Model identification and level control of coupled tanks system

The Couple Tank (CT) system remains as a benchmark to investigate and test new emerging control schemes in the process industry since its dynamic emulates many factual system in the field of process control. In this paper, we examine the performance evaluation of two control algorithms, proportional derivative controller (PD) and proportional-integral-derivative controller (PID). The dynamics of the CT system is experimentally derived by system identification method and validated with a mathematical model that depicts the dynamic behaviour of the coupled tank system. Furthermore, the control schemes are expanded on the model obtained through system identification method. The simulation results showed that the PD controller did not meet all the specified control objectives. To improve the response an integral controller was incorporated to the PD controller and the response was compared to that of the PID controller and uncompensated system. The results revealed that the PID controller satisfied all the control goals. However, the PD controller was more satisfactory in terms of time response criteria.