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FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND THE BUILT

ENVIRONMENT
Department of Electronic & Computer
Engineering
TEST 1 (MARKING MEMO)
SEMESTER 1, 2023
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMME: BET BNELC1
INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: PROCESS INSTRUMENTATION 3A
SUBJECT CODE: PINA301
DATE: 6 APRIL 2023
DURATION: 60 MINUTES
TIME: 10AM
TOTAL MARKS: 30 MARKS
NUMBER OF PAGES: 2(INCLUDING COVER PAGE)
EXAMINER: DR. N. PILLAY
MODERATOR: PROF. V. SRIVASTAVA

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR FULL NAME AND STUDENT NUMBER IS WRITTEN NEATLY AT THE TOP
OF THIS PAGE.
2. PROGRAMMABLE CALCULATORS OR COMPUTERS MAY NOT BE USED. ALL MOBILE ELECTRONIC
DEVICES MUST BE SWITCHED OFF.

3. ALL ANSWERS TO BE WRITTEN IN PEN. DARK PENCIL MAY ONLY BE USED FOR DIAGRAMS.
4. DO NOT DETACH ANY PART OF THE QUESTION PAPER.
5. BORROWING OF ANY ITEMS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED DURING THE ASSESSMENT.
6. UNTIDY WORK WILL NOT BE MARKED – THE LEARNER WILL BE AWARDED ZERO MARKS FOR
ANY UNTIDY ANSWERS.

7. FINAL CALCULATED ANSWER MUST BE GIVEN IN TWO (2) DECIMAL PLACES.

Do not turn the page before permission is given.

Page 1 of 5
Question 1 (Industrial Analyzers)

1.1 How do industrial analyzer systems work, and what are the key components and
subsystems involved in their operation? [4]

- Extraction systems carry the liquid/gas to the transducer (discrete or continuous).

- Conditioning ensure sample is correct phase and no contamination occurs.
- Transducer is responsible for converting sample concentrations to a usable signal.

1.2 Discuss how analyzer systems help improve process control, optimize production
efficiency, and ensure quality and safety in industrial settings. Use simple real-
world examples in your explanation. [2]

- Air/water quality monitoring for health and safety. Ensure the air/water quality in
the production facility is within environmental regulations.
- Analyzers can be used as sensors in feedback control systems to ensure the quality
of the product is within specifications. E.g. pH control for water quality
monitoring.

1.3 Explain the following terms with regard to analyzer equipment:

1.3.1 Isokinetic sampling. [1]
-Ensures that the sample remains at a constant velocity when reaching the
transducer.

Page 2 of 5
1.3.2 Wet-scrubbing system. [1]
- Water is passed through the gaseous stream to extract the COI. The water is then
analyzed.
1.3.3 Sample validation. [1]
- Proof of analyzer performance in real-time.
- Verification of analyzer stability.

1.4 A pH analyzer is required for a specific control application. The process contains
many particles and flows through the pipeline at high velocity and temperature.
Suggest with reasons the sampling method that would be appropriate for the stated
application. [2]
Online sampling to ensure adequate filtering and conditioning of the sample prior
to entering the transducer.

1.5 Describe how can Beer-Lambert law be used to determine the concentration of a
substance in a solution? [2]
- The Beer-Lambert law states that there is a linear relationship between the
concentration and the absorbance of the solution, which enables the concentration
of a solution to be calculated by measuring its absorbance.

1.6 Discuss qualitative and quantitative means of extracting sample trace elements
using a chromatography gas analyzer device. [2]

- Qualitative measurement is provided by the position of the curve during the

elution time.
- Quantitative measurement is the height of the curve.

Page 3 of 5
1.7 What are the advantages and limitations of flame ionization detection compared to
other methods of gas chromatography detection? [2]
- Provides rapid results.
- Not appropriate for explosive zones where flammable gas or liquid is present.

1.8 With the aid of a simple sketch, describe how mass spectrometry can be used in
the analysis of chemical substances. [3]

- Sample gas is ionized and accelerated by the beam focus.

- Heavier gas components have a higher m/q ratio therefore the gas is separated into
its individual components.
- Electronic signals are amplified, and gas concentrations are given.
Subtotal [20]

Question 2 (Control Systems)

2.1 Describe how feedback control is applied to improve the performance of a system
such as flow control. [2]

-
- Error signal is created by comparing plant output to desired set point.
- Error signal is sent to the PID to provide a corrective signal to the plant to
improve the flow control.

2.2 What are the advantages and disadvantages of On/Off control compared to other
control strategies, such as proportional control or integral control? [2]
- Simple, but effective control algorithm.
- Oscillatory output.
- Wear/tear on FCE.

2.3 When dealing with feedforward control systems, what are the key
considerations when designing and deploying such a system for real-time
control applications? [2]
- Additional sensor requirements for capturing disturbances signals.
- Mathematical model of the process control loop.

Page 4 of 5
2.4 Using a simple sketch, describe how split range control differs from other
control strategies, such as ratio control or cascade control. [4]

Control signal

- Control signal is sent to 2 valves.

- The valves control the flow rate at different stages of the control signal.
- The control is improved by this strategy.

Subtotal [10]
Final Total = [30]

Page 5 of 5