To path indicator Subpages of “Professorship“ To navigation To quick access To footer with other services
To content
The Process Automation Systems Logo consists of a green box with rounded corners through which a set of trajectories are crossing as white lines. Next to the box is the name of the laboratory.
Fakultät BCI
People are sitting on a small mural © Felix Schmale​/​TU Dortmund
Thesis Offer

Bachelor Thesis: Implementation of a Temperature Control Scheme for a Tubular Crystallizer

-
in
  • Thesis offer
Please provide a copyright notice
A schematic representation of a slug flow crystallizer.
Join us in this bachelor thesis project, where you will explore the concept of a slug flow crystallizer (SFC) and learn different control algorithms, including model predictive control (MPC) which then will be implemented at the plant.

Introduction

Continuous crystallization offers several advantages over conventional batch crystallization in terms of operating costs, process control and flexibility. Usually, the objective of crystallization is to achieve a narrow crystal size distribution, which cannot be realized in conventional continuous crystallizers given the high degree of backmixing. One realization of a continuous tubular concept without backmixing is the slug flow crystallizer (SFC) [1]. Here, backmixing is avoided by segmenting the process medium using air slugs.

Process control is essential in continuous crystallization as it ensures consistent crystal size distribution and purity, which are critical for product quality. Temperature control is particularly crucial because it directly influences supersaturation levels. Precise temperature management minimizes variability, preventing issues like unwanted nucleation or fouling. This leads to efficient use of resources, reduced waste, and stable operation, ultimately resulting in high-quality crystalline products.

In this thesis, first, a model for the continuous phase of the slug flow crystallizer will be developed. Then, based on the model, different control algorithms will be investigated and implemented at the plant. Model predictive control (MPC) will be applied and compared to standard control techniques, such as PID.

Objectives

  • Literature research on the SFC
  • Modeling of the continuous phase of the SFC
  • Implementation of different control structures for the model
  • Implementation of the control structures on the plant
  • Evaluation and comparison of the applied schemes

Prerequisites

  • Experience in control, optimization and programming Is beneficial
  • Python experience is beneficial

Literature

[1] Termühlen, Maren, Matthias Markus Etmanski, Ines Kryschewski, Anne Cathrine Kufner, Gerhard Schembecker, and Kerstin Wohlgemuth. “Continuous Slug Flow Crystallization: Impact of Design and Operating Parameters on Product Quality.” Chemical Engineering Research and Design 170 (June 2021): 290–303. doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2021.04.006

Other

Beginning: As soon as possible

Duration: 3 month full time

Your work will mostly be in English and you can communicate with your supervisor in English or German.

Please contact us for any further questions. We can discuss all details in a personal consultation.

Responsible

Back

To top of page