Queens University at Kingston

CHEE 319 - Winter 2015

Process Dynamics and Control
M. Guay
Quiz 1

Instructions:
1. This is a 50 minute examination.
2. Please write your student number instead of your name on all answer booklets and sheets
submitted.
3. Please state all assumptions made.
4. Calculators are permitted.
5. This is an open-book examination. Textbooks, course notes, assignment and midterm solutions are allowed.
6. Please answer all questions.
7. There are three (3) pages in the question booklet.
8. Good luck!

Please note: If the instructor is unavailable in the examination room and if doubt exists as to
the interpretation of any question, the candidate is urged to submit with the answer paper a clear
statement of any assumptions made.

Question 1

30 Marks

Figure 1 provides the schematic description of a system that consists of two isothermal continuously
stirred tank reactors in series.
The reactant stream enters reactor 1 at a flow rate F1 (m3 /s) and molar concentration CAin
(mol/m3 ). The reactor is operated at constant volume V1 (m3 ). The concentration of reactant A
in the tank is given by CA1 (mol/m3 ).
The product stream from reactor 1 enters reactor 2 at the same flow rate F1 (m3 /s). Reactor 2
also receives reactant from a side stream at a flow rate Fr (m3 /s) and molar concentration CAr
(mol/m3 ). This stream is equipped with a pump. The reactor is operated at constant volume V2
(m3 ). The concentration of reactant A in the tank CA2 (mol/m3 ) is to be controlled.
It is assumed that a first order reaction,
AB
takes place to produce a chemical B and the rate of reaction of A is given by
rAi = kCAi (mol/(m3 s))
for i = 1, 2 where k (s1 ) is a positive kinetic rate constant. It is assumed that all streams have
the same density and that the flow is incompressible.
For this process, you are asked to perform the following:
1. Identify all inputs and outputs of the system. Classify inputs as disturbances or manipulated
variables.
Solution:
Outputs: CA1 , CA2 (1 mark) Inputs:
Disturbances: F1 , CAIn , F2 , CAr (1 mark)
Manipulated variables: Fr (1 mark)
2. Develop a dynamic model that describes the relationship between the inputs and outputs.
Solution:
Based on the constant hold up assumption we get:
Total mass balance on tank 1 gives V 1 = 0.
2

F1 , CAIn

F r , C Ar
V 1 , C A1

F1 , C A 1
V 2 , C A2
F2 , C A 2
Figure 1: Two Isothermal Continuously Stirred Tank Reactors in Series with Side Stream.

Total mass balance on tank 2 gives V 2 = 0

As a result, we have that:
Fr + F1 = F 2
(2 marks)
Component balances on a molar basis.
Tank 1:

dCA1 V1
= F1 (CAIn CA1 ) kCA1 V1
dt
(8 Marks)
gives:
dCA1
F1
=
(CAIn CA1 ) kCA1
dt
V1
(2 Marks)
Tank 2:
3

dCA2 V2
= F1 CA1 + Fr CAr F2 CA2 kCA2 V2
dt
(8 Marks)
By the mass balance, we have that Fr + F1 = F 2. Upon substitution, we get:

dCA2 V2
= F1 (CA1 CA2 ) + Fr (CAr CA2 ) kCA2 V2
dt
(3 Marks)
And finally,
dCA2
F1
Fr
=
(CA1 CA2 ) +
(CAr CA2 ) kCA2
dt
V2
V2
(2 marks)
3. For the choice of inputs and outputs, is the dynamical control system linear or nonlinear?
Solution: Nonlinear (2 marks)

Question 2

10 Marks

Consider the following Laplace domain function, compute the corresponding time-domain function.
If applicable, use the final value theorem to compute the limit limt y(t).
Y (s) =

s2 (s

2(s + 3)
+ 1)(s2 + 9s + 18)

Solution:
Poles of the system are: s = 0, 0, 1, 6, 3. (2 marks)
Therefore Y (s) can be simplified as:
Y (s) =

2
s2 (s + 1)(s + 6)

(1 marks)
By partial fraction expansion:

Y (s) =

1 2
3
4
+
+
+
.
2
s
s
s+1 s+6

(1 mark)
Heaviside expansion yields:
1
7
2 4
1
1 = , 2 = , 3 = ,

3
18
5 =
90
(4 marks)
As a result:
1
7
2
1
y(t) = t
+ et e6t
3
18 5
90
(1 mark)
The limit does not exist.
(1 mark)

Question 3

10 Marks

Using the Laplace transform, solve the following second order ordinary differential equations:


1 t < 2 dy(0)
dy(t)
d2 y(t)
,
+
5
+
4y(t)
=
= 0, y(0) = 0.
0 t 2
dt2
dt
dt
Solution:
Taking the Laplace transform, one obtains:

0
s2 Y (s) + 5sY (s) + 4Y (s) = L
1

0
t<0
L
1
t0

t<2
t2

(1 mark for LHS, 2 marks RHS)

or
s2 Y (s) + 5sY (s) + 4Y (s) =

1 e2s

s
s

(2 mark for RHS)

Y (s) =

1
e2s

.
s(s2 + 5s + 4) s(s2 + 5s + 4)

note that (s2 + 5s + 4) = (s + 1)(s + 4).

By partial fraction expansion:

s(s2

1
1
2
3
=
+
+
+ 5s + 4)
s
s+1 s+4

(3 marks)
where 1 = 12 , 2 = 32 , 3 = 61 . Thus the inverse Laplace of Y (s) becomes:
2
1
y(t) = (et e(t2) ) + (e4t e4(t2)
3
6
(2 marks)