Digital computers have been used more and more to control different industrial processes during the last decade. As of today, many sy stems are designed to include a process control computer as a vital part. The use of computers has created a need for sophisticated me thods for the operation and supervision of complex industrial proces ses. To summarize the state of the art from the practical as well as from the theoretical point of view, the 4th IFACIIFIP International Conference on "Digital Computer Applications to Process Control" will be held at Zurich from March 19 to 22, 1974. The first two vo lumes of the proceedings contain the accepted papers submitted to the conference mentioned above. The papers are arranged according to the topics of the conference. A third volume will include the six follow ing survey papers: 1. Digital Control Algorithms Prof. A. P. Sage, Dallas Texas I USA 2. Interface Problems for Process Control Prof. T. J. Williams, Lafayette Indiana I USA 3. Software for Process Computers Dr. J. Gertler, Budapest I Hungary Dr. J. Sedlak, Prague I CSSR 4. Digital Computer Applications in Metallurgical Processes Mr. W. E. Miller, Salem I USA Mr. W. G. Wright, Schenectady I USA 5. Digital Computer Applications in Power Systems Mr. D. Ernst, Erlangen / FRG 6. Digital Computer Applications in Chemical and Oil Industries Dr. H.

Inhalt

1. Digital Control Algorithms.- Algorithms for automatic design of linear control systems.- Learning control algorithms in real dynamic systems.- Conversion and averaging processes in stochastic computation.- Hydraulic turbines efficiency optimization in random noise conditions.- Optimal computer control for digital processes with incomplete state feedback.- A computer algorithm of variable structure for the control of complex objects.- An industrial application of a self-tuning regulator.- Commande modale et commande découplée multidimensionnelle par des techniques de poursuite d'un modèle de reference.- A computer algorithm for suboptimal adaptive control.- Model coordination applied to power system control and estimation problems.- Suboptimum adaptive con- control.- An experimental evaluation of state estimation in multivariable control systems.- Comparision and application of different DDC- Algorithms for control of heat exchanger.- Digital control of high-bandwidth signals.- 2. New Developments of Process Computers Hardware and Software.- Un software de regulation numérique, regnum.- Ein DDA-Prozessrechner-Zusatz für Prozessautomatisierungszwecke.- Structure and hierarchical organisation of process data.- A proposed strategy for the supervisor of the time-critical control computer.- Production and test of system software for minicomputers.- Measurement and improvement of memory allocation in a process computer.- MDSS, a real-time problem- oriented programming system with conversational tuning facilities.- Feedback BRM for control purposes.- 3. Digital in Chemical and Oil Industries.- Digital control in an electrochemical process.- Dynamic control of a pilot distillation column by digital computer.- A new approach to continuous digester control.- Applicationof a digital computer in a PCV manufacturing plant.- Control of linear time-invariant systems with plant distrubances and incomplete measurements.- The automated control system of the ammoniac nitrate production.- Supervisory computer control of a methanol refining column using a digital control system with a new type of instrument/ computer interface.- Computer control of a pilot plant stripping column.- Development of an algorithm for temperature control of stirred batch reactors.- 4. Digital Control in Cement Industry.- Rotary cement kiln control combined algorithm.- Probleme der DDC-Regelung, Identification, Rechnersteuerung und Modellierung bei Herstellung von Klinker.- Praktische Erfahrungen beim Einsatz von Prozessrechnern für die Rohmehlaufbereitung in der Zementindustrie.- A system for the control of the homogenization of the cement raw meal.- Erfahrungen mit einem Systemprogramm für Adaption und Regelung im Zementwerk.- Adaptation and direct digital control of the cement industry technological processes with application of distributed check.- 5. Digital Control in Chemical and Oil Industries.- Paper machine dynamics.- DAPP a Norwegian co-operation project on multivariable control of a kraft paper machine.- Computer control of M&D continuos digester; basic principles and an application.- Dynamics and control of multiple-effect evaporator and drum washer plants.- Commande multidimensionelle d'une unite pilote de fabrication de papier.- Computer control of bleaching plants.