Applications or "apps" for computers and mobile devices are ubiquitous in modern technology. Several apps are available for teaching chemical engineering and are disseminated inexpensively or are freely available online. This paper highlights software apps that chemical engineering instructors may use "off the shelf" for iOS,…

Describes the advantages and features of computer-assisted laboratory stations for use in a chemical engineering program. Also describes a typical experiment at such a station: determining the response times of a solid state humidity sensor at various humidity conditions and developing an empirical model for the sensor. (JN)

The determination of closed-loop response of processes containing dead-time is typically not covered in undergraduate process control, possibly because the solution by Laplace transforms requires the use of Pade approximation for dead-time, which makes the procedure lengthy and tedious. A computer-aided method is described which simplifies the…

A laboratory course design to teach the principles of process data acquisition and control using digital computers was developed at Washington University. The structure of the laboratory and course are described. The course outline and list of experiments are included. (JN)

Examines the extent to which a process control computer system is assisting departmental research (by providing a comprehensive and flexible data logging and plant control system) and providing a teaching facility for the department by live demonstrations of plant monitoring and control applications, simulation, and student implementation of…

Presents results of a survey of chemical engineering departments regarding computer usage in senior design courses. Results are categorized according to: computer usage (use of process simulators, student-written programs, faculty-written or "canned" programs; costs (hard and soft money); and available software. Programs offered are…

Describes an advanced simulation illustrating how basic engineering skills can be combined with economic considerations and risk-taking judgments to effectively design and operate a chemical processing unit in a competitive environment. The simulation is used as one of five projects in a technical management course. (SK)

Describes an experiment in which a microcomputer was programed to function as a transfer function analyzer to investigate the dynamics of stirred vessels. The main objective of the experiment is to illustrate the theory and application of the pulse test (a method of determining the transfer function of a process). (JN)

Describes an experiment to give students exposure to digital control widely used in industry but not given much attention in most undergraduate process control curricula. Students write their own control programs and experimentally determine the transfer functions for all system components. Also describes experimental apparatus used in the…

Hardware, software, and operation of a computer package for tutoring chemical engineers is discussed. TUTCHE controls/records use of various student programs, organizing data/results in files on exit so they may be reliably retrieved on re-entry. TUTOR is a separate program allowing a tutor to examine/modify student records held in TUTCHE.…

Provides a summary of essential characteristics of the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) and Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations (PLATO) educational computer system. Considers future of the computer based education which effectively combines PSI with computer assisted instruction. Discusses current status and future use of…

Presents Part II of a description of a computer-oriented course on process control which has been offered at the University of Wisconsin for undergraduate students. Lecture topics and laboratory experiments are also included. (HM)

Describes a project in which computer programs and textbooks explaining the theoretical basis and practical application of the programs have been developed. Also describes the computer programs and textbooks available and the role of these materials in chemical engineering education. (JN)

Guidelines to use when solving complex design problems and two illustrative examples were presented in Volume 16 (No. 1), page 12 of this journal. Two additional examples are presented, focusing on ASCEND-II, a flowsheeting system to help "design" a computer model for a process. (SK)

Describes aims, objectives content, and instructional strategies of a course in systems modelling and control at Imperial College, England. Major problem areas include multivariable control system design, estimation and filtering, and the design and use of adaptive "self-tuning" regulators. (Author/JN)