A state-of-the-art pilot plant for control education: a result of collaboration between industry and academia

摘要

During the past decade, the process industries have undergone significant technological and business challenges; pressure on profit margins, manpower reduction, process optimization, safety and environmental regulations, and reduction in maintenance costs. One approach to meet these challenges is through an experienced workforce, well able to monitor the process, respond to problems and take preemptive action when required. The challenge to academia is to create an appropriate training environment to produce graduates that meet these industry requirements. The collaboration between the School of Engineering at Murdoch University and industrial companies have led to the installation and commissioning of a fully automated pilot plant, which provides students with excellent training in the field of process operation and control. This paper explores some of the major features of this pilot plant and its role in education of the future industrial workforce.