Development and Application of a Virtual Reality Biphasic Separator as a Learning System for Industrial Process Control

Francisco Flores-Bungacho,Alex Navas,Paola Velasco,Diego Ortiz-Villalba,Jacqueline Llanos,Jonathan Guerrero

doi:10.3390/electronics11040636

Francisco Flores-Bungacho, Alex Navas + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11040636

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Abstract

In this study, we propose a virtual reality biphasic separator methodology in an immersive industrial environment. It allows the training of students or engineers in process and automatic control. On the other hand, the operating performance of a biphasic separator requires advanced automatic control strategies because this industrial process has multivariable and nonlinear characteristics. In this context, the virtual biphasic separator allows the testing of several control techniques. The methodology, involving the immersive virtualization of the biphasic separator, includes three stages. First, a multivariable mathematical model of the industrial process is obtained. The second stage corresponds to virtualization, in which the 3D modelling of the industrial process is undertaken. Then, the process dynamic is captured by the plant model implemented, in the software Unity. In the third stage, the control strategies are designed. The interaction between the virtual biphasic separator and the control system is implemented using shared variables. Three control strategies are implemented and compared to validate the applicability: a classic control algorithm, namely, the proportional integral derivative (PID) control method, as well as two advanced controllers—a numerical controller and model predictive control (MPC). The results demonstrate the virtual separator’s usability regarding the operating performance of the virtual biphasic separator, considering the control techniques implemented.

Highlights

IntroductionOne industry that drives the economy of many countries globally is the oil industry
One industry that drives the economy of many countries globally is the oil industry. the industrial processes of this industry are currently controlled, their operation is not necessarily optimal
The results show that the proposed virtual reality biphasic separator is intuitive and easy to use

Summary

Introduction

One industry that drives the economy of many countries globally is the oil industry. The industrial processes of this industry are currently controlled, their operation is not necessarily optimal. The oil industry incorporates several processes; among them, one of the most important is the separation process, which can be biphasic, three-phase, and tetra-phase. The separation of two phases occurs before other stages of separation that make up the process [1]. A biphasic separator is a part of the oil collection process, implemented next to the production wells that extract the hydrocarbon by means of electrosubmersible pumps. The product of one or more wells reaches the biphasic separator through a set of valves and pipes called the manifold in order to take data into account for production, record trends, and histories [2]

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