Virtual reality application of an enclosed tank as a teaching module for automatic control

Abstract

In the field of engineering, Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a training option for students to generate practical skills in automatic process control. The article presents a VR application of a closed tank, which allows the introduction of control strategies for the pressure variable, using a microcontroller and a computer. The VR interface was implemented in Unity with the three-dimensional design of the plant shown to the user on the computer monitor, the mathematical model that characterizes the dynamic behavior of the process and the PID control strategy was established in the Arduino Uno module. Communication between the Arduino and the PC was established via RS-232 protocol. The VR environment consists of a panel for the selection and serial connection with the Arduino, also with inputs that allows to evaluate the control strategy as the SetPoint (SP) and the manual valve (a2), which is the actuator to introduce disturbance to the model. With the SP entered to the control system with perturbations of 20, 60 and 90%, the PID control performed well with minimal steady state errors.  The dynamic behavior of the process is visualized in the VR environment with the movement of the control valve stem (a1), the process variable (PV) is displayed on the PIT 100-A transmitter and the trends of the variables (SP, PV and CV). The proposal can be replicated to other processes and different variables such as level, flow, etc.