Experiment No.

-1
Aim: To understand hardware and software platforms for DCS

Theory:

Introduction

In any process plant, the purpose of automation to maintain the product quality, consistency,
reduce start-up time, and increase speed of operation with human safety. Control system
whether it is a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) or a Distributed Control System (DCS)
is required for the same purpose. The purpose of Industrial automation laboratory is to
understand the theory and programming aspects of DCS.

Definition

A Control system which is functionally as well as physically distributed is called Distributed

Control System.

Evolution of DCS

The control systems were developed along with the technology and as the difficulties faced
by each technology were realized.

1. Open Loop: offline

In this technology, digital computers were applied for acquisition and processing of plant
data/laboratory data or test field data. At this time operator had to read this data and store
them, which was an offline process for acquisition and processing of data. No optimization
and feedback control.
2. Closed Loop : offline

In this technology, set point values were calculated by computer but still manually set by
plant operator. Thus offline closed loop control was formed. This was only acceptable when
timing condition of process control is not severe as manual intervention leads to introduction
of time delay in the control of the process.

3. Open Loop : online

In this era of 50's computers were provided for process interface for data acquisition and
process control, by connecting inputs directly to the computer. But still used as open loop
control.
4. Closed Loop : online

At the end of 50's era output elements were also connected to the computers for online
process monitoring and control. Thus data transfer in both the directions was the first step
towards online closed loop control.

5. Distributed Dedicated Computers

In the first half of 60's computers were used for dedicated functions i.e. their functions were
clearly defined like data processing, data acquisition etc. with no interconnection between
them. Data inter-exchange was only possible via a transportable medium.
6. Centralized Dedicated Computers

The information inter-exchange which was not possible in the distributed dedicated computer
control was possible by introducing another central computer in which data from all the
dedicated computers is collected, which can be shared later on. This led to the information
exchange but with computational speed and reliability of computer at stake.

7. Decentralized Computer System

In the beginning of the 70's it was accepted that the central computer will solve central
automation problem only and peripheral computers have to solve local problems in their
close surrounding. A two stage hierarchical automation system structure called Decentralized
Computer System was introduced because of this .
Architecture and Block Diagram

Functionally Decentralized or Distributed Control System is divided into four different levels
as follows performing the functions as described below:

LEVEL 0: FIELD LEVEL

As the name suggests this level comprises of the basic field instruments like sensors,
transmitters etc. which are directly connected to the process.

LEVEL 1: DIRECT PROCESS CONTROL

This level handles various functions as:

 Data Acquisition
 Data Check
 Plant Monitoring
 Open and Closed loop Control
 Reporting

LEVEL 2: PLANT SUPERVISORY CONTROL

This level handles various functions as:

 Plant Performance Monitoring

 Plant Coordination
 Optimal Process Control
 Adaptive Control
 Failure Detections

LEVEL 3: PRODUCTION SCHEDULING AND CONTROL

This level handles various functions as:

 Production Dispatching
 Inventory Control
 Production Supervision
 Production Re-Scheduling
 Production Reporting

LEVEL 4: PLANT MANAGEMENT

This level handles various functions as:

 Market and Customer Analysis

 Orders And Sales Statistics
 Capacity and Order Balance
 Order Dispatching
 Production Planning
 Terms Supervision
 Financial Surveys
Working of DCS

The working of DCS can be divided into two parts

1. Hardware Flow

In any process the sensory organs of a process are sensors and /or transmitters through which
the status of the process is known. The flow of signal passes from sensors/ transmitters to a
local field junction box where number of wires comes. From field junction box through a
multi core cable it goes to the main junction box. Again from main junction box it comes to a
marshalling cabinet where the wires enter into the control panel. In the control panel,
controller and I/O cards are placed. After signal entering the panel, the signal wire with or
without a relay card goes into the input card connected to the controller. Controller thereby
processes the data according to the logic created and gives output to the Final Control
Element through output cards, following the same route.
 2. Software

There is a scan cycle which needs to be completed for the execution of an instruction needed
to control the process. The scan period is set by the user while configuring DCS and the
following steps occur for each scan period:

 Firstly the status of inputs from the process through the input cards are checked.
 Then the values are updated in the program and according to the logic prepared by the
programmer output values are decided.
 These outputs then go to the field through output cards.
 Moreover the status is updated in the SCADA as well as the changes are stored for future
reference in the historian. Any alarms i.e. deviations in the process are there, then they are
also noted and stored.

Functions of DCS

 I/O signal characterization

 Signal filtering
 Alarming I/O modules
 Ranging and engineering units
 Control logic
 Control interlocks
 Sequencing
 Batch control
 Passing on trending information
 Passing on report information

Performance Evaluation of DCS

 Available memory for configuration

 Available idle time (based on a given scan rate)
 I/O loading or criticality
 Number of available software addresses for Input/output blocks
 Number of available software addresses for control blocks

Internals of DCS

DCS can be divided into two parts for understanding purpose.

Hardware: It consists of the following

 Controller
 Power supply for controller
 I/O Terminal Block
 DIN Rail
 I/O Interface Carrier
 Bulk Power Supply
 System Power Supply
 Server
 Professional Stations
  Operator Stations
 Application Stations
 Remote Workstations
 Relays

Software: It consists of the following

 To view and control the process using mimic, same as the real process (SCADA).
 Programming environment wherein logic can be created.
 A hierarchical view of the whole system
 Advance Control Strategy Schemes
 Configuration Suite to configure the hardware attached.
 Diagnostic Suite
 Alarm Module
 History Module
 Trends Module
 Database management module

Advantages

 System implementation can be carried out in a modular fashion due to which system growth
can be easily achieved as each processor has clearly defined set of functions; if carefully
designed.
 System overloading is less in case of DCS.
 In case of failure of a part, DCS doesn't affect the whole system/ process.
 Backup i.e. redundancy feature possible in DCS.
 Reliability of DCS is more than that of Centralized Control.
 Reduction of cost of interfacing to computer due to reduction in wire usage for control
purpose.
 DCS is more flexible in terms of altering configurations within a specified range so as to
confrm to the change requirements if any.
 Duplicate storage of critical data can be done easily.
 Independent or standalone processors communicate with each other which make
management of computers easy.
 Minimization of data loss as well as errors due to placement of controllers in the nearby
vicinity in DCS.
 Advanced control strategies are easy to implement in DCS.

Limitations

 Cost is high when compared with PLC/PC Combination.

 Specialized support from engineering personnel required.
 DCS's require a clean control room environment compared to PLC/ PC environment.

Selection Procedure

There are number of considerations for selecting a proper automation tool for a particular
application For multiple product manufacturing, varied receipe parameters, multiple
procedures, often changes required in receipes, complex batch processes with number of
regulatory loops, DCS is preferred. If the operator's interaction is required to keep process to
fulfill target performance, For observing process with faceplates, critical trends, for
responding effectively during plant upsets, DCS is preferred. DCS gives adjustable scan
time, online configuration changes, simple to advanced PID control and advanced process
control strategies.

Difference Between PLC and DCS

Procedure:
1. Once you open the simulator, at the left side you will see the library of nomenclature
and symbols.
2. You have to classify the symbols in the various categories as AI, AO,DI and DO.
3. Left click on the nomenclature and symbols one by one and drag it to the right side
(Workspace) to build the architecture of the PLC.

Simulation: