The major goal of this project was to build, configure, and optimize a network of pilot sized, heat exchangers for analysis and control of chemical processes in real-time. The new system would provide different flow configurations for evaluation of heat transfer phenomena including the chemical engineering concept of energy conservation within the confines of double-pipe heat exchangers.; The system is implemented to acquire process data in real-time with the aid of an interactive Graphical User Interface (GUI), and a stand-alone Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) unit. A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) linked to sensors, transmitters, and control valves is used to provide basic automatic control.; Several independent studies were performed to evaluate the system performance as an effective research and academic demonstration tool for the basic principles of chemical engineering Unit Operations in heat transfer, and Process Control. In general, results show that the unit is configured for optimum performance, with all the vestiges of a modern control system. Also, it has been proven to be an effective asset for illustrating the fundamental principles of heat flow, and selecting proper design parameters for controller settings.; Overall, the new system will provide UMASS Lowell a modern tool for evaluating and validating the feasibility of theoretical and empirical models for optimal chemical system control.
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