EGH462 Process Control

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Modern plants are composed of numerous processes that have strict performance and safety requirements. To meet these demands, engineers need to ensure properly designed process control systems that maintain suitable operation in the presence of changing set points and fluctuations in process conditions. In this advanced level unit, you will learn the concepts and techniques that underpin control systems, bringing together content learnt in the process design and process operations streams. You will learn the theory underpinning control of dynamic process systems, and use this to model and predict the response of these systems. This will cumulate designing process control systems which meet various meet engineering requirements of performance and safety. This unit brings together previous learning in the process operations stream. An embedded mathematics module, constituting 20% of the unit, provides advanced methods that support student learning in the engineering context.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Solve transient, steady-state and stability problems within the context ofprocess operations at a mastered level.
2. Model systems of process operations considering dynamic processes at amastered level.
3. Evaluate the chemical and engineering response of dynamic processoperations with respect to design and safety criteria at a mastered level.
4. Design engineering systems for process operations using control systems toensure safe operation at a mastered level.
5. Apply advanced mathematics to engineering process control problems at amastered level.

Content

Learning Approaches

In this unit, you can expect to experience the following timetabled activities:

• Lectures which will introduce the theoretical foundations of process control. Some lectures will include practical demonstrations that support you in relating theoretical content to practice. You will be encouraged to ask questions during these lectures.
• Workshops that will give you the opportunity to work collaboratively with your peers to solve problems. These sessions will blend analytical (hand working) and numerical (computer modelling) techniques to analyse and design process control system.
• There will be 4 weeks of mathematics lectures in weeks 1-4. The mathematics lectures will each be 2 hours and supported by exercises in the workshops, which will be facilitated by instructors to provide guidance and feedback on your learning.

To complement timetabled activities, you can expect to be provided with learning resources including videos, additional study problems, and textbook readings (accessed through the unit Canvas site) that you can engage with flexibly to complete your learning in this unit.

Success in this unit will require you to prepare for and engage with timetabled activities, manage your time to effectively engage with non-timetabled activities each week, completing assessment tasks by working consistently across the semester and meeting the due dates that are published via the unit Canvas site.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive feedback throughout the semester via:
1.Formative feedback through weekly activities
2.Peer and teacher feedback in workshops for groups and individuals.
3.Lecture / consultation sessions for individuals and groups will be provided.
4.General feedback provided to the cohort via QUT Canvas and in class.

Assessment

Overview

As you progress through this unit you will move between learning the theoretical foundations of process control and applying that theory in practical applications. You will be developing your capability to solve process control problems involving system modelling, predicting system behaviour, and designing control strategies. These are key capabilities for professional engineering practice of chemical process engineers. The assessment for the unit is designed to assess your learning against the unit learning outcomes. This is achieved through problem solving tasks and a final exam. The mathematics assessment constitutes 20% of the total assessment in this unit.
Problem solving tasks are due weeks 7 and 13. All assessment is individual.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

Modelling and Analysis Problem Solving Task: A set of modelling problems requiring development of transfer functions and application of mathematical and theoretical tools to analyse their transient behaviour. Assessment of the mathematics content in this assessment will contribute 10% to your final result in this unit.

Assessment: Problem Solving Task 2

Control Design Solving Task: A set problems consisting of the analysis of the transient, steady-state, frequency response, and stability properties of systems described by transfer functions. This task will make use of the theoretical and computational tools developed in lectures to analyse process response and design practical controllers

Assessment: Examination (written)

The final examination will consist of multi-part, integrated problems requiring the development of a mathematical model for a process, analysis of the model, and design of a control system to create a desired behaviour. Assessment of the mathematics content in this assessment will contribute 10% to your final result in this unit.

“If campus access is restricted at the time of the central examination period/due date, an alternative, which may be a timed online assessment, will be offered. Individual students whose circumstances prevent their attendance on campus will be provided with an alternative assessment approach.”

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Seborg, D.E., Mellichamp, D.A., Edgar, T.F., Doyle III, F.J., Process Dynamics and Control, 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2010

Risk Assessment Statement

You will be informed of any requirements pertaining to a safe workplace. In lectures, workshops and such, the information will include location of fi re exits and meeting points in case of fi re. If you do not follow legitimate instructions or endanger the safety of others or do not act in accordance with the requirements of the Workplace Health and Safety Act, you will be required to leave the session.

You will be required to undertake practical sessions in the laboratory under the supervision of members in the teaching team and technical staff. Prior to entry to a laboratory space you must complete the Undergraduate Health, Safety and Environment Induction (annual completion requirement). You will be advised of requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and will be required to wear appropriate protective items (e.g. closed shoes or steel capped shoes, lab coat, and safety glasses). The unit’s Canvas site will provide you with a copy of the risk assessment and will provide you with details on how to perform the laboratory tasks safely.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer

1: Knowledge and Skill Base

1. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)
2. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)
3. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)
4. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)
5. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)
6. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)

2: Engineering Application Ability

1. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)
2. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)
3. 
   Relates to: Examination (written)
4. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)

3: Professional and Personal Attributes

1. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2
2. 
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3. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2

Course Learning Outcomes

EN01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

1. Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
   Relates to: Examination (written)
2. Engage with and apply regulatory requirements relating to safety, risk management, and sustainability in professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)
3. Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)
4. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)

EN60 Graduate Certificate in Communication for Engineering

1. Demonstrate and apply specialised knowledge and technical skills in at least one Engineering discipline.
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)
2. Critically investigate real world engineering issues and solve complex problems drawing on specialised creative skills, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, theory and practice.
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task 2, Examination (written)
3. Employ effective written and oral professional communication skills across social, cultural and discipline domains.
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task 2