Problem Set 4 (ChE 57)

PROBLEM SET 4
Problem Number 3
Title of the Experiment: Step Response of Thermometer and Thermowell (An

experiment by Sateesh Hosamane, posted in his official facebook page)
Introduction
A first order system is modeled by a 1st-order linear or linearized differential
equation with a general formula for a linear system of:
𝑑𝑦
𝑎 + 𝑎 𝑦 = 𝑏𝑓(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡
where f(t) is the forcing function or the input variable. A first order process is often
characterized by their capacity to store material, energy, or momentum and the resistance
associated with the flow of mass, energy, or momentum in reaching the capacity. From
this regard, the dynamic response of tanks that store liquids or gases can rather be
modeled as first-order.
When 𝑎 ≠ 0, then the general formula becomes:

𝑎 𝑑𝑦 𝑏
+ 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑡)
𝑎 𝑑𝑡 𝑎
Where:
𝑎
=𝜏
𝑎
𝑏
=𝐾
𝑎
The equation becomes:
𝒅𝒚
𝝉𝒑 + 𝒚 = 𝑲𝒑 𝒇(𝒕)
𝒅𝒕
This equation is a more simplified version of the formula wherein 𝜏 is the time
constant of the process and 𝐾 is the steady-state gain / static gain / gain of the process.
Furthermore, when transformed into a transfer function, they can be called as a first-order
lag or purely capacitive.
In this experiment, the thermometer is assumed to be steady state where no
change in temperature happens before time zero. This means that the room temperature
does not abruptly change when time passes. Moreover, the surrounding temperature
shall subject the thermometer at time zero. The objective of this experiment is to:
1. Determine the time constant and the gain of the process.

2. To observe the change of temperature when subjected with a change in the
surrounding temperature.
Procedure
1000 mL Beaker w/ Hotplate
+ Water
Attach thermometer to the heating
bath
Record temperature every second
Stop thermometer reading until
temperature reaches steady state
Results and Discussion

100
90
80
Temperature (°C)
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Time (s)
Figure 1. Time versus Temperature graphical representation

Figure 1 presents the graphical representation of the recorded temperature every
20 seconds interval. At time zero, the recorded temperature is at 35°C. The temperature
increases after every second wherein it reaches a 43°C. The recording ended at 40s
minutes when it reaches the next steady-state temperature at 93.5°C.
Furthermore, the step change of this experiment constitutes the consideration of

using the final and initial temperature. From this cause, the step change is at:
𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑝 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 = 𝑇 − 𝑇
𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑝 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 = 93.5 − 35°𝐶
𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑝 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 = 58.5°𝐶
The step change is crucial in interpreting the change of temperature of the

experiment as it look into the behavior of the output for this system when the input change
from zero to t (new steady state time) at a particular time.
In order to determine the value of 1 time constant, an equation must be established

that 63.2% change is its equivalent. This equivalence was determined by the resource
video when = :
/
1−𝑒
That means,
1−𝑒 = 0.632
For 2𝜏, the resulting value is:
1−𝑒 = 0.865
Going back, the value of 63.2% step is:

𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 63.2% 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝 = 0.632 𝑇 − 𝑇 + 𝑇
𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 63.2% 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝 = 0.632(93.5 − 35) + 93.5°𝐶
𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 63.2% 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝 = 71.972°𝐶
Moreover, the theoretical predicted temperature at this time constant is determined
by:
𝑇 =𝑇 +𝐴 1−𝑒
Wherein the determination of the time constant for this manner should be
consulted from figure 1. Based on the resource video, 63.2% is treated as 63.2°C where
the x-value at this level will be the 𝜏.
𝜏(63.2°𝐶) = 4.12 𝑠
Hence, our theoretical temperature is:
𝑇 = 29 + 72 1 − 𝑒 .
𝑻𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐 = 𝟒𝟕. 𝟔𝟏°𝑪
100
90
80
Temperature (°C)
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Time (s)
Recorded Temperature Predicted Temperature
Figure 2. Predicted Temperature vs Recorded Temperature
The equation used to determine the predicted temperature was the equation used
to determine the theoretical temperature. From figure 2, it is presented that as it reaches
the new steady state temperature, the predicted temperature converges with the
recorded.
Conclusion
Based from the objectives of the experiment, it was found out that:
1. 𝐾 = 71.972°𝐶 and 𝜏 = 4.12𝑠
2. The temperature at time zero is at 35°C while the final temperature ( the new
steady-state value) reaches 93.5°C. The predicted temperature starts to converge
with the recorded temperature near the new steady-state value.
APPENDIX
A. Raw Data
Recorded Predicted Recorded Predicted
Time (s) Temperature Temperature Time (s) Temperature Temperature
(°C) (°C) (°C) (°C)
0 35 35.00 21 91 93.14
1 43 47.61 22 91 93.22
2 52 57.50 23 91 93.28
3 57 65.26 24 92 93.33
4 63 71.34 25 92 93.36
5 68 76.12 26 92.5 93.39
6 71 79.86 27 92.5 93.42
7 75 82.80 28 93 93.43
8 78 85.11 29 93 93.45
9 80 86.92 30 93 93.46
10 82 88.34 31 93 93.47
11 83 89.45 32 93 93.48
12 85 90.32 33 93 93.48
13 87 91.01 34 93.5 93.48
14 89 91.54 35 93.5 93.49
15 89 91.97 36 93.5 93.49
16 89.5 92.30 37 93.5 93.49
17 90 92.56 38 93.5 93.49
18 90 92.76 39 93.5 93.50
19 90 92.92 40 93.5 93.50
20 91 93.04

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PROBLEM SET 4

Title of the Experiment: Step Response of Thermometer and Thermowell (An

When 𝑎 ≠ 0, then the general formula becomes:

1. Determine the time constant and the gain of the process.

Results and Discussion

Figure 1. Time versus Temperature graphical representation

Furthermore, the step change of this experiment constitutes the consideration of

The step change is crucial in interpreting the change of temperature of the

In order to determine the value of 1 time constant, an equation must be established

For 2𝜏, the resulting value is:

Going back, the value of 63.2% step is:

Hence, our theoretical temperature is:

𝑻𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐 = 𝟒𝟕. 𝟔𝟏°𝑪

Recorded Temperature Predicted Temperature

Figure 2. Predicted Temperature vs Recorded Temperature

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