CHEM ENG 3031 - Process Control & Instrumentation

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

The purpose of this course is to apply the key concepts of automatic control and instrumentation to process plants. Material and energy balances are used to model unsteady state (dynamic) process systems where control algorithms are required to bring the process back to equilibrium. Laplace Transforms are used as a means to conveniently solve ordinary differential equations, which are used when describing process control systems. Control loops are developed to represent industrial processes enabling appropriate control approaches to be elucidated. Commonly used sensing, transmission and final control elements are described and depicted in Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs). The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and practicals where the student will tune controllers on dynamic systems. At the end of the course, the students will have an appreciation of the fundamental importance of control systems for the safe and sustainable operation of process plants.

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Course Details

Course Code	CHEM ENG 3031
Course	Process Control & Instrumentation
Coordinating Unit	School of Chemical Eng and Advanced Materials(Ina)
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 4 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Incompatible	CHEM ENG 3015
Assumed Knowledge	MATHS 2102, CHEM ENG 2010
Assessment	Assignments, practicals, final examination

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Steven Amos

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1	Explain the basic principles & importance of process control in industrial process plants;
2	Specify the required instrumentation and final elements to ensure that well-tuned control is achieved;
3	Define the use of block diagrams & the mathematical basis for the design of control systems;
4	Design and tune process (PID) controllers;
5	Use appropriate software tools (e.g. Matlab Control Toolbox & Simulink) for the modelling of plant dynamics and the design of well tuned control loops;
6	Explain the importance and application of good instrumentation for the efficient design of process control loops for process engineering plants; and
7	Draw a PID (Process & Instrumentation Diagram) & devise simple but effective plant wide control strategies using appropriate heuristics.

The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer.
The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency: 1.1 1.2 1.3 2.1 2.2 3.1

University Graduate Attributes

No information currently available.

Learning Resources

Recommended Resources

Textbook

Stephanopoulos, G 2005, Chemical Process Control; An Introduction to Theory & Practice, Prentice-Hall

Reference Book

Seborg, DE, Edgar TF & Mellichamp DA 2008, Process Dynamics & Control, 2nd Edition, John Wiley.

Online Learning

A range of online resources will be provided via MyUni.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

No information currently available.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Activity Contact Hours Workload Hours

Lectures 23 46

Tutorials 20 40

Quizzes 2 4

TOTAL 45 90

Learning Activities Summary

Topic 1: Model Development & Differential Equations

Solution of differential equations; use of Laplace transforms; development of dynamic models; Taylor series linearization of non-linear differential equations, inverse Laplace transforms; partial fraction expansion.

Topic 2: Block Diagrams

Closed-loop systems; block-diagram algebra.

Topic 3: Step Responses & Controller Algorithms

Step response of first & second-order systems, PID control – simple elements proportional, integral
& derivative mode; ideal & real-world controllers.

Topic 4: More Complex Transfer Functions

Higher-order systems; inverse response; dead time.

Topic 5: Stability

Introduction; poles & zeros; Argand diagrams; Routh array, root locus plots; degrees of freedom.

Topic 6: Controller Tuning & Model Fitting

Model development using plant step test data; Cohen Coon & Zeigler Nichols tuning methods.

Topic 7: Process Instrumentation

Sensors & transducers; data transmission; accuracy & repeatability, final elements in control loop;
pressure, temperature, level & flow rate measurement.

Topic 8: Final elements

Motor speed control; control valves – installed & inherent characteristics; PID (Process control &
Instrumentation Diagrams).

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Weighting (%)	Individual/ Group	Formative/ Summative	Due (week)*	Hurdle criteria	Learning outcomes
Tutorials	20	Group	Formative	2-7, 8-12	none	1-4, 6-7
Mid-Sem Test 1	10	Individual	Summative	5	none	1-4, 6-7
Mid-Sem Test 2	10	Individual	Summative	9	none	1-4, 6-7
Comp Exercise	5	Individual	Formative	6-8	none	2-5
Lab Practical	5	Group	Formative	7-8, 10-11	none	3-4, 7
Final Exam	50	Individual	Summative	Exam period	none	1-4, 6-7
Total	0

* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

This assessment breakdown is in accordance with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.

Assessment Detail

No information currently available.

Submission

No information currently available.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

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