How organizations use ICT:

Technological advancements in  process monitoring,  control  and industrial automation in recent years have improved the productivity of virtually all manufacturing industries throughout the world.  Almost all the controls installed in new plants or plant expansions are Digital Control Systems (DCS) connected by digital networks.

 Process control is extensively used in industry.  It is the use of computers or microprocessors to control a process.  Process control enables automation.  This means that a small staff of operating personnel can operate a complex process from a central control room.

 Enables mass production of continuous processes eg oil refining, paper manufacturing, chemical processing, temperature control etc  It is also used in the food and beverage industries

 Chilling the temperature in an industrial refrigeration plant is a process that has a specific, desired outcome to reach:  To maintain a defined temperature (e.g. 2°C) temperature  And keep it constant over time.

 A variable is a piece of data that can change.  The temperature is the controlled variable.  It is also the input variable since it is measured by a thermometer and used to decide whether to heat or not to heat.

 The desired temperature (2°C) is the setpoint.  The state of the chiller (e.g. the activation of the actuator to switch the compressor on or off) is called the manipulated variable since it is subject to control actions.

 Algorithm usually means a small procedure that solves a recurrent problem.  An algorithm (pronounced AL-go-rith-um) is a procedure or formula for solving a problem. The word derives from the name of the mathematician, Mohammed ibn-Musa al- Khwarizmi

 Most process control is overseen by PLCs rather than by computers.  A PLC is a type of microprocessor that is used for a single purpose.

A programmable logic controller, or a PLC, is used to: 1. read a set of digital and analog inputs 2. apply a set of logic statements 3. generate a set of analog and digital outputs.

 Using the previous example, the plant temperature would be an input to the PLC.  The logical statements would compare the preset value to the input temperature and determine whether more or less compression was necessary to keep the temperature constant.  A PLC output would then either activate the actuator to switch the compressor on, an incremental amount, depending on whether more or less chilling was needed.

 A PLC is able to accept analogue and digital inputs  It makes extensive use of analogue to digital conversion (as well as digital-to-analogue conversion!)  A set of logic statements is used to compare the input with a pre-set value.

 Depending on the results of that comparison, it activates the output devices.  PLCs are not really used in home central heating systems (where the pre-set value might change to suit seasonal conditions)  They are used in situations where the pre-set value is a constant, ie industrial refrigeration systems

 In controlling temperature,  INPUT: the room temperature  LOGICAL STATEMENTS: would compare the pre-set value to the input temperature and decide whether more or less heating was necessary to keep the temperature constant.  OUTPUT: would then either open or close a hot water valve depending on whether more or less hot water was needed.

 Proportional-Integral- Derivative (PID) algorithm  These are used with closed-loop systems  PID controller helps regulate important variables within the control system

 A physical variable (ie temperature) is continuously monitored by a sensor connected to the PLC  The outputs from the controller affect the input (ie the temperature) A Closed Loop System

 These control continuous processes  The purpose of the PLC is to make the input value equal to the pre-set one and maintain it there.  PID is the best means of doing this

 The PID calculates the difference between the input value and the pre-set value.  It causes the PLC to make proportional changes to the output  so that the pre-set temperature is eventually reached.

 If the temperature in an industrial heating system is lower than the required temperature, the PID calculates the difference  Instead of switching the heater on until the pre- set value is reached, the PLC switches it on for a short time  Then checks the difference again

 If there is still a difference, it switches the heater on again for another small burst  This is repeated until the required temperature is reached.

One main advantage stands out above the rest when using a PID controller. It can control various systems or devices with little human interaction. Not only does this allow the workers to concentrate on other tasks, but it also allows many processes to run at once.

There are three types of process control:  Batch Process Control  Continuous Process Control  Discrete Process Control

 Some applications require that specific quantities of raw materials be combined in specific ways for particular durations to produce an intermediate or end result.  One example is the production of adhesives and glues, which normally require the mixing of raw materials in a heated vessel for a period of time to form a quantity of end product.

 Other important examples are the production of food, beverages and medicine.  Batch processes are generally used to produce a relatively low to intermediate quantity of product per year (a few pounds to millions of pounds).

Items are manufactured in groups or batches. A specific process for each item takes place at the same time on a batch of items, and that group does not move onto the next stage of production or inspection until the whole batch is done. For example, in small bakeries and many homes, as opposed to large food manufacturing companies, cookies are baked in batches. A baker must first make the dough, then place it onto baking sheets, and then bake it. People are limited as to how many cookies they can produce at one time by the number of baking sheets and ovens they possess, and by the size of bowls available to mix each batch.

 The amount of each ingredient that is added is controlled by the computer  So is the length of time for each stage  So is the temperature

 Found in many manufacturing and packaging applications.  Robotic assembly, such as that found in car manufacture, can be characterized as discrete process control.  Most discrete manufacturing involves the production of discrete pieces of product, such as metal stamping.

 Specific items are produced.  It is like an on/off or stop/start process.  Fitting car wheels:  A robot fits a wheel to a car  The car moves on to the next stage  The robot stops  The next car comes along  The robot fits the wheel to the car…  And so on.  In between waiting for each car to arrive, the robot stops

 Continuous process control refers to processes that appear unending.  A good example is the maintaining of temperature in confined surroundings – eg industrial refrigeration  Other examples include oil/petroleum refining, the production of plastics or paper production.

 Some important continuous processes are the production of fuels, chemicals and plastics.  Continuous processes in manufacturing are used to produce very large quantities of product per year (millions to billions of pounds).

 Applications having elements of discrete, batch and continuous process control are often called hybrid applications.

 Can operate 24 hours a day without taking a break.  Can work without holidays or sick days  Will work without any wages.  Will repeat actions over and over and over again  Can process data from sensors very quickly  Can take account of hundreds of inputs at the same time  Can make reliable and accurate decisions  Can be used in dangerous or awkward environments where it wouldn't be a good idea to send humans to.

 The software for the control system is specialist and may cost a lot of money to develop  If the computer malfunctions the system will not work  If there is a power cut the system will not work  The computer can’t react to unexpected events like a human could. It can only respond in the way it has been programmed to.  It can cause some concern if total control for a system and the decisions are handed over to a computer.