School
Business, Entrepreneurship, and Professional Development
Division
Trade & Apprentice Education
Department
Skilled Trade & Apprenticeship
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
TAE - Process Tech. Practices
Course Number
120
Course Title
Introduction to Process Instrumentation
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Catalog Course Description
Introduces physical and chemical variables and the various instruments used to sense, measure, transmit, and control these variables. Introduces control loops and their components including controllers, regulators, sensors, and final control elements. Students will discuss how to create instrumentation drawings and diagrams when developing and analyzing control loops.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
Core Course Topics
- Introduction to Instrumentation
- Process Variables, Elements and Instruments; Pressure, Temperature, Level, and Flow
- Miscellaneous Process Variables, Elements, and
- Instruments: Analytical, Vibration, and Speed Based
- Control Loops: An Introduction
- Control Loops: Primary Sensors, Transmitters, Transducers, Controllers, and Final Control Elements
- Diagrams, Symbols, and Sketches
- Instrumentation Troubleshooting
Core Course Learning Objectives (Separated)
- Discuss the evolution and importance of process instrumentation to the chemical and refining industry.*
- Describe the major process variables controlled in the process industry.
- Define terms associated with instrumentation.
- Explain the relationship between common process variables.*
- Identify the most common pressure-sensing and pressure-measuring devices used in the process industry and how they operate.
- Identify some of the most common temperature-sensing and temperature-measuring devices used in the process industry and how they operate.
- Identify some of the most common level-sensing and level-measuring devices used in the process industry and how they operate.
- Identify some of the most common flow-sensing and flow-measuring devices used in the process industry and how they operate.
- Identify process instrumentation used to analyze process fluids and products in industrial processes, and describe two additional process variables -- speed and vibration -- as well as the instruments used to measure these variables.*
- Demonstrate an understanding of control loops and their elements along with the various signals that can be transmitted through different types of control.*
- Describe the control loop elements that sense, measure, convert, and transmit process variable information.*
- Identify five of the different types of controllers used in the process industry (local, remote, split range, cascade/remote setpoint, and ratio); describe their components and function.*
- Describe major components of a control valve and how the valve operates.
- Identify symbols in process diagrams that represent equipment, instrumentation, and lines.*
- Demonstrate an understanding of instrumentation troubleshooting, including communication, calibration, proper tool use, safety, and environmental guidelines.*
Assessment and Requirements
Assessment of Academic Achievement
Methods for measuring achievement of objectives:
Tests will be given throughout the semester.
- Tests scores represent 50% of the course grade.
- Laboratory activities and performance exercises will be done where students will demonstrate an understanding of practical applications. These will make up 25% of the course grade.
- A written final exam will be given which will represent 25% of the course grade.
Texts
Texts, handouts, and/or workbooks will be determined by the TAE Department.
Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
Portfolio Review Details
Portfolio must contain evidence that illustrates competency in all course learning objectives. Department faculty will evaluate submitted portfolios based on the evaluation rubric. Evaluation rubric and student checklist located in the Industrial Technology office.
Approval Dates
Effective Term
Winter 2016
Review Semester
Winter 2016