Translating Process Control Theory into Practice – An Innovative, Real-time, Online Simulation Approach to Digital Learning

TitleTranslating Process Control Theory into Practice – An Innovative, Real-time, Online Simulation Approach to Digital Learning
Faculty/College/UnitApplied Science
StatusActive
Duration2 Year
Initiation04/01/2022
Project Summary

The undergraduate process control curriculum is typically designed with an abstract and mathematically rigorous approach, emphasizing process modeling and analysis, but with limited coverage of industrial process control design. A recent 2015 AIChE survey discussed these curriculum concerns, and urged institutions to equip students with a better ability to translate control theory into practice. In line with APSC's Strategic Plan towards the University for the Future and delivering leading-edge digital teaching, we propose the development of a novel, open-source, web-based process control simulator. This platform will allow students to interact with various modules that are instructor-customizable, in a flexible manner that covers the full spectrum of control tasks including step tests, systems identification, and controller design. This advanced educational tool will deepen their understanding of controls applications, and can be used in various chemical engineering courses to assist in understanding process
dynamics - something not covered in the current curriculum.

Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2022/2023
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorBhushan Gopaluni
Year 1: Funded Amount31,164
Year 1: Team Members

Bhushan Gopaluni, Professor, Chemical and Biological Engineering / Associate Dean, Faculty of Applied Science
Siang Lim, P.Eng., UBC BASc ‘17
Shams Elnawawi, EIT, UBC BASc ’20

Year 2: Project YearYear 2
Year 2: Funding Year2024/2025
Year 2: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 2: Principal InvestigatorBhushan Gopaluni
Year 2: Funded Amount18,761
Year 2: Team Members

Bhushan Gopaluni, Professor, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Siang Lim, P.Eng., UBC BASc ‘17 (now at Burnaby Refinery)
Josh Donaldson, EIT, UBC BASc ’20 (now at Tersa Earth Innovations)