Improvement of the learning and assessment of the practical component of a Process Dynamics and Control course for fourth year chemical engineering students

Publication date: Available online 15 February 2020Source: Education for Chemical EngineersAuthor(s): Kuveneshan MoodleyAbstractThe focus of this work was to improve the learning and assessment of the practical component of the Process Dynamics and Control fourth year Chemical Engineering course at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and consequently, the general performance in selected aspects of the course. The previous methods employed for the practical assessment of the course were based on out-dated experiments and software that students found difficulty working with and which are losing relevance in industry. New simulation-based practical experiments using ASPEN Plus® and ASPEN Dynamics® were developed and students were required to configure, commission and optimize advanced industrial process control schemes. Feedback from students and the instructor was documented and is reported. An increase in the general understanding of the module content for the aspects assessed in the new practical was observed, as quantified by an increase in the pass rate and average mark of the cohort regarding the selected aspects specifically, in comparison to previous years.
Source: Education for Chemical Engineers - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research