Instrumentation and control refer to the analysis, measurement, and control of industrial process variables using process control instruments and software tools such as temperature, pressure, flow, and level sensors, analyzers, electrical and mechanical actuators, Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI), Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) systems, automated control systems and more.
What Is Instrumentation and Control Engineering?
Control engineering is a branch of electrical engineering that uses control theory to design, monitor, and control a wide range of industrial processes in order to achieve maximum productivity and theoretically infinite reliability while abiding to industry health and safety regulations.
What Is Process Control Instrumentation and How Does It Work?
Process control instrumentation focuses on using hardware and software to measure and control process variables in an industrial setting. Mathematical models of industrial processes and systems are used to create control systems.
Engineer's Role:
Instrumentation and control systems are managed by control and instrumentation engineers in industrial sites. Control and instrumentation engineers are in charge of designing, developing, and running control devices and systems in industrial facilities.
What Are the Benefits of Instrumentation and Process Control?
All industrial and manufacturing operations rely on instrumentation and process control. Every process in a manufacturing plant must be properly monitored and managed to ensure that it runs in an expected and safe manner. Temperature monitoring and control systems, for example, prevent temperatures from reaching critical levels and triggering an explosion at petrochemical plants. There might be human lives lost and investments destroyed if electric process heater control panels are not installed.
Instrumentation and Process Control are required in the following industries:
Industrial process instrumentation and process control equipment are required in virtually every industry that specializes in repeatable production.
The following are some examples of industries:
- Petrochemical
- Mining
- Marine
- Oil & Gas
- Wastewater Treatment
- Food &Beverage
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- And several others.
Common Industrial Process Control Equipment:
There are a variety of instrumentation and control systems that can help improve the efficiency and productivity of manufacturing equipment, depending on the industry.
The following are some of the most important process control instrumentation systems:
- Automated Control Systems
- Monitoring & Pressure Control
- Monitoring & Level Control
- Temperature Control & Monitoring
- Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA)
Automated Control Systems:
Automated control systems aid in the management of industrial processes that need a high level of precision or safety. The system is programmed to automatically adapt itself under diverging situations, so a control engineer may intermittently monitor automated control processes but does not need to interfere to return the variables to predetermined values.
By eliminating the human error factor, automated controls provide improved dependability for highly repeatable industrial processes. However, high-precision equipment must be employed to prevent catastrophic equipment failure. Gil Automation provides the Oil & Gas, Power Generation, and Air Quality industries with best-in-class automation and control solutions.
Monitoring & Level Control:
Flow control and monitoring devices Using level-detecting sensors that relay the information to a control panel or monitor operated by the control engineer, monitor, detect, and regulate the level of solids, fluids, or gases in tanks, vessels, and compartments. The engineer can modify the flow rate by remotely activating an electrical or mechanical actuator in response to an undesirable flow level. Coriolis flow meters, orifice flow meters, and turbine flow meters are examples of industrial pressure control equipment.
Monitoring & Temperature Control:
Temperature monitoring and control devices detect changes in ambient temperature or the temperature of monitored surroundings such as compartments, vessels, tanks, pipelines, and other machinery. The control and instrumentation engineer can usually view the temperature readings on a dashboard or monitor and take any necessary actions to adjust one or more process variables or shut down devices or the entire plant to prevent critical equipment failure or fire hazards.
Monitoring & Pressure Control:
Pressure control systems detect changes in process pressure and display the measurements in Bar, KPa or other relevant units using the information obtained from pressure sensors. Pressure monitoring and control devices can be mechanical or electrically-operated. They are essential tools which ensure the safety of personnel and assets in industrial operations – particularly in industries that handle pressurized fluids, liquids, and gases.
GIL Is a Trusted Partner For All Your Instrumentation and Control Engineering
If you’re looking for industrial process instrumentation and process control equipment for your organization, GIL Automation has the tools you need.
With a team of experienced engineers for deployment, servicing, consultation, and 24/7 technical support, you can rest assured of quality service every time.
Contact us online today or call +234 809 393 0316.
