Process Instrumentation and Control
CHEN3005

Introduction

Process control, like process modelling, simulation, design, and optimisation, falls in the area of chemical engineering known as Process Systems Engineering (PSE), which is about using models and computation to help solve process problems. It is fair to say that there is a degree of mathematics in this unit: ordinary differential equations to represent dynamic processes and then deviation variables, linearisation, Laplace transforms and transfer functions to help solve and analyse them. However, it is important not to be held up on the maths. It is just a tool to help us devise control systems to keep the process operating as we wish in the face of unwanted external disturbances.

This unit relies on knowledge of chemical engineering principles developed in Process Principles, Fluid Mechanics, Process Heat Transfer, Process Mass Transfer and Reaction Engineering. We build on the ideas of dynamic modelling and control loop elements introduced in Process Synthesis and Design. It overlaps in places with Process Plant Engineering in the discussion of Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams, control loops and valve characteristics. Knowledge of process control is needed in Process Safety and Risk Management and in the capstone Chemical Engineering Design Project. Artificial intelligence is introduced to provide students with basic understanding of smart plant applications in conjunction with the Industrial 4.0 revolution. The unit has a project in which students conduct numerical experiments in Matlab/Simulink, which aim to develop the students’ practical skills in modeling and controller tuning.