Modelling reactive distillation

Software Engineering is a new discipline aimed at the improvement of the production of large, quality software systems. Interest in the adoption of CASE tools has escalated because of the important role they play in supporting the software development process. However, these automated tools are sophisticated and complex. While studies show that CASE tools have a positive impact on quality and productivity, it is also shown that they have been slow to be adopted by industry. This phenomenon is partially explained by the effort in learning to use the tool. Ultimately, knowing the factors that favourably influence the rate of learning will lead to improved approaches to teaching software packages, particularly CASE tools and hence the uptake of these tools within industry. The correlation between learning styles and our methods of teaching CASE tools must be established to investigate where conflicts exist.

This paper discusses an initial study examining the learning styles of engineering students, based on the work of both Kolb and Soloman. This will then be used as a foundation for comparison between student learning styles and use of our CASE tool, Rational Rose. Monitoring online use will be achieved by automated tracing of student navigation within the package.

Our results will be used as a basis to develop an online learning methodology whereby learner characteristics can be used to establish the environment to support the construction of knowledge in our students.

/pdf/learning-styles-and-case-tools-in-software-engineering-1xp70g5nib.pdf

Learning styles and CASE tools in Software Engineering

Software Engineering is a new discipline aimed at the improvement of the production of large, quality software systems. Interest in CASE tools has grown because of the important role they play in supporting the software development process. Studies show these complex and sophisticated tools have a positive impact on quality and productivity but they have been slow to be adopted by industry; this is partially explained by the difficulty of learning to use the tool.

The constructivist theory of knowledge and learning views knowledge not as pre-existing, but constructed. Individuals are different and these differences affect how a user performs when using a software package. This first phase of our research examines the learning styles of our students and addresses issues confronting them when using a complex software package; namely Rational Rose, our chosen CASE tool.

/pdf/case-tools-constructivism-and-its-application-to-learning-4uf4upi02e.pdf

CASE Tools: Constructivism and its Application to Learning and Usability of Software Engineering Tools

Statistical data analysis of a chemical plant

This paper presents the development of a neural network model of a pilot-scale, three-effect falling-film evaporator for use in a model predictive control system. The data used in its development are from a simulation model of the evaporator. The approach taken in the neural network modelling is to divide the full model into a group of sub-networks, each modelling a specific element of the overall system. The model decomposition is determined through prior knowledge of the system. Localised computation is also used within the sub-networks to simplify the model further. The modular nature of the model gives it the capability of representing theoretical information through its topology as well as empirical information through the weights of the sub-networks. The performance of the modular evaporator neural network model is demonstrated for n-step-ahead prediction by comparing it with the analytical model of the evaporator. The results show that the model can perform satisfactory long-range predictions and hence is well suited for implementation within a model predictive control scheme.

Modular modelling of an evaporator for long-range prediction

Computer applications in chemical engineering : Proceedings of the 12th European Symposium on Computers and Chemical Engineering, 1979; edited by D. W. T. Rippin; published by Pergamon, Oxford, 1981;

P.K. Andow

Papers

Computer applications in chemical engineering : Proceedings of the 12th European Symposium on Computers and Chemical Engineering, 1979; edited by D. W. T. Rippin; published by Pergamon, Oxford, 1981;