MANIPAL UNIVERSITY Jaipur

Department of Biotechnology & Chemical Engineering

PROCESS DYNAMICS & CONTROL LAB
III YEAR, SEM VI

EXPERIMENT #1

To study the dynamic response of a 1st order system subjected to step change
INSTRUCTOR-DR. Anees Ahmed Yunus Khan

PERFORMED BY- SHASWAT GOYAL (229101002)

EXPERIMENT CARRIED ON: 16th January 2025
REPORT SUBMITTED ON: 23 r d January 2025
PRELAB ___________ (10)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ___________ (10)
OBJECITIVES/INTRODUCTION/SCOPE/PROCEDURE ___________ (30)
RESULTS & DISCUSSION ___________ (30)
CONCLUSION ___________ (5)
REFERENCES ___________ (5)
APPENDIX
a) Original data, sample calculations, other information ____________ (5)

GENERAL COMPLETENESS
a) Conciseness and neatness ____________ (5)

TOTAL (100) ____________

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...................................................................................
2. OBJECTIVE..........................................................................................................
3. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................
4. THEORY & EXPERIMENTAL SETUP……………………………………………
5. PROCEDURE………………………………………………………………………
6. OBSERVATIONS.................................................................................................................
7. RESULTS & DISCUSSION ...............................................................................
8. CONCLUSION....................................................................................................
9. PRECAUTIONS...................................................................................................
10.REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The experiment aimed to analyze the dynamic response of a first-order system subjected to a
step change. A first-order system follows an exponential approach to a new steady-state when
subjected to an input disturbance. The experimental setup involved a mercury thermometer, a
thermobath, and a control system to regulate the input changes. A step change was applied by
altering the water bath temperature, and the thermometer's response was recorded over time.
The results exhibited a typical first-order exponential rise, with the system reaching
approximately 63.2% of its final deviation value within a time constant of 3.3 seconds. The
response curve indicated a smooth transition without oscillations, confirming an overdamped
first-order behavior. The findings align well with theoretical expectations, validating the
accuracy of the experiment in demonstrating first-order system dynamics under step input
conditions.
OBJECTIVE:
To study the dynamic response of a 1st order system subjected to step change and sinusoidal
change.

INTRODUCTION:
A first-order system is characterized by an input-output relationship governed by a first-order
differential equation. The order of a differential equation is determined by the highest
derivative present. In the case of a first-order system, it contains only a single energy-storing
element.
For this experiment, we are considering the unsteady-state process of a mercury thermometer,
which is classified as a first-order system. The transfer function for this system is derived
from the energy balance of the thermometer.
The following assumptions are made for this system:
1. The thermal capacity is entirely contained within the mercury of the thermometer.
2. The glass wall enclosing the mercury does not expand.
3. All resistance to heat transfer is concentrated in a thin film surrounding the
thermometer bulb.

THEORY & EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:

A step change in process control is a sudden change in an input variable in a process. It can
be used to describe a change in a system's input that starts from a steady state value and
jumps to another value.
Purpose of step change:
In process control and dynamics, a step change is a sudden change in the input of a system,
used to observe how the system responds over time. It helps in analyzing system behavior,
determining key parameters like time constant and steady-state gain, and tuning controllers
such as PID. Step changes are commonly used to evaluate system performance, identify
process characteristics, and develop mathematical models for predicting future behavior.
They are essential for optimizing control systems in industries to ensure efficient and stable
operation.
General Equation for 1st order systems:
Initially, the thermometer is assumed to be in steady state. Thus, before time t=0, the
thermometer is subjected to a change in the surrounding temperature, x(t).
Unsteady state energy balance:
INPUT - OUTPUT = RATE OF ACCUMULATION
dy
hA ( x − y )=mCp ( )------(1)
dx
where;
h= film coefficient for heat transfer, (kW/m2.◦C)
A= surface area of bulb for heat transfer, m2
x= environment temperature
y= thermometer reading
m= mass of mercury in bulb, kg
Cp= heat capacity of mercury, kJ/kg◦C
t= time, sec
For steady state;
hA ( x s− y s ) =0 -----(2)

the subscript ‘s’ is for steady state indication.

Rewriting equation (1);
d ( y− y s )
hA [ ( y− y s )−( x−x s ) ]=mCp
dt
where,
X= x−x s

Y= y− y s
Replacing;
d (Y )
hA [ (Y )−( X ) ] =mCp
dt
hA
τ=
mCp
This implies;
dy
Y − X=τ ------(3)
dt
Taking Laplace transform of equation (3)
Y ( s) 1
=
X (s) τs+1
Introduce step change ;
X(s)=A/s
Performing inverse Laplace transform;
y ( t ) =A ¿------(4)
A is magnitude of step change.
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:

The experimental setup is designed to study the response of a first-order system to a step
change. It includes a thermowell that houses the mercury thermometer, providing insulation
and protection from external disturbances for accurate temperature measurement.
A thermobath connected to a water pipeline is used to cool the thermometer, with a control
valve at the bottom to regulate water flow and maintain steady conditions. A water level
indicator is also attached to monitor the liquid level in the bath, ensuring consistent heat
transfer.
This setup allows for effective analysis of the mercury thermometer’s transient response
under varying thermal conditions.

