September 15, 2010 - ExperTune announces the capability to tune cascade control loops directly from the web browser interface of the PlantTriage Loop Performance Monitor. This greatly streamlines the tuning process.The PlantTriage system monitors control system performance continuously, 24 hours a day. It automatically diagnoses and prioritizes process, control, and instrumentation problems. Integrated analysis and tuning tools improve plant results by focusing effort on the most critical issues.
Typical cascade control loops involve two instruments, two controllers, and a single control valve or variable-speed drive. Cascade controls are designed to reduce variation, by offering faster response to process upsets. The outer loop provides a setpoint to the inner loop. Unfortunately, most cascade loops in plants are poorly tuned, resulting in constant oscillations and interactions between the inner and outer cascade loop.The new tools allow users to tune both loops, with a single bump test, directly from a web browser interface.
Oscillations are eliminated because the PlantTriage tools select tuning constants that are outside the range of interaction. The new tools are also fully integrated with PlantTriage’s “Active Model Capture Technology,” so dynamic models and controller tuning can be developed based on normally-occurring events, such as operator setpoint changes.Cascade control, especially cascade tuning, is often misunderstood. These tools make it simple to tune loops the right way, which will help to stabilize plant operations, improving quality and energy efficiency.
About ExperTune’s PlantTriage
For 24 years, ExperTune has created award-winning optimization software now running in thousands of plants world-wide. PlantTriage Control Performance Monitor oversees the optimization of an entire plant, including equipment, operations, and controls. The PlantTriage suite of optimization tools are designed to increase the efficiency of processes. The tools include swing or oscillation detection and elimination, interaction analysis, modeling, robustness, linearization, valve wear analysis, pH linearization, time series analysis, MPC performance improvement, 6-sigma, frequency response, and PID tuning tools. ExperTune is a member of the OPC Foundation.
PlantTriage also seamlessly integrates with the ProcessApex Unit Operations Evaluator.