - e-I/r:) .

(a) Determine analytical expressions for the sensitivity of the output vari-
able CA to small (differential) changes in the parameters, K p , 1', forc-
 ing function magnitude ll.CAo, and initial steady state, CAinit. These 95
sensitivity expressions should be functions of time.
(b) For each result in (a), plot the sensitivities over their trajectories and Linearization
discuss whether the answer makes sense physically.

3.21. Another experiment was performed to validate the fact that the vessel in
Example 3.1 was well mixed. In this experiment, the vessel was well insu-
lated and brought to steady state. Then a step change was introduced to the
inlet temperature. The following data represents the operating conditions,
and the dynamic data is given in Table Q3.21.
Data: V = 2.7 m3 , F = 0.71 m3/min, TOinit = 103.5C, To = 68C.
(a) Formulate the energy balance for this system, and solve for the ex-
pected dynamic response of the tank temperature.
(b) Compare your prediction with the data.
(c) Given the two experimental results in Figure 3.4 and this question for
the same equipment, discuss your conclusions on the assumption that
the system is well mixed.
(d) Is there additional information that would help you in (c)?

3.22. The dynamic response of the reactant concentration in the reactor, CA, to a
change in the inlet concentration, C AO, for an .isothermal, constant-volume,
constant-density CSTR with a single chemical reaction is to be evaluated.
The reaction rate is modelled by

Determine how the approximate time constant of the linearized model of

the process relating CA to CAO changes as k. and k2 range from 0 to infinity.
Explain how your answer makes sense.

TABLEQ3.22

Time Temperature
0 103.5
.4 102
1.2 96
1.9 91
2.7 87
3.4 84
4.2 81
5.0 79
6.5 76
8.5 73
 Modelling and
Analysis for
Process Control
4.1 INTRODUCTiON
In the previous chapter, solutions to fundamental dynamic models were developed
using analytical and numerical methods. The analytical integrating factor method
was limited to sets of first-order linear differential equat ions that could be solved
sequentiall y. In this chapter, an additional analytical method is introduced that
expands the types of models that can be analyzed. The methods introduced in thi s
chapter are tailored to the analysis of process con trol systems and provide the
following capabilities:

1. The analytical solution of simultaneous linear differential eq uations with con-

stant coefficients can be obtained using the Laplace transform method.
2. A control system can involve several processes and control calculations, which
must be considered simultaneously. The overall behavior of a complex system
can be modelled, considering only input and output variables, by the use of
transfer functions and block diagrams.
3. The behavior of systems to sine inputs is important in understanding how the
input frequency influences dynamic process performance. This behavior is
most easily detennined using frequency response methods.
4. A very important aspect of a system's behavior is whether it achieves a steady-
state value after a step input. If it does, the system is deemed to be stable; if
it does not, it is deemed unstable. Important control system ana lysis is based
on thi s behavior, and the me thods in this chapter are app lied to determine the
stability of feedback control systems in Chapter 10.
98 All of the methods in this chapter are limited to linear or linearized systems of
ordinary differential equations. The source of the process models can be the fun-
CHAPTER 4 damental modelling presented in Chapter 3 or the empirical modelling presented
Modelling and in Chapter 6.
Analysis for Process
Control
The methods in this chapter provide alternative ways to achieve results that
could, at least theoretically, be obtained for many systems using methods in Chap-
ter 3. Therefore, the reader encountering this material for the first time might feel
that the methods are redundant and unnecessarily complex. However, the meth-
ods in this chapter have been found to provide the best and simplest means for
analyzing important characteristics of process control systems. The methods will
be introduced in this chapter and applied to several important examples, but their
power will become more apparent as they are used in later chapters. The reader is
encouraged to master the basics here to ease the understanding of future chapters.

4.2 THE LAPLACE TRANSFORM

The Laplace transform provides the engineer with a powerful method for analyzing
pr~s control systems. It is introduced and applied for the analytical solution of
differential equations in this section; in later sections (and chapters), other appli-
cations are introduced for characterizing important behavior of dynamic systems
without solving the differential equations for the entire dynamic response.

---."=..'!! ,......; ~

~--;. . ~ ,", ~-.' ..:........ "<>:::i~}::;.. r,"~><~:.-~t. ~~,'-

.... , "
:\:''lb.~:~PlacejttansfQ.riD~del:il!e&rWff.~llows: ::
'. . '. "~:' "~~if(~;rt;t~1.:=='$t(l(t;~1\!L':; .' . (4.1)
i'i...:=.,: ~ . -!~-.:,. .. ~'~ .:.':-~~::.l:;:~:}'~';Ir'.' "'l~.J~.: . ._1~.

Before examples are presented, a few important properties and conventions are
stated.

1. Only the behavior of the time-domain function for times equal to or greater
than zero is considered. The value of the time-domain function is taken to be
zero for t < o.
2. A Laplace transform does not exist for aU functions. Sufficient conditions for
the Laplace transform to exist are (i) the function f (t) is piecewise continuous
and (ii) the integral in equation (4.1) lias a finite value; that is, the function f (t)
does not increase with time faster than e-st decreases with time. Functions typ-
ically encountered in the study of process control are Laplace-transformable
and are not checked. Further discussion of the existence of Laplace transforms
is available (Boyce and Diprima, 1986).
3. The Laplace transform converts a function in the time domain to a function
in the "s-domain," in which s can take complex values. Recall that a complex
number x can be expressed in Cartesian form as A + Bj or in polar form as
Re~J with

A =Re(x) 8 = Im(x) R= JA2 + 8 2 t/> = tan-I (!) (4.2)

 4. In this book, the Laplace transform of a function T(t) will be designated by 99
the argument s, as in T(s). The function and its transform will be designated
by the same symbol, which can be either a capital or a lowercase letter, and The LapJace
no overbar will be used for the transformed function. The function in the Transform
time domain will be designated as the variable (as T) or with the time shown
explicitly [as T(t)], if needed for clarification.
5. The Laplace transform is a linear operator, because it satisfies the requirements
specified in equation (3.36):

[aFI (t) + bF2(t)] = a[FI (t)] + b[F2(t)] (4.3)

6. Tables of Laplace transforms are available, so the engineer does not have to
apply equation (4.1) for many commonly occurring functions. Also, these
tables provide the inverse Laplace transform,

-1 [/(s)] = /(t) for t ::: 0 (4.4)

Since the Laplace transform is defined only for single-valued functions, the
transform and its inverse are unique.

Before we proceed to the application of Laplace transforms to differential

equations, equation (4.1) is applied to a few func~ons that will be used in later
examples. A more extensive list of Laplace transforms is given in Table 4.1.

Constant
For /(t) = C,
00

= =- C st 1 = -C
(C)
J.o
oo
Ce-sl dt _e-
s 0 s
(4.5)

Step of Magnitude C at t =0
o at t = 0+
For /(t) = CU(t) with U(t) = {1 for t > 0+
(4.6)
C[C(U(t))) = CC[U(t)] = C (J."" e-st dt) = ~
Since the variable is assumed to have a zero value for time less than zero, the
Laplace transforms for the constant and step are identical.

Exponential
For /(t) = e-at ,
= oo
= -1- e-(s-a)t 1 = __
1
J.o
00
(eat ) eat e-st dt (4.7)
a-s 0 s-a
 TABLE 4.1
100
Laplace transforms
CHAPTER 1$ No. f(f) f(s)
Modelling and
Analysis for Process
8, unit impulse
Control
2 U(I), unit step or constant lIs
In-I
3 l/sn
(n - l)!
1 -tlr
4 ,
-e
rs +1
1 + (a - 't') e-1lr as+ 1
5 , s(rs + 1)
1 In-Ie-tlr 1
6
,n (n - I)! (rs + l)n
as + 1
7 ( !!... + ~I)e-Ilr
,2 't'3 (rs + 1)2

8 1+ ( a ~ , 1) e- I _ tlr as+ 1
s(,t's + 1)2
'I - a e-1lrl _ '2 - a e-tlr2 as + 1
9
'I ('I - '2) '2('1 - '2) ('IS + 1)('t'2s + I)
a -tlrl
"'I - '2 - a -tlfl as+ 1
10 1 +--e -- -e
'2 - 'I '2 - 'I S('IS + 1)('t'2s + 1)
11 sin (WI) wl(s2 + w 2)
12 cos (wI) s/(s2 + Ctl)
s+a
13 e-Ol cos (WI)
(s + a)2 + w 2
w
14 e-Ol sin (WI)
(s + a)2 + w 2
15 ~e-t'I'Sin (~I +9' as+ 1

16

17

18 e-OS !(s)

a. cu, and T; are real and distinct, 0 < ~ !: I. n = integer

Sine 101
For /(t) = sin (wt), The Laplace
.c(sin (wt)) = 1"" = 1""
sin (wt)e-" dt ;/-JW') (e
j
." e-s , dt
Transform

= 1"" (e-(S-j.,j,; e-(S+j.,j,) dt

(4.8)
c ----- -r-------,
1 [e-(S-jW)1 e-(s+jW)I]OO _ w .2 tp
ti
c
= 2j (s - jw) + (s + jw) 0 - s2 + (J)2 .:
~ 0 f---
;f :
Pulse
For /(t) =C[U(O) - U(t p)] = Cltp for t = 0 to t p, and = 0 for t > t p, as o Ip

graphed in Figure 4.1, Time

(/(t = ('pC e- sl dt
10
tp
+ 100

Ip
Oe-SI dt
(4.9)
FIGURE 4.1
Pulse function.
C (1 - e-S1p )
=-----
tp s
An impulse function, which has zero width anp total integral equal to C, is a
special case of the pulse. Its Laplace transform can be determined by taking the
limit of equation (4.9) as tp ~ 0 (and applying L'HospitaI's rule) to give
C (l - e- S1p )
.
Y(s)l, -0
p
= hm
Ip-O tp s
(4.10)
-C( -se-S1p )
= lim
Ip-O
= C
S

Derivative of a Function
To apply Laplace transforms to the solution of differential equations, the Laplace
transform of derivatives must be evaluated.
(d/(t) = roo
d/(t) e-sl dt (4.11)
dt 10
dt
This equation can be integrated by parts to give

.c (d~~t) = _ 1"" !(t)(-s)e-S ' dt + !(t)e-" I: (4.12)

=s/(s) - /(1)1 , =0
The method can be extended to a derivative of any order by applying the integration
by parts several times to give

(d /(/) =
n
dIn
sn /(s)

_ (sn-I /(1)1 _ + Sn-2 d/(t) I + ... + dn-I/(/) I )

1-0 dt 1=0 dt n - I 1=0
(4.13)
102 Integral
By similar application of integration by parts the Laplace transform of an integral
CBAPTER4
ModeWngand
of a function can be shown to be
Analysis for Process
Control , (J.' f(t') dt') = J.oo (J.' f(t') dt') e-sl dt
o 0 0 (4.14)
oo -SI [(J.' )
f(t) dt ~-SI]oo 1
=
J.o _es-f(t) dt + 0
'= - f(s)
S 1=0 S

Differential Equations
One of the main applications for Laplace transforms is in the analytical solution
of ordinary differential equations. The key aspect of Laplace transforms in this
application is demonstrated in equation (4.13), which shows that the transform of
a derivative is an algebraic term. Thus, a differential equation is transformed into an
algebraic equation, which can be easily solved using rules of algebra. The challenge
is to determine the inverse Laplace transform to achieve an analytical solution in
the time domain. In some cases, determining the inverse transform can be complex
or impossible; however, methods shown in this section provide a general approach
for many systems of interest in process control. First, the solutions of a few simple
models involving differential equations, some already formulated in Chapter 3, are
presented.
EXAMPLE 4.1 ~
F The continuous stirred-tank mixing model formulated in Example 3.1 is solved
here. The fundamental model in deviation variables is
VdC~ , ,
dt = F(C AO - CA ) (4.15)
F
The Laplace transform is taken of each term in the model:
V [sC~(s) - C~(t)I,=o] = F[C~o(s) - C~(s)] (4.16)
The initial value of the tank concentration, expressed as a deviation variable, is
v zero, and the deviation of the inlet concentration is constant at the step value for
t > 0; that is, C~o(s) = \CAo/s. Substituting these values and rearranging equation
(4.16) gives
\CAO 1 .
I
CA(s) = ----- WIth t' = -V = 24.7 min (
4.17
)
s t'S+1 F
The inverse transform of the expression in equation (4.17) can be determined from
entry 5 of Table 4.1 to give the same expression as derived in Example 3.1.
(4.18)

EXAMPLE 4.2-
The model for the two chemical reactors in Example 3.3 is considered here. and
the time-domain response to a step change is to be determined: The linear com-
ponent material balances derived in Example 3.3 are repeated below in deviation
variables.

