This teaching and training system provides a comprehensive experimental introduction to the fundamentals of process control using an example of flow control.
A pump transfers water from a storage tank through a piping system. The flow rate is measured by a electromagnetic flowmeter, which permits further processing of the measured value by outputting a standardised current signal. A variable-area flowmeter indicates the flow. The controller used is a state-of-the-art digital industrial controller. The actuator in the control loop is a control valve with electric motor operation. A ball valve in the outlet line enables defined disturbance variables to be generated. The controlled variable X and the manipulating variable Y are plotted directly on an integrated 2-channel line recorder. Alternatively, the variables can be tapped as analogue signals at lab jacks on the switch cabinet. This enables external recording equipment, such as an oscilloscope or a flatbed plotter, to be connected. 
A process control software (RT 650.50) is optionally available. The software permits the construction of a complete networked system comprising multiple trainers from the RT 512 - RT 552 series. The key process variables can also be represented, and control functions executed.
The well-structured instructional material outlines the technological fundamentals and provides a step-by-step guide through the experiments.

- Introduction to the fundamentals of process control
- Familiarisation with real industrial process control

  components: controllers, transducers, actuators
- Operation and parameter setting of the local

  industrial controller 
  + manually (by keyboard)
  + using the RT 650.50 process control software
- Disturbance feedforward control
- Controller optimisation
- Investigation of the properties of the open and

  closed control loops
- Processing of process variables using external

  equipment, e.g. oscilloscope or plotter
- In conjunction with accessory RT 650.50 and other

  trainers (RT 512, RT 532 - RT 552): Familiarisation

  with and use of process control software (SCADA)