Control Loop Specification

Unit name Flash Tank (FT-001)

1. Qualitative Inventory balance

Mass:
𝐹9 = 𝐹8 + 𝐹7
Water component:
𝑋𝑤,9 𝐹9 = 𝑋𝑤,8 𝐹8 + 𝑋𝑤,7 𝐹7
0.92𝐹9 = 𝐹8 + 𝑋𝑤,7 𝐹7
Solid component:
8
𝑋𝑇𝑆,9 𝐹9 = 𝑋𝑇𝑆,8 𝐹8 + 𝑋𝑇𝑆,7 𝐹7 D-V1
D-P1
0.08𝐹9 = 𝑋𝑇𝑆,7 𝐹7 9
7
Where,
V-02
 F9 is mass flow rate of the diluted stream (Kgs-1)
 F8 is the process water input stream (Kgs-1)
 F7 is the flash tank output (Kgs-1)
 R is the dilution Ratio
 Xj,i is the mass fraction of species i in stream j

2. Selecting Controlled Variable

2a. Control objectives  To increase the mass fraction of the water component in F7 to 0.92

2b. Possible variables to control F9, F8, F7

2c. Selected variables for control

Control Importance Basis of selection: Guidelines and Heuristics

Variable Hierarchy
and
Loop ID
F9 Stable and CV1: Non self-regulatory as flow rate is determined by the centrifugal pump
optimal and throttling valve
operation CV2: The anaerobic digester operates with a design specification of
𝑋𝑇𝑆 <0.08
3. Selecting Measured Variables
Measured Loop type Basis of selections: Guidelines and Heuristics
Variable
a) F7 Feed-Forward MV2: Easily measured parameter
Loop MV4: Mixing occurs relatively instantaneously, therefore response delays
can be assumed to be small
b) F9 Feedback Loop MV1: Establishes a feedback loop as measured variable is also the control
variable
MV2: Easily measured parameter
MV4: Mixing occurs relatively instantaneously, therefore response delays
can be assumed to be small
4. Selecting Manipulated Variables
Manipulated Basis of selection: Guidelines and Heuristics
Variable
a) F8 MVP1: F8 acts directly on the controlled variable F9
MVP2: F9 is materially affected by F8
MVP3: As the mixing occurs relatively instantaneously the response delay in F9 as manipulation
of F8 is relatively small
5. Disturbances
The only disturbance present is fluctuations in the volumetric flow of F7, causing a proportional fluctuation in the
manipulated variable F8
6. Specified Control Loop Diagram

Centrifugal Pump Globe Valve Mixing Valve

D-P1 D-V1 D-V2

8 D-V1
D-P1
7 9
D-V2

UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
CHEE4060

DT-101: Process Control Diagram (PCD)

SIZE DATE DWG NO REV
DRAWN BY: J. Blair
N/A 19-04-2016 CHEE4060-PFD-001 2
CHECKED BY: SCALE NTS SHEET 1 OF 1
 Centrifugal Pump Globe Valve Mixing Valve
D-P1 D-V1 D-V2

FC

8 D-V1
D-P1
7 9
V-02 FT
FT R

UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
CHEE4060

DT-101: Process Control Diagram (PCD)

SIZE DATE DWG NO REV
DRAWN BY: J. Blair
N/A 19-04-2016 CHEE4060-PFD-001 2
CHECKED BY: SCALE NTS SHEET 1 OF 1
Figure #: PCD for DT-101
4.2.1 Summary
The objective of the DT-101 is to achieve a mass fraction of 92% in the water component in
F9. In order to achieve this a ratio control loop was selected. A set point for the ratio is
specified via inferred compositional analysis and input data is received from flow transmitters
on stream 7 and 9, which manipulates stream 8 via adjusting the position of D-V1, a
throttling valve.
F9, F7 and F9, and F8 were selected as control, measured and manipulated variables
respectively, and selection methodology found in Appendix A.
Furthermore, the quantitative balances are as follows:
Mass:
𝐹9 = 𝐹8 + 𝐹7
Water component:
0.92𝐹9 = 𝐹8 + 𝑋𝑤,7 𝐹7
Solid component:
0.08𝐹9 = 𝑋𝑇𝑆,7 𝐹7

4.2.2 Consideration
It is recommended that inline mixing is a suitable method for mixing streams 7 and 8 due to the
following heuristics (Sinott, 2005):

 Continuous operation under routine conditions

 Miscible liquids
 Low degree of mixing required
 Low viscosity fluid
 Turbulent fluid inputs
This can be achieved through using an inline mixer. The degree of mixing can be improved through
the addition of static mixers within the pipe.