Educational Applications of Web-Based Simulations of Industrial Processes

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Simulations of Industrial Processes for the Undergraduate Laboratory

School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University

The Purdue Laboratory Modules are a series of computer simulations of industrial chemical processes designed to be used as senior level laboratory experiments. The modules combine a computer simulation with video clips of the process furnished by the company sponsor which allows students to "tour" the facilities. For news on new modules under development, please see the Purdue Laboratory Modules Web-site (http://atom.ecn.purdue.edu/~webapps/plm/).

Purdue Laboratory Modules

Java Edition

The following Java-based modules have been developed for use in a network computing environment. The modules feature a client-server architecture where the simulation runs on a departmental server and is accessed by a client running on the student's workstation.

AIR PRODUCTS HYDROGEN LIQUEFACTION MODULE

Determine Colburn correlation parameters for plate and fin heat exchangers.
Determine kinetic reaction rate constants for the ortho-para hydrogen reaction.
Design reactive cooling tower for ortho to para conversion during hydrogen liquefaction.

DOW CHEMICALS EMULSION POLYMERIZATION MODULE

Conduct simulated experiments of a 2-gallon batch polymerization to obtain propagation and chain transfer reaction rate constants.
Study heat transfer requirements (additional area/refrigeration) in a 10,000-gallon scaleup.

PROCTER AND GAMBLE BEAN DECAFFEINATION MODULE

Determine efficiency for batch extraction process.
Select extraction temperature and cycle time to optimize bitterness while meeting decaffeination targets.
Blend coffee beans to meet flavor and aroma requirements of a simulated taste test panel.

System Requirements

The client and server software run on Windows 2000 and XP systems. Both CD and Web-based clients are provided. The CD-based client features simple set-up procedures and MPEG-1 (VHS) quality video, whereas the Web-based client allows broad access across a campus network with streaming video. Around 15 login sessions may be hosted on a single server.

Availablility and Pricing

Pricing information will be available later this year.

Support for Unix-Based Modules

We will continue to support existing users of the Unix editions of the Dow, Amoco, Mobil and Eastman modules as long as the binaries will run on recent model Sun workstations.

Please send comments, suggestions, and corrections to Janet Sandy.