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Exercise 1
2nd Quarter SY 2016-2017
ABSTRACT
In analyzing process dynamics and in designing control systems, it is important to know how the process outputs will
respond to changes in process inputs. By determining the time constant of a thermometer, this experiment is able to show
the trend of response time and its factors. The experiment has been divided into two parts, for a) a step function system and
b) pulse function system. Materials used in this experiment were mercury-in-glass thermometer, beaker, hot plate with
magnetic stirrer, liquid water and ice. Thus, it was found out that mercury-in-glass thermometers respond faster in pulse
function systems and under conditions of lower than room temperature.
Keywords: step
INTRODUCTION
For the first part, the initial ambient temperature of liquid surface area, A, are constants for a particular thermometer,
water was measured by the thermometer and was allowed the coefficient of convective heat transfer is not. This places
to be heated up to its boiling point. In which, temperatures the thermometer in a rather unique position as a measuring
of the liquid water were being recorded at an interval of 10 instrument. All other instruments have a response time that
seconds. is solely a function of the instrument itself. Thus, this
experiment able to determine the time constant of the
thermometer.
Figure 1. Step Function Set-up For a step function system, response is given as
time, (s)
For a pulse function system, response is given as Determined time constants of the mercury-in-glass
thermometer can be a rough guide in selection of proper
Y ( t ) =et / thermometer for the measurement of transient
temperatures. In this experiment, it was found out that the
thermometer responds faster in pulse function systems than
that of step function. At low temperatures, thermometers
seem to respond faster than room temperatures. Thus,
100 other effects (like the construction materials of the
90 thermometer) can also contribute to the response times.
80
70
60 A better appreciation of the role of the response time of a
measuring instrument in the experimental process may be
Y(t)=T-To 50
40 gained by considering the other cases of the function
30 systems. Moreover, thermometer requires low thermal
20 resistance as characterized by the coefficient of heat
10 transfer of the fluid for the fastest response time and least
0 effect on the system being measured. This particular
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
relationship between response time and input impedance is
time, (s) another interesting feature of the thermometer as a
measuring instrument and is recommended for further
study.
REFERENCES
It was shown in the graph how clearly the thermometer
behaves in the disturbance in a pulse. It can be related as a Coughanowr, D.R. 1991. Process Systems Analysis and
piecewise function of a step function and a reverse step Control. 2nd Edition.
function. Thus, same formula in determining the time
constant, it gives an average of 134.27 s. Seborg, D. E. Et. Al. 2004. Process Dynamics and Control.
2nd Edition.