Scribd
Upload
43 views5 pages

PRC 3601 - Minor Test 1 Memo

Uploaded by

nonomlngn
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
43 views5 pages

PRC 3601 - Minor Test 1 Memo

Uploaded by

nonomlngn
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

PRC 3601 Minor test 1 memo

Question 1

Solution

1. Minimise variability

The consistent production of a high quality product demands the application of control to
the manufacturing process. This control will bring about stability in the manner in which the
process will respond even to disturbances, thereby ensuring a constant quality of the
product. Reducing variability in the quality of the product also helps the company to
correctly price their products. Overpricing will result when a product is sold at a price below
its required quality and under-pricing will result when a product is sold at a price above the
required quality standards.

2. Maximise process efficiency

The production environment is a very sensitive process environment. There are processes
that require a strict control on variables for them to operate with a high degree of efficiency.
If say a process is an exothermic one, changes in operating conditions that will result in an
increase in temperature into the process will have adverse effects on the efficiency of such a
process.

3. Ensure safety

Control of a production process ensures the safety of the workers. This is the case because a
process that has no control is a very dangerous process to work with. The nature and
magnitude of what can go wrong in such an environment is clearly documented in the
history of disasters in chemical plants.

4. Profit

Once product quality and safety requirements have been met, the objectives of the control
system can then be focused on profit. Profit is made when product quality is not
compromised, and that means operating the chemical plant within the process constraints.

Open Rubric
The more closely to these constraints the process is operated, the higher the profit.
However, the most difficult element of process control is maintaining the operation of the

chemical plant near the constraints safely without compromising the quality of the end
product.

[16 Marks]

Question 2

Figure 1: Wastewater treatment plant

2.1 Disturbances

1. Steam pressure that influences the heat transfer in the evaporator.

2. Air temperature that influences the compressor performance and affects the mixture
composition.

2.2 Controlled variables


1. Liquid level in the knockout drum, which influences the amount of liquid fed. It should not
overflow the vessel or drain empty.

2. Pressure of the evaporator, which is important for safety.

3. The amount of steam, to avoid overpressure which can cause explosion due to high
pressure.

2.3 Manipulated variables.

1. To control pressure of the vapour, has a causal relationship with the pressure and can be
adjusted to controlling flowrate of steam inlet.

2. To control liquid level of the knockout drum, it has a causal relationship with the liquid
level and can be adjusted by controlling the flowrate of the liquid inlet.

3. The flowrate of process solution inlet. It can be adjusted by controlling the flowrate of
brine inlet.

[16 Marks]

Question 3

3.1

Figure 2 Block diagram of closed control loop


3.2

3.2.1 Set point: The value at which it is desired to maintain the process variable.

3.2.2 Error: The difference between the process variable and the set point, and it can be
either negative or positive. The objective of any control system is to minimise or eliminate
error.

3.2.3 Manipulative variable (MV): It is an adjustable property of one of the resources being
fed into the process.

3.2.4 Controlled/process variable (PV): This is also referred to as the measured variable. It is
a property of the process output that can change in response to changes made to the
manipulated variable.

3.2.5 Sensor: The sensor measures the current value of the controlled variable and transmit
it to the controller.

[18 Marks]
RESULTS
Total = 50 / 50 (100%)

Finalize

You might also like