152
Exercise X - Temperature input with time proportional
control
Objective
To control the temperature of water within a coil that passes through a process
vessel filled with water, using a time-proportional controller connected to a
temperature sensor, with a heating element raising the temperature of the fluid within
the vessel and therefore the temperature of fluid within a coil passing through the
vessel.
Overview
A time proportional controller is a form of on/off controller. The controller can be set
to vary the proportion of time ‘off’ to time ‘on’ over a set timescale or cycle time. By
varying the time proportion for which the heater is on, the temperature of the water
within the vessel (and therefore within the coil) can be maintained at the required Set
Point.
Equipment Required
PCT40 bench with small process vessel containing a heating coil.
Equipment set up
Ensure that the apparatus has been set up according to the Installation section. The
lid with heating coil should be in position on the small process vessel, with the coil
surrounding the heating element. The apparatus should be connected to a suitable
PC with the PCT40 software installed, using the grey USB cable supplied.
Fill the small process vessel with water:
Using a length of tubing with a quick release fitting at both ends, connect the PSV to
one of the fittings on the side of the small process vessel. Ensure that the other fitting
on the side of the process vessel is not connected.
Close the drain valve on the process vessel.
Run the PCT40 software and select ‘Section 7: Temperature Control (indirect
heating)’.
In the software, set the PSV to 100% and watch as the small process vessel fills with
water.
Wait until the coil inside the vessel is fully covered with water, then set the PSV to
0%.
Disconnect the tube from the PSV and connect it to one side of the gear pump.
Using another length of tube with quick release fittings at both ends, connect the
other socket on the side of the small process vessel to the other side of the gear
pump.
Take a length of tube with a quick release fitting at one end and a Guest push fitting
at the other. Connect one end to the PSV and the other end to the coil inside the
small process vessel (via the quick-release fitting mounted on the lid).