(3.24)
 103
(3.25)
The Laplace
Transform
The Laplace transforms of the component material balances in deviation variables,
noting that the initial conditions are zero, are

SVC~I(S) = F (C~o(s) - C~I(S) - VkC~I(s) (4.19)

SVC~2(S) = F (C~I(S) - C~(s) - VkC~2(S) (4.20)

These equations can be combined into one equation by eliminating C~I (s) from
the second equation. First, solve for C~I(S) in equation (4.19):

C' (s) =
AI
(~)
+
C'
rs 1 AO
(4.21)

This expression can be substituted into equation (4.20) along with the input step
disturbance, C~o(s) = f1C AO /s, to give

C' (s) = K p f1CAO (4.22)

A2 SeTS + 1)2

with T =
F+V
V K = 8.25 min f1CAO = 0.925 -mole
3-
m
mole
Kp = (F: Vk)' =0.448 CAl, = 0.414 - 3 -
m
The inverse transform can be determined from entry 8 of Table 4.1 to give the
resulting time-domain expression for the concentration in the second reactor.

C~2 = f1C~oKp [1 -(1 + ;.) e-t / r ] (4.23)

CAl(t) = 0.414 + 0.414(1 - e-t / 82S ) - 0.050re- t / 825

This is the same result as obtained in Example 3.3.

Time Translation or Dead Time

The Laplace transform for a dead time of I) units of time is

C[f(t - II)] = {X> f(t - lI)e-st dt = e-6s /."" f(t - lI)e-(I-6) d(t - II)
o 0 (4.24)

= e-lls /."" f(t')e- st' dt' = e-ll f(s)

When changing variables from (I-I) to I', the lower bound of the integral remained
atO (did not change to I'-I),becausethe function is defined !(t) = oforI < ofor
the Laplace transform. The expression in equation (4.31) is used often in process
modelling to represent behavior in which the output variable does not respond
immediately to a change in the input variable; this condition is often referred to as
dead time.
 u
104 .=e
CHAPTER 4
ti
"0 0.5
ModelUog and e
Analysis for Process ~
Control .!! 0
g
>.: -0.5 L..-_L..-_f--_'--_'--_'--_'--_I-.-_'--_'-----'
,
,
'-8-,
:
x--.. ,,: '

.=e
o Length L ~ 0.5
FIGURE 4.2 S
U 0
Schematic of plug flow process. :5
>< -0.5 '--_'--_1....-_1....-_1....-_1....-_1....-_""'--_""'--_1....----'
o 2 3 4 5,6 7 8 9 10
Time. ,J

FIGURE 4.3
Input and output for dead time (8) of one time unit.

"

The dynamic behavior of turbulent fluid flow in a pipe approximates plug flow, with
the fluid properties like concentration and temperature progressing down the pipe
as a front. The dead time is (J = L/v, i.e . the length divided by the fluid velocity.
The inlet concentration to the pipe in Figure 4.2 is X. and the outlet concentration
is Y. For ideal plug flow.
Y(t) = X(t - 8) (4.25)
The Laplace transform of this model can be evaluated using the results in equation
(4.24) to give
Y(s) = X(s)e- 9S (4.26)
The effect of a dead time for an arbitrary input concentration is shown in Figure 4.3.,

Final Value Theorem

The final condition of the transient can be determined by applying the expression
for the derivative of a function, equations (4.11) and (4.12), and taking the limit
ass -+ o.
lim
s-o
[1. 0
00
dfd(t) e-sl dt]
t
= s-o
lim [sf(s) - f(t)],=o (4.27)
Changing the order of the limit and the integral gives
00 df(t) 1 .
1. o
-d- dt = Iim[sl(s) - I(t)]
t ,,-0 1=0

(4.28)
1(00) - l(t)I,=o = s-o
lim[sl(s) - /(1)]1
1=0
1(00) = lim sl(s)
s-o
Equation (4.28) provides an easy manner for finding the final value of a variable; lOS
however, one should recognize that a simpler method would be to formulate and
solve the steady-state model directly. The final value theorem finds use because the The Laplace
dynamic models are required for process control, and the final value can be easily Transform
determined from the Laplace transform without further modelling effort. Also, it
is important to recall that the final value is exact only for a truly linear process and
is approximate when based on a linearized model of a nonlinear process.
EXAMPLE 4.4.
Find the final value of the reactor concentration, expressed as a deviation from
the initial value, for the CSTRs in Example 4.2. The Laplace transform for the
concentration in response to a step in the inlet concentration is given in equation
(4.22). The final value theorem can be applied to give

. ,
hms(CA2 (s
. (l1CAO Kp )
= hm s S ( S + 1) = Kpl1CAO =
( F
-F Vk
)2 l1C o (4.29)
s-+O $-+0 ~ + A

Note that this is the final value, which gives no information about the trajectory to
the final value.

The engineer must recognize a limitation when applying the final value the-
orem. The foregoing derivation is not valid for a Laplace transform f (s) that is
not continuous for all values of s ::: 0 (Churchill, 1972). If the transform has a
discontinuity for s ::: 0, the time function f(t) does not reach a final steady-state
value, as will be demonstrated in the discussion of partial fractions. Therefore, the
final value theorem cannot be applied to unstable systems.
EXAMPLE 4.5.
Find the final value for the following system.
K
Y(s) = (l1X) s ( r:s- 1) with r: > 0

This transfer furiction has a discontinuity at s = l/r: > 0; therefore, the final value
theorem does not apply. The analytical expression for Y(t) is

Y(t) = (l1X)K(l - e' / f ) (4.30)

The value of Y(t) approaches negative infinity as time increases; this is not equal
to the incorrect result from applying the final value theorem to the transfer function
-K(l1X).

Initial Value Theorem

The initial value of a variable can be determined u~,in6 the initial value theorem.
The derivation begins in the same manner as the final value theorem, except that the
limit is taken as s ~ 00. Again, the order of the limit and integration is changed,
resulting in the following equation:
Initial value theorem f(t)I,=o = lim sf(s) (4.31)
5-+00
106 EXAMPLE 4.6.
The model for the two series CSTR chemical reactors in Examples 3.3 and 4.2 is
CHAPI'ER4 considered in this example with the alteration that the volumes of the two reactors
ModeUing and are not the same volume, VI = 1.4 and V2 = 0.70 m3 Determine the time-domain
Analysis for Process response.
Control
The Laplace transforms of the two linear component material balance models
in deviation variables are
SVIC~I(S) = F[C~o(s) - C~I(S)] - VlkC~I(S) (4.32)
SV2C~(S) = F[C~I(s) - C~(s)] - V2kC~(s) (4.33)
These equations can be combined into one equation by solving for C~I (s) in equa-
tion (4.32) and substituting this into equation (4.33). Also, the input step distur-
bance can be substituted, C~o(s) = I:1CAO/s, to give .
C' (s) = KpC~o(s) = K pl:1CAo
A2 (~IS + 1)(~2s + I) S(~IS + 1)(~2S + I) (4.34)
with

~I ~2= F : V2k
2
= F:1V1k Kp= (F:Vlk) (F:V2k)

The inverse Laplace transform ,can be evaluated using entry 10 in Table 4.1 (with
a = 0) to determine the time-domain behavior of the concentration in the second
reactor.
C~2(t) = Kpl:1CAO (I + _~_I_e-
~2 - ~I
I fl
/ - ~e-'/f2)
~2 - ~I
(4.35)

This response is a smooth s-shaped curve, but it has different values at every time
from the original CSTR system.

EXAMPLE 4.7.
Using Laplace transforms, determine the response of the level in the draining tank
(Example 3.6) to two different changes to the inlet flow, (a) a step and (b) an
impulse.
L Data. Cross-section area A = 7 m2 , iniUal flows in and out, = 100 m3/min, initial
level = 7 m, kFI = 37.8 (m 3/h)/(m-o S). The model for the draining tank level is
L--L______~~~--.~ based on an overall material balance of liquid in the tank depending on the flow
~ in (Fo) and out (FI)'
dL '
pA- = pFo - pFI (4.36)
dt
The tank cross-sectional area is A. The flow out depends on the level in the tank
through a nonlinear relationship, and after linearization, the level model is

(4.37)

with ~= A/(0.5kF I L;o,s) = 0.98 h

Kp = 1/(0.5kF1 L;o,s) = 0.14 m/(m3 /h)
The Laplace transfo~m of equation (4.37) can be taken to give

L'(S) = ~F~(s)
~s+ 1
(4.38)
 (a) For a step change in the inlet flow rate, FO<s) = ~Fo/(s); this expression can 107
be substituted into equation (4.38), and the inverse Laplace transform can be
evaluated using entry 5 in Table 4.1. The resulting expression for the draining TbeLaplace
level response to a step flow change is Transform

(4.39)
As already determined in Example 3.6, the level dynamic response begins
at its initial condition and increases in a "first-order" manner to its final value,
which it reaches after about four time constants.
(b) An impulse is a change that has a finite integral but zero duration! Before
evaluating the impulse response, we should understand how this could occur
physically. For the level process, an impulse can be approximated by intro-
ducing additional liquid very rapidly; one method for implementing an impulse
in this system would be to empty a bucket of liquid into the tank very fast. The
integral of the impulse is evaluated as

JF~(t) dt = M m
3
(4.40)

The Laplace transform of the impulse, FO<s) = M, can be introduced into

equation (4.38) to give

L'(s) = KpM
T:S +1
The inverse Laplace transform can be evaluafed using entry 4 in Table 4.1,
which gives [substituting the definition of the gain Kp = ~/(A)] the following
result:
L'(t) = KpM e-11r = M e-11r (4.41)
~ A
The dynamic response of the draining tank level to an impulse of M = 20 m3 is
shown in Figure 4.4. For the parameters in the example, the levels calculated
using the nonlinear and linearized models are nearly identical. The level im-
mediately increases in response to the addition of liquid. Since the inlet flow
returns to its initial value after the impulse, the level slowly returns to its initial
value.

Partial Fractions
The Laplace transfonn method for solving differential equations could be limited
by the entries in Table 4.1, and with so few entries, it would seem that most models
could not be solved. However, many complex Laplace transfonns can be expressed
as a linear combination of a few simple transfonns through the use of partial fraction
expansion. Once the Laplace transfonn can be expressed as a sum of simpler
elements, each can be inverted individually using the entries in Table 4.1, thus
greatly increasing the number of equations that can be solved. More importantly,
the application of partial fractions provides very useful generalizations about the
fonns of solutions to a wide range of differential equation models, and these
generalizations enable us to establish important characteristics about a system's
time-domain behavior without determining the complete transient solution. The
partial fractions method is summarized here and presented in detail in Appendix H.
108 10r---~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~~

9.5
CHAPTER 4
Modelling and 9
Analysis for Process
Control
8.5

8
e
~ 7.5
~ 7

6.5

5.5

s~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~~
o 0.5 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
lime (h)
FIGURE 4.4
Response of the draining tank level in Example 4.7 to an impulse in
=
the flow in (F6) at time t 0.50 h.

