SUMMARY

The objective of this experiment was to control the level water in a tank automatically by using a
feedback loop with a PI controller. In this experiment, pneumatic controlled system (compressed
air) was used to control the valve. In this experiment an air-to-open valve was used as the final
control element. First the set point of this experiment was to a certain step (30 to 31) and the
response of the process was observed by using a computerized control interface. All the control
parameters, set point, gain etc. were directly measured by the response of the process. The
software has the provision for saving the course of control action and the necessary plots.

Observed Data

Fig.01:- Response of the process as step changes

For step up process

Change in input = 16-15.84 = 0.16 mA

Change in output = 69-57.73 = 11.27 unit length
So, steady state gain, K =

changeoutput
changeinput

11.27
0.16 = 70.4375 unit length/mA

So, time delay, 1 =1 s

Step input is given at 1739 sec
Time at 63.2% response, = (1977-1739)-1 sec = 237 sec

Calculated Data
Using Internal Model Control (IMC) Method,

1. Proportional-Integral (PI) controller

= 10sec

Kc = 0.3048
I= = 237 sec

2.

Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller

Kc= 0.3211
I= 237.5 sec
D = 0.4989 sec

SAMPLE CALCULATION
From Observed data, we get
Time at 63.2% response,

= 237 sec

Time delay, = 1 sec

We assume,

= 10 sec

For PI controller,

Kc=

T
Tc+

1
237

70.4375 1+ 10

=0.3058 unit height/m amp

i = = 237 sec
For PID controller,

2
1

c+
2
+

Kc=

I=

D =

2 +

= 237+0.5

1
237 +0.5

70.4375
10+ 0.5

= 237.5 sec

237 7.5
2 237 +1 = 0.4989 sec

= 0.3211 unit height/m amp

Open loop simulation

Fig.02:- Simulation for open loop configuration

Fig.03:- Response of open loop simulation (as step changes from 30 to 31)

Closed loop simulation

Fig.04:- Simulation for closed loop configuration

Response from process with a PI controller before tuning with design

value of kc = 3.26

Fig.05:- Response of PI controller at Kc= 3.26(due to 1 step change)

Response from process with a PI controller after tuning at kc = 30

Fig.06:- Response of PI controller after tuning at Kc = 30 (due to 1 step change)

Discussion
From the graphical representation of the process response to change in set point was observed
(fig.01) and controller parameter (K, ) was determined. From the response of open loop
simulation of the process controller design parameter (Kc I) was calculated. In Fig.03, response of
open loop simulation (as step changes from 30 to 31) was shown.

In fig.05, the response of PI controller with (Kc =3.26) was shown. Curve shows fluctuation and
that was tuned with Kc = 30 (fig.06).
The simulation and tuning of original process in PI controller shows that the process will response
properly (without fluctuation) at a value (Kc) greater than that of design value.