If there is one thing that should have become quite clear to anybody reading this magazine over the last half-decade or so, it is that there is a general lack of `feel' for what happens in control loops - together with a disturbing level of apathy on the part of plant managers in this regard.
So when Michael Brown called to suggest that we begin a published question and answer forum addressing issues raised in control loop optimisation applications, we took up the offer immediately. In the end, all citizens pay for inefficient production, as the costs get passed along the chain, often as far as the consumers - and then there are also the shareholders and investors... It is in the best interests of all that something is done to address this matter, and get SA industry running efficiently.
Before those howls of indignation begin: Yes, I know that your plant is fine!
I will not expound any further on the matter, as Maurice McDowell has written an article that covers the subject very well: 'Why is control loop optimisation virtually ignored?'. If you know that your plant's loops are in a mess, please take Maurice's article to your relevant plant manager/director and get them to read it.
Our control loop bonanza features control loop related articles.
Control loop forum
To cut through the blur that permeates the industry, SA instrumentation and Control, in association with Michael Brown Engineering, will be hosting a published forum that addresses issues revolving around loop optimisation. The purpose of this forum is to provide a means by which a larger sector of the industry can begin acquiring a clearer idea of what goes on in control loops. The ultimate goal is to bring about a change in mindset that will result in a more efficient industry - from which all will benefit.
Anybody having questions involving loop optimisation problems or experiences - and would like to share the experience with the forum - please e-mail your question to Michael Brown for consideration: michael.brown@pixie.co.za. This issue's forum question and answer article can be found at 'Loop optimisation questions answered'.
In this issue
Many do not appreciate the horrors of what can go wrong when checking high-power electrical wiring with a multimeter that may appear to be able to handle the voltage that is supposed to be present. Have a look at 'Multimeter safety'.
Water is a unique substance that has many attributes that are quite unusual - these unusual attributes are very necessary in order for life, as we know it, to exist on earth. It is because of its unusual nature that water needs special consideration when measuring flow with conventional magnetic flowmeters - read about why its conductivity needs to be higher than that of other fluids: 'Electrical conductivity of water: why the limit is set to equal to and > 20 µS/cm'.
John Gibbs, editor
Send your letters to the editor, john@technews.co.za
For all your instrumentation and control shopping, visit www.ibg.co.za
You can access past articles at www.instrumentation.co.za
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