TECHNOLOGY
Hybrid Computer Facility Opens Complex industrial processes are simulated and controlled by two Electronic Associates 231R analogs and M-H's 290 digital Minneapolis-Honeywell's special systems division now has in operation at Pottstown, Pa., a highly sophisticated hybrid-computer center capable of simulating the operation and control of complex industrial processes (C&EN, Dec. 3, page 3 9 ) . And the company plans in about a month to reveal cost and performance details of a new digital process computer available for applications in 1963. The computer center has one Honeywell 290 digital computer and two Electronic Associates 231R analog computers. The analogs can be used either separately or together or in combination with the digital. M-H, which plans to use the center to design, analyze, and evaluate control systems, also plans to rent the facilities to both government and industry. Rental fees have not yet been set. The analog-digital computer hybrid is not unique in computer technology. But, according to Robert W. Moe, general manager of M-H's special systems division, the hybrid is the only analog-digital simulation facility in the automatic controls industry. And, like most hybrids, it exhibits a vigor beyond the simple sum of that of the two parents. Thus, the hybrid uses its digital components to control complex industrial processes simulated in real time by the analog components. Because the digital computer is an actual high powered process controller, the practicality of computer control may be determined. M-H can also use the center to analyze and design control systems for high efficiency, stability, reliability, and safety. But, Mr. Moe cautions, M-H does not intend to do process engineering. The company hopes that process and systems analysts will use the facility for such purposes. M-H, itself, Mr. Moe says, will use the hybrid facility primarily to train operators to handle process control programs, to evaluate computer programs and control systems, and, in 46
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MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS. Complex industrial processes are simulated on analog computers with special design features, and then checked on a digital computer
cooperation with process engineers, to design systems for process control. And, James S. Locke, vice president of M-H's industrial products group adds, M-H plans to use the new center to further the firm's total instrumentation concept. This concept, Mr. Locke says, means that M-H is prepared to accept full responsibility for the design, engineering, installation, start-up, and even maintenance of the control systems evolved. Although M-H would not break out the figure, the firm did say that its dollar volume for installed or supervised control systems has doubled each year for the past three years. Analogs Modified. Electronic Associates provided a number of modifications on its 231R's for the hybrid
facility. Operate modes are electronically controlled, giving microsecond timing accuracy. And a flexible control system allows the amplifiers to operate independently or in timesequenced logical combinations. A third modification is an improved system bandwidth. This, combined with electronic switching, speeds up successive calculations—often by as much as 100 times, M-H says. The linkage system between analog and digital computers provides 12 channels of information transfer in each direction. And speed is high— 1200 14-bit words per second simultaneously in each direction. Scanning at rates up to 200 words per second is handled by an additional 24 channels in each direction.
Information transport through the linkage system can be set with fixed delay times. Or delay times can be functions of variables simulated by the analog. Servo-set potentiometers on the analog can be set by the digital computer as well as by punched tape. With the high-speed linkage system, the digital computer can thus control complicated logical sequences. It can, for example, automatically switch ana log amplifiers through different modes and it can set potentiometers to new values. Furthermore, it's possible to store analog results in the digital comput er's memory for use or readout at a later time. Thus the hybrid computer can per form optimizing control computations with ease, according to Samuel D. Harper, manager of engineering for M-H's special systems division. Such cooperation between the two comput ers is necessary for simulating com plex processes, building process mod els, or studying how a digital computer can control a process, Mr. Harper notes. Model Rough. For example, Mr. Harper continues, the mathematical model of a process is often rough at the start and must usually be improved by trial and error. As the analog com puter calculates the effects of changes in the model, the digital computer compares the new results with those stored previously in its memory system. Until the optimized process operat ing conditions are achieved, the digi tal computer makes changes in the mathematical model. This in turn causes the analog to calculate new re sults that are again compared with those previously stored in the digital, according to M-H. Such a, process is often known as adaptive control, Mr. Harper says, and is practical only because both analog and digital devices are work ing together. Although adaptive con trol is possible with other computers, the older systems take so long to solve the problems as to be hardly feasible, Mr. Harper adds. The memorystorage and control capabilities of the 290, coupled with the high speed iterative capabilities of the 231R ana logs, make the hybrid one of the fastest scientific computers available, Mr. Harper claims. For software, the hybrid computer uses CLEAR, M-H's automatic pro graming system.
Steady Growth in Nuclear Power Seen It will become measurable factor by 1970, well established source by 2000 Nuclear power will become a measur able factor in power generation as early as 1970. This is the almost uniform opinion among representa tives of U.S. and foreign governments and industry. They aired views on accomplishments as well as future needs at a meeting of the Atomic In dustrial Forum in Washington, D.C. By the turn of the century, nuclear reactors will be a well established source of power generation, perhaps reaching a plateau. Representatives emphasize that power from hydraulic and fossil fuel sources will still play an important role in power genera tion. In some cases, there will even be an expansion of fossil fuel source needs, based on an expected rise in the total demand for electric power. The present status and future out look for the U.S. is contained in the Atomic Energy Commission report to President Kennedy (C&EN, Dec. 3, page 21). Currently at 0.5% of total installed electric power generating ca pacity, nuclear power reactors may supply as much as 20 to 30% by 1980. And by 2000, some 50% of installed capacity may be from nuclear reactor sources. AEC, however, emphasizes a con tinuing need for and possible expan sion of conventional power generating stations. It feels that in remote rural areas the cost of nuclear power cannot compete with conventional forms. Thus, these fossil fuel sources will still be needed. And, the commission pre dicts there will be an expansion of electrical power from these sources. Western Europe. The situation in France is typical of some overseas nu clear energy programs, according to Bertrand Goldschmidt of Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique. At present, less than 2% of France's installed elec tric generating capacity is based on nuclear power reactors. In 1960 the French electricity production of 70 billion kw.-hr. was shared equally by thermal and hydraulic sources. By 1970 production of an estimated 150 billion kw.-hr. will come one third from hydraulic power sources, two thirds from thermal, fossil fuel, and nuclear power generators. And by 1980, nuclear power generators will
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