Problem Based Learning (PBL): Analysis of Continuous Stirred Tank Chemical Reactors with a Process Control Approach

Abstract

This work is focused on a project that integrates the curriculum such as thermodynamic, chemical reactor engineering, linear algebra, differential equations and computer programming. The purpose is that students implement the most knowledge and tools to analyse the stirred tank chemical reactor as a simple dynamic system. When the students finished this practice they should have learned about analysis of dynamic system through bifurcation analysis, hysteresis phenomena, find equilibrium points, stability type, and phase portrait. Once the steps were accomplished, we concluded that the purpose was satisfactorily reached with an increment in creative ability. The student showed a bigger interesting in this practice, since they worked in group. The most important fact is that the percentage of failure among students was 10%. Finally, using alternative teaching-learning process improves the Mexican system education.