Question

A common application of control systems is in regulating the temperature of a chemical process. The flow of a chemical reactant to a process is controlled by an actuator and valve. In a specific scenario, the valve position is controlled by the actuator to maintain the reactor temperature at 350°C. Explain how this temperature control system works and what type of control loop it represents.

Answer 1

A temperature control system uses an actuator and valve to regulate the temperature of a chemical process. It represents a closed-loop feedback control system.

Step-by-step explanation:

A temperature control system is used to regulate the temperature of a chemical process, such as a reactor. In this specific scenario, the actuator and valve control the flow of a chemical reactant to maintain the reactor temperature at 350°C. The control system works by continuously monitoring the temperature and adjusting the valve position with the actuator to bring the temperature back to the desired set point.

This temperature control system represents a closed-loop control system, also known as a feedback control system. It involves a feedback loop that continuously compares the measured temperature to the desired set point and adjusts the valve position accordingly. This feedback loop allows for automatic adjustments to maintain the desired temperature.