Open Tank Level Control System and Controller Comparison Study

The control system to be improved is an open tank level control system
designed by previous Final Year Project student. The previous control system
utilized a local PI controller and did not have any safety features. This improvement
project involves connecting the plant to a distributed control system, and safe
guarding and interlocking features such as tank overflowing prevention and pump
interlock.
In designing the control system, both experimental and simulation methods
were used. After the project is completed, the plant is intended to be used by
students to allow them to have a better understanding of process control and
implementation of a distributed control system.
The author was successful in developing a remotely automated open tank
level control system, carrying out SIMULINK simulations and carrying out
controller comparison studies. Thus achieving all objectives set by the author.
Additional interlocks and protective devices were implemented and installed
to protect the equipment from damage and minimize danger to the operator. The
DCS pages allow for the user to monitor, control the process and provide the user
with guidelines on how to tune PID controller and to obtain the process model.
After performing MATLAB simulations of the control system and
comparing the performance of the PI controller and Fuzzy PI controller, the author
can conclude that there are significant improvements in the process response of a
open tank water level control system when a Fuzzy PI controller is used.