IME 8310 – INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL

Quiz 1 2020-30
The Figure illustrates a jacketed tank for pre-heating a reactant solution, followed by a stirred reactor,
where an endothermic reaction occurs. The energy for the reaction is provided by a steam stream
flowing through a coil.

L1
f1(t),CA1(t),T1(t) fR(t)

f2(t),CB2(t),T2(t)
PX

PY
w(t)

Tanque T
h4

h3 PO

Reactor

Both vessels have a variable level, and the reactor’s outlet stream (containing the reaction product) is
partially recirculated to the jacketed tank to enhance the system efficiency. The manual valve located at the
discharge of the jacketed tank will be replaced by a pneumatic control valve, aiming to implement a level
control loop in this tank. In an emergency condition, the reactor must be protected against overload. The
control valve must be designed to operate with the following parameters:

• The density of the fluid in stream 1 (𝑓1) is 56 𝑙𝑏𝑚/𝑓𝑡 3 . The density of the (mixed) fluid contained
in the jacketed tank is 58 𝑙𝑏𝑚/𝑓𝑡 3 , while the density of the reactor’s product is 64 𝑙𝑏𝑚/𝑓𝑡 3 . Recall
that the density of water is 62.4 𝑙𝑏𝑚/𝑓𝑡 3 .
• The nominal value for stream 1 flow is 𝑓1̅ = 29 𝑔𝑝𝑚, an varies between 15 − 140 𝑔𝑝𝑚.
• The nominal recirculated flow is 𝑓1̅ = 7.4 𝑔𝑝𝑚, and it varies between 0 − 32.5 𝑔𝑝𝑚.
• The tank level changes between 3 𝑓𝑡 and 9 𝑓𝑡, with a nominal value of 6 𝑓𝑡, while the reactor level
changes between 10 𝑓𝑡 and 8 𝑓𝑡, with a nominal value of 9𝑓𝑡. On the other hand, ℎ4 = 5 𝑓𝑡 and
ℎ3 = 3 𝑓𝑡.
• Both vessels are pressurized, so that 𝑃𝑥 = 3 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑔 and 𝑃𝑦 = 1 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑔.

Provide the following specifications:

• The safe fail position.

• The required nominal flow capacity, 𝐶𝑣̅ , and the maximum required flow capacity, 𝐶𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 .
• The valve characteristics: either if it is linear or equal-percentage.
• Finally, calculate the required bias (𝑚 ̅ ) of the controller output.