Process Experimentation Laboratory: Use of Open Source Software in the Chemical Engineering Degree: Case study

ABSTRACT

Lab courses are considered of paramount importance in the education of future engineers, as it is the case of chemical engineers. The exponential growth of simulation software in the field of chemical engineering has opened the door to a powerful tool in teaching duties. Hence, use of specific software constitutes a valuable instrument aiding students to develop their creativity. Additionally, simulations can check the performance of distinct scenarios in short times, save in reagents and apparatus lifetime, and visualize expected results in real experiments. Access to adequate software is sometimes prohibitive from an economic point of view. Accordingly, availability of freeware to students and institutions is of paramount importance if computer simulations are to be introduced in the teaching procedure. In this work, the introduction of several open PC programs is presented and applied to a specific experimental work completed in the last course of the undergraduate ChE curricula at the University of Extremadura (Spain). The case belongs to the subject “Experimentation in processes” and conjugate different disciplines that students should theoretically know. Hence, knowledge in electrical and electronic assemblies (software used: CadeSimu and PCSimu), sequential control (software used: Logo Soft Comfort) and interface programming (software used: Logo Web Editor) are explained and combined in an unique experiment.

KEYWORDS

Freeware; Scada; process lab; simulation

Cite this paper

F. J. Rivas. (2021) Process Experimentation Laboratory: Use of Open Source Software in the Chemical Engineering Degree: Case study. International Journal of Education and Learning Systems, 6, 8-12