ADVANCE PROCESS CONTROL
ADVANCE CONTROL TECHNIQUES
ADAPTIVE CONTROL SYSTEM
1. What is adaptive control system? (2)
2. When adaptive control system is suggested? (2)
3. What are the various types of adaptive control system? (2)
4. Explain any type of adaptive control system with diagram. (6)
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ADVANCE PROCESS CONTROL
ADVANCE CONTROL TECHNIQUES
Today’s technological systems are very complex and so are their control problems. Last two
decades saw a tremendous demand for improved control systems, which has led to a better
appreciation for the need of adaptive control in control system design.
Adaptive control system is a special type of nonlinear control system which can alter its
parameters to adapt to variations in process dynamics or changes in the characteristics of
the disturbances.
Requirements of Adaptive control:
1. Most chemical processes are nonlinear, and the linearized models depend on the
particular steady state around which the process is linearized. As the desired steady
state operation of a process changes, the ‘best’ values of controller’s parameters
change.
2. Second, most chemical processes are non-stationary, i.e., their characteristics
change with time for reasons, like change of catalyst activity, fouling, wear and tear,
etc.
3. Parameters of a plant can change with changing process dynamics, for example, an
aircraft rocket dynamics change with speed and altitude.
4. Adaptive controller guides the adaptation mechanism for ‘best’ adjustment of
controller parameters. Objective of adaptation procedure is not to keep the
controlled variable at specified set point, which will be accomplished by control loop.
Adaptation procedure aims at finding out best adjustment of controller parameters
in face of changing process dynamics. For example, the adaptive AGC (automatic
gain control) loop in a radio receiver adjusts gain to compensate for changes in input
signal strength, providing a nearly constant output level in a widely changing
environment.
The adaptive system shown in the figure
is a system which measures the
performance relative to a given IP (Index
of Performance) and modifies its
parameters to approach an optimum set
of values. The IP used in an adaptive
controller defines optimum performance
for that system and should represent the
desired performance for the system over
its entire operating range.
The adaptive control process may be broken down into three major functions:
1. Identification:
Identification is defined as a process by which the system is characterized or by
which the IP value is measured.
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ADVANCE PROCESS CONTROL
ADVANCE CONTROL TECHNIQUES
2. Decision:
In the decision process, the IP measurements are used to decide how system
performance relates to the desired optimum. If performance is inadequate,
corrective adjustments are made according to the established strategy.
3. Modification:
Modification is the process of changing system parameters towards the optimum
setting, as dictated by the identification and decision process.
Different types of Adaptive Control Configuration:
1. Programmed adaptive control
2. Self-adaptive controllers
3. Model Reference Adaptive Controller (MRAC)
Programmed adaptive control:
In those systems where we have information about forthcoming disturbances, it is possible
to design pre-programmed time variations of controller parameters to achieve
instantaneous optimum control at all times. This approach is called pre-programmed
adaptive control and is used in missile guidance. Programmed or scheduled adaptive control
is used when a process is reasonably well understood, and an adequate mathematical
model of the process is available. If there is an auxiliary process variable which correlates
well with the changes in process dynamics, we can relate this with the best values of
controller parameters. Thus, by measuring the auxiliary variable, we can schedule or
reprogram the adaptation of the controller parameter.
Programmed adaptive control of a combustion system:
Consider a burner in which fuel-to-air ratio is to be kept at its optimal value to achieve
highest efficiency of combustion. Fuel or air, when used more or less than the optimal value,
will reduce the efficiency of combustion. The optimal value of fuel-to-air ratio which
maximizes the combustion efficiency depends on conditions prevailing (current or existing)
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ADVANCE PROCESS CONTROL
ADVANCE CONTROL TECHNIQUES
within the process (i.e., temperature of air). Consequently, as the temperature of the air
changes, so does the optimal fuel-to-air ratio. Following figure shows the adaptive scheme
which changes the desired fuel-to-air ratio depending on ambient temperature.
