Two Tank State- and Input- Coupled Liquid Level Control Unit

Brief Description
This experiment consists of two tanks with orifices and level sensors at the bottom of each tank, a pump, and a water basin (see the picture below). The two tanks have same diameters and can be fitted with different diameter outflow orifices. In this laboratory setup, the pump provides infeed to Tank 1 and the outflow of Tank 1 becomes infeed to Tank 2. The outflow of Tank 2 is emptied into the water basin. This is the standard setup that leads to a state-coupled system. A state- and input- coupled liquid level system is developed by allowing a portion of the pump flow to feed directly Tank 2. The objective of the experiment is to control the level of liquid in the lower tank.

Usage
Undergraduate controls laboratory, design projects in graduate controls-oriented courses, and graduate student research.

Past Experience
In previous years, students have designed and implemented classical, PI and PID controller; LQR-based, linear, digital controller; nonlinear, adaptive, backstepping controller; etc. The nonlinear, adaptive, backstepping liquid level controller developed by a team of graduate and undergraduate students will be presented at the Mechatronics 2000 conference.

Future Plans
Dynamic modeling and linear/nonlinear control of a coupled four tank liquid level control system.

Supplier
Quanser Consulting Inc.