Free Process Control and Instrumentation MCQs with Answers

254 Process Control and Instrumentation MCQs from Chemical Engineering, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

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254 questions · page 9 of 13

  • A. Low loads
  • B. High loads
  • C. Temperature changes
  • D. Flow rate changes

Explanation: A positioning controller gives an essentially on-off output, making it suitable for switching large or high-capacity loads where fine…

Correct answer: High loads
  • A. Load
  • B. Controlled
  • C. Manipulated
  • D. None of these

Explanation: The heating or cooling-fluid flow rate is adjusted by the controller to influence shell temperature, so it is the manipulated variable.

Correct answer: Manipulated
  • A. d
  • B. d2
  • C. d3
  • D. d4

Explanation: For a diaphragm of fixed material and thickness, deflection strongly depends on diameter and varies approximately with the fourth power of…

Correct answer: d4
  • A. Closed loop values vs. open loop values
  • B. A.R. vs. phase lag of second order
  • C. A.R. vs. phase lag of first order
  • D. Frequency response values of controllers

Explanation: A Nichols chart relates open-loop gain and phase to the resulting closed-loop performance, with closed-loop magnitude contours…

Correct answer: Closed loop values vs. open loop values
  • A. Helical
  • B. Semi-circular
  • C. Circular
  • D. Spiral

Explanation: Bourdon tubes are commonly formed as C-shaped, helical, or spiral tubes, while a circular form is not a standard configuration.

Correct answer: Circular
  • A. Piston type meter
  • B. Rotameter
  • C. Orifice and tapered plug meter
  • D. Magnetic flow meter

Explanation: A magnetic flow meter determines flow from the voltage induced in a conductive fluid, so it does not use a changing flow area.

Correct answer: Magnetic flow meter
  • A. Introducing integral control
  • B. Reducing value of Kc
  • C. Introducing derivative control
  • D. None of the above

Explanation: Proportional-only control leaves a steady-state offset when a sustained error is needed to produce the required output.

Correct answer: Introducing integral control
  • A. Velocity
  • B. Time
  • C. (Time)-1
  • D. None of these

Explanation: A time constant characterizes how quickly a system responds, and its dimension is time.

Correct answer: Time
  • A. Ruth
  • B. Mikhailov
  • C. Nyquist
  • D. None of these

Explanation: The Nyquist stability method assesses closed-loop stability from the frequency response of the open-loop transfer function.

Correct answer: Nyquist
  • A. Speed of response
  • B. Reproducibility
  • C. Fidelity
  • D. Static characteristics

Explanation: Fidelity is the ability of an instrument to reproduce changes in the measured variable without dynamic error.

Correct answer: Fidelity
  • A. Gold
  • B. Antimony
  • C. Silver
  • D. Nickel

Explanation: An optical pyrometer is generally used above the gold point, approximately 1063°C, where contact thermometers become unsuitable.

Correct answer: Gold
  • A. Iron-constantan
  • B. Platinum-platinum + rhodium
  • C. Copper-constantan
  • D. Chromel-alumel

Explanation: A platinum-rhodium thermocouple withstands very high temperatures and oxidizing atmospheres, making it suitable near 1600°C.

Correct answer: Platinum-platinum + rhodium
  • A. Product
  • B. Reactants
  • C. Coolant
  • D. None of these

Explanation: For temperature control in an exothermic reactor, coolant flow is commonly manipulated to remove more or less heat and maintain the…

Correct answer: Coolant
  • A. -10 to 20
  • B. 400 - 1000
  • C. 100 - 500
  • D. 0 to 100

Explanation: A hydrogen constant-volume thermometer is commonly used over approximately 0 to 100°C, where hydrogen provides a useful reference gas.

Correct answer: 0 to 100
  • A. 1/(T2s2 + 2ξTs + 1)
  • B. 1/(T2s2 + 2Ts + 1)
  • C. 1/(T2s2 + 2ξT + 1)
  • D. None of these

Explanation: The standard normalized second-order transfer function is 1/(T²s² + 2ξTs + 1), where T is the time constant and ξ is the damping ratio.

Correct answer: 1/(T2s2 + 2ξTs + 1)
  • A. Vapor pressure thermometer
  • B. Mercury in glass thermometer
  • C. Constant volume gas thermometer
  • D. Resistance thermometer

Explanation: A mercury-in-glass thermometer gives a local visual reading and cannot conveniently transmit that reading over 60 metres.

Correct answer: Mercury in glass thermometer
  • A. < 100
  • B. > 0
  • C. < 0
  • D. > 800

Explanation: Helium gas thermometers are particularly suitable for low-temperature measurements below 0°C because helium remains useful in the…

Correct answer: < 0
  • A. Bulb
  • B. Bourdon tube
  • C. Pointer
  • D. None of these

Explanation: The bulb is the primary element because it senses temperature directly through the vapor-pressure change.

Correct answer: Bulb
  • A. A metal powder or graphite
  • B. Air
  • C. Oil
  • D. Mercury

Explanation: Air is a poor heat-transfer medium and creates a large thermal resistance between the bulb and thermal well, slowing response.

Correct answer: Air
  • A. Alumel
  • B. Chromel
  • C. None of these
  • D. Constantan

Explanation: Alumel and Chromel are nickel-containing alloys, while Constantan is a copper-nickel alloy and also contains nickel.

Correct answer: None of these