CHBE356: Process Dynamics and Control

Prerequisite: One of MATH 255, MATH 256.

Overview: This course is intended to introduce undergraduate chemical engineers to

dynamics and control of chemical processes and other engineering systems. The course is
evenly divided between modeling and analysis of dynamic behavior, and design and
analysis methods for automatic control.

Learning Outcomes:

- Model chemical processes from first principles

- Approximate and analyze the behaviour of chemical processes
- Use mathematical tools for the analysis of open and closed loop dynamic processes
- Design single input single output PID controllers and assess their closed loop
performance
- Use Python for the analysis of open loop and closed loop processes
- Design controllers using frequency domain analysis tools such as Bode plots

Topics:

- Modeling: mass balance, energy balance

- Mathematical background: ordinary differential equations, Laplace transforms,
- Process dynamics: transfer functions, first order, second order, time-delayed
processes
- Feedback control: controller modes, typical responses of feedback control systems
- Control system instrumentation: transducers and transmitters, final control
elements
- PID controller design: model-based controller design, controller tuning relations
- Frequency domain analysis: Bode diagrams; gain, phase margins, controller tuning
in frequency domain
- Introduction to advanced process control systems

The course is structured as follows.

The lectures introduce the concepts and present the main ideas. The students are expected
to read the textbook for the details not covered in class. Lectures are held three times per
week:

MWF 9:00-9:50 am

The tutorial sessions and office hours are used to answer questions from previous
lectures and go over examples to reinforce concepts. Tutorial sessions and office hours are
held once per week:

Thursday 13:30-15:20 pm
Textbook: We will use the textbook "Process Dynamics and Control" by Dale E. Seborg et
al. 4th edition

The homework problems and controller design project enable the student to practice and
become proficient at applying the methods. The solution of homework problems is an
important part of the course. Keep a copy of the original for your records.

Grading: (Tentative. The instructor reserves the right to change the scheme.)

Assignments: 15%

Midterm #1: 20% (February 8th, tentative)

Midterm #2: 20% (March 7th, tentative)

Mini quizzes: 10% (Tutorial sessions)

Final: 35% (April)

Optional: Python quiz/project: up to 10% (tentative, used to replace 50% of one

midterm)

* Assignments that are submitted by the due date are eligible for 100 points. Otherwise,
your mark is adjusted by the following scaling factors:

# of days after due date scaling factor

1 0.5

≥2 0

Contact information:

Instructor: Yankai Cao yankai.cao@ubc.ca Office: CHBE 237

TA: Ibrahim Yousef iy641@mail.ubc.ca

Qiangqiang Mao maoq@mail.ubc.ca

I try to responds as quickly as possible, but 48 hours for a reply is about typical. If you need
to email me or the TAs directly, please put “CHBE 356” in the subject line and use your UBC
email account or your message could get misdirected.

Academic Integrity
The academic enterprise is founded on honesty, civility, and integrity. As members of this
enterprise, all students are expected to know, understand, and follow the codes of conduct
regarding academic integrity. At the most basic level, this means submitting only original
work done by you and acknowledging all sources of information or ideas and attributing
them to others as required. This also means you should not cheat, copy, or mislead others
about what is your work. Violations of academic integrity (i.e., misconduct) lead to the
breakdown of the academic enterprise, and therefore serious consequences arise and
harsh sanctions are imposed. For example, incidences of plagiarism or cheating may result
in a mark of zero on the assignment or exam and more serious consequences may apply if
the matter is referred to the President’s Advisory Committee on Student Discipline. Careful
records are kept in order to monitor and prevent recurrences.

For more information,

see: http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=3,286,0,0

Academic Concessions

Students seeking academic concession due to absence from the final exam for any reason
must apply to Engineering Student Services (ESS) within 72 hours of the missed exam. This
is a standard practice for all final examinations at UBC.

For more information, see: http://students.engineering.ubc.ca/enrolment/faq/

PHYSICAL OR LEARNING DISABILITIES

UBC is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students and so are we! If you
have a documented disability that affects your learning in the classroom or your
performance on tests or exams, please contact Access & Diversity in Brock Hall 1203,
1874 East Mall, Contact: 604.822.5844, www.students.ubc.ca/access.