BCT-21306 Control Engineering

Vak

Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

MAT-14903 Mathematics 2; MAT-15003 Mathematics 3; BPE-10305 Process Engineering Basics; BCT-20306 Modelling Dynamic Systems.

Continuation courses:

BCT-31306 Systems and Control Theory; BCT-31806 Parameter Estimation and Model Structure Identification.

Contents:

Besides a correct design or layout, good control systems are essential to guarantee that production systems operate and produce according the desired specifications. This course gives an introduction to classical control engineering approaches and discusses the standard methods and tools that are usually applied. The methods discussed in the course have a very wide application area. Examples are greenhouse climate, bioreactors, food production, robotics, environmental systems etc. This makes that the course fits in the curricula of several studies.
The course starts with a refresher on dynamic models of systems represented by differential equations. These differential equations will be solved by transformation to the Laplace domain. The system representation in the Laplace domain by transfer functions offers several new possibilities to interpret and to analyse the characteristics of systems and to design controllers.
Classical control is discussed and analysed for the PID controller family. Controller tuning, stability and performance are central items to qualify the controllers, and methods to find these qualifications are introduced (response times, pole placement, root-locus and frequency response).
During the course theory will be explained by examples from practice, exercising problems, working on a design case and application on a real life installation (practical's).

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- solve differential equations by using Laplace transformations;
- translate differential equations into transfer functions;
- derive stability and response characteristics from transfer functions;
- design, analyse and tune PID controllers by using step response and root-locus methods;
- design, analyse and tune PID controllers by using frequency response method, Bode and Nyquist;
- improve the performance of controllers;
- analyse a process and design a controller configuration;
- use special types of controllers as feedforward, and cascade controllers;
- apply these concepts during practical exercises.

Activities:

- lectures will be combined with exercises;
- computer instructions;
- computer practicals;
- practicals on a small installation;
- self study.

Examination:

Observations during practical cases. Exam (open questions). The final result is a 2/1 combination of a written exam and the average of the grades for the design case study. The reports on the practical exercises have to get a positive result (pass). To pass the course the minimum grade for the exam is 5.5.

Literature:

Lecture notes 'Control Engineering'
The lecture notes will be distributed at the start of course
Additional course material will be distributed during the course.