Computer-aided design of instrument loop sketch diagrams

Abstract

The schematic expressions of control loops are essential for process instrumentation. By means of loop sketch drawings, control strategies are specified and hardware configurations can be determined at the beginning of a design project for a new plant. With the assistance of computer graphic software, the quality of loop sketch drawings has been improved. The engineering man-hours required to generate these diagrams, however, has not decreased significantly. An integrated computer-aided design system has been proposed. This system employs the techniques of design optimization, database management and artificial intelligence in addition to the computer graphics. The system generates loop sketch drawings automatically, and then initiates an instrument connection database for the succeeding design items used for process instrumentation.