Timed-Shared Program Control of Two Product Pipelines

In the past few years pipeline operations have become more complex and are demanding that more complex functions and operations be performed by supervisory control systems. This in turn means that the system must become very flexible. The author shows where a special-purpose computer can fill the gap between the regular hardwired master and a general-purpose computer. There are many systems that need varying degrees of flexibility yet do not warrant using a general-purpose computer which would be prohibitive pricewise. This is a perfect situation for the special-purpose computer. The primary advantage of a special-purpose computer, also called a storage programmed system over a hardwired system, is flexibility that allows the internal process and output to be changed through programming rather than through a physical modification of the equipment, such as going in and changing wires.