Modeling and PID control optimization for the crude oil network storage tanks

In this paper a prototype of crude network tanks system is modeled from the first principle, the system is then controlled using the PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) control system, the PID tuning parameters are optimized successfully using Genetic algorithm based on control performance indices (i.e. Mean Square Error (MSE), integral square error (ISE), integral absolute error (IAE), and integrated time absolute error (ITAE)), this resulted in optimum design outperformed the classical Ziegler Nichols methods in terms of reducing of the setting time, overshooting and rising time. In addition, it was observed that ISE and MSE objective functions outperform the IAE and ITAE, in terms of delivering a smaller rise time, smaller overshoot and settling time.