PHYSICAL EXAMPLES OF FIRSTORDER SYSTEMS

2. MIXING SYSTEM

System Explanation:

Consider the mixing process in which a stream of

solution containing dissolved salt flows at a
constant volumetric flow rate q into a tank of
constant holdup volume V.
The concentration of the salt in the entering
stream is x (mass of salt/volume).

It varies with time.

So the concentration of the salt in the exit stream

is y (mass of salt/volume).
Assuming that

The density of the solution to be constant.

The flow rate in must equal to the flow rate out,
since the holdup volume is fixed.

2. MIXING SYSTEM
System Pictorial View:
Agitator

x(t)
q

V
y(t)

Figure-1: Mixing System

y(t)
q

2. MIXING SYSTEM
Aim or Objective:

It is desired to determine the

transfer function
Relating
the outlet concentration y to
the inlet concentration x.

2. MIXING SYSTEM

Transient Mass-Balance for Salt:

We can analyze this system by writing a transient

mass balance for salt around the tank :
Flow rate of salt in - flow rate of salt out
= rate of accumulation of salt in the tank
In terms of the variables used in this analysis, the
mass balance becomes:

qx qy

d (Vy )
dt

At steady state conditions, Eq.1 becomes:

qxs qy s 0

....(1)

....(2)

Subtracting Eq.2 from Eq.1

d ( y ys )
q ( x xs ) q ( y y s ) V
dt

....(3)

2. MIXING SYSTEM
Deviation Variables:

Involvement
becomes:

of

deviation

dY
qX qY V
dt

Where,

X = x xs

Y = y ys

variables,

Eq.

...(4)

2. MIXING SYSTEM

Transforms and Transfer function:

Taking the laplace transform on both side to Eq.4,

we get.

qX ( s ) qY ( s ) VsY ( s )

Notice that Y(0)=0 and transform of dY/dt is simply

sY(s).
Eq.5 can be rearranged into the standard form of
the first-order lag to give:

Y ( s)
1

X ( s ) s 1

..(5)

..(6)

Where = V/q

Again Dimensions = [L3] / [L3/T] = T (time)

2. MIXING SYSTEM

Transforms and Transfer function:

Taking the laplace transform on both side to Eq.4,

we get.

qX ( s ) qY ( s ) VsY ( s )

Notice that Y(0)=0 and transform of dY/dt is simply

sY(s).
Eq.5 can be rearranged into the standard form of
the first-order lag to give:

Y ( s)
1

X ( s ) s 1

..(5)

..(6)

Where = V/q

Again Dimensions = [L3] / [L3/T] = T (time)