PROCEDURE:
1. Fill the heating bath with water.
2. Switch on the mains to heat the water in the bath until the heater is turned off by its
set timer.
3. Record the rise of temperature of water in that time interval.
4. Record steady state temperature of water.
5. Repeat the procedure for different conditions
6. Plot response graph for the readings obtained
7. Turn off the water supply & pump after the experiment is finished
8. Turn off the main power supply as well.
 OBSERVATION TABLE
Time(s) y(t) Y(t)
0 15 0
0.5 22 7
1 27 12
1.5 31 16
2 35 20
2.5 39 24
3 42 27
3.5 45 30
4 48 33
4.5 50 35
5 52 37
5.5 54 39
6 55 40
6.5 56 41
7 57 42
7.5 57.5 42.5
8 58.5 43.5
8.5 59 44
9 60 45
9.5 60.5 45.5
10 61 46
10.5 61 46
11 61 46
11.5 61 46
12 61 46
12.5 61 46
13 61 46
13.5 61 46
14 61 46
Graph
1st order step change response curve
50
45
40
35
30
25
Y(t)

20
15
10
5
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Time(s)

1( response curve)

STEP CHANGE GRAPH 2 (SIMULINK)

RESULTS & DISCUSIONS:

The response curve of the first-order system subjected to a step change exhibits a typical
exponential rise to the final steady-state value. The deviation variable Y(t) increases rapidly
at the beginning and gradually slows down as it approaches steady state, following the
characteristic behavior of a first-order system. From the experimental data, the time constant
(τ\tau) is calculated to be 3.3 seconds, meaning the system takes approximately 3.3 seconds
to reach 63.2% of its final deviation value after the step change is applied. By around 30
seconds, the response stabilizes, indicating that the system has reached equilibrium. The
smooth nature of the curve without oscillations suggests an overdamped response, which is
typical for first-order systems.
As shown by graph 2 the simulated curve is very similar to the experimental curve found
during the lab. This shows the accuracy of the data found thus confirming that our data is
consistent enough.
The experimentally determined time constant aligns well with theoretical expectations,
confirming the dynamic behavior of the system under step input conditions.

APPENDIX:
Formulae used:

 (−tτ ) (A=1)
y ( t ) =A (1−e )
Step Response:
a. Initial temperature of thermometer=19
b. Final temperature of thermobath=62
c. Step change= 43
d. Value of 63.2% of step =29
e. Time constant (from graph)= 3.3 (approx.)
Now,

(
f. t = τ ; y ( t ) = 1−e( τ ) =0.632)
−τ

this implies that thermos bath temperature for 1st time constant= 0.632 ×62 oC=39.18 oC

(
g. t = 2τ ; y ( t ) = 1−e( ))=0.865
−2 τ
τ

this implies that thermos bath temperature for 2nd time constant= 0.865 ×62 oC=53.63 oC

(
h. t = 3τ ; y ( t ) = 1−e( ))=0.95
−3 τ
τ

this implies that thermos bath temperature for 3rd time constant= 0.95 ×62 oC=58.9 oC

(
i. t = 4τ ; y ( t ) = 1−e( ))=0.0 .98
−4 τ
τ

this implies that thermos bath temperature for 4thtime constant= 0.98 ×62 oC=60.76 oC

(
j. t = 5τ ; y ( t ) = 1−e( ))=1
−5 τ
τ

this implies that thermos bath temperature for 5th time constant= 1 ×62 oC=62 oC
 Conclusion:
The experimental results validate the theoretical understanding of first-order system
dynamics under step input conditions. The obtained curve successfully demonstrates the
exponential rise towards a new steady-state value, which is a key characteristic of such
systems.

PRECAUTIONS:
 Ensure all instruments are calibrated and in working condition before starting the
experiment.
 Fill the heating bath to the required level and monitor it to ensure proper heat transfer.
 Handle hot water and equipment carefully to prevent burns and accidents.
 Start the timer immediately upon thermometer insertion and record readings
consistently.
 Conduct the experiment in a stable environment, avoiding external disturbances like
airflow or vibrations.
 Turn off the heating system once the boiling point is reached and allow gradual
cooling before removal.

REFERENCES:
 Coughanowr, D. R., & LeBlanc, S. E. (2008). Process Systems
Analysis and Control (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
 Process control & dynamics lab manual
 https://www.cet.edu.in/noticefiles/269_Process%20Dynamic
%20Control.pdf
 https://sites.chemengr.ucsb.edu/~ceweb/faculty/seborg/teaching/
SEM_2_slides/Chapter_5.pdf