The Coupled Tanks set-up is a model of a chemical plant fragment. Very often tanks are coupled through pipes and the reactant level and flow has to be controlled. The Coupled Tanks experiment is designed so that the system can be configured. The Coupled Tanks system has 4 translucent tanks each with a pressure sensor to measure the water level. The couplings between the tanks can be modified by the use of seven manual valves to change the dynamics of the system imposing the use of different controllers. 
Water is delivered to the tanks by two independently controlled, submersed pumps. Step disturbances generation is provided by four manual valves. Drain flow rates can be modified using easy-to-change orifice caps. The Coupled Tanks are controlled by using MATLAB SIMULINK® (not supplied) and the supplied Advantech PCI1711 Interface card. The Coupled Tanks System version is for use with LabVIEW. The user may build their own models or use the models supplied together with the curriculum. The process variables can be observed on-screen in plots. Control algorithms are developed, tested on models and then implemented in a real-time application.

Curriculum Coverage:

• Non-linear model 
• Linearization 
• Linear model simulation 
• 1 tank & 2 tank identification 
• PID control of water levels in top tanks 
• PID control of water levels in bottom tanks 
• Parallel PID control in two double tank columns 
• Cross-coupling introduction & analysis 
• Dynamics decoupling with cross-coupling identification 
• PID control with decoupling 
• Disturbance compensator with PID control 

Features:

• Interesting control problem based on a “real-life” industrial situation 
• Fully compatible with MATLAB  
• Fully compatible with LabVIEW  
• Self-contained floor-standing or bench-mounted equipment 
• Four tanks each water level measurement 
• Two independently controlled pumps 
• Wide range of control scenarios due to flexible ways of coupling tanks 
• Basic to advanced level control 
• System dynamics modified by easy to change orifice caps 
• Supplied with a comprehensive theory & experiment manual 

 
Technical Data:

• Dimensions: Floor-standing: 1700 mm x 680 mm x 450 mm, Bench-mounted: 1360 mm x 680 mm x 450 mm 
• Weight (Net): 36 Kgs 
• Reservoir Tank Capacity: 32 Litres 

MATLAB toolbox to include:- Simulink, Control System, System Identification, Real-Time Windows Target, MATLAB Coder, Simulink Coder (not supplied) 

NI LabVIEW software required for LabVIEW-compatible units as described above.