Ratio control system is a technique wherein one of the variable(in case of binary feed) is manipulated in a controlled way to keep/maintain a specific ratio of the output stream.
Ratio control system is a special type of feed forward control system widely used in the process industries. The objective of ratio control system is to maintain the ratio of two variables at a specified value.
The ratio controller manipulates the other flow (secondary flow) to maintain the desired ratio between the two flows. The flow controlled by the ratio controller is called the controlled flow.
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Liquid Level Flow Control LoopHeat Exchanger Temperature ControlPiping and Instrumentation Diagram – P&IDHow to choose betwwen PLC and DCS systems for process industries ?In the above conceptual diagram flow rate of one of the stream feeding the mixed flow, designated as the wild feed (primary flow), can change freely depends upon upstream conditions. The flow rate of this feed might get changed on the demand of product based on various required parameters (energy availability, feedstock variation, production rate etc.)
whereas, the another stream is mentioned as controlled feed (secondary flow) shown in the mixed flow feeding scheme.A final control element (FCE) in the controlled feed stream receives and reacts to the controller output signal, COc, from the ratio control architecture.
In this figure the ratio control system consisted by flow rate of two flow streams. Both are sensed by flow transmitter placed in the respective pipe line. Here in the above pipe (A), is considered as Uncontrolled flow and second (B) is as Controlled Flow. The flow controller controls the flow of the second stream flow rate with respect to the flow in the first pipe stream flow rate.
Since (A) is uncontrolled stream hence by measuring that we regulate the controlled stream (B) flow rate so that outlet stream comprised of a specified control ratio.
Hence one can say, K is the ratio relay or flow fraction,
K= B/A, where K is the ratio setting of the relay.
Practical example, consider air to fuel flow into the furnace.
Here Fuel is considered as wild flow where as air is consider as the controlled flow. The stream of air is controlled by the help of flow transmitter (which senses the flow rate) and Final control elements allows to valve %opening / %closing.
ImageSource : Control Guru; Instrumentation Forum; Control Notes
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