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