An RT-Linux based control system of a pilot plant for reaction kinetics and process control studies

The pilot plant under study is designed for determining the kinetics of the heterogeneous non-catalytic reaction of chemical pulping of wood and for teaching system dynamics and batch process control in an appropriate university course. The natura complexity of the system includes time varying dynamics and stepwise behavior and this makes it attractive for highlighting some important features of the real world of process control. Due to its specific design, the pilot is also very useful for kinetic studies of heterogenous reactions involving wood, ensuring a high level of the repeatability of results. The pilot plant and its control system have been used in teaching of chemical kinetics of heterogeneous reactions and are also part of the experimental program in a process control course.