Modeling A Four Tank Air-Flow System

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Modeling A Four Tank Air-Flow System

• Justin Miles
• ECHE 499
• Instructor Dr. Gatzke

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Process Controls Theory

• Control systems are present in every industrial
  process
• Control systems are the brain of the plant
• Execute the vast majority of all required actions
  in a plant
• Opening and closing valves
• Running HVAC system
• Regulate tank filling
• Running reactors

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Process Controls Theory (cont.)

• Control systems ensure safe plant environment
• Regulate temperature pressure to prevent
  explosions
• Prevent overfilling of tanks
• Simulation models used to test control systems
• Ensures control system will function properly
• Prevents need of tweeking during start-up of
  plants
• Saves money

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Research

• Developing a process simulation model for a
  dynamic air-flow system
• Will be using MATLAB/Simulink to create and test
  a mathematical model of the system
• Mathematical model should accurately predict
  experimental pressure in each of the four tanks

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Pictures of the System
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System Diagram
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Pictures of the System
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Details of the Model

• Model will take into account
• incoming pressure
• valve positions
• system disturbances
• Leaks
• variations in atmospheric pressure
• Model will consist of four high order
  differential equations based on undergrad fluid
  mechanics ( ECHE 320)

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System Diagram
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Diagram of One Tank System
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Simulink Model
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Applications

• Use simulation model to test the capabilities of
  experimental controller
• Test to ensure controller works properly
• Will it overshoot/undershoot its set point?
• See how quickly controller corrects for
  disturbances on system
• Model will be used as a hands-on tutorial for
  future undergrads in ECHE 550
• Calculate process gains
• Calculate time constants
• Develop process models