ADAPTIVE CONTROL TECHNIQUE A SOLUTION FOR GLCCÓ SEPARATORS

Field applications of Gas Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLCCÓ) separators strongly depend on the implementation of control systems, due to its compactness, less residence time and possible inlet large flow variations. In this study an adaptive control algorithm is identified for GLCCÓ separator control using a hardware controller and tested extensively. A new optimal control strategy is developed for GLCCÓ separators to maintain the liquid level inside the GLCCÓ with minimum dynamics of liquid control valve. Dynamic simulation for GLCCÓ separators equipped with the new optimal control strategy is conducted for different inflow scenarios using MATLAB/Simulink software. EXACT – Expert Adaptive Control Technique, an inbuilt adaptive tuning algorithm in Foxboro 762CNA micro controller is studied in detail for application to GLCCÓ separator control system applications. Detailed experimental investigations are conducted to evaluate system sensitivity and dynamic behavior for the proposed new optimal control strategy and adaptive control. The results demonstrate that the optimal control strategy with adaptive control is capable of controlling the liquid level and reducing the dynamics of the liquid control valve significantly. The results of theoretical and experimental studies provide GLCCÓ control with robust hardware controller capable of adapting to changes in flow conditions, which can be readily deployed in the field