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. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 24:887–898, 2016; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21758.