CHEN90032

Process Dynamics and Control

Worksheet 2 – Unsteady-State Models – SOLUTION

Question 1

(a) We begin by performing an energy balance:

dU
dt
( )
= −∆ FHˆ − Qloss + Qheater (1.1)

Where:

( )
−∆ FHˆ = FCP (Ti − T ) (1.2)

and

Qloss = hAs (T − Ta ) (1.3)

and

dU dT
= ρVCP (1.4)
dt dt

Substituting (1.2), (1.3), and (1.4) into (1.1) we get:

dT
ρVCP = FCP (Ti − T ) − hAs (T − Ta ) + Qheater (1.5)
dt

(b) NE = 1 (1.5). NV = 4 (T, Ti, Ta, F). Therefore, the number of degrees of
freedom (NF) is 3.

In order to solve the model for T(t) we need to specify the variables Ti, Ta, and F,
as a function of time.

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Question 2

(a) We need to perform component balances for A and B.

d ( ρVx A )
= Fi x A,i − Fx A − k ρVx A (2.1)
dt

d ( ρVxB )
= k ρVx A − FxB (2.2)
dt

The change in mass of A per time due to the chemical reaction is the rate
constant (k) times the total mass of A (xAρV). The term due to chemical reaction
is negative in (2.1), as A is being consumed, and positive in (2.2), where B is
being produced.

(b) We will examine the units for each term in equation (2.1).

d ( ρVx A )
Term 1:
dt

ρ: kg/m3

V: m 3

xA: kg of A/kg

t: min

Therefore, this term is in units of kg of A/min

Term 2: Fi x A,i

Fi: kg/min

Given the units for xA listed above, we again find units of kg of A/min (the same
applies for Term 3).

Term 4: k ρVx A

k: min-1

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Other units are as above. Therefore, we again have units of kg of A/min, and the
units are consistent.

The modified MATLAB code is available on
on-line.

Performing the simulations at the specified conditions produces the following

composition vs. time profiles:

This simulation essentially corresponds to process start-up (zero initial

concentration), and we find that the system takes several hours to reach steady
steady-
state. Because the reaction rate is slow relative to the residence time, conversion
of A to B is low.

As k is increased the conversion of A to B also increases, until xB approaches

0.02, the inlet mass fraction of A (i.e.,
( complete conversion):

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Question 3

(a) First, perform a mass balance:

d ( ρV )
= Fi − F (3.1)
dt

dV
ρ = Fi − F (3.2)
dt

dV 1
= ( Fi − F ) (3.3)
dt ρ

Now we perform an energy balance:

d ( ρVCPT )
= FC
i PTi − FCPT + Q (3.4)
dt

This energy balance has been obtained using some of the same relationships as
in question 1. As in this earlier problem the density (ρ) and heat capacity (CP) are
assumed constant, but here volume (V) is not. So:

d (VT )
ρCP = FC
i PTi − FCPT + Q (3.5)
dt

d (VT ) FT
i i FT Q
= − + (3.6)
dt ρ ρ ρCP

Applying the chain rule:

d (VT ) d (T ) d (V )
=V +T (3.7)
dt dt dt

Therefore:

dT dV FT FT Q
V +T = i i − + (3.8)
dt dt ρ ρ ρCP

We already have a relationship for dV/dt from (3.3), and introducing this into (3.8)
gives:

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 dT 1 FT FT Q
V dt + T[ρ (F − F)] = ρ
− ρ
+ ρC (3.9)
p

dT 1 Q
V = (F T − FT − F T + FT) + (3.10)
dt ρ ρC p

dT 1 Q
V dt = ρ (F T − F T) + ρC (3.11)
p

dT 1 Q
V = (F T − F T) + (3.12)
dt ρ ρC p

dT F Q
dt
= ρV (T − T) + ρC (3.13)
p

(b) Degrees of freedom analysis: NE = 2 (3.3 and 3.12), NV = 6 (V, T, Fi, F, Q, Ti).
Therefore we have 4 degrees of freedom, and need to specify Q, Fi, F Ti.

In a control system the heating rate (Q) and the outlet flowrate (F) are likely to be
manipulated variables that we use to control T and V. The inlet temperature and
flowrate would be disturbance variables. An example control scheme is illustrated
below:

TC
LC

heating fluid