Process Optimization and Troubleshooting techniques
Overview
High process variability compromises the economic performance of continuous processes. Off-quality product, higher raw material costs and reduced process efficiency are the result. Minimizing process variability is a difficult, multi-disciplinary activity that extends from the process design engineer to the operator. Process design flaws, poor control loop performance and inadequate stock chest mixing are important factors that lead to high variability in key process variables. Moreover, there is often a lack of the troubleshooting skills required to identify and correct variability problems. This allows higher than acceptable variability to persist for an extended period compromising product quality and profitability.
About the Course
This four day course is intended to strengthen the student's ability to optimize process performance. The first half of the course focuses on improving control loop performance. The measurement of process dynamics and Lambda tuning are the key topics. The second half of the course focuses on control strategy design, time series analysis techniques to characterize variability, troubleshooting techniques, and management approaches to maintaining a low variability operation. Approximately 40% of the course is devoted to a computer-based lab that illustrates the main concepts.
Who Should Attend
The course is primarily intended for process control engineers who want to improve their ability to optimize process control performance, minimize process variability in key processes and troubleshoot process control and variability problems.
Topics Covered
- Process Variability
- Process Dynamics
- Lambda tuning
- Control Loop Performance
- Impact of Process Design
- Control Strategy Design
- Measuring Process Variability
- Troubleshooting control loop problems
- Managing Process Variability
Course Fees
The registration fee for the PCT course is CDN $2500 or $ US 2200 (taxes included.
The course fee include a full set of course notes (hardcopy or pdf), the lab simulator and course handouts.
Instructor - Doug Nelson
Doug has over 30 years of pulp and paper process control experience. He has authored papers on paper machine dryer control, control valve selection and the uses of process simulation in optimization surveys.