Chapter 12 – Answer Key, Introduction to Chemical Engineering: Tools for Today and Tomorrow

Reading Question 12.1:

Feedback control is capable of correcting for any type of disturbance. However, it requires
that the system deviate from setpoint before a correction is made. In contrast, feedforward
control directly measures a disturbance and can anticipate its effect and begin to adjust the
system immediately. But, feedforward control only compensates for measured disturbances
and relies upon a model in order to make the correction. Combining the two compensates for
imperfections in the feedforward model and corrects for all disturbances.
Chapter 12 – Answer Key, Introduction to Chemical Engineering: Tools for Today and Tomorrow

Reading Question 12.2:

In Fig. 12.6a, the controlled variable is the pH of the mixer output; the manipulated variable is
the NaOH flow rate.

In Fig. 12.6b, the controlled variable is the temperature of the disposal product; the
manipulated variable is the cooling water flow rate.
Chapter 12 – Answer Key, Introduction to Chemical Engineering: Tools for Today and Tomorrow

Homework Problem 12.1:

a. A thermostat is a feedback system. A device inside the thermostat senses the temperature
of the room (the controlled variable) and signals the furnace (the manipulated variable) to
turn either on or off.
b. Cruise control is also a feedback system. A device associated with the car speedometer
measures the speed at which the car is moving (controlled variable) and adjusts the gas
pedal (manipulated variable) accordingly.
Chapter 12 – Answer Key, Introduction to Chemical Engineering: Tools for Today and Tomorrow

Homework Problem 12.2:

Answers could include some of the following:

a. Bicycle:

Feedback:
•On a steeper grade when the bike begins to slow down, the rider responds by
peddling harder (also, an opposite response on a downhill grade).
•As the bike begins to tip, the rider turns the handle bars to recover balance.

Feedforward:
•On seeing an upcoming bump, the rider slows down or stands up off of the seat to
prevent the shock to his/her body.
•On approaching a banked curve, the rider leans in the appropriate direction.
b. Student:

Feedback:
•After receiving a poor exam score, the student studies harder.
•After finding a certain learning technique to be effective, the student uses it more.

Feedforward:
•On anticipating a particularly-difficult exam (or one for which he/she is not as
well prepared), the student studies harder.
•Approaching a period in which several big assignments are due, the student
arranges his/her schedule to work on those assignments.
Chapter 12 – Answer Key, Introduction to Chemical Engineering: Tools for Today and Tomorrow

Homework Problem 12.3:

a. Disturbances:
•Inlet temperature of the hot stream
•Volumetric flow rate of the hot stream
•Inlet temperature of the cold stream

b. The sketch should include sensors, a controller, and a control valve.

Feedforward Control Valve
Controller
Cooling
FF Water
Temperature
Sensor
Disposal
Hot Neutralized Product
Acid
Temperature Flow Rate Product
Sensor Sensor Cooler

c. Feedback is the preferred application. Feedforward control relies on modeling the effects
of all disturbances perfectly, and no model can do that.
Chapter 12 – Answer Key, Introduction to Chemical Engineering: Tools for Today and Tomorrow

Homework Problem 12.4:

a. The sketch should include a temperature sensor, feedback controller, and control valve.
Feed
#$%&$'(#)'$
*$+*,' Reactor
-,+#',./0(.0$
Heating
Jacket
Heating
Fluid

!"
#$%&$'(#)'$ Product
-,+#',..$'

b. The sketch should include a temperature sensor on the heating fluid entering the system, a
flow-rate sensor on the feed to the reactor, a feedforward controller, and a control valve.
/,*1-%&!"-(")(*%
Feed
/""0/*%1&%0
+*)!%*,,"% Reactor
+*)!%*,-.&,."
22
Heating
Jacket
Heating
Fluid
!"#$"%&!'%"
(")(*%
Product