AASTU, Chemical Engineering Department, Process Control Lab.#laboratory #engineering #process

Summary

This video introduces viewers to the Process Control Laboratory at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, where chemical engineering students gain hands-on experience in maintaining industrial efficiency and safety. It highlights the core equipment used for experiments on controlling key variables such as temperature, pressure, flow, and level. The lab provides exposure to various control systems, including open and closed loop systems, PLC applications, and automatic control units. Students learn to fine-tune systems using different controllers and explore real-world applications in industries like manufacturing and chemical processing.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Process Control Lab at Adis Ababa Science and Technology University provides hands-on experience to chemical engineering students, bridging theory with real-world applications.
• 😀 Process control involves managing variables like temperature, pressure, flow, and level to ensure smooth, safe, and optimal system operation in industries like chemical reactors, oil refineries, and cooling systems.
• 😀 The lab experiments focus on different types of controllers such as proportional (P), proportional-integral (PI), and proportional-integral-derivative (PID), and their tuning for system performance.
• 😀 Key lab equipment includes open loop and closed loop systems, process control PLC applications, multi-process control units, and automatic control units for variables like temperature, flow, level, and pH.
• 😀 Open loop or PM control systems operate without feedback correction, aiming to evaluate the impact of disturbances on system speed.
• 😀 Closed loop or PM control systems adjust automatically using feedback mechanisms to maintain desired speed, offering higher precision and adaptability compared to open loop systems.
• 😀 The PLC application pilot plant demonstrates complex control functions, including mixing and portioning in a controlled environment with automated liquid level management and mixing processes.
• 😀 The process control rigs such as the GT2000 and multi-process control units allow students to study and implement various control strategies (P, PI, PD, PID) across parameters like flow, temperature, pressure, and level.
• 😀 The lab offers automatic systems like the automatic level and flow rate control unit, which maintains steady states in industrial systems by regulating fluid levels and flow rates.
• 😀 Process control is vital for industries like water treatment, chemical production, and manufacturing, ensuring safety, efficiency, and sustainability in operations by precisely controlling critical variables like temperature and pressure.

Q & A

What is process control, and why is it important in industries?

Process control is the science of managing key variables like temperature, pressure, flow, and level to ensure systems run smoothly and efficiently. It is crucial in industries to maintain stability, safety, and optimal performance in systems such as chemical reactions, cooling systems, and oil refineries.

What types of controllers are used in the Process Control Lab experiments?

The lab experiments utilize various types of controllers, including Proportional (P), Proportional Integral (PI), and Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controllers. These controllers help manage different variables like flow rate, level, temperature, and pressure.

What is the objective of the open loop or PM control system?

The open loop or PM control system operates the motor or drill at a manually set speed without feedback correction. The main objective is to evaluate how disturbances affect the speed of the drill under open-loop control.

How does the closed loop or PM control system differ from the open loop system?

Unlike the open loop system, the closed loop or PM control system uses feedback mechanisms to automatically adjust and maintain the desired speed, making it more precise and adaptive for systems where consistent speed is critical.

What role does the Programmable Logic Control (PLC) play in the lab experiments?

The PLC in the Process Control Lab is responsible for controlling and automating various industrial processes. It manages tasks such as discontinous portioning and mixing, ensuring safe, efficient, and controlled operations.

What are the key features of the GT2000 process control rig?

The GT2000 process control rig is designed for experimenting with essential control circuits, including controlling parameters such as level, flow, and temperature. It allows simulation and analysis of different controller types like P, PI, PD, and PID controllers.

How does the Multi-process Control Unit for flow, level, temperature, and pressure operate?

This unit uses components like centrifugal pumps, pressure transmitters, and pneumatic control valves to control flow, level, pressure, and temperature in a multi-process setup. The unit’s operation is managed by software that helps regulate the different variables efficiently.

What is the focus of the Multi-process Control Unit that includes speed control?

This unit focuses on managing the speed of a motor alongside flow, level, and temperature control. It is especially useful in industries like automated manufacturing and pumping stations where multiple parameters must be managed simultaneously.

What is the significance of the automatic level and flow rate control system?

The automatic level and flow rate control system demonstrates the importance of maintaining steady states in industrial processes. It uses closed-loop control to regulate fluid levels in tanks and control the flow rates in pipelines.

Why is control valve testing and calibration important in process control?

Control valve testing and calibration ensure that valves, which regulate flow and pressure in pipelines, perform accurately and reliably. This is crucial for maintaining the efficiency and safety of industrial systems like water treatment plants and chemical processing facilities.