The reader may have noticed that nearly all Laplace transforms encountered to
this point are ratios of polynomials in the Laplace variable s. The partial fractions
method can be used to express a ratio of polynomials as a sum of simpler terms.
For example, if the roots of the denominator are distinct, a ratio of higher-order
numerator and denominator polynomials can be expressed as the sum 'of terms, all
of which have constant numerators and first-order denominators, as given below.

yes) = N(s)/ D(s) = CII(s - al) + C2/(S - a2) + ... (4.42)

with Y (s) = Laplace transform of the output variable

N (s) = numerator polynomial in s of order m
D(s) = denominator polynomial in s of order n (n > m), termed the
characteristic polynomial
=
C; constants evaluated for each problem
a; = distinct roots of D(s) = 0

The inverse Laplace transform of the original term Y (s), which might not appear
in a table of Laplace transforms, is the sum of the inverses of the simpler terms
C;/(s - a;), which appear as entry 4 in Table 4.1. This method is extended to
repeated and complex denominator roots in Appendix H, where it is applied to
determining the inverse of a complicated Laplace transform. However, the major
--.' ,
usefulness for partial fractions is in proving how several key aspects of a variable's
. ~:I<..,:~~:. behavior can be determined directly from the Laplace transform without solving
-'.
for the inverse.
One key finding is summarized here, and another will be developed in Section
4.5 on frequency response. For any differential equation which can be arranged
into the form of equation (4.42), the inverse Laplace transform will be of the form 109
yet) = Aleall + ... + (B I + B2t + .. )e + ... +
apl
The Laplace
(4.43)
[C, cos (wt) + C2 sin (wt)]~qt + ... Transform

This equation includes distinct (al), repeated real (a p ), and complex roots (aq ), not
all of which may appear in a specific solution, in which case some of the constants
(A, B, or C) will be zero. 1\vo important conclusions can be drawn:

1. Stability. The real p~ of the roots of the characteristic polynomial, D(s),

determine the exponents (a's) in the solution. These exponents determine
whether the function approaches a constant value after a long time. For exam-
ple, when all real parts of the roots, i.e., all Re(a;), are negative, all terms on
the right of equation (4.43) approach a constant value after an initial transient;
a system which tends toward a constant final value is termed stable. If any
Re(a;) is greater than zero, the function Y(t) will increase (or decrease) in an
unbounded manner as time increases; this is termed unstable.
We must look carefully at the case of roots with a value of zero. If one
distinct root has a value of zero, the system is stable, while if repeated roots
have values of zero, the system is unstable. This result is summarized in the
following.

Number of
zero roots Terms in solution Is the system stable?
Only one Aleo = AI = constant Yes
Two (or more) (B I + B2t)eo = (B I + B2 1) No, this term increases in
magnitude without limit

2. Damping. The nature of the roots of the characteristic polynomial determines

whether the dynamic response will experience periodic behavior for nonperi-
odic inputs; complex roots of D(s) lead to periodic (underdamped) behavior,
and real roots lead to nonperiodic (overdamped) behavior.

These two results enable the engineer to determine key features of the dynamic
performance of systems without evaluating the complete dynamic transient via
inverse Laplace transform. The simplification is enormous!
Certainly, a process would be easier to operate when it is stable so that variables
rapidly approach constant values and no variables tend to increase or decrease
without limit (based on a linearized model). Also, while oscillations are not usually
completely avoided. oscillations of large magnitude are generally undesirable.
Thus, the nature of the roots of the characteristic polynomial and how process
design and control algorithms affect these roots are "important factors in designing
good processes and controls. These issues will be investigated thoroughly in Part
IlIon feedback control by evaluating the roots of the characteristic polynomial, and
the partial fraction method provides the mathematical foundation for this important
analysis.
110 EXAMPLE 4.8.
Determine whether the concentration in the second reactor in Example 4.6 is stable
CHAPTER 4 and underdamped without solving for the concentration.
ModeUing and The roots of the denominator of the Laplace transform can be evaluated to
Analysis for Process determine these key aspects of the dynamic behavior. The Laplace transform is
Control
repeated below.

(4.44)

The roots of the denominator, which are the exponents, are -1/7:1, -1/7:2, and 0.0.
Since both nonzero time constants are positive, the roots are less than zero; also,
only one zero root exists. Therefore, the concentration reaches a constant value
and is stable. Also, since the roots are real, the concentration is overdamped. Natu-
rally, these conclusions are consistent with the equation defining the time-varying
concentration derived in Example 4.5; however, the conclusions were reached
here with minimal effort and can be determined for more complex Laplace trans-
forms that do not appear in Table 4.1.

4.3 INPUTOUTPUT MODELS AND TRANSFER FUNCTIONS

In some cas~s the values for all dependent process variables need to be determined
to meet modelling goals, and the fundamental models used to this point in the
book, which provide expressions for all variables, can be used in these cases.
For example, the model for two series CSTRs in Example 3.3 yields expressions
for the concentrations in both reactors. Some models are not unduly complex;
however, detailed models can involve a large number of equations. For example,
a distillation tower with 40 trays and 10 components would require over 400
differential equations.
A fundamental model solving for all dependent variables is often not required
for process control, because the control system is principally involved with all
input variables but only one or a few output variables. Thus, we need a method
for "compressing" the model, which can be achieved by first grouping variables
into three categories: input (causes), output (effects), and intermediate. For linear
dynamic -models used in process control, it is possible to eliminate intermediate
variables analytically to yield an input-output model, so that intermediate variables
are considered in the model even though they are not e"plicitly calculated. Thus,
no further assumptions or simplifications are involved in input-output modelling
of linear systems.
Examples of this approach have already been encountered in this chapter.
For example, the basic model for two series CSTRs in Example 4.6 included
equations for the concentrations in both reactors, equations .(4.32) and (4.33).
After the Laplace transforms are taken and the equations are combined into one
equation, the model in equation (4.34) involves only the input, C~o(s), and the
output, Ck(s). The intermediate variable, C~I(s), was eliminated, although all
effects of the first reactor are represented in the model.
A very common manner for presenting input-Output models, which finds
considerable application in process control, is the transfer function. The trans-
ler IlIlIc t;OIl is a model based on Laplace transforms with special assumptions, 111
as follows.
Input-Output Models
and Transfer
Functions
The transfer function of a system is defined as the Laplace transform of the output
variable, Y(t). divided by the Laplace transfonn of the input variable, X(t) . with all
initial conditions equal to zero.
Y(s)
Transfer function = G(s) = - - (4.45)
X(s)

The assumptions of Y(O) = 0 and X (0) = 0 are easily achieved by expressing the
variables in the transfer function as deviations from the initi al conditions. Thus, all
transfer functions involve variables that are expressed as deviations from an initial
steady state. All derivatives are zero if the initial conditions are at steady state.
(System s having all zero initial conditions are sometimes referred to as "relaxed.")
These zero initi al conditions are assumed for all systems represented by transfer
functions used in thi s book; therefore, the prime symbol " '" for deviation variables
is redundant and is not used here when dea ling with tran sfer functions . Transfer
functions w ill be represented by G{s), with subscripts to denote the particular
input-ou tput re lationship when more than one input-output relationship ex ists.
Before proceeding with further discussion of transfer functions, a few examples
are g iven.

EXAMPLE 4.9.
Derive the tra nsfer functions for the systems in Examples 4. 1 and 4.2. The Laplac e
transform 01the model in Exampl e 4.1 is in equation (4. 16). Thi s ca n be rearranged
10 give the transfer function for this sys tem:
CAtS) I'
Example 4.1 : - - = --
CAO(S) TS + I
with , = F (4.46)

The Laplace transform for the model in Example 4.2 can be rearranged to give
the transfer function for this system:
KI'
Example 4.2: (4.47)
(rs + 1)2
V
with r=---
F + Vk

K -
P - ( +F)'
-
F
-
Vk

The models from the previ ous examples could be used 10 form tran sfer functions.
because they were in terms of deviation va riables with zero initial conditions.

No te that the transfer function relates one output to one input variable. If
more than one input or output exists, an individual transfer function is defined for
each input-output relationship. Since the transfer function is a linear operator (as
112 a result of the zero initial conditions), the effects of several inputs can be summed
to determine the net effect on the output.
CHAPTER 4
ModeUfng and EXAMPLE 4.10.
Analysis for Process Derive the transfer functions for the Single CSTR with the first-order reaction in
Control Example 3.2 for changes in the inlet concentration and the feed flow rate.
The two linear models for each input change can be determined by assuming
that all other inputs are constant. The basic model was derived in Example 3.2 and
F
is repeated below.

(4.48)
F
To determine whether the model is linear or not. the constant values are substituted
(noting that the flow and inlet concentrations are now variables) to give
dCA
(2.l)Tt = F(C AO - CA ) - (2.1)(O.040)CA

The model is nonlinear because of the products of flow times concentrations.

Two linearized models can be derived from equation (4.48). one for each input
(assuming the other input constant). to give

.
'CF d~~ + C~ = KFF' with 'CF = (Fs: Vk) KF = (C;sO; ~~) (4.50)

Taking the Laplace transforms and rearranging yields the two transfer functions.
one for each input.
CA(S) KCA
- - = GCA(S) = -
CAO(s)
--
'CCAS + 1
(4.51)

CA(s) KF
--=GF(S)=-- (4.52)
F(s) 'CFS I +
These models and transfer functions give the behavior of the system output for
individual changes in each input. U both inputs change. the overall effect is ap-
proximately the sum of the two individual effects. (If the process were truly linear.
the total effect would be exactly the sum of the two individual effects.) Readers
may want to return to Section 3.4 to refresh their memorY on linearization.

The transfer function clearly shows some important properties of the system
briefly discussed below.

Order
The order of the system is the highest derivative of the output variable in the
defining differential equation. when expressed as a combination of all individ-
ual equations. For transfer functions of physical systems, the order can be easily
determi~ed to be the highest power of s in the denominator.
Pole 113
A pole is defined as a root of the denominator of the transfer function; thus, it is
Input-Output Models
the same as a root of the characteristic polynomial. Important information on the and Transfer
dynamic behavior of the system can be obtained by analyzing the poles, such as Functions

1. The stability of the system

2. The potential for periodic transients, as shown clearly in equation (4.43)

The analysis of poles is an important topic in Part ill on feedback systems, since
feedback control affects the poles.

Zero
A zero is a root of the numerator of the transfer function. Zeros do not influence
the exponents (Re(a, but they influence the constants in equation (4.43). This
can most easily be seen by considering a system with n distinct poles subject to an
impulse input of unity. The expression for the output, since the Laplace transform
of the unity input impulse is 1, is

Y(s) = G(s)X(s) = G(s) = -N(s)

D(s)
M;(s)
=- -
s-cx;
fori = 1, n (4.53)

For a system with no zeros, the numerator would be equal to a constant, N (s) = K,
and the constant associated with each root is
With no zeros c;=(~)
D;(s) s=-al
(4.54)

D; (s) is the denominator, with (s - Ct; ) factored out. For a system with one or more
zeros, the constant associated with each root is

With zeros C~ = (K D;N(s)(s) ) (4.55)

f s=-al

Thus, the numerator changes the weight placed on the various exponential terms.
This demonstrates that the numerator of the transfer function cannot affect the
stability of the system modelled by the transfer function, but it can have a strong
influence on the trajectory followed by variables from their initial to final values.
A simple, but less general, example to demonstrate the effect of numerator zeros
is seen in the following transfer function.
G(s) = 3s + 1
+ 1)(2.5s + 1) =2.5s
- -+-1 (4.56)
(3s
The numerator zero cancelled one of the poles, with the result that the second-order
system behaves like a first-order system. Important examples of how zeros occur
in chemical processes and how they influence dynamic behavior are presented in
the next chapter, Section 5.4.

Order of Numerator and Denominator

Physical systems conform to a specific limitation between the orders of the nu-
merator and denominator; that is, the order of the denominator must be larger than
114 the order of the numerator. This limitation results from the observation that real
physical systems do not contain pure differentiation, as would be required for a
CHAPl'ER4 system with a numerator order greater than the denominator order.
Modelling and
Analysis (or Process
Control Causality
As discussed in Chapter 1 in the introduction of feedback control, the "direction" of
the cause-effect relationship is essential to control system design. This direction is
presented in the transfer function by identifying the variable in the denominator as
an input (cause) and in the numerator as an output (effect). In designing feedback
control strategies, the variable chosen to be adjusted must be an input, and the
measured controlled variable used for determining the adjustment must be an
output When the physical system is causal, the order of the denominator is greater
than that of the numerator, and the value of the transfer function as s -+ 00 is
equal to O. Such a transfer function is referred to as strictly proper.
Also, the current value of a system output variable can depend on past values
of the output and inputs, but it cannot depend on future values of any variable.
Therefore, the transfer function must not have prediction terms. By equation (4.24),
the. transfer function may not contain a term e9s , which is a translation into the future
(that cannot be eliminated by rearranging the transfer function). Such models are
referred to as noncausal or not physically realizable, because they cannot represent
a real physical system.

