Process Control I (by Carlos A. Smith, Ph.D.)

This intensive course presents the principles and practice of automatic process control. The course stresses the use of computer-based instrumentation (micro-processors and minicomputers) to implement control strategies. Specifically, the course can be highlighted as follows:

* Defines and explains the physical significance of the parameters of the process to be controlled. Shows how to obtain these parameters from process data.

* Explains in detail the different process controllers (analog and microprocessor-based) and how to tune them (including "lambda" tuning) to obtain optimum control response. The special computer-based PID controllers and the significance and importance of tracking are also presented and discussed.

* Uses laboratory experiments with actual controllers to reinforce concepts presented. The laboratory includes tuning of feedback controllers and of cascade controllers.

* Presents in detail, using numerous examples, ratio control, cross-limiting control, cascade control, selective, constraint and override control. The use of microprocessor-based control equipment to implement these control strategies is stressed.

* Uses real processes to provide the those attending an opportunity "to design from scratch" the control system for an entire, or partial, process.

This very intensive course teaches the state-of-the-art practice of automatic process control. It is directed to the technical personnel in the process industries.

Process Control II (by Carlos A. Smith, Ph.D.)

This intensive practical course is directed to technical personnel in the process industries with special interest in process control. The course stresses laboratory practice and problem solving sessions. It also assumes that the participants have previous background, through short courses, university training or industrial practice, on the principles of feedback control.

  • The course starts with a brief practical review of tuning feedback and cascade controllers. The course assumes the participants already know how to do this. Laboratory exercises are used where the participants practice everything presented up to this point.

  • A practical presentation follows on the effect of the different terms of a control loop - such as, range of transmitter, control valve time constant, dead time, integral and derivative modes of a controller - on the stability of a loop.

  • Dead time compensation techniques are then presented and also practiced in the laboratory.

  • An extensive presentation of feedforward control follows, along with laboratory practice. The participants are taught the meaning of steady-state feedforward, dynamic feedforward, and how to tune the different dynamic compensation terms such as lead/lags, dead time units. All of this is practiced in the laboratory.

  • Multivariable control techniques are then presented along with laboratory practice. In the laboratory the participants practice how to pair controlled and manipulated variables, how to tune a 2 x 2 multivariable control system, and how to design a decoupler.

  • For the laboratory practices, the participants are divided into groups of two or three. When the participants are not working in the laboratory, they will be solving case studies to be presented later to the class.

  • A significant numbers of problems are also assigned to the participants to practice some of the control techniques, learned in the previous course, such as ratio control, selective control, and override (or constraint) control.

  • The use of computer-based instrumentation is stressed during the entire course.

 Industrial Electrical Systems (by K. Hollingshead)

This five-day detailed course on Industrial Power Systems, Motor Types and Selection, and Industrial Controls is designed for process control engineers, power and control engineers, plant electrical engineers, higher level electrical and instrument technicians, maintenance managers and electrical superintendents, and design and consulting engineers involved in plant electrical systems. Both practical and technical, this course covers essential plant electrical system concepts based on the instructor’s extensive in-plant experience.

Plus custom courses on process control and information systems tailored to specific need.