Optimal Control of Coupled Tank System: A Comparative Study of PSO-PI and PSO-PID Controller Designs

This paper explores the application of Proportional–Integral (PI) and Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) control techniques in a coupled tank system. The coupled tank system consists of two interconnected tanks, with the goal of maintaining the water level in these tanks by managing the flow rates of water. The paper suggests utilizing both a PI controller and a PID controller to fine-tune the flow rates. The controllers strive to minimize the error signal, which indicates the discrepancy between the desired and actual water levels. The control system simulation is performed in the MATLAB/Simulink environment, enabling a thorough analysis and testing of the PI and PID controllers under consideration. The controllers adjust the flow rates to reach the desired water levels. The proportional part quickly responds to any errors, while the integral part focuses on correcting long-term deviations. The paper presents an evaluation of simulation results, analyzing various parameters to assess the effectiveness of the control strategies. These parameters include settling time, overshoot, and steady-state error. In addition, the paper may explore the process of fine-tuning the controller’s parameters to enhance the system’s performance, offering valuable insights for real-world application or future investigation.