A liquid flow control loop consisting of a flow transmitter (FT) to sense liquid flow rate through the pipe and output an electronic signal corresponding to the flow.
A flow controller (FC) to sense the flow signal (from FT) and decide which way the control valve should move, a current-to-air (I/P) transducer (FY) to convert the controller’s electronic output signal into a variable air pressure, and an air-operated flow control valve (FV) to throttle the liquid flow:
Describe what will happen to all signals in this control loop with the controller in “automatic” mode (ready to compensate for any changes in flow rate by automatically moving the valve) if the pump were to suddenly spin faster and create more fluid pressure, causing an increase in flow rate.
Also describe what will happen to all signals in this control loop with the controller in “manual” mode (where the output signal remains set at whatever level the human operator sets it at) if the pump were to suddenly spin faster and create more fluid pressure, causing an increase in flow rate.
Extra Question :
Explain the practical benefit of having a “manual” mode in a process loop controller. When might we intentionally use manual mode in an operating process condition?
Process flow rate (increase) → FT output signal (increase milliamps) → FC output signal (decrease milliamps) → FY output signal (decrease PSI) → FV position (moves further closed, pinching off liquid flow).
Process flow rate (increase) → FT output signal (increase milliamps) → FC output signal (remains steady) → FY output signal (remains steady) → FV position (holds position).
The important part of this question is the difference in response between “automatic” and “manual” controller modes. In automatic control mode, the controller takes action to bring the process back to setpoint. In manual control mode, the controller just lets the process drift and takes no action to stop it.
At first, having a “manual” mode in a control system seems pointless. However, giving human operators the ability to manually override the otherwise automatic actions of a control system is important for start-up, shut-down, and handling emergency (unusual) conditions in a process system.
Manual mode is also a very important diagnostic tool for instrument technicians and operators alike. Being able to “turn off the brain” of an automatic control system and watch process response to manual changes in manipulated variable (final control element) signals gives technical personnel opportunity to test for unusual control valve behavior, process quirks, and other behaviors in a system that can lead to poor automatic control.
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In Manual Mode especially if the PID block is implemented in the DCS and there are some interlocks implemented using the PV or MV of the PID block then that interlock or alarm is also bypassed. So the other advantage or should be we say the disadvantage would be the bypass of alarms or interlock in MAN mode.
When we want to control the flow of motor as our requirements flow rate that FT should be install after ( I mean flow for MOTOR - VALVE- FT ) the valve right.
Then only we are sure that the flow rate is going as our requirements but we have installed FT in before that valve how we can sure the flow rate for after the valve. In this case, the valve has some issues or trouble valves given not proper output. please explain this. Thanking you