The aim of this project is to provide a more realistic and challenging experience in the process control lab by introducing a new class of control experiments which use a flexible chemical process emulator. An emulator is a combination of computer simulation and process equipment such that the inputs of the simulation appear as physically-observed phenomena. Control valves move in response to signals from a controller and liquid levels respond with any desired kind of dynamic behavior. Use of the emulator is better than computer simulation because the student observes a physical system and learns by doing. The emulator can be programmed for either simple or complex dynamics. Consequently, it is more versatile than conventional process control experiments. This adjustable feature allows the assignment of individual problems to student groups working on a capstone design project in process control.
