Tutorial Problems (Part 1)

CN3121: Process Dynamics and Control

Lecturer: Dr Xiaonan Wang

Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
National University of Singapore
NUS Faculty of Engineering, Block E5, Unit #03-04
+65 6601 6221 (Tel) chewxia@nus.edu.sg

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Question 1
Consider the processes given below. The key variables to be controlled are
(a) flow rate, temperature, composition, and pressure for the flash system and
(b) composition, temperature, and liquid level for the CSTR.
For both processes, disturbances occur in the feed temperature and composition.
Task: select the controller pairings- that is, select which measured variable
should controlled by adjusting which manipulated variable (or equivalently, which
manipulated variable to be adjusted to control the measured variables)
and sketch the control arrangements on the figures.

(a) (b)
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Question 2
Water is to be heated batchwise in a well‐stirred vessel by an immersion
heater. Initially the entire system is at room temperature θi. When the heater
switch is closed, thermal energy enters the water at a constant rate of Q
BTU/hr. As the water temperature increases, heat losses to the surroundings
become appreciable. Develop a relationship that will predict the rise in water
temperature θ with time.
Let
C p ‐ heat capacity of water
V ‐ volume
U ‐ overall heat transfer coefficient
between water and surroundings
A ‐ area of heat transfer to surroundings
ρ ‐ density
θi ‐ Initial temperature of the system

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Question 3
Extend the analysis of Problem 2 above to a continuous flow system.
The input stream has a constant flow rate q and constant temperature θi.
The effluent stream flow rate is also q.

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