EST 106 - Process Control Instrumentation and Troubleshoot

Credits: 5
LEC hours per week: 3
LAB hours per week: 4
Learn how to manually and automatically control a process loop using a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, feedback gauges and sensors, and a final control element. Math skills and knowledge of how to use a digital multimeter (DMM) are required. This course is a prerequisite for EST 285: Advanced Instrumentation and SCADA.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or higher in AMATH 107 and EST 133 or instructor permission.
Course Outcomes:

Define basic concepts of thermodynamics.
Describe and solve challenges involving heat capacity, ideal gas law, material balances, and/or heat transfer.
Interpret a Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID).
Describe a specific gravity of liquids and its relation to measuring tank levels using pressure.
Troubleshoot and calibrate instruments in a process loop using relevant equations and a digital multi-meter (DMM).
Demonstrate use of a controller to manage a current-pressure (I/P) converter and a pneumatic diaphragm valve.
Program a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller to manually and automatically control a process loop.

Course Topics:

Thermodynamics terms and units of measurement.
Specific heat capacity, internal energy, and enthalpy.
Ideal gas law: temperature, pressure, and volume.
Steam systems/boilers/heat transfer/heat exchangers/condensers/distillation.
Process Safety Management (PSM) and Risk Management (RM).
Introduction to process controls.
Manipulated and controlled variables.
Instrument tags.
Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams.
Loop controllers.
Final control elements.
Level measurement.
Liquid level control.
Methods of automatic control.
Basic flow measurement and control.
Differential pressure flow measurement and control.
Introduction to SCADA.