Workshop for Flipped Class
Based on students having completed the Chapter 3 e-Lesson before class
Chapter 3 Part I
Mathematical Modeling Principles
Copyright © Thomas Marlin 2016
CHAPTER 3: MATH MODELING PRINCIPLES
Workshop 1. Mixing Tank
Solve the well-insulated mixing tank problem for
temperature. The system is originally at steady state, and
the inlet temperature (T0) experiences a step from 40 C to
60 C. All relevant data is the same as Example 3.1, the
concentration mixing tank problem solved in this e-Lesson
(and textbook).
F = 0.085 m3/min ; V = 2.1 m3
T0 F
T ?
T
V
time
In this exercise, you will model the stirred tank mixing process with two inlet
streams and one outlet stream; the component that we will track is measured by its
mass fraction. The system is initially at steady-state, and inlet stream 1 mass
fraction (xm1) experiences a step change. Determine the dynamic behavior of the
outlet mass fraction (xm3).
The tank is
Symbols:
1. Constant volume
Fmi is mass flow rate
2. Well mixed
xmi is mass fraction
There is no change in density on mixing
Fm1 Fm2
xm1 xm2
Fm3
xm3
CHAPTER 3: MATH MODELING PRINCIPLES
Workshop 2. Model formulation and solution
a. In Example 3.3, the engineer
needs to evaluate the parameters
CA1s and CA2s. Explain how you would
determine these parameters and
calculate the values.
b. The plot of CA2 versus time shows that the variable changes slowly during its
initial transient. Explain why using physical arguments.
c. Can CA2(t) reach steady state before CA1(t)? Answer yes or no and explain.
d. Do the rules for percentage of steady-state change after one (63%), two
(95%), … time constants apply to CA2(t)? Answer yes or no and explain.
CHAPTER 3: MATH MODELING PRINCIPLES
Workshop 9. Some short questions
Answer each of these short questions. If a declarative
sentence, answer T/F. Explain all of your answers.
1. The time constant, , does not affect “how far” the output variable
changes when it achieves its final steady state.
2. The process gain, KP, must be positive.
3. What are the units of KP? What are the units of the time constant?
4. What value of the time constant yields an oscillatory response to a
step input to a first-order system?
What-if Questions about transient response
1. For Example 3.1 mixing tank (in textbook and e-Lesson), what would be the effect
of halving the base case flow rate on the dynamic response to a step input in CA0?
2. For Example 3.3 series CSTRs (in textbook and e-Lesson), what would be the effect
of doubling the base case tank volumes on the dynamic response to a step input in
CA0?