Steady-State Gain
The steady-state gain is the steady-state value of .6.Y/.6.X for all systems whose
outputs attain steady state after an input perturbation .6. X. The steady-state gain is
normally represented by K, often with a subscript, and can be evaluated by setting
s = 0 in the (stable) transfer function. This is exact for linear systems and gives
the linearized approximation for nonlinear systems.
EXAMPLE 4.11.
Determine the stability and damping of the outlet concentration leaving the last of
two isothermal CSTRs in Examples 4.2 and 4.9.
The transfer function for this system was derived in Example 4.9 and is re-
peated below. -

(4.57)

The order of the system is the highest power of s in the denominator, 2. This indi-
cates that the process can be modelled using two ordinary differential equations.
The poles are the roots of the polynomial in the denominator; they are repeated
roots, a = =
-lIT: = -1/8.25 min-I -0.1212 min-I. The dynamic behavior is non-
periodiC (overdamped), because the poles are real and not complex. Also, the
poles are negative, indicating that the process is stable.
For a stable process, the steady-state gain can be determined .by setting
=
s 0 in the transfer function.
Steady-state gain: (G(s,cO = Kp
Also, the final value of the reactant concentration in the second reactor can be
evaluated using the final value theorem. 115
Final value: lim
'-00
C~(t) = 1_0
IimsC~2(s) = 1-0
Iims (l:1CAO)
S +
('r s
Kp I) = Kpl:1CAo Block Diagrams

In a specific situation the behavior of an output variable, from time 0 to comple-

tion of the response, depends on its initial conditions, input forcing, and transfer
function (input-output) model. However, some very important properties of lin-
ear dynamic systems depend only on the transfer function, because the properties
are independent of initial conditions and type of (bounded) forcing functions. For
example, the stability of the system was shown in the previous section to be deter-
mined completely by the roots of the characteristic polynomial. The primary appli-
cation of transfer functions is in the analysis of such properties of linear dynamic
systems, and they are applied extensively throughout the remainder of the book.

4.4 a BLOCK DIAGRAMS

The transfer function introduced in the previous section describes the behavior of
the individual input-output system on which it is based. Often, several different
individual systems are combined, and the behavior of the combined system is to
be detennined. For example, a control system could involve individual systems
for a reactor, a distillation tower, a sensor, a valve, and a control algorithm. The
overall model could be derived by writing all equations in a large set, taking the
Laplace transforms, and combining into one transfer function. Another approach
retains the distinct transfer functions of the individual systems and combines these
transfer functions into an overall model. This second approach is usually preferred
because

1. It retains individual systems, thereby simplifying model changes (e.g., a dif-

ferent sensor model).
2. It provides a helpful visual representation of the c;:ause-effect relationships in
the overall system.
3. It gives insight into how different components of the system influence the
overall behavior (e.g., stability).

The block diagram provides the method for combining individual transfer
functions into an overall transfer function. The three allowable manipulations in
a block diagram are shown in Figure 4.5a through c. The first is the transform
of an input variable to an output variable using the transfer function; this is just
a schematic representation of the relationship introduced in equation (4.45) and
discussed in the previous section. The second is the sum (or difference) of two
variables; the third is splitting a variable for use in more than one relationship.
These three manipulations can be used in any sequence for combining individual
models. A more comprehensive set of rules based on these three can be developed
(Distephano et al., 1976), but these three are usually adequate.
To clarify, a few illegal manipulations, which are sometimes mistakenly used,
are shown in Figure 4.5d through f The first two are not allowed because the
116 Allowed Not AlJowed
(a) (d)
CllAPTER4 XI(S)~
X ( S ) - B - Y(s)
Modelling and
Analysis for Process X2(s) G(s) yes)
Control Y(s) =G(s)X(s)
(b) X1(S)J-- Of; X3(s)
(e)

X(S)~YI(S)
X 2(s)
Y2(s)
X.(s) + X2(s) =X3(s)
(c)

X.(s)
- [ X2(S)
(f) X1(S)J-- . X3(s)

X 3(s) X 2(s)
X.(s) =: X 2(s) =: X 3(s) [X.(s [X2(s)] =X3(s)

FIGURE 4.5
Summary of block diagram algebra: (a-c) allowed; (d-f) not
allowed.

.
transfer function is defined for a single input and output, and the third is not
allowed because the block diagram is limited to linear operations.
The block diagram can be prepared based on linearized models (transfer func-
tions) of individual units and the knowledge of their interconnections. Then an
input-output model can be derived through the application of block diagram alge-
bra, which uses the three operations in Figure 4.5a through c. The model reduction
steps normally followed are

1. Define the input and output variables desired for the overall transfer function.
2. Expres~ the output variable as a function of all variables directly affecting it
in the block diagram. This amounts to working in the direction opposite to the
cause-effect relationships (arrows) in the diagram.
3. Eliminate intermediate variables by this procedure until only the output and
one or more inputs appear in the equation. This is the input-output equation
for the system.
4. If a transfer function is desired, set all but one input to zero in the equation
from step 3 and solve for the output divided by the single remaining input.
This step may be repeated to form a transfer function for each input.

The following examples demonstrate the principles of block diagrams, and

many additional applications will be presented in later chapters.
EXAMPLE 4.12-
Draw the block diagram for the two chemical reactors in Example 4.2. and combine
them into one overall block diagram and transfer function for the input CAD and
the output CAl. The individual transfer functions are given below and shown in
Figure 4.68.
(a) 117
F F
CAO(S) ---
F+Vk
CAI(s) ---
F+Vk
C A2(s)
Block Diagrams
'fs+ 1 'fS + 1

(b)

[-iv;-r
[t's + 1)2

FIGURE 4.6
Block diagrams for Example 4.12.

V F
with'l' = F+ Vk (4.58)
KI = F+ Vk
CA2 (S) K2 . . V F
G2(S) = -- = --
CAI(S) 'l's+1
with r =- -
F+Vk
K2 = F + Vk (4.59)
Block diagram manipulations can be performed. to develop the overall input-
output relationship for the system.
C A2 = G2(S) CAI(S) = G 2(s) [GI(s) CAO(S)] = G2(S) GI(S)CAO(S)
(4.60)
- KIK2 C S)
- (rs +1)2 AO(
This can be rearranged to give the transfer function and the block diagram in
Figure 4.6b.

(4.61)

EXAMPLE 4.13.
Derive the overall transfer functions for the systems in Figure 4.7. The system in
part (a) is a series of transfer functions. for which the overall transfer function is
the product of the individual transfer functions.
Xn(s) = Gn(s) X n- I (s) = Gn{s) G,._I (s) X n- 2 {s)
=Gn{s) Gn_l{s) G n-2{S)'" GI{s) Xo{s) (4.62)

XII{s)
Xo{s)
= Ii
;:;;:1
Gj(s)

The system in part (b) involves a parallel structure of transfer functions. and
the overall transfer function can be derived as
X3{S) = X. (s) + X 2 (s) = G t (s) Xo{s) + G 2 (s) Xo{s) (4.63)
Xl{s)
Xo(s) = G. (s) + G 2 (s)
118 (a)
(S) XI(S) X2(S)
-.. 1(S) O2 3(S) ~
CllAPTER4
ModelUng and
Analysis for Process
Control
(b)

Xo(S)

(c)
XI(S) X2(s)
Xo(S) l(s)

FIGURE 4.7
x3(s) i...--..-
2(s)
---
Three common block diagram structures considered in Example 4.13.

The system in part (0) involves a recycle structure of transfer functions, and
the overall transfer function can be derived as

X 2(s) = G I (s) XI (s) = GI (s) [Xo(s) + X 3(s)] = GI (s) [Xo(s) + G2(S)X2(S)]

X2(S) GI(s) (4.64)
Xo(s) = 1- G I (s)G 2(s)

Examples of processes that can be represented by these structures, along

with the effects of the structures on dynamic behavior, will be presented in the next
chapter. .

It is perhaps worth noting that the block diagram is entirely equivalent to and
provides no fundamental advantage over algebraic solution of the system's linear
algebraic equations (in the s domain). Either algebraic or block diagram manipu-
lations for eliminating intermediate variables to give the input-output relationship
will result in the same overall transfer function. However, as demonstrated by the
examples, the block diagram manipulations are easily performed.
1\\'0 further features of block diagrams militate for their extensive use. The
first is the helpful visual representation of the integrated system provided by the
block diagram. For example, the block diagram in Figure 4.7c clearly indicates a
recycle in the system, a characteristic that might be overlooked when working with
a set of equations. The second feature of the diagrams is the clear representation
of the cause-effect relationship. The arrows present the direction of these rela-
tionships and enable the engineer to identify the input variables that influence the
output variables. As a result, block diagrams are widely used and will be applied 119
extensively in the remainder of this book.
Frequency Response
4.5 GJ FREQUENCY RESPONSE*

I~ I
An important aspect of process (and control system) dynamic behavior is the
response to periodic input changes, most often disturbances. The range of possible Downstream
dynamic behavior can be determined by considering cases (in thought experiments)
Updream
plant ~ plant
-~-'5I--'

at different input frequencies for an example system, such as the mixing tank
in Figure 4.8. If an input variation is slow, with a period of once per year, the
output response would be essentially at its steady-state value (the same as the
input), with the transient response being insignificant. If the input changed very FIGURE 4.8
rapidly, say every nanosecond, the output would not be significantly influenced; Intermediate inventory to attenuate
that is, its output amplitude would be insignificant. Finally, if the input varies at variation.
some intermediate frequency near the response time of the process, the output will
fluctuate continuously at values significantly different from its mean value. The
behavior at-extreme frequencies is easily determined in this thought experiment,
but the method for determining the system behavior at intermediate frequencies is
not obvious and is useful for the design process equipment, selection of operating
conditions, and formulation of control algorithms to give desired performance.
Before presenting a simplified method for evaluating the effects of frequency, a
process equipment design example is solved by determining the complete transient
response to a periodic input.
EXAMPLE 4.14.
The feed composition to a reactor varies with an amplitude larger than acceptable
for the reactor. It is not possible to alter the upstream process to reduce the os-
cillation in the feed; therefore, a drum is located before the reactor to reduce the
feed composition variation. as shown in Figure 4.8. What is the minimum volume
of the tank required to maintain the variation at the inlet to the reactor (outlet of the
tank) less than or equal to 20 g/m 3?
Assumptions. The assumptions include a constant well-mixed volume of liq-
uid in the tank. constant density. constant flow rate in. and the input variation in
concentration is well represented by a sine. Also, the system is initially at steady
state.
Dafa.
1. F = I m3 /min.
2. CAO is a sine with amplitude of 200 g/m 3 and period of 5 minutes about an
average value of 200 g/m 3
SolutIon. The model for this stirred-tank mixer was derived in Example 3.1 and
applied in several subsequent examples. The difference in this example is that the
input concentration is characterized as a sine rather than a step, CAO = A sin (wt).
Thus, the model for the tank is .
dC'
V d;1 = F(A sin (wt - FCA1 (4.65)

To more clearly evaluate the model for linearity. the values for all constants (in this

The reader may choose to cover this material when reading Chapter 10.
120 example) can be substituted into equation (4.65), giving the following:

dC'
CBAPTER4
Modelling and
V d:' = (1)[(200) sin (21l/5)] - (I)C~,
Analysis for Process
Control Since V is a constant to be determined, the equation is linear, and we can proceed
without linearization. Equation (4.65) could be solved by using either the integrat-
ing factor or Laplace transforms. Here, the Lap/ace transform of equation (4.65)
is taken to give, after some rearrangement,

' (S ) _ Aw I . V
CA. With r =- (4.66)
--
r (s + ; ) (s2 + cu2) F

The dynamic behavior of the concentration can be determined by evaluating

the inverse of the Laplace transform. This expression appears as entry 16 in Table
4.1. The resulting expression for the time behavior is given in the following equation:

c'
AI
(I) = 1+Awr
r 2 cu2
e- r +
I
/
A.
JI + r 2cu2
SIn (WI + <1 (4.67)

Results analysis. The first term in equation (4.67) tends to zero as time in-
creases; thus. the response of the process after a long time of operation (about
four time cOFlstants) is not affected by this term. The second term describes the
"long-time" behavior of the concentration in response to a sine input. It is periodic,
with the same frequency as the input forcing and an amplitude that depends on
the input amplitude and frequency, as well as process design parameters. For
this example. the output amplitude must be less than or equal to 20; by setting
the amplitude equal to the limit, the time constant, and thus the volume, can be
calculated.

