Aspen DMC plus Training

for CAPC

2007 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

Introduction
Objective of this training is to introduce the basic concepts of Aspen
DMCplus controller, so that operators would obtain basic
understandings and able to use the controller.

The training will cover concept of multivariable controller and show

the difference from DCS regulatory control.
The terminology commonly used with Aspen DMCplus controller
will be explained.

2007 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

Control and Optimization Products

Aspen Plus Optimizer
Closed-Loop Real-time Optimization

Aspen DMCplus Composite

Composite Steady-State Solution

Aspen DMCplus
Multivariable Control System

Aspen DMCplus
Multivariable Control System

Distributed Control Systems or Acquisition and Control Systems

Linking the Process to a Computing Platform
RT-OPT: rigorous non-linear steady-state models
Demand driven execution..(hours)
2007 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

Aspen DMCplus: linear empirical dynamic models

Fixed interval execution.(minutes)

DCS: simple models, or no model

Fixed interval execution..(seconds)

What is DMCPlus?
A Model-Predictive, Constrained, Multivariable controller sold by
AspenTech

Consists of software subroutines that can be used to perform Advanced

Process Control calculations

The DMCPlus computer programs reside in a DMCPlus Server and

communicates with the Yokogawa Centum CS 3000 by means of an
CIM-IO/ExaOPC Server (See next slide System Architecture)

2007 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

DCS Operations System Architecture

Windows 2008

Aspen DMCplus Online Server

Production Control Web Server
Aspen Watch Server

CORPORATE LAN

H
I
S

ExaOPC

CENTUM
CS 3000

2007 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

E
N
G

Definition of Terms
Manipulated Variable (MV):
A Manipulated Variable is a DCS controller Set point or Valve Position that
the APC moves to control the process. The APC will move the set points of
these DCS controllers in the same way as operators would do to meet the
control targets.
An example of MV is the COT for the furnaces. In the absence of APC, the
operator sets the Setpoint of the COT controller in order to achieve the
required cracking severity. With APC, the Setpoint is written directly to the
COT controller by the Furnace APC.

2007 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

Feed forward (FFW) /

Disturbance Variable (DV)
A Disturbance Variable is an external variable which has an impact on the
process but one which the APC controller can not move. The APC controller
tracks and compensates for the impact of changes in the DV on the process.
These DVs can be of two types:

DVs which fluctuate without control.

Example - Ambient Temperature or Cooling Water Temperature.

DVs which are part of an upstream process unit. Sometimes such variables
could be the MV of another APC controller.
These variables are also termed as Feed forward variables.
Example Feed stream coming from another unit.

2007 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

Controller Variable (CV)

A Controlled Variable changes in response to a change in Manipulated or
Disturbance Variable. They usually represent the constraints in the process. It is
not possible to change the value of a CV directly. It is necessary to move the MV
by some amount in order to achieve changes in the CV.

Typically, CVs are those that define the quality, quantity, and safety parameters
of the process. Examples of CVs are Levels, Purity, Impurities, Control Valve
position.

In the CAPC Furnace APC, Severity is the main Controlled Variable.

Critical Variable - Any variable which is crucial for process can be marked as
Critical variable in DMC plus.
Example- Level of a column is generally marked critical.

Benefit of marking a variable critical is that if any disturbance occurs in the

variable, controller will be turned off automatically.
Also, the main controller will not turn on if CRITICAL variable is not in service.

2007 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

Definition of Terms

PC

Manipulated Variables

LC
FC

AI

TC
FI

Controlled Variables
LC

Feedforward Variable

AI
FC
2007 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

Dynamic Model Furnace BA103

2007 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

DCS graphics for Controller

2007 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.