Desription:
This is a a visible and easy to understand temperature control process. A fan blows air over a heater with radial fins and through a vertical clear acrylic duct. Sensors measure the surface temperature of the heater and the air temperature in the duct. This allows two different control implementations to be demonstrated with very different parameters, i.e.: Temperature control of the heater surface (Direct Heating) Temperature control of the air (Indirect Heating) In each case the temperature is controlled by varying the heater power and repeatable disturbances implemented by switching the fan speed, hence allowing direct comparison of different controller settings.
Specification
- A temperature control process trainer, comprising:
- 50W nominal heater mounted in a 60mm diameter duct
- Remotely switchable two speed fan blowing air over the heater
- Two platinum resistance temperature sensors, 0-150°C range, one measuring the heater surface temperature and one measuring the air temperature
- Capable of demonstrating control of both the heater surface or the air temperature
- Capable of demonstrating the difference between fast reacting and slow reacting sensors
- USB interface to PC, plus connection terminals for interfacing to external controllers
- Supplied with educational software for PID control as well as data logging.
