Tuning and Control Loop Performance—Freely Available Educational Resource

As promised, here is the third book of the three books Automation Hall of Fame member Greg McMillan, a renowned expert in the field, has generously made available to you. If you missed the earlier posts, check out Centrifugal and Axial Compressor Control and Process Control Case Histories.

Tuning and Control Loop Performance by Gregory K. McMillanThis book is Tuning and Control Loop Performance. In the abstract section, Greg describes this book.

This book provides the knowledge to eliminate the misunderstandings, realize the difference between theoretical and industrial application of PID [proportional-integral-derivative] control, address practical difficulties, improve field automation system design, use the latest PID features, and ultimately get the best tuning settings that enables the PID to achieve its full potential.

The book provides up to date comprehensive concepts and extensive details on the practical application of not only the PID but all of the automation system components that affect loop performance from a user’s viewpoint that is not available elsewhere in the literature. The book starts with a summary of the essential fundamentals.

You will gain a:

…foundation of the PID functionality, the major types of process responses, the dynamics that originate in the automation system, and the major tuning rules. Since the complex interrelationships and common misconceptions can be overwhelming, a unified methodology provides the focus and procedures to tackle the most challenging applications.

The book contains 15 chapters and 13 appendices. Each chapter is summarized with the key points Greg makes to improve your knowledge of how to drive performance improvements. Here’s a list of the 15 chapters:

  1. Fundamentals
  2. Unified Methodology
  3. Performance Criteria
  4. Effect of Process Dynamics
  5. Effect of Controller Dynamics
  6. Effect of Measurement Dynamics
  7. Effect of Valve and Variable Frequency Drive Dynamics
  8. Effect of Disturbances
  9. Effect of Nonlinearities
  10. Effect of Interactions
  11. Cascade Control
  12. Advanced Regulatory Control
  13. Process Control Improvement
  14. Auto Tuners and Adaptive Control
  15. Batch Optimization

Building on the knowledge and experience of Greg’s long and successful career, he hopes this book will provide you with best practices to carry forward in your organization. Greg is now retired but still active on LinkedIn, so let him know what you have gained from this and the other books he’s made freely available.

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