Status of process control computers in the chemical industry

This article discusses the status of process control digital computers in the chemical industry and traces the growth of their usage during the past eight years. Analog computers for individual loop control are not included. Progress in the use of process control computers in the petroleum industry closely parallels that in the chemical industry. One of the most challenging phases of control systems engineering design in the chemical industry is the application of process control computers. Management is devoting time and effort to considering the use of computers in the control of chemical processes. Many new chemical plants are now being designed with a digital computer included as an integral part of their control systems. It is estimated that process control computers have increased efficiencies 1 to 2 percent and productivity 10 to 20 percent in the 48.6 billion dollar petrochemical industry.