Virtualization of the process control laboratory using ASPEN HYSYS

Abstract

Undergraduate chemical engineering students should be trained differently from other disciplines in control theory. ASPEN HYSYS provides basic modules for the unit operation with dynamics that can be used in elucidating the intended principles to control students virtually, which are not available in MATLAB (SIMULINK). A total of six workshops are designed. The laboratory course starts by familiarizing students to dynamic feature of the commercial software. Students are then introduced to operational safety aspects, by solving a runaway CSTR model. Importance of transfer functions is elucidated as an approach to integrate with different other electrical devices. Frequency response analysis is then presented using the transfer function to visualize instability. Two experiments are designed for PID controller so that students can envisage the affect of tuning parameters on absolute integrated error, offset, and regulation of manipulated variable. Different tuning methods and their objectives are also explained. The comparison between SIMULINK and HYSYS simulation is discussed. Modules are provided as supplement material. Surveys and direct assessment tools evaluate student's understanding of the course. The results are compared with the previous session using SIMULINK as laboratory tool presenting higher satisfaction with HYSYS. ß 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 24:887-898, 2016; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae;

Simulator‐based learning in the teaching of chemical engineering

“…This author also published a complete textbook that contains a theoretical description of process units followed by numerous examples solved by hand calculations and simulation with different software packages through step‐by‐step instructions . In this sense, Taimoor carried out six distinct virtual experiments to help students understand the control theory from chemical using the Aspen HYSYS® software. Recently, de Lucas‐Consuegra et al described the use of Aspen HYSYS software to solve typical examples of flow of fluids to enhance the learning experience of chemical engineering students in the fluid mechanics subject.…”

Use of process simulator to enhance the teaching‐learning process of flow of fluids for engineering students

“…The computer practical activities implies the use of the main fluid mechanics equations and the use of the ASPEN‐HYSYS simulator in order to solve common typical fluid mechanics problems of relevant interest for Chemical Engineers. According to the students curriculum, on this second year of the degree, the students become familiar with the use of this simulation software since they have already learned the basis from a preliminary course of the first year of the degree called “Computer tools in Chemical Engineering.” On this sense, previous teaching experiences developed by different Universities have already shown the interest of using ASPEN‐HYSYS simulation software in educating Chemical Engineering students for instance in Control Laboratory , design of Separation Units or heat exchange operations .…”

Combining the project‐based learning methodology and computer simulation to enhance the engagement in the context of Environmental Engineering courses

“…This approach would allow the analysis of different technologies without requiring deep knowledge in their designing equations and fundamentals, reducing the distance between students and these technologies. In fact, the use of different software packages in Chemical Engineering courses has a growing trend in the last years, highlighting the use of ASPEN Plus® family of tools, and many authors remark the positive results obtained with them in the teaching process [3,4,10,14,35,36].…”