PLC BASED DIESEL ENGINES SPEED CONTROL

Abstract

Diesel engine as prime mover and the mechanical pump as a driven units, are the backbone structure for the most of petroleum pipelines, for instance in Sudan we have three pipelines based on that method [Petro Energy pump stations are using these equipment recently in Sudan]. By switching pump units on or off and controlling it is speed as required, operators ensures that the process-(crude oil)- is transferred safely and at the desired parameters-(flow, velocity, pressure)- through the pipe line. Definitely, pumps and diesel engines are complex, delicate, and expensive pieces of equipment that can be badly damaged if not handled and controlled properly. In this research we studies the principles of diesel engine and how it work beside the main phrase and part used on diesel engine control and operation beside the control algorithm. The most common way of diesel engine speed control is to use a special dedicated electronic device to control engines speed, normally it is microcomputer based, and for example the Wood Ward company series of speed controllers or the Heinsmann company ones and in this research we studies in detail the Wood Ward controller as it is widely used. In the last part of this research we studies the principles of PLC and how it works and we make a program for diesel engine speed control instead of the above mentioned dedicated electronic device method.