Strategies for implementing advanced process controls in a distributed control system (DCS)

Abstract Advanced controls are generally thought of as complex control schemes, traditionally implemented in a supervisory computer. However, with the tremendous increased functional capabilities, better interfaces, and ease of configuration of modern distributed control systems (DCS), the opportunities are now available for the user to realize significant economic benefits by implementing advanced controls along with the standard regulatory controls in the DCS. The paper presents some strategies to implement advanced controls using the tools available within the modern DCS. Application examples of implementing feed forward, non-interacting, model-based multivariable and constraint controls are discussed for common process units. Included are also examples for building quality estimators to substitute for analyzers. The article describes how the user can exploit the DCS not only to achieve regulatory controls, but to fully utilize its potential as a direct revenue generator.