Fundamentals of Instrumentation for Chemical Industry

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
CHIM/04
Language
English
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide an advanced knowledge of the main instrumentations used in industrial chemistry for the plants control.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course students will acquire a basic understanding of the main instrumentations used in industrial chemistry for the measurement and control of some process quantities.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Introduction: units of physical quantities, unit conversion, instrument parameters, process control, definitions of the elements in a control loop, measurement and analysis (statistical notions, instrumentation concepts).
Basic electrical components: resistance (resistor formulas, resistor combinations, resistive sensors), capacitance (capacitor formulas, capacitor combinations), inductance (inductor formulas, inductor combinations).
Pressure: basic terms, type of pressure (atmospheric pressure, gauge pressure, differential pressure, vacuum pressure, static vs. dynamic pressure, barometric pressure), pressure formulas, unit of pressure, pressure measurement instrumentation (manometers, barometers, diaphragms, capsules, bellows, Bourdon tubes, other pressure sensors, vacuum instruments), process equipment and safety, application.
Temperature and Heat: basic terms (temperature definitions, heat definitions, thermal expansion definitions), temperature and heat formulas (temperature, heat transfer, thermal expansion), temperature scales (heat index, wind chill factor), temperature measuring devices (thermometers, pressure-spring thermometers, resistance temperature devices, thermistors, thermocouples, thermopile, semiconductors, radiation), pyrometry, application.
Level: level formulas, level sensing devices, direct level sensing (sight glass, displacer, conductive probes, capacitive probes, ultrasonics), indirect level sensing (load cells, paddle wheels, etc.), application.
Flow: basic terms (velocity, laminar flow, turbulent flow, viscosity, Reynolds number, flow patterns, Bernoulli equation, energy factors, flow rate, total flow), flow formulas (continuity equation, Bernoulli equation, flow losses), flow measurement instruments (flow rate, total flow,
mass flow, dry particulate flow rate, open channel flow), application.
Fluid metering: fluid dynamic, flow meter selection, positive displacement, differential pressure, rotameters, thermal mass flow meters, Coriolis, interferential-turbine, oscillatory-vortex.
Humidity: humidity definitions (relative humidity, specific humidity, humidity ratio, or absolute humidity, wet-bulb temperature, dry-bulb temperature, dew point, humidex, psychrometric chart), humidity measuring devices (hygrometers, psychrometers, dew point measuring devices), application.
Density and Specific gravity: basic terms (density, specific weight, specific gravity), density measuring devices (hydrometers, thermohydrometer, induction hydrometers, Vibration sensors), application.
Viscosity: basic terms, viscosity measuring instruments.
pH Measurements: basic terms, pH measuring devices, application.
Actuators and Control: pressure controllers, flow controllers, temperature controllers, fluid controllers.
Process control: concepts of signal control and controller modes (Concept of lag time, error signals, and correction signals, ON/OFF types of process controller action, Proportional, derivative, and integral action in process controllers, ON/OFF pneumatic control systems, ON/OFF electric controllers, Pneumatic proportional, integral, and derivative (PID) controllers, Analog electronic implementation of proportional, derivative, and integral action, digital controller system).
Prerequisites for admission
Fundamental courses in chemistry and industrial chemistry, and with some basics in industrial plant engineering, mathematics and physics.
Teaching methods
Lectures in the classroom with the aid of audiovisual systems (video).
Teaching Resources
- Experimental methods and instrumentation for chemical engineers, Gregory S. Patience, Elsevier, 2018. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/C2015-0-05570-8, ISBN 978-0-444-64038-3.
- Fundamentals of industrial instrumentation and process control, William C. Dunn, McGraw-Hill Education, DOI: 10.1036/0071466932, EAN: 9781260122251.
- slides of all lectures are available on the Ariel platform
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral interview that will aim to ascertain learning in terms of knowledge and understanding of the topics covered and of the correct terminology. The score will vary between 18 and 30 out of 30.
The calendar with the dates of the various sessions will be published on the University system.
CHIM/04 - INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor: Falletta Ermelinda
Shifts:
Turno
Professor: Falletta Ermelinda
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment
Office