Process Control Systems

I: Systems, Processes and the Role of Process Control Hardware.- 1: Signals, systems and process control.- A system approach to process control systems.- The computer control system.- Types of process.- Signals.- Types of signal.- Time-discrete signals.- A description of signals.- The information rate and content of process signals.- Communication of signals.- Systems.- Transfer function of time-discrete systems.- Time response of linear continuous systems.- Classification of linear systems.- Structuring of systems.- Systems and automata.- The basic analytical concept of process control systems.- References.- 2: The basic process unit.- The basic process unit.- Basic process unit data processing.- Process hardware for data input.- Measuring transducer.- Sensor or detecting device.- Signal converter.- Standard process input devices.- Process hardware for data output.- Final control devices.- Auxiliary data for process control.- References.- 3: Stratification of control tasks and data communication.- Stratification of computer tasks.- Example 1.- Example 2.- Control levels and computer input/output hardware.- Level 1.- Level 2.- Level 3.- Level 4.- Level 5.- Characteristics of process control computer systems.- A survey of process control computer hardware.- Communication codes and circuits.- Channel capacity.- Types of connection and communication hardware.- Practical suggestions and recommendations.- References.- II: The Role of Software in Process Control Systems.- 4: The relative roles of software and hardware.- Data processing.- Hardware.- Computing power.- Software for process control data processing.- Process software.- Intercomputer communication software.- Message switching software.- Software for engineering calculations.- Extended real-time software.- Software versus hardware.- Program loop.- References.- 5: System software.- Basic concepts of real-time operating systems.- Structure and functions of real-time operating systems.- Data and symbols for the operating system.- System software.- Cost, safety and reliability of operating system software.- References.- 6: Application programs and databases.- Application program tasks.- Structure and timing requirement of application programs.- Direct communication.- Multiprogramming constraints.- Database and basic process software.- Access to database.- Basic facilities of an on-line database.- Database organization.- Contention resolution.- Distributed database.- Extended real-time software.- References.- III: The Man-Machine Interface.- 7: Reduction and visualization of data and procedures.- Operator-system communication.- Visualization and data logging.- Recognition of process states.- References.- 8: Process management and control.- Process states.- Operator/process interaction.- Process protection and automatic actions.- References.- 9: The role of the operator in process control systems.- The operator's role.- Controlling the operator's work using a process control system.- The operator's reaction to process control systems.- IV: System Design.- 10: The feasibility study.- Data volumes and flows.- Stratification of process control and basic system design.- Basic system design.- Communication hardware and software.- Cost/benefit analysis.- Investment costs.- Operating costs.- Benefits.- 11: Computer control system design.- Communication design.- Data transmission units.- Designing control and dispatching centres.- 12: Cost-effective system selection.- Buying and testing hardware.- Designing and testing software.- Testing at program unit level.- Testing at routine level.- Testing at program and system level.- Testing at acceptance level.- Human factors in system assembly.- External group work.- Internal group work.- Group state.- Group dynamics.- Group authority.- Programming teams.- References.- 13: The integrated approach.- Mounting and installation procedure.- Testing and reliability.- System commissioning.- Commissioning and safety.- Training personnel.- Maintenance.- References.- Author Index.