Sim3Tanks: A Benchmark Model Simulator for Process Control and Monitoring

Abstract

This paper describes a simulator for the three-tank system process named Sim3Tanks. This process presents a hybrid and nonlinear behavior and it is subject to different kinds of perturbations, faults, and noises. Sim3Tanks was developed in the MATLAB/Simulink environment and can be used via graphical user interface, Simulink block diagram, and command-line. Sim3Tanks is suitable for studying and developing process control, fault detection and isolation, and fault tolerant control strategies for nonlinear multi-variable systems. In order to illustrate the potential of Sim3Tanks, four scenarios are discussed throughout this paper: PID control strategies for the level and flow rates; a fault detection algorithm based on unscented Kalman filter and generalized likelihood ratio; a fault isolation system based on Bayesian networks; and a control reconfiguration based on static virtual actuator and sensor. A video demonstration of Sim3Tanks can be found at https://github.com/e-controls/Sim3Tanks.

Keywords

• Virtual laboratory
• three-tank system
• fault detection and isolation
• fault tolerant control