The use of simulation in chemical process control learning and the development of PISim

PISim is a new piece of software for process control teaching and learning. The software allows control structures to be designed on a piping and instrumentation diagram and, as the structure is created, the software automatically spawns device mimics representing the real physical HMIs that operators would see. These can be placed on a control panel and a simulation of the process can be operated using the student's control scheme. The use of PISim in an introductory control class at Strathclyde University is described and student feedback is presented.