Introduction to Process Engineering

Purpose and objectives:

The purpose of the STEM Introduction to Process Engineering course is to enable students to take on the role of a process control engineer in a real-world scenario. The course explores, educates, and challenges students with the basic skills associated with process control.

Particularly target: Students from 12 – 18 years old

Knowledge:

Science

• Flow, volume, and pressure
• Capacitance
• Ultrasonic sound
• Digital and analog

Engineering

• Designing mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and process and instrument flow diagrams
• Evaluating current designs and selecting design changes, resulting in improved processes.
• Completing standard engineering forms
• Exploring how system properties, forces, and restraints affect flow behavior.

Technology

• Windows-based graphical user interface
• Control software application
• Mechanical instrumentation
• USB controller
• Electronic sensors

Skills:

• Identify and define process control engineering and how automatic control systems impact their daily
• Use the basic skills required for the reading and drawing of electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and piping and instrumentation (PI) flow diagrams.
• Demonstrate how flow and pressure are measured both manually and electronically and how valves and pumps work using a closed loop fluid system.
• Connect, configure, and operate hardware and software required for automated control including selecting and applying various sensors.
• Discuss the logic of control (PID) and make conclusions while examining real system data output.