Why is it so difficult to develop for educators a pure “process instrumentation” textbook?
What will be an ideal response?
When the curriculum for the process technology program was originally designed, it was decided that an introductory course in “process” instrumentation should be included in the required core classes. The design of this course would be different from any that was presently being offered at community colleges or universities. During this time period instrumentation courses were taught from the aspect of an instrumentation technician, since several community colleges had well- developed instrumentation technician training programs. The founding members of the process technology program decided that the instrumentation class needed to be taught from a process technician’s point of view. This type of course did not exist at the time.
The transition to the development of a “process” instrumentation course has been difficult since old habits are hard to let go of. A number of texts have been developed, unfortunately, each still reads like required course work for an instrumentation program. The needs of a process technician are drastically different than those of an instrument and electrical “I & E” technician, since each approaches the job from a different perspective or point of view. It is important to point out, however, that instrumentation is the foundation upon which advanced troubleshooting is based. A basic knowledge of the process equipment and systems combined with modern process control provide the building blocks upon which these skills are developed.
Process technology and modern process instrumentation for process technicians should merge around the concepts of the control loop, equipment systems and the control room. Course work needs to resemble real time process simulations. It is important to point out that process technicians are uniquely different from other occupations. A process technician operates the equipment and processes using modern instrumentation and electronics. Maintenance technicians are important members of the team who specialize in the maintenance, repair, and installation of equipment, instruments, electrical and instrument systems. Developing a true process instrumentation course has proven to be very difficult since it would require a paradigm shift from the more traditional approach.
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