Instrumentation

Physics. Termodynamics. Fluid Mechanics.

Lectures for presentation of the formal bases of the course unit, accompanied by show sessions of real instruments and problems solving classes, and practical classes involving laboratory work. The student has to choose one of two assessment methodologies: the distributed evaluation or assessment by a single exam. 

Raise awareness on the importance of metrology. Know the industrial instrumentation associated with the measurement of temperature, flow, level, pressure, viscosity, density and humidity of a gas. Recognize how a biospecific interaction can be used in the development of biosensors. Describe and critically evaluate the application of a particular biosensor. Ability to use the knowledge in the field of instrumentation and control, in order to select and integrate this knowledge in a real problem measurement of control variables associated with the operation of biological processes. Ability to program in the LabVIEW graphical platform and build a virtual instrument for data acquisition. Know how to interpret and build small electrical circuits where sensors are applied and in some cases Arduino is used. Ability to think about systems in open loop and closed loop feedback control and take appropriate actions to improve the control’s quality and stability. Ability to identify the instrumentation and control loops from an industrial plant in a P&ID diagram.

1. Introduction Motivation. Introduction to Metrology. Scientific Metrology, Industrial Metrology and Legal Metrology. International vocabulary of metrology. The NP EN ISO 10012. Requirements for measurement processes and measuring equipment. Definitions. Instrument classification. P&ID diagrams. 2.Sensors and Transducers Generalities. Measurement standards. Temperature measurement. Viscosity measurement. Pressure measurement. Flow measurement. Level measurement. Humidity measurement. Density measurement. 3. Controllers Classification of controllers. Controller without auxiliary power. Electrical, Hydraulic and Pneumatic controller. Open loop and closed loop feedback control. 4. Final control element Classification. Pneumatic control valve. Types of valves. 5. Biosensors. Sensors and biosensors. Composition of biosensors. Classification of biosensors. Application of biosensors. 6. LabView

Periodic assessment or Final exam.

Periodic assessment: Final Classification (0.25A + 0.20B + 0.15C + 0.30D + 0.10E)

Final exam: 85% written + 15% pratical work in LabView

Classification improvement: all the subjects included a pratical work in LabView.

Distributed evaluation involves two components: i) evaluation of theoretical concepts (evaluated by 3 mini exams about instrumentation, A (25%) and a 4rd mini exam about control, D (30%), ii) lab exercises made in group in practical classes, B (20 %),  exercises made in group in theoretical-pratical classes E(10%)) and a work with LabView to develop a VI, with oral presentation, C (15%). The final classification is obtained by adding the contributions of the various components in a scale of 0 to 20 (0.25xA+0.20xB+0.15xC+0.30xD+0.10E).

In the components A, B, C and E the students are evaluated only one time.

The assessment by a single exam has a laboratory component of developing a LabView program (15%). The student can substitute it for component C of the distributed evaluation, obtained during the academic period, but must indicate the decision by email.

NAO