Straightforward look at process control concepts and terminology

The International Society of Automation (ISA) has just published Control Loop Foundation—Batch and Continuous Processes, by Terrence Blevins and Mark Nixon.

Authors Blevins and Nixon, both from Emerson Process Management, have been involved in the application and design of process control systems throughout their careers. In this in-depth book, they address the concepts and terminology that are needed to work in the field of process control. The material is presented in a straightforward manner that is independent of the control system manufacturer. The book is written to be a guide for engineers, managers, technicians and others who are either new to process control or are experienced control engineers who are unfamiliar with multi-loop control techniques.

One chapter of the book is dedicated to techniques that may be used to create process simulations using tools that are commonly available within most distributed control systems. The last chapter of the book, on process applications, contains several more-complex examples from industry that illustrate how basic control techniques may be combined to meet a variety of application requirements.

At various points in the chapters on process characterization and control design, the reader has an opportunity to apply what was learned, using web-based workshops. Dynamic process simulations are built into the workshops to give the reader a realistic “hands-on” experience.

A website, Control Loop Foundation,  has been created to go with the book which includes excercises, workspaces, and other very comprehensive aids and downloads. (Added 29 Oct 2010 after Terry Blevins' comment below was received).

See also Hot Off the Press - New Control Loop Foundation Book, from Jim Cahill's Emerson Process Experts (His is the hand holding the book in the picture!)