DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : K. Sudha
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : DA.E.I.E
Institute : K.D.R.G.P.T, Wnp, Mbnr Dist.
Semester : V
Subject : Process Control
Subject code : AEI-505
Topic : Process control system configuration
Duration : 100 minutes

Subtopic : Characteristics of Ratio control

Teaching Aids : PPTs, Animations, Diagrams
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 Objective

On completing this topic, you would be able to

know about

• Characteristics

• Examples

• Applications of Ratio control

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 Characteristics of Ratio Control

• It is convenient method of controlling variables

maintaining a fixed relation among them

• A single process control is used to provide The

relationship between two or more variables

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• It can be accomplished by using measurement from two
sensors as input to the controller

• Before evaluation of inputs, a signal conditioning system

must scale the two measurements and add them

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 x1 c
r
controller process x1/x2
x2
b

Ratio control

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• In this system c = x1/x2

• x1 & x2 = measured variables of process

• Either one of variable can be held uncontrolled

• Other is varied as required for the optimum control

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• Ratio of two reactants (variables) must be controlled

• One of the flow rates is measured & allowed to float (not

regulated)

• Other is both measured & adjusted to provide the specific

constant ratio

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 General Example

• Flow rate of reactant A is measured and added with

appropriate scaling to the measurement of flow rate B

• Two variables
• Flow rate of A
• Flow rate of B

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A compound system for which ratio of two flow rates is controlled

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• Floating variable
• Flow rate of A

• Flow rate A is measured, but uncontrolled

• Adjusting variable
• Flow rate B

• Flow rate B is both measured & controlled

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 Example

1. Consider an acid-water ratio control system which

automatically controls the addition of fresh acid in correct

proportion to the water used. this system regards &

integrates the consumption of both water & acid

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 Solution

• It simplifies the control of solution level as the operator

adjusts only the water valve

• Ratio factor is set by a ratio relay (or) multiplying unit

• Located between flow transmitter & flow controller
set point

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• It is desired to control flow B in a preset ratio to flow A

• Flow transmitter senses the flow

• Ratio relay multiplies the output of flow transmitter by a

manually set factor
• o/p of ratio relay = (flow A output) . (preset factor)

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 RATIO CONTROLLER OPERATION

Controlled output 1 Controller

SP

Measurement Controlled output 2

50% flow 100% flow

Out flow
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Acid water ratio control system

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• The o/p becomes set point of controller that regulates
flow B

• At equilibrium, flow B equals the set point of controller

• Flow B = (flow A). (ratio factor)

• Ratio factor = flow B/ flow A

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 Example

2. In a compound control system, the ratio between two

variables is to be maintained at 3.5 to 1.if each has been
converted to a 0.5 volts range signal, revise a signal
conditioning system that will output a zero signal to the
controller when ratio is constant

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 Solution

• In this case summing amplifier is used

• Then the output is related to input by

-Rf Rf
• Vout = V1 - V2
R1 R2

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Circuit for example 2

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• If we make vout = 0, then the voltage ratio is

v1 R1

v2 R2
• One input voltage must be negative (because we
cannot use negative resistance)

R1 = 3.5 R2

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• Because gain is unspecified, we can use

Rf = R1

• Then Vout = V1 – 3.5V2

• Thus whenever V1 = 3.5V2 , the output is zero

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 Applications

• Used to control of air flow in an oil fired furnace

• Used to ensure proper mixer of solids (or) liquids in

reactant process

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• Used in chemical processes where different process
parameters are inter related

• Used in fuel blending

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 Summary

We have discussed about,

• Characteristics of ratio controller

• Examples of ratio controller

• Applications of ratio controller

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 Quiz

1. How many process controls are used in ratio control?

a) 2
b) More than two
c) 1
d) None

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 Quiz

2. How many sensors are used in ratio control?

a) 3
b) 2
c) 1
d) 4

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 Quiz

3. Write the formula for ratio factor?

a) Flow B/flow A
b) Flow A/flow A
c) Flow B/flow B
d) Flow A/flow B

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 Quiz

4. In the following choose the application of ratio controller?

a) Control valve
b) Fuel blending
c) Milling
d) Actuators

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 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Draw & explain a ratio controller?

3. Explain ratio controller with an example?

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