Human Error with a Blending-Process Simulator

Simulation experiments have been done to get a better insight into human errors made by chemical-process operators. A chemical batch process was simulated. The human subjects were apprentice operators of process plants. Two factors were studied: 1] Training and experience, 2] Comprehensiveness of the task instruction. In the first series of experiments no process disturbances were introduced. That series showed a learning effect. The second series had process disturbances. No effect was observed of the comprehensiveness of the task instruction on the operator's ability to react to these disturbances.