(4.68)

(4.69)

Note that the analytical solution provides valuable sensitivity information, such
as the amount the size of the vessel must be increased if the input frequency
decreases.

For general frequency response analysis, periodic inputs .will be limited to

sine inputs, which will be a mathematically manageable problem. Also, only the
"long-time" response (i.e., after the initial transient, when the output is periodic)
is considered. The periodic behavior after a long time is sometiines referred to as
"steady-state"; however, it seems best to restrict the term steady-state to describe
systems with zero time derivatives.
The periodic behavior of the input and output after a long time-the frequency
response-is shown in Figure 4.9, and frequency response is defined as follows:
 121
The frequency response defines the output behavior of a system to a sine input after
. a long enough time that the output is periodic. The output (Y') of a linear system will Frequency Response
.. bea sine with the same frequency as the input (X'), and the relationship between
_.. input a,nd output can be characterized by ,
-d -. IY'(t)l max
AmpIitu eratio =. output magnitude
input magnitude
= .;....-..;......,=
IX'(t) Imax
(4.70)

:,cPhase angle = phase difference.between the input and output

For the system in Figure 4.9 the amplitude ratio = B/A, and the phase angle
= -21C(P'/P) radians. Note that P' is the time difference between the input and
its effect at the output and can be greater than P.
The usefulness of the amplitude ratio was demonstrated in Example 4.14, and
the importance of the phase angle, while not apparent yet, will be shown to be very
important in the analysis of feedback systems. Recalling that feedback systems
adjust an input based on the behavior of an output, it is reasonable that the time
(or phase) delay between thes~ variables would affect the feedback system. The
analysis of feedback systems using frequency response methods is introduced in
Chapter 10 and used in many subsequent chapters.
Example 4.14 demonstrates that the frequency response of linear systems
can be determined by the direct solution of the ordinary differential equations.
However, this approach is time-consuming for complex systems. Also, the solution
of the entire transient response provides information not needed, because only
the behavior after the initial transient is desired. Now a simpler approach for

. ,,
~P'-':
,,: ' ,,j
: .. p - - - - - t..~:

Time
FIGURE 4.9
Frequency response for a linear system.
122 determining frequency response is presented; it is based on the transfer function
of the system.
CHAPTER 4 The following expressions, which are derived in Appendix H, show how the
Modelling and long-lime frequency response of a linear system can be evaluated easil y using
Analysis for Process
Control the transfer fu nction and algebraic manipulations. The long-time outpu t YFR de-
pends on the dynamic system model, G(s), and the input sine amplitude, A, and
frequency, w.

YFR(r) = A IG(jw)1 sin (wr + </J) (4.71)

The two key parameters of the frequency response can be detennined from
.. IYFRI=
AmplItude ratIO = AR = --A- = A IG(jw)1
A
.
= IG(]w) 1
(4.72)
= jRe[G(jw), + Im[G(jw)'
Im[G(jW)])
Phase angle = </J = LG(jw) = tan-' ( Re[G(]w)]
. (4.73)

It is importanllo recognize that the frequency (w) must be expressed as radians/time.

Th us, the frequency respon se can be determined by substituting jw for s in the

transfer function and evaluating the magnitude and angle of the res ultin g complex
number! This is sigllijicomly simpler than solving the differential equation.
Note that the freq uency response is entirely determined by the transfer func-
tion. This is logical because the initial conditions do not influence the long-Lime
behavior of the system. Also, the deri vation of the eq uati ons (4.72) and (4.73)
clearly indicates th at they are appropriate only for sioble sysrems. If the system
were unstable (i.e., if Re(a;) > 0 for any i), the output would increase without
limit (for the linear approx imation). Also, this analysis demonstrates th at the out-
put of a linear system forced with a sine approaches a si ne after a sufficiently long
time. How "long" this time is depends on all other terms; for most of the transient
to have died out (i.e., e-"' < 0.02), the time should satisfy al = I I T > 4. Thus,
a long lime can usually be taken to be about four times the longest lime constant,
or the smalles t a.
EXAMPLE 4.15.
Repeat the frequency response calculations for the mixing tank in Example 4.14
and Figure 4.8. this time using the direct method based on the transfer function .
The frequency response is determined by substituting jw for s in the first-order
transfer function wi th T = 7.9.
I
G(s) = - -
rs +I
1 I I - fWj I ~ rwj
G(jw) =- -
rwj + 1
= - -- -
rwj + I I - rwj
= 1 + r2w2
(4.74)

../1 + r 2w2
AR = IG(jw)1 = 1+ r'w' = 7,O;==;;=;;
./1 + r'w' ./ 1+ 62.4w'
</J = l G(jw) = tan-' (-wr) = tan- ' (-7.9w) (4.75)
 Input /'\ f\f\f\ AAAA, 123
C (0 &.._T-V-~
AO V V' \f\fvv Frequency Response

Output --LA_ 4
\.
__/ AAA 0001'\.
VUO
CA(O '-" V V

1~2~ __~~~~~~__~__~~~~~__~~~~~~
10-2 10- 1 100 10 1
Frequency, {JJ (rad/min)

s.
.!I
co
; -50
0
~
f

-100
10- 2
Frequency, (JJ (rad/min)
FIGURE 4.10
Frequency response for Example 4.15, C A (j6)/CAO (j6), presented as a
Bode plot.

A frequency response is often presented in the form of a Bode plot, in which

the log of the amplitude and the phase angle are plotted against the log of the
frequency. An example of the Bode plot for the system in Example 4.15 is given in
Rgure 4.10. From this result. it can be determined that the amplitude ratio is nearly
equal to the steady-state gain for all frequencies below about 0.10 rad/min for this
example, and it decreases rapidly as frequency increases from this value. Also, the
amplitude ratio at a frequency of 27r/5 = 1.26 rad/min is the desired value of 0.10.
Rnally, this graph clearly indicates the sensitivity of the result to potential errors in
time constant and frequency; for example. the output amplitude is insensitive to
frequency at low frequencies and quite sensitive at high frequencies.

EXAMPLE 4.16.
The two isothermal series CSTRs in Examples 3.3 and 4.2 rely on upstream pro-
cesses for the feed of reactant A. The upstream process producing A does not
124 operate exactly at steady state. Based on an analysis of the data, the feed con-
centration to the first reactor varies around its nominal value in a manner that can
CHAPTER 4 be approximated by a sine with an amplitude of 0.10 mol/m3 and frequency of
ModeIHngand 0.20 rad/min. Would the second reactor concentration deviate from its steady-
Analysis for Process state value by more than 0.05 mol/m3? Variation greater than this amount is not
Control acceptable to the customer.
To answer this question, the frequency response must be evaluated. The im-
portant behaviors can be stated as
CAO(t) = CAOss + A sin (wt) or C~o(t) = A sin (wt)
CA2 (t) = CAbs + B sin (wt +~) or C~(t) = B sin (wt +~)

with A = 0.10 mole/m3 , w = 0.20 rad/min, and B the unknown amplitude to be

evaluated and compared with its maximum allowable variation magnitude. The
transfer function based on component material balances for the two tanks was
derived in Example 4.9 and is repeated below.
CAl(s) Kp
(4.76)
CAO(s) = (t"s + 1)2
The gain is 0.448, and the time constants are both 8.25 minutes. The results in
equ-ations (4.71) to (4.73) demonstrate that the amplitude of the output variable can
be evaluated by setting s = jw and evaluating the magnitude. The expressions for
the frequency responses for many common transfer functions are provided later
in the book (e.g., Table 10.2), so the results of the algebraic manipulations are
summarized here without intermediate derivations being shown.
. Kp B
IG()w)1 = (1 + W2'f2) = A (4.77)

The magnitude of the output concentration is the product of the input magnitude
and the amplitude ratio. Therefore,
B= Kp A
(l +w2'f2) (4.78)
= (0.12)(0.10 mOl/m ) = 0.012 mol/m
3 3
< 0.050 mol/m 3

Since the outlet concentration magnitude is lower than the maximum allowed, the
operation would be considered acceptable, but good 'engineering would call for
continued efforts to reduce all variation in product quality. Note that in this case, no
control correction is required. We are seldom so fortunate, and we usually have to
introduce corrective control actions through process control to maintain consistent
product quality.

The algebraic manipulations required to evaluate the amplitude ratio and phase
angle can be tedious. However, relationships to ease hand calculations are provided
in Chapter 10 for the commonly opcurring series combinations'of individual units.
For more complex structures the frequency response can be easily evaluated using
computer technology, because the amplitude ratio is the-magnitude of the properly
defined function of a complex variable; likewise, the phase angle is the argument
of a complex variable. Many programming languages provide standard evaluations
of these functions.
In conclusion, the frequency response of a linear system can be easily deter-
mined from the transfer function using equations (4.72) and (4.73). The frequency
response gives useful information concerning how the process behaves for various 125
input frequencies, and these results can be used for determining equipment de-
sign parameters, such as the size of a drum to attenuate fluctuations. The general References
frequency responses for some common systems are given in the next chapter for
several common systems, such as first- and second-order, and important applica-
tions of frequency response to the analysis of feedback control systems are covered
in Part III.

4.6 m CONCLUSIONS
The methods in Chapters 3 and 4 can be combined in an approach, shown in
Figure 4.1 I, designed to provide models in the format most useful for the analysis
of process control systems. The initial steps involve the modeIling procedure based
on fundamental principles summarized in Table 3. I. This procedure can be applied
to each process in a complex plant. Then the transfer function of each system is
determined by taking the Laplace transform of the linearized model. The block
diagram can be constructed to present the interactions among the individual transfer
functions, and the overall transfer function for the integrated system can be derived
through block diagram manipulation.
The overall transfer functions can be used to determine some important prop-
erties of the system without solving the defining differential equations. These prop-
erties include

1. The final value of the output variable

2. The stability of the response
3. The response of the output to a sine input

Determining this information without the entire dynamic response has two advan-
tages:

1. It reduces the effort to establish these system properties.

2. It assists in understanding the ways in which equipment design, operating
conditions, and control systems affect these properties.

Naturally, information about the entire transient is not obtained by analyzing the
poles of the transfer function or by the frequ~ncy response calculations. The com-
plete transient response can be obtained if needed from analytical or numerical
solution of the algebraic and differential equations.
As noted in the previous chapter, many different processes-heat exchangers,
reactors, and so forth-behave in similar ways. The transfer function method pre-
sented in this chapter gives us a useful way to compare models for processes and
recognize similarities and differences, which is the topic of the next chapter.

