DO YOU NEED ADVANCED CONTROL?

摘要

This paper describes how to make advanced control choices when difficult processes need improvement. How does one determine the best approach? The decision-making process involves choosing between a rules-based approach and a model-based approach as well as weighing benefits and drawbacks, complexity and simplicity, investment and results. This paper will present briefly each solution and define terminology for the most common solutions: basic control (single-loop control), advanced regulatory control, model predictive control, and expert systems such as fuzzy logic controllers and neural networks. The article then proposes a decision tree for selecting the most appropriate approach. The decision tree includes a list of questions, a series of tests to validate models, and a series of questions for interviewing operators. Potential solutions and approaches will be organized in a simple schematic by hierarchy. Examples for each solution will be presented and discussed. A table will compare usage, development, commissioning, maintenance and lifecycle costs for each approach. Finally, conclusions and suggestions will summarize the methodology.