33-041

Description

The Coupled Tanks set-up is a model of a chemical plant fragment. Very often tanks are coupled through pipes and the reactant level and flow has to be con-trolled. The Coupled Tanks experiment is designed so that the system can be configured.
The Coupled Tanks system has 4 translucent tanks each with a pressure sensor to measure the water level. The couplings between the tanks can be modified by the use of seven manual valves to change the dynamics of the system imposing the use of different controllers. Water is delivered to the tanks by two independently controlled, submersed pumps. Step disturbances generation is provided by four manual valves. Drain flow rates can be modified using easy-to-change orifice caps.

Features

• Fully compatible with Matlab and Simulink
• Self contained unit can be either floor or bench mounted
• Four tanks each with pressure-sensor water level measurement & easy-to-read visual scale
• Two independently controlled pumps allow variable flow control
• Easy to configure coupling between tanks allows for a wide range of control scenarios from basic to advanced level
• Can be configured as Single Input Single Output (SISO) or Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system
• System dynamics can be modified using easy to change orifice caps

Curriculum Coverage

• Coupled Tanks set description
• Two Coupled Tanks model
• Model Linearisation
• Coupled Tanks model identification
• Coupled Tanks set-up control
• Plant Control
• Tank 1 or Tank 2 water level control
• Two tanks simultaneous control
• Cross-coupled Tanks control
• Four coupled tanks model
• Dynamics decoupling
• Disturbance compensation