CONTROL - 2023/4
Module code: ENG2094
Module Overview
Today, control systems are widely used in engineering applications. Simple machines like a water dispenser and complex systems like a formula 1 car, an airliner, or a chemical production plant, all rely in some form of control system.
A control system is a combination of hardware and software that operate together to provide the desired response from any system, and thus helps to develop and describe the relationship between input and output of any system. A simple example is a control system to keep the level of a tank at the desired level despite fluctuations in the input flow rate.
Module provider
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Module Leader
SEBASTIA SAEZ Juan Daniel (Chst Chm Eng)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 5
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Workshop Hours: 6
Independent Learning Hours: 81
Lecture Hours: 33
Tutorial Hours: 8
Guided Learning: 11
Captured Content: 11
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None.
Module content
Introduction: terminology, the concept of control, the feedback control mechanism;
Process dynamics and modelling: Concept, process dynamics, the transfer function and its characteristics, the block diagram and system simplification, application of Laplace transform for model analysis;
Linear system analysis in the time domain: Response of the first-order, second order and higher order systems, system response versus pole location, response of the time-delayed systems, system stability;
Design of control systems in time domain: Closed loop vs. open loop systems, general requirements of control systems, automatic controllers (P, PI, PD and PID), tuning of PID controllers, enhanced single-loop controllers;
Practical aspects of process control: Typical sensors and actuators; practical considerations in controller design, design of control system for typical processes.
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Online Scheduled Summative Class Test | Online (Open Book) Test within a 4hr window | 20 |
| Examination | 2 hr Invigilated Exam | 80 |
Alternative Assessment
A coursework-equivalent to the in-semester test will be offered as an alternative assessment.
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of scientific principles, methodologies and mathematical methods associated with control systems as well as the ability to analyse and design particular systems in the final examination. The inter-semester test amplifies awareness and ability to devise control concept and to analyse systems from their response. The final examination will include the contents of the lab sessions and workshops.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- In-semester test (20%)
- Examination (80%)
Formative assessment and feedback
- Formative verbal feedback is given in lectures and tutorials.
- Formative feedback on in-semester test will be given verbally.
- A mock exam will be conducted in the end of the semester and before the final exam.
Module aims
- To develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of the importance of control in engineering
- To develop solid knowledge of control system analysis, including the development of mathematical time-dependent (dynamic) models, which are the cornerstone of control system software, including the basic PID controller.
- To become familiar with the most basic control system configurations, commonly used in chemical engineering systems (feedback, feedforward, cascade, etc).
- To tackle practical issues in control system design and analysis
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Provide, identify and compose: the specification of the dynamics and control requirements of systems; the general concept, the types and the structure of control hardware. | K |
| 002 | Effectively interpret and employ definitions of common terms including feed-forward, feedback, linear and non-linear models, and time and frequency domain. | K |
| 003 | Apply Laplace Transform techniques to the analysis of dynamic processes and associated block diagram representation. | KC |
| 004 | Apply Laplace transform techniques to the analysis of control systems. | KC |
| 005 | Understand the concept and tuning methods of PID controller. | KCP |
| 006 | Design appropriate controllers by considering practical aspects in chemical process engineering | CPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
Introduce principles of control systems analysis and design through theory and worked examples. This is mainly delivered through:
- lectures, where the main concepts are explained and their application seen through worked examples given by the lecturer first and then additional examples worked out by the students. Answers from the students will be recorded using polls which allow the lecturer to gauge the knowledge acquired by the students during the session. Finally, the questions will be solved by the lecturer so the student can check their answers
- tutorial classes where the students have the opportunity to show their resourcefulness in tackling practical questions. Solutions to the questions will be delivered after the session.
- Labs and workshops, where the student will have the opportunity to develop solutions to real problems (resourcefulness) using relevant software (digital capabilities). These sessions are designed to bridge the gap between the abstract control theory concepts and a tangible real-life engineering system.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG2094
Other information
The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is committed to developing graduates based on the five pillars of the Surrey Curriculum Framework, i.e., Digital Capabilities, Employability, Resourcefulness and Resilience, Sustainability, and Global and Cultural Capabilities. Module 2094 Control contributes to the following three pillars as follows:
Digital Capabilities/Resourcefulness: Digital Technologies are an essential part of Control Engineering. Mastering programming and understanding the importance of hardware is needed to implement the desired control response of a system against an eventual change in operating conditions. In this module, this is accomplished by:
- The implementation of control strategies using MATLAB Simulink.
- A workshop session where the students will have the opportunity to apply their acquired knowledge on control engineering concepts seen in the classroom to a live system called TCLab (Temperature Control Lab (apmonitor.com)). To do so, the students will use code written using the MATLAB user interface.
This strategy will allow integrating knowledge from various modules in the curriculum, as well as providing a vision of how highly abstract concepts in programming and control engineering are applied on real tangible systems.
Employability: Control engineers are required in practically every engineering sector, including Chemical, Automotive, Construction and Manufacturing. Control engineering systems are needed for high technology systems, i.e., aircrafts, and also day-to-day systems, i.e., washing machines. The module has special focus on developing digital technologies skills, as these have been the cause for the recent significant growth in Control Engineering as a discipline. For instance, TCLab incorporates IoT (internet of things) capabilities. This will be essential in the near future as chemical companies are investing in connected devices to capture, process and use data with high potential returns on investment.
Sustainability: Industry and institutions consider Digital Technologies, including the Internet of things, an opportunity to help with protecting the environment, as data analysis is crucial to increase energy efficiency amongst other issues. This module focuses efforts on providing the students with sufficient awareness on the importance of Digital Technologies in the Chemical Industry.
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical and Petroleum Engineering BEng (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Chemical and Petroleum Engineering MEng | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Chemical Engineering BEng (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Chemical Engineering MEng | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.