In control of water treatment
May 1st 2008 Anew multi-parameter
controller from Bürkert
automates the precise
control of process variables within
a water treatment system (boiler,
cooling or Reverse Osmosis
system), by integrating all control,
monitoring, display, and data and
event logging functions into one
compact, easy-to-configure
controller.
The mxControl accepts
analogue inputs from flow, pH,
temperature, level, analytical and
conductivity sensors, and
provides high level computations
to optimise the water treatment
process. In addition, it is said to
deliver savings on time, space
and equipment costs; one
controller hardware specification
providing dozens of configuration
possibilities, all of which can be
quickly downloaded via SD card
(supplied) or via USB or optional
Ethernet interface
The mxCONTROL 8620 is a
modular control system designed
for seamless integration into
countless chemical or skid control
applications. It meets the dynamic
and exacting requirements of
water treatment systems in all
sectors of industry, commerce,
healthcare, public service and biomedical.
Employing high-level software,it
provides the continuous on-line
monitoring and process control
required to achieve high degrees
of precision and improved
reliability and quality assurance in
today's demanding water
treatment systems.
Flexible control and easy
adaptation to processes are the
result of a high level software
architecture. This enables all
standard modules to be easily
loaded by SD Card or USB.
Alternatively, the optional Ethernet
interface can be used to configure
and to parameterise the controller,
or an operator can simply set and
display all important variables and
parameters by five soft-touch keys.
Once this is achieved,
sophisticated electronics and
state-of-the-art control algorithms
ensure that optimum process
control is maintained at all times,
with the minimum of operator
intervention. Moreover, operating
security can be tailored to
individual applications with three
levels of man-machine interface
available: Open Access, Operator
Only Access, or Specialist Access.
Key to this high level,
automated control provided by the
mxControl is a 32-bit microcontroller.
This is supported by an
integrated 512kByte flash memory,
for data logging, or additional
languages. In addition, extended
facility for data logging is provided
by an SD memory card which
simply slots into the controller.
What this processing power
means for the user is that the
mxControl is able to support up to
eight active control loops with
minimum sample periods (for 8
active loops) of 100ms (50ms for 4
active loops). This could involve
processing up to four analogue,
two RTD, four digital inputs, five
relay outputs, four transistor
outputs - and an optional four
analogue outputs (4-20mA) – a
total of 21 I/O – simultaneously. More articles from Burkert Fluid Control Systems: | 
