Process Control & Instrumentation 16 Hour Masterclass

What Will You Learn?

• Learn the essentials of process controls and PID controllers for a successful career in process industries
• Successfully draw the correct information from basic to advanced process control loops
• Master the intricate terminological details of process control (process variable, set point, error, offset, load disturbance...)
• Identify any process control loop and describe its main tasks and functionalities
• Describe the basic function and method of operation for the main control loop components (sensor, transmitter, controller, actuator, control valve...)
• Differentiate between feedback and feedforward control loops
• Explain the basic implementation process for each of the following types of control: Cascade, ratio, split range…
• Differentiate between On/Off, discrete, multi-step and continuous controllers
• Describe the basic mechanism, pros and cons of the following modes of control action: On/Off, Proportional (P), Integral (I), Derivative (D), PI, PID...
• Describe the general goal of PID controller tuning
• Apply the Ziegler Nicholls method to tune P, PI and PID controllers for optimum performance
• Understand control valves working principles for successful operation of your plant and piping systems
• Understand control valve construction details (bonnet, stem, disc, seat, packing, body, actuator, positioner…)
• Identify and know the principles of operation of common control valve actuators (diaphragm, piston, rack and pinion, scotch yoke)
• Dismantle and assemble various types of control valves and actuators using 3D and 2D models
• Understand how single acting and double acting pneumatic actuators work through graphics and 3D animations
• Know how to convert a single acting spring return actuator to a double acting actuator and vice versa
• Understand the concept of failure mode in control valves : Fail Open "FO", Fail Closed "FC", Fail As Is "FAI"
• Understand the concept of "Air-to-push-up" and Air-to-push-down"
• Understand the concept of "direct-acting" and "reverse-acting"
• Know how to convert a fail close actuator to a fail open actuator and vice versa
• Understand the concept of valve flow coefficient "Cv" and familiarize yourself with the various units
• Know how to determine flowrate and pressure drop through control valves for different valve lifts
• Know how to match the valve characteristics to the process
• Know how to construct the installation curve for a given control valve
• Understand the effect of selecting a control valve larger than necessary
• Understand the effect of differential pressure on the valve lift and actuator operation
• Differentiate between fast opening, linear and equal percentage valve characteristics
• Understand how valve positioners operate
• Know the different types of valve positioners (P/P, I/P, force balance, motion balance, digital…)
• Understand when a positioner should be fitted
• Understand the working principles of I/P converters and how they are used in control valves
• Understand the control of pressure in a pipe
• Understand the control of flow in a pipe
• Understand how self-acting pressure controls work and their applications
• Understand how self-acting temperature controls work and their applications
• Understand flow merging control
• Understand flow splitting control
• Understand centrifugal pump control systems (discharge throttling, variable speed drive, minimum flow…)
• Understand positive displacement pump control systems (recirculation pipe, variable speed drive, stroke adjustment…)
• Understand compressor control systems (capacity control, variable speed drive, anti-surge…)
• Understand heat exchanger control systems (direct control, bypass control, back pressure control…)
• Understand reactor temperature control systems
• Understand fired heater control systems
• Understand container and vessel control systems
• Understand electric motor control systems (ON / OFF actions)
• Know and understand the concept of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)
• Know and understand the concept of Alarm Systems and Interlocks
• Understand through extensive 3D animation the techniques and methods used in process industries to measure temperature, pressure, flow and level
• Put your knowledge to the test at the end of each section with a valuable technical quiz (420+ questions and solved problems)
• Get access to a set of valuable downloadable resources