Global Learning for Operational Leaders
Classroom
14 sessions
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Online / Live
14 sessions
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Introduction
Course overview
Process control systems keep industrial plants stable, efficient and safe. When loops are poorly designed or tuned, plants suffer from variability, energy waste, off-spec product and trips.
This Aractech course covers control system architecture, measurement and final control elements, feedback and feedforward control, PID tuning, cascade and ratio control, DCS and PLC systems, alarm management and systematic troubleshooting of control loops. Participants tune and troubleshoot loops using simulations.
What you will achieve
Learning objectives
- Explain process control system architecture
- Understand measurement and final control elements
- Apply feedback, feedforward, cascade and ratio control
- Tune PID controllers for stable performance
- Use DCS and PLC systems effectively
- Troubleshoot control loop problems systematically
Who should attend
Target audience
- Instrumentation and control engineers
- Process engineers
- Control room operators
- Maintenance technicians
- Automation engineers
- Plant supervisors
Methodology
Learning approach
- Technical lectures
- Loop simulation labs
- Troubleshooting exercises
- Case studies
- Group discussions
Complete course outline
Five focused days of learning and application
The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.
Day 1
Control System Fundamentals
- Purpose of process control
- Control system architecture
- Process dynamics
- Control loop components
- Coffee break
- Control loop components (continued)
- Terminology
- Exercise: Loop identification
Day 2
Measurement and Final Elements
- Sensors and transmitters
- Control valves
- Actuators and positioners
- Signal types
- Coffee break
- Signal types (continued)
- Common faults
- Workshop: Valve performance review
Day 3
Control Strategies
- Feedback control
- PID modes
- Feedforward
- Cascade and ratio control
- Coffee break
- Cascade and ratio control (continued)
- Split range
- Lab: Strategy simulation
Day 4
Tuning and Systems
- Tuning methods
- Performance assessment
- DCS and PLC systems
- Coffee break
- DCS and PLC systems (continued)
- Alarm management
- Lab: PID tuning
Day 5
Troubleshooting
- Systematic approach
- Oscillation and sluggishness
- Instrument faults
- Coffee break
- Instrument faults (continued)
- Documentation
- Capstone: Loop troubleshooting case
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does Process Control Systems: Design, Operation and Troubleshooting (ME-013) cover?
This course covers Maintenance and Engineering through a structured five-day outline focused on practical application, discussion, and implementation planning.
When is the next available session?
The next scheduled session starts on 2 - 6 November 2026. See the course schedules section for the available dates and delivery formats.
Who should attend this course?
Instrumentation and control engineers, Process engineers, Control room operators
Is bilingual course delivery available?
Yes. All course materials and presentations are provided in English, while bilingual explanation and discussion support may be available depending on the selected location and trainer availability. For example, when attending a course in Istanbul, you may request a Turkish-speaking trainer to explain the English course content in Turkish. Arabic explanation support may also be requested at this location. Other languages are available in selected cities. You can choose your preferred language support as an optional preference during registration.
How can I register for a session?
Use any Register button next to the available course dates to open the participant registration page and submit your booking request for the selected session.
Is this course available online as well as classroom-based?
Check the course schedules section for currently published classroom and Online / Live sessions.
Where are classroom sessions delivered?
Current classroom venues include Amsterdam, London, Rome, Istanbul, Vienna, Barcelona, Geneva, Cape Town.
How long is the training programme?
The programme runs for five days from 09:00 to 14:00, which gives 25 contact hours, including a daily 30-minute break (22.5 hours of instruction).
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