REFERENCES
Boyce, W., and R. Diprima, Elementary Differential Equations, Wiley, New
York,1986.
Caldwell, W., G. Coon, and L. Zoss, Frequency Response/or Process Control,
McGraw-Hili, New York, 1959.
 F

Formulate Model Based on Conservation Balances and Constitutive Relationships

"Exact" dynamic behavior described by model
~
I , Pseudocode for Euler's integration
, Initialize
+ t T(l)DO
CA (1) - CAINIT
Linearize Nonlinear Terms Numerical Simulation FOR ND2: NMAX
Easier to solve analytically Deh:rmine the complete
transient response
-c
IF N > NSTEP, CAO .. STEP, END
DERa (F/V) * (CAO-CA(N-l
Useful for determining some
properties, e.g., stability -K*(CA(N-l "2
CA(N) - CA(N-l) +DELTAT * DBR
,
! Express In Deviation Variables
.... END
T(N) -T(N-l) +DBLTAT

Required so that transfer functions are linear operators

~ ~
C'(.r) K
.rCA(.r)-C'i.(t)I'DO + 7'= : C~O(.r) Take the Laplace Transform Transfer F,mct;on: CA(s)
CAO(s)
KI'
= (u+l) =G(s)
I

+ + Final Value: lim CA(s) = lim sCA(.r)

t .....
DC .r ..... 0
Solve Analytically Formulate Transfer Function
(Invert to time domain) (Do not solve for entire dynamic response) =lim.r IlCAO Kp
For C~(t)I, .. o = 0 CAO(s) =-.r-
IlcAo s ..... 0 -s- (u+l)
Use Table 4.1 Set all initial conditions to zero
Expand using partial fractions Draw block diagram of sYSh:m
=K/lCAO
, K/lCAO
CA(.r)= ,s(r.r+ I)
General initial conditions and Derive overall transfer function
-<
input forcing using block diagram algebra
Stability: Pole .r = =I < 0
Table 4.1, entry S ResulLo;: Complete transient of the Results: Final value, stability, and :. stable
CA(t) =K/!CAO(l- e-"~) linearized system frequency response
Frequency Response:

CAO(S)
ill(u+l) CA(s)

Shows cause-effect direction ....

AR =IG(jOl)J =

FIGURE 4.11
Steps in developing models for process control with sample results for a chemical reactor.
 Churchill, R., Operational Mathematics, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1972. 127
Distephano, S., A. Stubbard, and I. Williams, Feedback Control Systems,
McGraw-Hill, New York, 1976. Questions
Jensen, V., and G. Jeffreys, Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering,
Academic Press, London, 1963.
Ogata, K., Modem Control Engineering, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ,
1990.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The following references provide background on Laplace transforms and provide
extensive tables.
Doetsch, G., Introduction to the Theory and Application of Laplace Trans-
forms, Springer Verlag, New York, 1974.
Nixon, F., Handbook of Laplace Transforms (2nd ed.), Prentice-Hall, Engle-
wood Cliffs, NJ, 1965.
Spiegel, M., Theory and Problems ofLaplace Transforms, McGraw-Hill, New
York, 1965.
Frequency responses can be determined experimentally, although at the cost
of considerable disturbance to the process. This Wl\.S done to ensure the concepts
applied to chemical processes, as discussed in the references below, but the practice
has been discontinued.
Harriott, P., Process Control, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1964.
Oldenburger, R. (ed.), Frequency Response, Macmillan, New York, 1956.

For additional discussions on the solution of dynamic problems for other types
of physical systems, see Oga~ 1990 (in the References) and
Oga~ K., System Dynamics (2nd ed.), Wiley, New York, 1992.
Tyner, M., and F. May, Process Control Engineering, The Ronald Press. New
York,1968. .

All of the questions.i~ Ghapter 3t'el~ting to dynamics can be solved using methods in
this chapter, thu~,.~~~g tp Jh()~,qu..estions:provides;ad4itional exercises. Also,
when sol~~!,~Y,$J~o~~,~.~~pter, itis ~omniended that the results be
analyzedi:\<?:'4~,t~~e;;:1)~; :'.~:"i';!l' t::(" ";"'"

The~icf~r'~f~th~i~;s~~": :~;i' Ijll

Whether thesysiein caD experienCe periodicity and/or instability

~. Th~; b}!'.e~~.;~jp}}~W?~B::P~perl~~p~ting ~~.causal relationships
,. 11t~?~~~]~i~f:?X~~~~. i,~~":~#~~~i'.: \';/'i::::;"';' . . ' '.

QUESTIONS
4.1. Several of the example systems considered in this chapter are analyzed
concerning the violation of safety limits. A potential strategy for a safety
128 system would be to monitor the value of the critical variable and when the
variable approaches the safety limit (i.e., it exceeds a preset "action" value),
CHAPTER 4 a response is implemented to ensure safe operation. Three responses are
Modelling and proposed in this question to prevent the critical variable from exceeding a
Analysis for Process
Control maximum-value safety limit, and it is proposed that each could be initiated
when the measured variable reaches the action value. Critically evaluate
each of the proposals, and if the proposal is appropriate, state the value of
the action limit compared to the safety limit.
The proposed responses are
(i) Set the concentration in the feed (CAO ) to zero.
(ii) Set the inlet flow to zero.
(iii) Introduce an inhibitor that stops the chemical reaction (for b).
The critical variables and systems are
(a) CA in the mixer in Example 4.1
(b) C A2 in the series of two chemical reactors in Example 4.2

4.2. Solve the following models for the time-domain values of the dependent
variables using Laplace transforms.
(a) Example 3.2
(b) Example 3.2 with an impulse input and with a ramp input, C~o (t) = at
for t > 0 (with a an arbitrary constant)
(c) Sxample 3.3 with an impulse input

4.3. The room heating Example 3.4 is to be reconsidered. In this question, a

mass of material is present in the room and exchanges heat with the air
according to the equation Q = VAm(T - Tm), in which VAm is an overall
heat transfer coefficient between the mass and the room air, and Tm is the
uniform temperature of the mass.
(a) Derive models for the temperatures of the air in the room and the mass.
Combine them into one differential equation describing T.
(b) Explain how this system would behave with an on-off control and note
differences, if any, with the result in Example 3.4.

4.4. An impulse of a component could be introduced into a continuous-flow

mixing tank.
(a) Describe how the experiment could be performed; specifically, how
could the impulse be implemented in the experiment?
(b) Derive a model for the component concentration in the tank, and solve
for the concentration of the component in the tank after the impulse.
(c) Discuss useful information that could be determined from this exper-
iment.

4.5. A CSTR has constant volume and temperature and is well mixed. The
reaction A -+ B is first-order and irreversible. The feed can contain an
impurity which serves as an inhibitor to the reaction; the rate of reaction
of A is rA = -koe-E/RTCA/(I + kICI) where CI is the concentration
of inhibitor. The reactor is initially at steady state and experiences a step
change in the inhibitor concentration. Determine the dynamic response of
the concentration of reactant A after the step based on a linearized model.
(Hint: You must determine the concentration of inhibitor first.)
4.6. For the following systems, (a) apply the final value theorem and (b) calcu- 129
late the frequency response.
(i) Example 3.2 Questions
(ii) Example 3.3
(iii) A level system with L(s)1 Fin(s) II As, with Fin(s) =
Il.Finis and =
A = cross-sectional area [see equation (5.15)].
For each case, state whether the result is correct, and if not, why.
4.7. The process shown in Figure Q4.7 is to be modelled and analyzed. It con-
sists of a mixing tank, mixing pipe, and CSTR. Information for modelling
is given below.
(i) Both tanks are well mixed and have constant volume and temperature.
(ii) All pipes are short and contribute negligible transportation delay.
(iii) All flows are constant, and all densities are constant.
(iv) The first tank is a mixing tank.
(v) The mixing pipe has no accumulation, and the concentration CA 3 is
constant.
(vi) The second tank is a CSTR with A ~ products and rA = -kcf2.
(a) Derive a linear(ized) model (algebraic or differential equation) relating
C:U(t) to C~o(t).
(b) Derive a linear(ized) model (algebraic o~ differential equation) relating
C~4(t) to C:U(t).
(c) Derive a linear(ized) model (algebraic or differential equation) relating
C~(t) to C~4(t).
(d) Combine the models in parts (i) to (iii) into one equation relating C~5 to
C~o using Laplace tran~f0lms. Is the response unstable? Is the response
periodic?

mixing
pipe

~. ,: CA4
'~
- .... .-#

F3 CAl ...... -- ...........

mixing tank ......... ......\

..,,.
,
..,
., CAS
,.
~ Vs ,:
,. ,
,,
\'" .... ..... _"""
............. ..--
~

stirred-tank reactor
FIGUREQ4.7
Mixing and reaction processes.
130 (e) Determine the analytical expression for C~5(t) for a step change in the
inlet concentration, i.e., C~o(t) = 6CAO > O. Sketch the behavior of
CHAPTER 4 C~ (t) in a plot vs. time.
Modelling and
Analysis for Process 4.8. Consider a modified version of the system in Example 4.14 with two tanks
Control
in series, each tank volume being one-half the original single-tank volume.
(a) Determine the transfer function relating the inlet and outlet concentra-
tions.
(b) Calculate the amplitude ratio of the inlet and outlet concentration for
the frequency response using equation (4.72).
(c) Determine whether either of the two designs is better (i.e., always
provides the smaller amplitude ratio), for all frequencies. Explain your
answer and discuss how this analysis would be used in equipment
sizing.

4.9. The responses of the two levels in Figure Q4.9 are to be determined. The
system is initially at steady state, and a step change is made in Fo. Assume
that Fo is independent of the levels, that the flows FI and F2 are proportional
to the pressure differences between the ends of the pipes, and that pI is
constant. Solve for the dynamic response of both levels.

Fo

~ __________________________________________ ~_________________________________ P'

FIGUREQ4.9

4.10. For each of the block diagrams in Figure Q4.10, derive the overall input-
output transfer function Xl (s)/ Xo(s). (Note that they are two of the most
commonly occurring and important block diagrams used in feedback con-
trol.)
4.11. The isothermal chemical reactor in Figure Q4.11 includes a liquid inventory
in which the turbulent flow out depends on the liquid level. The chemical
reaction is first-order with negligible heat of reaction, A ~ B, and it occurs
only in the tank, not in the pipe. The system is initially at steady state and
experiences a step change in the inlet flow rate, with the inlet concentration
constant.
(a) Derive the overall and component material balances.
(b) Linearize the equations and take the Laplace transforms.
(c) Determine the transfer function for CA(s)/ Fo(s).
(a) 131
+
Xo(s) G.(s) ~ G 2(S) ~ G3(S) ~ G4(S) I-~

- Questions

Fo
(b)
Xo(s)
+
-
G.(S)
+ ,.
-
G 2(S) -.. G 3(S) t-,.. G4(S) -,.-. 1

FIGURE Q4.10

4.12. The frequency response of a system can be determined empirically by in- FIGURE Q4.11
troducing a sine to an input variable, waiting until the initial transient is
negligible, and measuring the input and output amplitudes and the phase
angle (see Figure 4.9). If this procedure were performed for several in-
put frequencies, how could you determine whether the real physical sys-
tem were first-order or second-order? After selecting the proper transfer
function order, how could you determine the unknown parameters, gain,
and time constant(s)? Also, discuss possible limitations to this empirical
method.
4.13. A single, isothermal, well-mixed, constant-volume CSTR is considered in
this question. The chemical reaction is
A~B

which is first-order with the forward and reverse rate constants k. and k2,
respectively. Only component A appears in the feed. The system is initially
at steady state and experiences a step in the concentration of A in the feed.
Formulate a model to describe this system, and solve for the concentrations
of A and B in the reactor.
4.14. Answer the following questions.
(a) The initial value of a variable can be determined in a manner similar
to the final value. Derive the general expression for the initial value.
(b) The transfer function in equation (4.46) can be inverted to give
CAO(S) is + 1
- - = -Kp-
CA(S)
Discuss whether this is also a transfer function describing the process.
(c) The transfer function is sometimes referred to as the impulse response
of the (linear) system. Demonstrate why this statement is true.
(d) If only the input-output relationship is required, why are all equations
for the system included in the model, rather than only those equations
involving the input and output variables?
132 4.15. A heat exchanger would be difficult to model, because of the complex
fluid mechanics in the shell side. To develop a simple model, consider the
CHAPTER 4 two stirred tanks in Figure Q4.15, in which heat is transferred through the
Modelling and common wall, with Q = UA(6.T) and UA being constant.
Analysis for Process
Control (a) Using typical assumptions for the stirred tanks and ignoring energy
accumulation effects of the walls, derive an unsteady-state energy bal-
ance for the temperatures in both tanks.
(b) Solve for the analytical expression for both temperatures in response
to a step in ThO'
(c) Is it possible for this system to have periodic behavior?

