MATLAB: A Powerful Tool for Experimental Design in Chemical Engineering

摘要

Laboratory experiments in chemical engineering can be modelled by defining heat and material balances and considering transport phenomena in non-stationary conditions. Usually, these equations have no analytical solution and students cannot solve the problem easily to compare experimental results with theory. In this paper the use of MA TLAB is presented as a powerful tool in order to solve chemical engineering problems numerically. A new laboratory experiment for third-year students in chemical engineering has been developed combining a laboratory rig with a computer-aided solution using MA TLAB and Simulink. The experiment consists of three gas-solid fluidised baths, one of them prepared with two heaters and temperature transmitters to obtain non-stationary data. A fluidised bath is considered a globalise system owing to perfect mixing, so temperature gradients are negligible. The other two baths have different diameters and work at ambient temperature to give steady-state results for hydrodynamic conditions. This experiment is a partner-to-partner design between university teachers, a control engineer, a technical staff member and the students; contribution of each was crucial. A new laboratory plant for university students has been developed with a MA TLAB-aided solution. The combination of theory, experimental results and simulation improves learning and safety in operation.