Process Instrumentation

Introduction

TUTORIAL 1
1.

2 important components to measure the value.

Sensor: to conduct the process variable measurements.

Transmitter: to convert the measurement done by sensor and convert it into

signal that can be transmitted.

2.

The importance of instrumentation in chemical industry.

Safety Concern
The safe operation of a chemical plant is crucial. The operating
pressure, temperature, concentration, level and other must be within
allowable limit.
If the value is below or above the allowable limit, it can be destroyed
the equipment.
Production Specification
In practice, a chemical plant must produce the required quantity and
quality of the final product.
In certain industrial process, the optimum pressure, temperature, flow
and etc can maximize the production.
Environmental Regulations
It is stated in the regulation that temperatures, concentration and flow
rate of effluent leaving a chemical plant are within specified limits.
For example, the effluent temperature in between 40-50c.
Operational Constrains
There are several constrains for many equipment in a chemical plant for
example, tanks should not overflow, distillation columns should not be
flooded and the temperature in a reactor should not exceed the ceiling
limit.
Economics
The plant should be operated so that it is efficient as possible in its use
of raw material, energy, and others. Thus it is required that the
operating conditions of the plant are controlled at given optimum level
(minimum operating cost, maximum profit).

3.

3 basic components for measuring process variables.

a.
b.
c.

Measurements: sensor/device and transmitter

Controller: intelligent unit
Control Element: control valve, pump speed, heating element

Process Instrumentation
Introduction

4.

Label the following figure.

5.

Define each term below which are related to sensor and transmitter:
i.

Range of instrument
The low and high value of process variable measured by the instrument.

ii.

Span of instrument
The difference between the low and the high values measured by the instrument.

iii.

Zero of instrument
The lowest value measured by the instrument.

6.

a) Accuracy-an indication of the measured error and displays the instruments

capability to provide the correct value.
- How precise or correct the measured value is to the actual value. Accuracy is an
indication of the error in the measurement.
b) Repeatability- the capability to give the same value every time.

7.

The PFDs, or other conceptual information, is normally reviewed by the

engineering contractor's process engineers and planning team before the
release to detail design. The review is to ensure two criteria have been met.
What are the two criteria?

Process Instrumentation
Introduction

a) There is enough information on the PFD to support development of the P&IDs

by all the detail design disciplines. The decision that enough information is presented is
probably best left to the design entity that will use the PFD.
b) Material balance information is present to support, with the experience of the
project design and purchasing teams, identification and specification of long lead
equipment. Long lead equipment is the equipment that requires a long time to procure,
design, fabricate and ship. In other words, it is equipment that has to be purchased early in
the project.