4.16. For the series of isothermal CSTRs in Example 3.3:

(a) Derive the transfer function for C A2(S)/ F(s).
(b) Use this result to determine the response of CA2 to an impulse in the
FIGURE Q4.15 feed rate F.
4.17. The system in Figure Q4.17 has a flow of pure A to and from a draining
tank (without reaction) and a constant flow of B. Both of these flows go
to an isothermal, well-mixed, constant-volume reactor with A + B ~
products and rA = 1"B = -kCACS. Make any additional assumptions
in determining analytical expressions for the dynamic responses from an
initial. steady state.
(a) Determine the flow of A to the chemical reactor in response to a flow
step into the draining tank.
(b) Determine the concentration of A in the chemical reactor in response
to (a).

FIGURE Q4.17
4.18. The process in Figure Q4.18 invo lves a continu ous flow stirred tank with 133
a mass of solid material. The assumptions for the system are:
( I) The tank is well mi xed. Questions
(2) The physical properties are co nstant, and C, '" Cpo
(3) V = co nstant, F = constant [vol/time].
(4) The solid material co ntributes a significan t portion of the energy F

storage, and the temperature is uniform throu ghout the solid.

(5) The heat transfer from the liquid to the metal is UA(T - 1'",).
~
(6) \-l eatlosscs are negligible.
(7) All variables are initiall y at steady state. v T
(a) Determine the fundamental model equations that relate the behavior
of l' (I) as To (t) changes.
(b) Deri ve the Laplace transform T '(s) as a function ofT~(s). This involves Till
the linear(ized) dev iation variables. Identify the tim e co nstants and M = mass
gains. FIGURE Q4.18
(c) Draw a block di agram of th e system of eq uations and dcrive the transfer
functi on T(s) / To(s).
(d) State whether the system is stab le or unstable and peri odic or nonpe-
riodie, and explain your answer.
(e) Solve the eq uati ons and sketch the dynamic res ponse of 1"(1) for a
step chan ge in T~(I). .
if) Desc ribe briefly how the results in steps (c) through (e) would change
as VA ~ 00.
 Dynalllic
Behavior of
Typical Process
Systems
5.1 INTRODUCTION
Examples in the previous two chapte rs have demons trated th at physical systems,
which involve very different phys ical principles, can have similar dynamic behav-
ior. The concept th at a single model type can app ly to a wide ran ge of entities,
process plants. biological units, economic communities, and so forth provides the
basis for "systems" analysis. Thus, it is possible to acquire understanding of a
large number of systems fro m a thorough study of a much smaller number of basic
models. In this chapter we study some fundamental model structures th at occur
frequently in process plants, alon g with their effects on dynamic behavior. This
experience wi ll enable us to recognize the effects of process designs on dynamic
behavior.
First, the behavior of some simple, basic systems, such as first- and second-
order and dead-time systems, is summarized using the results from previous chap-
ters, with some extensions. Second, the behavior of these simple systems in series
structures is determined. Third, the behavior of parallel structures of simple sys-
tems is introduced. Fourth, the effects of recycle structures on dynamic responses
are demonstrated. The chapter concludes with an investigation of more complex
physical systems of special importance in the process industries: staged systems
and multiple input-multiple output systems.
In these sections, the manner in which the behavior of simple systems is al-
tered by common process structures is derived for simple, idealized models but is
demonstrated for important process examples involving levels, heat exchangers.
136 chemical reactors, and distillation towers. This coverage demonstrates that the
engineer must master both the physical principles of specific processes and
CHAPTERS systems analysis techniques to detennine the dynamics of complex processes
Dynamic Behavior of quantitatively.
Typical Process
Systems
5.2 II BASIC SYSTEM ELEMENTS
The coverage of process dynamics begins with the simplest elements, which are
often combined to model more complex systems. Since examples of most of these
elements were included in previous chapters, the coverage here is concise. The ba-
sic model structure for each element is first defined, and several physical examples
are given, with the system input designated by X and the output by Y. The chem-
ical process principles should be apparent to the reader, while the electrical and
mechanical models are based on Kirchhoff's and Newton's laws, and the reader
is referred to Ogata (1992) and Weber (1973) for derivations. The graphical and
analytical results of common inputs for several basic systems are summarized in
Figure 5.1; the presentation of results in such a figure seems to have originated
with Buckley (1964). Only the amplitude ratio is presented here, because more
extensive frequency response analysis is presented in Chapter 10, where the im-
portance of the phase behavior on stability is demonstrated and applied in control
system analysis.

Underdamped
Mixing Mixing reactor Plug flow Fin

.J
Process

Variables
ill ~ ill
cAO cA cA C A2 cAO T
-f~)----)-... ~stan'
CA/t .. o CA/::::rL
~Fout

Fin L

I v-= II~----,I ~I
In lOut

~ !v,--------,I k2
Time

l
Impulse
!R;----41 RS----II R;;~III--- ---.1 R Time
-...1..-1

'\;
Sine

Log (frequency)
FIGURE 5.1
Dynamic responses for basic process-modelling elements.
First-Order System 137
First-order systems occur as the result of a material or energy balance on a lumped
Basic System Elements
(i.e., well-mixed) system, as demonstrated in Examples 3.1 and 3.6. Some further
examples are given in Figure 5.2. The differential equation and transfer function
for a first-order system are

dY(t) Y(s) Kp
1:-;j( + Y(t) = KpX(t) G(s)=-=--
X(s) 1:S +1
(5.1)

The step response is monotonic, with its maximum slope at the time of the
step, and the time to reach 63.2 percent of its final change is one time constant.
The final steady-state change is equal to K p (6.X).

Step response: (5.2)

An impulse input occurs over a negligible time and transfers a finite amount
into the system. For example, rapidly introducing a small amount of tracer into
a stirred tank emulates a perfect impulse. The impulse response shows an im-
mediate increase at the time of the impulse, which for the idealized stirred-tank
example would mean that the concentration would change instantly by (mass of
tracer)/(volume). After the impulse (C), the system follows an exponential path in

Balance Input Output Kp T

cAO-:=1 cA

~
Component CAO CA F V
material F+Vk F+Vk

TOLf Energy To T 1.0 V

F

F~

til Overall F L A
material O.5kLs- OS O.5kLs- OS

R
a

~'N~I E
Current Eo E 1.0 RC
T g

:.~~ Force z 1.0 flk'

FIGURE 5.2
First-order processes (E = voltage, z = position, k' =spring constant, and
f =friction coefficient).
138 return to its final condition.

CHAPTERS
Impulse response: Y'(t) = C e-t/'C (5.3)
T
Dynamic Behavior of
Typical Process For the first-order system, the amplitude ratio is never greater than the process
Systems gain K p , and it decreases monotonically as the frequency increases:

AR = IGUw)1 = IY(jw)1 = Kp (5.4)

IX(jw)1 Jl + W2 T2
SecondOrder System
The second-order system occurs when two first-order or one second-order ordinary
differential equation is required to model the dynamic behavior. Some examples
are given in Figure 5.3. The transfer function for the second-order system with a
gain in the numerator (and no zeros) can be written as
2
2d Y(t) "l= dY(t) Y( ) X( )
T --;R2+~Tdt+ t =Kp t
(5.5)

with
-~ff=t

Balance Input Output Kp T2 2~T

CAO~ CD

~
Component CAO CB Vk TATB TA+TB
material F+Vk

-0
To~ T
Energy

Tc
To T [see question 5.2]

FCj.,
ttL
Overall
material
F L 1
O.5kLs- o.s r
[O.Sk~,-o.s 2T

L R

'''1
0-11IIII' Q

Current E 1.0 LC RC
Eo E
C
r Q

hi'I
FIGURE 5.3
mz Force h 11 k' mlk' Ilk'

= =
Second-order processes (E voltage, % position, It spring constant, f = = friction
= =
coefficient, h force, m mass, TA V I(F + Vk), and TB V I F). = =
The parameter ~ is termed the damping coefficient, and a . 2 are the two roots of 139
the characteristic polynomial, which determine the exponents of the time-domain
output function. When the damping coefficient is less than 1.0, the system is Basic System Elements
termed underdamped, the roots of the characteristic polynomial are complex, and
the system will have periodic behavior for a nonperiodic input. For example, the
nonisothermal reactor system in Section 3.6, which exhibits oscillations for a
step input, has a damping coefficient of 0.15. When the damping coefficient is
greater than 1.0, the system is termed overdamped, the roots of the characteristic
polynomial are real, and the system will have nonperiodic responses to nonperiodic
inputs. Finally, the series reactor system in Example 3.3 has a damping coefficient
of 1.0, which indicates real, repeated roots; this type of system is termed critically
damped.
Two entries are given in Figure 5.1 for second-order systems; one is for an
overdamped system, and the other is for an underdamped system. The step response
for the overdamped system initially at steady state is monotonic with an initial slope
of zero and an inflection point. Note that the underdamped system experiences
periodic behavior even for this simple input.

OVERDAMPED STEP RESPONSE (~ > 1).

(5.6)

CRITICALLY DAMPED STEP RESPONSE (~ = 1).

Y= KpdX [1 - (1 + e-"'] D (5.7)

UNDERDAMPED STEP RESPONSE (~ < 1).

(5.8)

OVERDAMPED IMPULSE RESPONSE (~ > 1).

(5.9)

CRITICALLY DAMPED IMPULSE RESPONSE (~ = 1).

(5.10)

/
140 UNDERDAMPED IMPULSE RESPONSE (~ < 1).

CHAPTERS
Dynamic Behavior of
Y = C
TFfi
e-~Ilr sin (Ffi t"
t) (5.11)
Typical Process
Systems Both the step and impulse responses for a second-order system have initial re-
sponses that are more gradual than for a first-order system. The overdamped system
approaches its final value smoothly, while the underdamped system experiences
oscillations.
The amplitude ratio of the frequency response is monotonically decreasing
for an overdamped system and begins to deviate substantially from K p around
the frequency equal to 1/1'. The amplitude ratio for second-order systems with
a damping coefficient below 0.707 exceeds Kp ,over a limited frequency range
around 1/1'. This resonance effect results from the inherent oscillatory tendency
of the system reinforcing the input sine oscillations.
AR = IG(jw)1 = IY(jw)1 = Kp (5.12)
IX(jw)1 J(l - w2 t"2)2 + (2WT~)2
Dead Time
The dead time or transportation delay was introduced in Example 4.3 for plug flow
of liquids and can also occur for transportation of solids along a conveyor belt. It
was shown to have the following model:

yet) = X(t - 8) G(s) = yes) = e-9s (5.13)

Xes)
The step response, impulse response, and amplitude ratio can all be easily deter-
mined, because the output is the input translated in time by 8. For example, this
leads to the conclusion that the amplitude ratio is equal to 1.0 for all frequencies,
which can be demonstrated mathematically by

AR = le- jaJ9 l = Icos (we) - j sin (w8)1 = Jcos2 (we) + sin2 (we) = 1
(5.14)
The dead time can be approximated by a transfer function that replaces the
exponential in the Laplace variable (e-9S) with a ratio of polynomials in s. This
approach is referred to as a Pade approximation, which is presented in Appendix
D. In this book, we will not use dead time approximations; i.e., we will model the
dead time as an exact delay as given in equations (5.13).
The importance of dead time to feedback control can be understood by con-
sidering an example such as steering an automobile. With dead time, the automo-
bile would not respond immediately after the change in steeripg wheel position.
Clearly, such an automobile would be difficult to drive and would require a skilled
an~ patient.driver who cou.d wait for the effect of a steering wheel change to occur.

Integrator
The integrator is a special type of first-order system; a process example of an
integrator is a level system, which is modelled based on an overall material balance
to give 141
dL
pA-
dt
= pFo - pF. (5.15) Basic System Elements

In many cases the inlet and outlet flows do not depend on the level (unlike the tank
draining Example 3.6). When no causal relationship exists from the level to the
flow, the model has the following general form:

1:H dY' = X' :F. f(Y') 1:H = holdup time (5.16)

dt
Y(s) I
G(s) = -X(s) = -1:HS (5.17)

The important difference between the integrator and the first-order system in
equation (5.1) is the lack of dependence of the derivative on the output variable
(Y'); that is, dY'/dt is independent of Y'. This results in a pole at s = 0 in the
transfer function. The analytical expression for the output of the integrator is

Y'(t) = l' X'(t')dt' (5.18)

A system like this simply accumulates the net input: thus, the name integrator. If
the deviation in the input remains nonzero and' of the same sign, the magnitude
of the idealized model output increases without limit as time increases toward
infinity. For a step input,

Step response: Y' = AX t (5.19)

1:H
The impulse response also demonstrates that the system integrates the impulse
(area under the impulse function), and then the output remains constant at its altered
value when X' (t) returns to zero. The value of the impulse response is Y' = c / 1:H.
The amplitude ratio can be determined to be

Frequency response: AR = IG(jw)1 = 1_ 1

._1 =
1:H JW
I- 21 =
T:HW
Wj
_1_
T:HW
(5.20)
As the frequency decreases, the amount accumulated by the integrator each half
period (which is related to the output amplitude) increases.

