A flexible multivariable experimental air tank system for process control education

This paper presents an industrially relevant multivariable experimental air pressure tank system which has been developed at the University of South Carolina for process control education. Inspired by experimental systems for liquid level modeling and control of a four-tank system, this pressure control apparatus is quite flexible. It offers a wide variety of uses for both educational and research purposes, and it does so at moderate expense. As opposed to liquid level systems, pressure differences in the system drive the flow, removing limitations in system flexibility associated with gravity driven liquid systems. The four tank system can be configured to exhibit a multivariable right-half plane zero, demonstrating advanced concepts of input directionality and control limitations. A detailed description of the system and a model based on fundamental principles is provided. The current system allows for a computer interface to both MATLAB/Simulink and LabView.