Power plants–especially coal-fired boilers–pose a set of process control problems unparalleled in other industries. Rapid load ramps, continuous unit demand changes, variable fuel quality and process ...

Just over a decade ago, an article titled, "Advanced Control Strategies Move into the Field" (Control, October 2008), highlighted three evolving trends in the process control world that would "make ...

Plant engineers and technicians are frequently asked to tune the controller when a control loop’s process value has prolonged or significant excursions from the set point. But in many instances, no ...

Driving a dc solenoid as a control-loop element can be difficult, even though a solenoid is a simple device. Many applications require the solenoid to engage several times a second, especially if the ...

For the PDF version of this article, click here. Switching power supplies rely on feedback control loops to ensure the supply maintains the required voltage and current with varying load conditions.