Low-Cost Electronic Opening Control Valve

Abstract

Automation and industrial control are determined by different elements (hardware and software) that permit modifying the value of the variables to optimize processes. Control valves are in charge of action and control and are the only element in the control loop that interacts in invasive manner on the currents of the process, that is, they are an active part of the dynamics of the process. Control valves are generally the most costly elements of the control loop and are not regularly at the reach of academia or small and mid-sized industry. This project developed a functional prototype in hardware and software of a control valve, employing devices from the local market, thus, obtaining a low-cost system compared to some manufacturers of control valves with similar features. The project was divided into four stages: i) mechanical design of the coupling and support of the motor and valve, ii) prototype and manufacture of the mechanical elements, iii) develop the electronic system, iv) coupling and test of the analog control electro-valve. A test bench evaluated the behavior of the gate valve and rapid opening behavior was obtained in the gate valve, with saturation at 21.64 L/min and dead zone of 1 V, approximately.