Objective of the course is enabling the student to master the most common control methodologies and instrumentation equipments of the chemical and industrial processes, through the theoretical and experimental analysis of real control and measuring systems. The course aims at providing the student an overview of the fundamentals of system dynamics and feedback control theory, as well as of physical principles applied in measuring instruments; these are then applied to the analysis and operation of level, pressure, flow, temperature control loops. The theoretical and practical elements set the basis that will allow the student to address the analysis P&ID of single units and plants.

Once completed the course and exam, the student has matured different capabilities as herein detailed.

Knowledge and comprehension:
- the sudent knows the fundamentals of dynamics and control theory;
- the student knows the physical principles that are exploited in measuring trasnducers;
- the students knows the fundamentals of logic diagrams and P&IDs

Ability to apply knowledge and comprehension:
- the students is able to apply the fundamentals of dynamic and control theory to the analysis of typical process units;
- the students is able to design a control system for typical process units;
- the student is able to select the adequate measuring device for the process variables;
- the student is able to draw simple P&ID
- the student is able to report on a practical experience

Autonomy of judgement:
- the student has the ability to critically analyze previously developed control and instrumentation solutions and develop improved solutions;

Learning ability:
- the students can extent his knowledge to new fields and cases not treated in the course

1. Control theory. The analysis of dynamic systems. Laplace transforms. Input-output models. Dynamic response of typical systems (I order, II order, systems in series, dead time..). Dynamic response with feedback control loop. Effect of the control actions. Control tuning. Frequency response analysis. Bode stability criterion. Multiple control loop, advanced control.

2. Control practice. Experimental and theoretical analysis of the dynamic behavior of a I order system (liquid tank) in the absence and in the presence of a control system; experimental analysis of the effects of P, I and D actions. Frequency response analysis of the tank system (experiments and modelling), derivation of Bode diagram, application of different tuning criteria

3. Instrumentation theory. Pneumatic, electric, electronic and digital components of measurements and control systems: sensors, transducers, amplifiers, conditioning and conversion of analogical and digital signals. Fundamentals and classes of instruments for engineering measurements: temperature measurements, pressure measurements, level measurements, flow rate measurements and composition measurements. Installation criteria. Final control elements. Regulating valves: typologies, sizing, installation. Other final control elements. Safety valves.

4. Instrumentation practice. Analysis and operation of common instruments (transducers) used for level, pressure, flow, temperature measurement and control. Measurement of the characteristic curves of an industrial regulation valve. Analysis of the instrumental equipment of a didactic distillation column. The control of temperature by electric heating elements.

• Process flow diagrams. P&ID of single unit operations and plant units: distillation column, flash, chemical reactor, steam generation, heat exchangers, pumps, and others. Case histories of industrial plants.

  Reference texts

  G. Stephanopoulos, Chemical process Control: An Introduction to Theory and Practice, Prentice Hall Int. Editions.

  Forzatti e Lietti, Strumentazione Industriale Chimica Vol. I: elementi di regolazione + Vol. II: : elementi di misura. Edizioni CUSL.

  Notes and slides provided by the professor.

Mass and energy balances.
Unit operations.
Heat and mass transport.

Organization of the course and exam

  The course consists of regular lessons in the class plus lessons and practice in the Instrumentation Laboratory (in small groups, according to a schedule that is agreed at the beginning of the course). Students are requested to analyze the experiences in the labs and produce reports that will be evaluated.

The course includes seminars from experts in the field of instrumentation and visit to industrial sites.

The exam will be oral.

In the examination, the student will be asked general questions on the topics of the course, to verify the knowledge and comprehension of the fundamentals. The interview will also verify the ability of the student to use the general background matured to the quantitative analysis of specific cases. 
The student will discuss ona quantitative basis the lab experiences through the illustration and discussion of the reports.