Gregory K. Austin McMillan

Bridging the gap between universities and industry

The distributed control system (DCS) is the most prevalent means of implementing batch and continuous control in the process industry. The DCS platform may also be effectively used for the evaluation and demonstration of innovative algorithms developed at a university. The integrated online advanced controls, diagnostics, data analytics, and process modeling capability of a DCS facilitate university research. This working environment also prepares students for careers in industry. The paper discusses the industrial standards adopted by the DCS that allow students and researchers to concentrate on the application of new control capabilities. External applications such as Matlab can be used with the DCS to explore control and process modeling. In this environment, the student and researchers may take advantage of preconfigured and automated features of the DCS. Process simulations may be integrated into the DCS to create a virtual plant capability that is capable of running faster than real-time. The DCS supports wireless and internet access to the virtual plant which increases ease of use in a lab or pilot plant. The DCS system enables rapid exploration, discovery, and prototyping of process modeling and control technologies in a university environment and deployment in industry.