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An introduction to process dynamics and process control technology.
• Dynamic process modelling • Process dynamic elements such as resistive, capacitive, first-order, oscillatory and dead-time elements• Behaviour of systems of dynamic elements using Python and Excel• Control hardware including controllers, sensors and valves• Basic feedback control concepts and the Proportional-Integral-Derivative controller• Closed loop stability and empirical tuning of controllers• Cascade, ratio and feed-forward control• Control of unit operations• Plant-wide process controlThe course will be taught using a real-time approach involving the hands-on use of dynamic simulation using Excel and Python. It builds on Python and Excel skills from previous courses. (The course does not use the classical Laplace Transform approach).
Students should:• Fully understand the need to name, date and clearly document all files, spreadsheets and computer programs.• Understand the elements that affect the dynamics of a process such as first-order response, dead time, and capacity.• Be able to simulate, using Excel and Python, the dynamics response of systems made up of typical dynamic elements.• Become familiar with some typical items of control hardware that are used in industry.• Understand PID control well enough to be able to simulate and tune a real process.• Be able to simulate more complex control including cascade, ratio and feedforward.• Know which control loops might be suitable for a range of unit operations.
ENCH298 (from 2016)
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Fred Herritsch
Peter Gostomski
Svrcek, William Y. , Mahoney, Donald P., Young, Brent R; A real-time approach to process control ; Third edition; Wiley, 2014.
This is a compulsory course. It provides preparation for ENCH494 and for graduate employment. The prerequisite is ENCH298.
Students who miss major assessments or do not engage regularly with the course material are much less likely to pass.
The course includes 36 lectures, 2 laboratory sessions, 1 computer test, weekly Learn quizzes, a computer exam, and a written exam. Attendance at lectures is strongly encouraged, as the course develops concepts progressively from process dynamics through to feedback control and control-system design.The Process Dynamics lab will be held in Week 6, and the Tuning lab will be held in Week 7. Students are expected to complete all required assessment items.
Domestic fee $1,190.00
International fee $6,488.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Chemical and Process Engineering .