Journal of Siberian Federal University. Engineering & Technologies / Development of Experimental Techniques for Research Softplc Platforms and Control Algorithms for a Heating Station

Full text (.pdf)
Issue
Journal of Siberian Federal University. Engineering & Technologies. 2026 19 (6)
Authors
Borodin, Nikolay K.; Kulagin, Vladimir A.
Contact information
Borodin, Nikolay K. : Siberian Federal University (Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation); Kulagin, Vladimir A. : Siberian Federal University (Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation);
Keywords
SoftPLC; Modbus TCP; SoftPLC; programmable logic controller; laboratory test bench; heating substation; hydraulic loop; PID controller; adaptive controller; neural controller; reinforcement learning; Modbus TCP; experimental repeatability
Abstract

A laboratory hydraulic test bench has been developed for experimental debugging of a hardware-independent SoftPLC platform and the automatic control algorithms implemented within it. The bench functionally reproduces working-fluid distribution processes in a heating substation and makes it possible to study hydraulic inertia, interaction between control loops, nonlinear behavior of control valves and the pumping unit, and system response to external disturbances. Propylene glycol is used as the working fluid. The bench comprises a storage tank, a variable-frequency-driven pump, three motor- operated ball valves, transparent supply and return columns, two pressure transmitters, local pressure gauges, automatic air vents, and a unit simulating the hydraulic resistance of a consumer. The SoftPLC runs on an industrial panel computer and communicates with the remote input/output module via Modbus TCP; the pump frequency converter is connected through a Modbus RTU -to-Modbus TCP gateway. The paper describes the bench design and operating principle, the hardware and software architecture, a conventional PID controller, an adaptive PID controller, and a reinforcement-learning-based neural controller. A program of 42 basic experimental scenarios has been developed. It covers single-loop and multivariable control configurations, three controller types, and operation with and without an imposed disturbance. Requirements for repeatable comparative testing and a set of performance indicators are proposed for subsequent assessment of control accuracy, transient response quality, control- signal smoothness, actuator loading, and energy consumption

Pages
719–738
EDN
BFCNQO
Paper at repository of SibFU
https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/159354

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