Differential Equations and Process Control

The serious student of Process Control must recognize that one important facet of his education is the development of the mathematical sophistication required for him to approach the subject creatively. The transform methods commonly used in the solution of a control problem convert the dynamic analytical structure (differential equation) used to describe all dynamic processes into static algebraic relationships. The use of transform method is necessary to simplify the mechanics of the control problem solution procedure. But, the student must not lose sight of the fact that the tools developed for the analysis and design of process control systems have their origin in the dynamic analytical structure used to describe the control problem and not the algebraic structure used to simplify the solution procedure. The above discussion will be illustrated by reviewing, some of the basic concepts of process control. The discussion in this tutorial paper will be limited to processes described. by linear ordinary constant coeffcient differential equations.