Computer batch

Controls (1) provide closed-loop control of temperature, pressure, and thickness (2) maintain preset parameters (3) monitor or correct equipment operations (4) con-standy fine tune equipment (5) provide consistency and repeatability in the operations and (6) provide self-optimization of the process. Most processes operate more effi-ciendy when functions must occur in a desired time sequence or at prescribed intervals of time. In the past, mechanical timers and logic relays were used. Now electronic logic and timing devices are used based on computer software programmable logic controllers. They lend themselves to easy set-up and reprogramming. See computer batch processing computer continuous pro-... 

If you need to run automatic count/analyse sequences, find out how easy it is to set these up. (These are often referred to as batch jobs because they run under the computer batch file system.) Some MCA emulator sequences are particularly inconvenient to set up. Maestro 32 must have a text list of instructions specially compiled to a Maestro 32 readable form. GammaVi-sion will allow you to control a number of detectors at the same time, but will only allow you one automatic sequence. 

MOPAC runs in batch mode using an ASCII input hie. The input hie format is easy to use. It consists of a molecular structure dehned either with Cartesian coordinates or a Z-matrix and keywords for the type of calculation. The program has a very versatile set of options for including molecular geometry and symmetry constraints. Version 6 and older have limits on the size of molecule that can be computed due to the use of hxed array sizes, which can be changed by recompiling the source code. This input format allows MOPAC to be run in conjunction with a batch job-queueing system. 

Manufacturing processes have been improved by use of on-line computer control and statistical process control leading to more uniform final products. Production methods now include inverse (water-in-oil) suspension polymerization, inverse emulsion polymerization, and continuous aqueous solution polymerization on moving belts. Conventional azo, peroxy, redox, and gamma-ray initiators are used in batch and continuous processes. Recent patents describe processes for preparing transparent and stable microlatexes by inverse microemulsion polymerization. New methods have also been described for reducing residual acrylamide monomer in finished products. 

Most aroma chemicals are relatively high boiling (80—160°C at 0.4 kPa = 3 mm Hg) Hquids and therefore are subject to purification by vacuum distillation. Because small amounts of decomposition may lead to unacceptable odor contamination, thermal stabiUty of products and by-products is an issue. Important advances have been made in distillation techniques and equipment to allow routine production of 5000 kg or larger batches of various products. In order to make optimal use of equipment and to standardize conditions for distillations and reactions, computer control has been instituted. This is particulady well suited to the multipurpose batch operations encountered in most aroma chemical plants. In some instances, on-line analytical capabihty is being developed to work in conjunction with computer controls. 

The intrinsic rejection and maximum obtainable water flux of different membranes can be easily evaluated in a stirred batch system. A typical batch unit (42) is shown in Figure 5. A continuous system is needed for full-scale system design and to determine the effects of hydrodynamic variables and fouling in different module configurations. A typical laboratory/pilot-scale continuous unit using computer control and on-line data acquisition is shown in Figure 6. 

Computer Control. The use of computer systems to control the operation of submerged arc furnaces, including calcium carbide, has been successfully demonstrated in the United States (see Expert systems Process control). Operations direcdy under control are mix batching, electrode position and sHp control, carbide gas yield, power control, and cooling water systems. Improvements in energy usage, operating time, and product quaHty are obtained. 

Spreadsheet Applications. The types of appHcations handled with spreadsheets are a microcosm of the types of problems and situations handled with fuU-blown appHcation programs that are mn on microcomputers, minis, and mainframes and include engineering computations, process simulation, equipment design and rating, process optimization, reactor kinetics—design, cost estimation, feedback control, data analysis, and unsteady-state simulation (eg, batch distillation optimization). 

J. P. Boston, H. 1. Britt, S. Jkaphongphan, and V. B. Shah, "An Advanced System for the Simulation of Batch Distillation Operations," in Foundations of Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design, Vol. 2, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, New York, 1981. 

Next consider the case that uses randomized blocking to eliminate the effect of some variable whose effect is of no interest, such as the batch-to-batch variation of the catalysts in the chemical reactor example. Suppose there are k treatments and n experiments in each treatment. The results from nk experiments can be arranged as shown in the block design table within each block, the various treatments are applied in a random order. Compute the block average, the treatment average, as well as the grand average as before. 

In general, cost data will be available for multiple units. Typically, the cost of production for 1 week or of a specific order is computed and an average cost per unit obtained. This average value Y for the batch should be plotted against the corresponding learning-cuive value X calculated oy Eq. (9-66) ... 

Example 20 Inventory Computation Let us consider 10 successive batches of raw materials, of 1000 units, purchased in a time of rising prices in which C] = 0.10 per unit, C9 = 0.11 per unit, etc., as listed in Table 9-29. The total cost of the purchases in the inventory is found from Eq. (9-155) to he 1450. 

Although a number of studies were made and approximate methods developed for predicting the effect of liquid holdup in the period of the 1950s and 1960s, as summarized in the 6th edition of Peny .s Chemical Engineers Handbook, the complexity of the effect of liqmd holdup is such that it is now best to use computer-based batch-distillation algorithms to determine the effect of holdup on a case-bycase basis. 

Since the reliability of gas turbines in the power industry has been lower than desired in recent years because of hot-corrosion problems, techniques have been developed to detect and control the parameters that cause these problems. By monitoring the water content and corrosive contaminant in the fuel line, any changes in fuel quality can be noted and corrective measures initiated. The concept here is that Na contaminants in the fuel are caused from external sources such as seawater thus, by monitoring water content, Na content is automatically being monitored. This on-line technique is adequate for lighter distillate fuels. For heavier fuels, a more complete analysis of the fuel should be carried out at least once a month using the batch-type system. The data should be input directly to the computer. The water and corrosion detecting systems also operate in conjunction with the batch analysis for the heavier fuels. 

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