Overview

The Ziegler-Nichols controller tuning method became obsolete over 60 years ago and yet it is still included in process control lectures and recently published text books. Not only is it not suited to modern control systems, but its application is potentially hazardous. Its inclusion is symptomatic of the problems that still exist with the way in which process control is taught to chemical engineers. When surveyed, students regularly rate this course module as the least well-taught and least relevant.

Speaker

Myke King, Director, Whitehouse Consulting

Myke graduated from Cambridge University in the UK in chemical engineering. His course included process control taught as part of both mechanical engineering and chemical engineering. At the time he understood neither. On graduating he joined, by chance, the process control section at Exxon’s refinery at Fawley in the UK. Fortunately he quickly discovered that the practical application of process control bore little resemblance to the theory he had covered at university.

Myke left Exxon to co-found KBC Process Automation, a subsidiary of KBC Process Technology, later becoming its managing director. In 1992, the company was sold to Honeywell where it became their European centre of excellence for process control. It was at this time Myke set up Whitehouse Consulting. He has since provided consulting services and training to several hundred clients in over 40 countries.

The material presented in this webinar has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter's own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Process Management and Control Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.

Webinar archive

This webinar is free of charge and open to all to attend, but if you wish to access the slides and a recording to replay on demand then you will need to be a member of the Process Management and Control Special Interest Group.