Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering

Malaysia

MODULE OUTLINE
CHEE2022 FPC Fundamentals of Process Control

1. Module Code
CHEE2022 FPC

2. Title of Module
Fundamentals of Process Control

3. Number of credits
10

4. Level
2

5. Taught Semester and Assessment Period

Semester Assessment
Spring Assessed by the end of the Spring Semester

6. Pre-requisites for admission to the module (if any)

A background in Chemical Engineering principles and mathematics as would be
obtained from the first year of a Chemical Engineering degree.

7. Co-requisites for the module (if any)

None

8. Module Convenor
Dr Senthil Kumar Arumugasamy
Contact No: 03-8725 3627
Room No: DB02b
E-mail: SenthilKumar.Arumugasamy@nottingham.edu.my

9. Other Contributor(s)
Mr. How Bing Shen
E-mail: kebx4hbh@exmail.nottingham.edu.my

10. Summary of Content

This module forms an introduction to process dynamics and control. Students will
gain experience in computer programming and relevant software package for
engineering mathematical computations, analysis and visualization particularly in
performing steady-state and dynamic process simulation as well as understanding
the process control algorithms and controller tuning. (The computer packages
currently in use are: Hysys, Matlab and Simulink).

11. Aims
The module aims to introduce the fundamental and concept of process control to
students as well as the appreciation of dynamic characteristics of a real system,
control strategies and controller features and performance. It is also aims to
introduce students to mathematical and engineering software for process
simulation.

12. Learning Outcomes

MLO’s:
Module Outline H82 FPC

LO1: Demonstrate a working knowledge of computer programming and relevant

software package for engineering mathematical modelling, computations, analysis
and visualization particularly in performing steady-state and dynamic processes
simulation
LO2: Gain sufficient insight into the methods of process model construction and
programming so as to master the process analysis and design by using the steady-
state or dynamic simulation
LO3: Gain an appreciation of the dynamics behaviour of processes, control
strategies, control algorithms and controller performance
LO4: Gain an appreciation of safety devices, safety codes, alarms and Safety
interlock systems

The module also assess three EAC PO’s which are

EAC PO2- Problem Analysis (T) – Identify, formulate, research relevant literature and
analyze complex engineering problems, and reaching substantiated conclusions using
first principles of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering sciences.

EAC PO5- Modern Tool Usage (A & D) -Create, select and apply appropriate
techniques, resources, and modern engineering and IT tools, including prediction and
modelling, to complex engineering activities, with an understanding of the limitations.

EAC PO6-The Engineer and Society (ESSE) -Apply reasoning based on contextual
knowledge to assess societal, health, safety, legal, cultural, contemporary issues, and
the consequent responsibilities relevant to professional engineering practices.

IchemE PO’s:

Be able to apply the principles to the analysis of complex systems within a structured
approach to safety, health and sustainability.
A2.1.3  Ability to apply process control in processes to meet safety and process
requirements
Different types of process, including continuous and batch; chemical processes and
bioprocesses.
A2.1.4  Understand the different dynamic behaviour of batch and continuous processes
and their impact on process control strategies.
Different time scales: short and long periods; steady and unsteady state.
A2.1.5  Appreciation of the steady and unsteady state conditions in plants I the
context of process control
Understand the principles of material and energy balances.
A2.2.1  Understanding on how energy and material balance can affect the process
control strategies in distillation columns.
Understand system dynamics, be able to predict the response to changes in a dynamic
system, and be able to design and determine the characteristics and performance of
measurement and control functions.
A2.5.3  Understanding of the dynamic behaviour of process systems and the effect of
disturbances in process control.

13. Module Activities

Activity Duration per session No of sessions

Lecture (Week:1,2,5, 2 hours 1 per week
10,11)

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Module Outline H82 FPC

Total: 5 weeks of Lecture

1 hour 1 per week
Workshop
(Week:3,4,6,7,8)
3 hours 1 per week
Total: 5 weeks of
Workshop
Process control laboratory 3 hours 1 session

14. Weekly Programme

Week
Lecture Topic
No
1 Introduction to process control terminology, control loops & components and
basic control strategies
2 Steady-state simulation and identification of process variables for open-loop
system
3 Identification of influences of process variables to product specification and
determination of the relevant control strategy
4 Identification of influences of process variables to product specification and
determination of the relevant control strategy
5 Process characteristics
6 In-class exam 1
7 Dynamic simulation for open-loop system and identification of dynamic
behavior of 1st-order & 2nd-order process
8 Closed-loop system and types of controllers
9 Performance of PID controllers, Controller tuning with open-loop and closed-
loop methods
10 Safety
11 Safety
12 In-class exam 2

15. Assessment details

Assessment Type Weight
Coursework: Control laboratory report -20% 20%

In-class Exam 1 40%

In-class Exam 2 40%

16. Resources

Suggested primary texts

Name of Year Publisher’s
No Title of Book Edition ISBN
Author(s) Published Name
D.E. Seborg et 2011 Process 3rd John-Wiley & 0470646
1 al. Dynamics and Sons 101
Control
2 Palm, W.J. 2005 Introduction to 1st McGraw-Hill 007123
MATLAB 7 for 2621
Engineers

Suggested secondary texts

None.

17. Web Link

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Module Outline H82 FPC

None.

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