Assignment

Week 3

Q 1. When the damping coefficient is unity, the system is

(a) Over damped

(b) Critically damped
(c) Under damped
(d) Highly fluctuating

Q 2 In a jacketed exothermic chemical reactor, the reactor temperature is controlled at desired

value by manipulating the flow rate of .

(a) Coolant
(b) Reactants
(c) Product
(d) None of these

Q 3. For two non-interacting first order systems connected in series, the overall transfer
function is the of the individual transfer function.

(a) Product
(b) Ratio
(c) Sum
(d) Difference

0.25
Q 4. A system with transfer function 𝑠2 +𝑠+0.25 represents critically-damped dynamics.

Solution. Convert the above transfer function in

𝐾𝑝
𝜏 2𝑠2 + 2𝜁𝜏𝑠 + 1
τ 2 = 4 and 2 ζ τ = 4 , thus the value of ‘ζ’ is 1. When damping coefficient is equal to 1, the
system is critically damped.

(𝑠+1)
Q 5. The initial value (t=0) of the unit step response of the transfer function (2𝑠+1) is

(a) 0
(b) ½
(c) 1
(d) 2

Solution: Since, Initial value theorem is, lim 𝑓(𝑡) = lim 𝑠 𝑓(𝑠). Here, the transfer function
𝑠→0 𝑠→∞
1
(𝑠+1) 𝑠(1+ ) 1
𝑠
with unit step response becomes, lim 𝑠 = lim 1 . As 𝑠 → ∞, 𝑠 value becomes
𝑠→∞ 𝑠 (2𝑠+1) 𝑠→∞ 𝑠 (2+ )
𝑠

1
more insignificant, 𝑓(0) = 2.

Q 6. Two CSTRs carrying out a first order irreversible reaction are connected in series. The
inlet flow rate is 0.2 m3/min, the volumes of the tanks are 1.5 and 2.5 m3, respectively. The
kinetic rate constant is 0.03 min -1. If there is a step change of magnitude 0.5 in the feed
composition, the net change in the output concentration is
(a) 0.2968
(b) 0.5937
(c) 0.0594
(d) 0.0200
Solution. The equation for first order irreversible reaction is CSTR is given by
𝑣 𝑣
𝐾𝑝 =
𝑣 + 𝑘𝑉1 𝑣 + 𝑘𝑉2
The outlet concentration of tank 2 is 0.5937. When step change of magnitude 0.5 is made,
the outlet concentration is given by
𝑣 𝑣
𝐾𝑝 = 0.5
𝑣 + 𝑘𝑉1 𝑣 + 𝑘𝑉2
Thus the answer is 0.2968.
Q 7. Consider a 12 stage distillation column with feed entering on the 4th stage from the
bottom. If we write the transfer function between feed composition and the distillate
composition, it will be of
(a) 10th order
(b) 9th order
(c) 6th order
(d) 4th order

Solution. Feed composition affects feed tray and the effect is transferred upwards to the
reflux drum through stage 1. All these are first order systems. The feed enters at the 4th stage
from bottom, which is equivalent to 9th tray from top. So total first order systems in series are
Nf + 1 = 10.

0.1
Q 8. A process has a transfer function . It is approximated as a first order
𝑠3 +9𝑠2 +26𝑠+24
plus dead time model. The dead time of the corresponding approximate transfer function, as
computed by Skogestad’s half rule is 0.42. (Enter answer rounded up to 2 decimal place)

Solution:
0.1 0.1/24
The given transfer function is (𝑠+2)(𝑠+3)(𝑠+4) = . So the slowest tau is
(0.5𝑠+1)(0.33𝑠+1)(0.25𝑠+1)

0.5. Second slower mode is 0.33. So as per Skogested’s half rule, dead time = 0.25+0.33/2 =
0.42.
Q 9. The following figure depicts the response of a system to a step change in the input. What
can be the transfer function of this system?

1
(a)
𝑠 2 +7𝑠+12
5
(b)
𝑠 2 +7𝑠+12
5𝑠
(c)
𝑠 2 +7𝑠+12
5𝑠+1
(d)
𝑠 2 +7𝑠+12

Solution:

Response shows overshoot without oscillations. So there must be a zero which is closer to
origin than all the poles. This is valid for option (d). In this case, Poles are at -3 and -4 while
Zero is at -0.2 which is closer to origin than all the poles.
Q 10. The following figure depicts the response of a system to a step change in the input.
What can be the transfer function of this system?

1
(a)
12𝑠2 +7𝑠+1
𝑠+1
(b)
12𝑠2 +7𝑠+11
2𝑠−1
(c)
12𝑠2 +7𝑠+1
(d) none of the above

Solution:
The response shows inverse response (zero in RHP). Option (c) satisfies this as zero = 0.5.