OPC Toolbox 2.1.4

OPC-Enabled Binary Distillation Column Plant Model

The demonstration model shown here uses data from an OPC server to test composition control of a binary distillation column model.

The controller consists of a static decoupling matrix and two single-loop PI controllers. The PI gains have been calculated from a time-domain specification using Simulink® Design Optimization™. For more information, see distillation_demo.mdl from Simulink Design Optimization.

Note: In order to run this demonstration model, you must have downloaded and installed the Matrikon OPC Simulation Server, available from www.matrikon.com.

The OPC server is providing a random signal for the set-points, and for injecting an output disturbance on the process (see the blocks colored yellow). The plant outputs are written back to the OPC server using the blue OPC Write block.

Note how in this case we run the model at 300 times real-time, using the speedup factor in the OPC Configuration block (colored orange). The distillation column model has very slow time constants (on the order of 20 minutes) and we want to test the simulation at faster rates than real-time. By using the speedup factor, we can simulate 400 minutes in around 80 seconds. This model could be connected to an HMI or SCADA system, in order to train operators in expected plant responses, or to validate the SCADA system against desired performance specifications.