Self.Regulation
The unique behavior of the integrator demonstrates that not all processes tend to
a steady state after input changes cease and all inputs are constant. To clarify the
distinction, the term self-regulation is introduced here.

Many processes encountered to this point have been self-regulatory, including the
chemical reactors, heat exchanger, and mixing tanks. Self-regulatory processes are
142 generally easier to operate because they tend to a steady state. Naturally, the final
steady state might be acceptable or not depending on the magnitude and direction
CHAPTERS of the input changes, so that process control is often applied to self-regulatory
Dynamic Behavior of processes.
Typical Process
Systems
The self-regulation in a process can be identified by analyzing the dynamic
model to determine if the value of the output variable influences its derivative.
For example, the heat exchanger in Example 3.7 has inherent negative feedback,
because an increase in the output (outlet temperature) causes a decrease in a model
input term -(FIV + UAIVpCp)T, which stabilizes the system by decreasing
the derivative:
dT = (F To + U A Tcin) _ (F + U A ) T (5.21)
dt V VpC p V VpC p
External inputs Inherent negative
feedback
F
Some processes have inherent positive and negative feedback; for example,

~
the non isothermal chemical reactor with exothermic chemical reaction is
dT = (F To + U A Tcin) _ (F + UA ) T (5.22)
dt V VpC p V VpC p
T External inputs Inherent negative
feedback

+ ( -Il.Rnn )/coe-E/RT CA
pCp
Inherent positive
feedback
The reactor has a negative feedback term in its energy balance, the same as for the
heat exchanger. However, the exothermic chemical reaction contributes positive
feedback, because the input term (-Il.Hnnkoe-E/RT CAl pCp) increases when the
output temperature increases. For the parameter values in Table C.I, case I, the
inherent negative feedback in the process dominates, and the process achieves
a steady state after a step input. The positive feedback is substantial, however,
which leads to the periodic behavior and complex poles. Additional comments on
the behavior and stability of processes are given in Appendix C.
In contrast, non-self-regulatory processes do not tend to steady-state operation
after all inputs have reached constant values. Thus, even a small (and constant)
input change from an initial steady state can lead to large disturbances after a long
time. A non-self-regulatory process can be identified from its dynamic model; the
value of the output variable does not influence its derivative, as shown in equation
(5.15), so that the derivative can have a constant (nonzero) value over a long
time. Without intervention, a non-self-regulatory process can exp~rience very large
deviations from desired values; therefore, all non-self-regulatory processes require
process control. The dynamics of typical non-self-regulatory processes are covered
in Chapter 18, along control technology tailored to their special requirements.
In summary, many different systems obeying the models of these basic el-
ements behave in a similar manner. After the parameters have been determined,
their behavior for specified inputs is well understood. Thus, the experience learned
from a few examples can be extended, with care, to many other systems.
5.3 SERIES STRUCTURES OF SIMPLE SYSTEMS 143
A structure involving a series of systems occurs often in process control. As dis-
Series Structures of
cussed in Chapter 2, this structure can occur because of a processing sequence-for Simple Systems
example, feed heat exchange, chemical reactor, product cooling, and product sep-
aration. Also, a control loop involves a final element (valve), process, and sensor
in a series, as will be more fully discussed in Part III. Therefore, the understanding
of how series structures behave is essential in the design of chemical plants and
process control systems.

Noninteracting Series
There are two major categories of series systems, and the noninteracting system
is covered first. It is worthwhile considering the mixing system, which conforms
to the block diagram at the bottom of Figure 5.4a, in which each intermediate
variable has physical meaning.
dC~t
V ----;it = FCAO, - ,
FCAt (5.23)

dC~2 , ,
V ----;It = FCAl - FC A2 (5.24)

Note that the model equations have the general fom.

dY! , , , ,
dt = K,Y.,1
Ti- y.
-- , fori = 1, ... ,n with 1.0 = X (5.25)

Any system modelled with equations of this structure constitutes a non interacting
series system. Important features of the system follow from this model.

1. Only Yn- I and Yn (not Yn+l) appear in the equation for dYn/dt.
2. Following from (1), the downstream properties do not affect upstream prop-
erties; in the example, the concentration in tank 2 does not affect the concen-
tration in tank 1 but does affect tank 3.

CAO~

tt=t
D&c~ Fo
L.

--~--'--~-~~-~~ F.
(b)
~

...

(a)

FIGURE 5.4
Series of processes: (a) noninteracting; (b) interacting.
144 3. The model for the general non interacting series of first-order systems can
be developed by taking the Laplace transform of each equation (S.2S) and
CHAPTERS combining them into one input-output expression. For a series of systems
Dynamic Behavior of shown in Figure S.4a, each represented by a transfer function G; (s), the overall
Typical Process
Systems transfer function
Yn(s)
X(s) = Gn(S)Gn-1 (s) GI (s) = [!
n-I
Gn-;(s) (S.26)

For n first-order systems in series, this gives

n-.
nKn-;
Yn(s) ;=0
X(s) = -n--.---- with Kn-i and t'n-; for the individual systems
IT
;:::0
(t'n-i S + I)
(S.27)
The gains and time constants appearing in equation (S.27) are the same as the
-values for the individual systems, as in equation (S.2S). Thus, the model of
interacting systems can be determined directly from the individual models.
4. If each system is stable (i.e., t'; > 0 for all i), the series system is stable. This
follows from the important observation that the poles (roots of the character-
istic polynomial) of the series system are the poles of the individual systems.

Now the dynamic response of a series of non interacting first-order systems can
be considered. Since so many possibilities exist, the simplest case of n identical
systems, all with unity gain, is considered. The response to a step in the input,
X/(S) = l/s, is plotted in Figure S.S. Note that the time is divided by the order of
the system (i.e., the number of systems in series), which time-scales the responses
for easy comparison. We note that the shape of the response changes from the now-
familiar exponential curve for n =1. As n increases, the response begins to have
an apparent dead time, which is the result of several first-order systems in series.
For very large n, the output response has a very steep change at time equal to n t'
Thus, we conclude that the series of identical non interacting first-order systems
approaches the behavior of a dead time with (} ~ n t' for large n. Again looking
ahead to feedback control, a system with several first-order systems in series would
seem to be difficult to control, for the same reasons discussed for dead times.
A second, observation is that the curves all reach 63 percent of their output
change at approximately the same value of tint'; this will be exploited later in
the section. Finally, we note that the system is always overdamped, because the
transfer function has n real poles, all at -1 It'.
The amplitude ratio of the frequency response can be determined directly from
the transfer function in equation (S.27) to be .

AR
/Yn(jw) /
= /X(jw)/ = /G(}w)/ =
.
D.
(n) (
K;
1 .)n
JI + W-r2 (S.28)

The amplitude ratio is always less than or equal to the overall gain, and it decreases
rapidly as the frequency becomes large. Amplitude ratios for several series of
 145
Series Structures of
0.8 Simple Systems
e
~
~
ti 0.6
-e
~s::
'00.4
~
o=
0.2

0.5 1.5 2 2.5 3

Scaled lime, linT
FIGURE 5.5
Responses of n identical noninteracting first-order systems with K 1 =
in series to a unit step at t = O.

identical first-order systems are shown in Figure 5.6; again, the frequency is scaled
to the order of the system to provide time-scaling.

Interacting Series
The second major category of series systems is interacting systems. Again, it is
worthwhile considering a physical example, this being the level-flow process in
Figure 5.4b. Assuming that the flow through each pipe is a function of the pressure
difference, the model can be derived based on overall material balance for each
vessel to give
dLi
Ai dt = Fi-I - Fi
(5.29)
= Ki-I (Li-I - L i ) - Ki(Li - Li+l)
because Fi = K I(Pi - Pi + I) for the linearized system, and the pressures are
proportional to the liquid levels. These model equations have the following general
form for a series of two interacting first-order systems:
df;, "
HI dt = X - KI (fl - f 2) (5.30)

(5.31)

Many important physical systems, including that in Figure 5.4b, have struc-
tures described by equations (5.30) and (5.31); thus, these equations are considered
representative of interacting systems for subsequent analysis. Some important fea-
tures of these systems follow from their model structure:
146
CHAPTERS n= 1.2.5.10.20,50
Dyoami~ Behavior of
Typical Process
Systems
10-1

1~3~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1~2 I~I 100 101 103

Scaled frequency (radltime)
Q)t'
n
FIGURE 5.6
Frequency responses of n identical noninteracting first-order systems
=
with K 1 in -series.

1. The variables Yn-I, Yn, and Yn+1 appear in the equation for dYn/dt.
2. Following from (1), the downstream properties affect upstream properties; for
example, the exhaust pressure (P3) influences both levels in Figure 5.4b.
3. The model for the general interacting series system of first-order systems can
be developed by taking the Laplace transfonn of equations (5.30) and (5.31)
and combining them into one input-output expression, which results in poles
of the interacting system that are different from the poles of the individual
systems.

The procedure for deriving the overall transfer function is shown in some
detail, because the result is somewhat more complex than for a noninteracting
system and because the procedure can be applied to systems of differing structures.
First, the Laplace transfonn of equation (5.30) can be rearranged to give (with the
primes deleted)

.th
WI t'YI =HI
- (5.32)
KI
The parameter t'YI is the time constant for the first system when considered indi-
vidually. The Laplace transfonn of the second equation is

with t'Y~ = H2 (5.33)

K2
Again, the parameter t'Y2 is the time constant for the second system when con-
sidered individually. The behavior of the combined system can be determined by
substituting equation (5.32) into (5.33) to give, after some rearrangement, 147
y.2 (S ) (TYlS + I) y. ( )
= K 3 S Series Structures of
ry\rY2s
2
+ (rY1 + rY2 + rYI K~) s + I Simple Systems

(5.34)
+ I/K2 K Xes)
ry\rY2 s2 + (rY1 + rY2 + rYl K~) s + I
Several important conclusions on the effect of the series structure on the
dynamic behavior can be determined from an analysis of the denominator of the
transfer function. The time constants of the interacting system (tJ and T2), which
are the inverses of the poles, can be determined by solving the quadratic equation
for the roots of the characteristic polynomial to give

(5.35)
Four characteristics of the dynamics of this type of series system are now estab-
lished. First, the possibility of complex poles is determined to establish whether
periodic behavior is possible. The expression within the square root in equation
(5.35) can be rearranged to give
2
(rYl + rY2 + rYl ~:)
- 4ry\rY2
(5.36)
= (tYl - tY2)2 + tYi KJ (2tYI + 2TY2 + tYl KI) > 0
K2 K2
Since both terms in the right-hand expression are greater than zero, the entire
expression is greater than zero, and complex poles are not possible for this system.
Therefore, periodic behavior cannot occur for nonperiodic inputs, such as a step.
Second, the stability of the process can be determined from equation (5.35).
Note that the numerator has the form -a (a 2 - b )0.5, with a and b both positive.
Therefore, the poles for both signs of the root are negative, and the system is stable.
Third, the "speed" of response of the interacting series system can be compared
with the individual system responses. Since the poles are real, the characteristic
polynomial in equation (5.34) can be written in an equivalent form as
(TIS + l)(t2s + 1) = TI t2s2 + (tl + t2)S + 1 (5.37)
Equating the coefficients of like powers of s in equations (5.34) and (5.37) gives

(5.38)

Therefore, the sum of the time constants for the overall interacting system is
greater than the sum of the individual systems. In other words, the interacting
system is "slower," due to the interaction, than it would have been if the systems