This book delivers real-world knowledge gained from decades of plant experience, where theory meets the gritty reality of automation challenges. Greg McMillan bridges the gap between textbook concepts and what actually works in the field, helping readers move beyond common misconceptions and misapplications in process control.
With humor and hard-earned insight, Greg highlights how to overcome practical difficulties, improve system design, and make better use of control strategies like PID, not just in theory, but in live systems under pressure.
Unlike traditional texts, this book doesn’t start with equations. It starts with experience. Each of the 14 chapters is based on true case histories and closes with “Facts of Life,” concise lessons learned during real startups and commissioning efforts.
Whether you're troubleshooting surge control, tuning a pH loop, or automating a reactor startup, Process Control Case Histories offers the clarity, context, and comic relief that help technical knowledge stick and help engineers succeed.
Here’s a list of the 14 chapters:
- pH Control: A Magical Mystery Tour
- Compressor Surge Control: Traveling in the Fast Lane
- Pressure Control: Without Deadtime, I Might Be Out of a Job
- Advanced Control Algorithms: Beware of False Prophecies
- Direct Temperature Rate Control Improves Reactor Yield
- pH Titration Curves—Trick or Treat?
- Wally and the Beave Automate Reactor Start-ups
- Wally and the Beave Return To Automate Another Reactor Start-up
- Can You Say “Process Interlocks?”
- The Survival of an Instrument Engineer
- Woody’s Performance Review—What’s Inline Next for pH Control?
- What If the Starship Extraprize Had a DCS?
- What If the Starship Rent-a-Ride Had an Expert System?
- Funny You Should Ask a Process Control Engineer
Building on the knowledge and experience of Greg’s long and successful career, he hopes this book will provide you with best practices to carry forward in your organization. This is a unique opportunity to learn from a true industry leader.