2007-2008 Academic Catalog

Course descriptions


Course descriptions index


Process Technology

Students enrolled in one or more process technology courses will be assessed $125 each semester to cover the cost of utilizing upgraded state-of-the-art equipment with instructional aids and supplies that meet current industry requirements. This is in addition to any materials fees.


PRT 101      3 Credits
Introduction to Process Technology
Introduction to process operations in industry. Non-mathematical overview of general information, processes, procedures and equipment a process operator would be expected to know and use. (3 + 0) Offered Fall, Spring


PRT 110      3 Credits
Introduction to Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Awareness
Overview of the field of safety, health and environment within the process industry. Covers plant hazards, safety, environmental systems and equipment, and applicable government regulations and industry standards. (3 + 0) Offered Fall, Spring


PRT 117      3 Credits
Drafting for Technicians
Skills and techniques needed to produce process piping and instrumentation drawings. Materials fee: $60. (2 + 2) Offered As Demand Warrants


PRT 120      4 Credits
Water Quality Management for Process Industries
Overview of the chemistry, biology, hydraulics and hydrology related to water management in industries. Water distribution systems, water processing, operation of water works, wastewater processing, advanced wastewater treatment and water reuse. (3 + 3) Offered As Demand Warrants


PRT 130      4 Credits
Process Technology I: Equipment
Selected process equipment including rotating machinery and process units. Emphasis on equipment components, construction, preventative maintenance and safety. Includes hands-on experience. (Prerequisite: PRT 101.) (3 + 2) Offered Fall, Spring


PRT 135      4 Credits
Stationary Equipment
A detailed hands-on lecture/lab course covering stationary equipment used in a variety of process industries. Piping, valves, vessels, tanks, exchangers, heaters, boilers, mineral processing, mill equipment and distillation equipment are covered. (3 + 2) Offered Fall


PRT 140      3 Credits
Industrial Process Instrumentation I
Physics of pressure, temperature, level and flow measurement; mechanical and electrical aspects of instruments used to control dynamics of processes. Dynamics of automatic control: proportional control, automatic reset, derivative action and integral timing. (Prerequisite: DEVM 105 or permission of instructor.) (2 + 2) Offered Fall, Spring


PRT 144      3 Credits
Industrial Process Instrumentation II
Emphasis on repair, maintenance and calibration, including hands-on physical training on a wide variety of process instruments. Continuation of PRT 140. (Prerequisite: PRT 140 with a C grade or better.) (2 + 2) Offered Fall, Spring


PRT 155      3 Credits
Mathematics for Technicians
Math skills for process and industrial work. Real-life work problems are addressed. Students are challenged to embrace the "new" technologies of mathematics in the industries and to think in a logical and organized way. (3 + 0) Offered Fall, Spring


PRT 230      4 Credits
Process Technology II: Systems
Integration of equipment concepts to show how the individual components interact as part of a system and how each system works within an entire processing facility. Emphasis on the common systems found in each Alaska process industry. Systems topics include upstream oil and gas productions, petrochemicals and refinery processes, refrigeration, power generation, milling, boilers and heaters, coolers and heat exchangers. (Prerequisite: PRT 130.) (3 + 2) Offered Fall, Spring


PRT 231      4 Credits
Process Technology III: Operations
Duties and responsibilities of the process operator on the job. Includes details of normal operation, upset conditions, emergency action plans, startups, shutdowns, operating modes, turnarounds and routing maintenance activity. (Prerequisite: PRT 230.) (3 + 2) Offered Fall, Spring


PRT 240      3 Credits
Industrial Process Instrumentation III
A study of digital and analog industrial measurement and control instrumentation, including continuous analog control loops, relay logic and programmable logic controllers. Emphasis is on commonly used process measurement devices, control methods and strategies, and the proper selection, identification, design, installation and operation of instrumentation. (Recommended: PRT 155 or MATH 103X or higher. Prerequisite: PRT 140 and PRT 144 or permission of the instructor) (2 + 2) Offered As Demand Warrants


PRT 244      4 Credits
Industrial Process Instrumentation IV
Specific advanced subjects of industrial process instrumentation. Includes calibration, configuration, troubleshooting, use of microcessor-based instrumentation, concepts of contemporary plant control systems, commonly used industrial process measurement and control communication protocols and topologies. (Recommended: PRT 140 and 144.) (3 + 2) Offered As Demand Warrants


PRT 248      3 Credits
Valve Maintenance and Instrumentation
Specific advanced subjects of industrial process valve maintenance and instrumentation. Includes calibration, configuration, troubleshooting and use of valves with instrumentation. Concepts of contemporary plant control systems, commonly used industrial process measurement, control communication protocols and topologies related to valve control will be discussed. Covers maintenance and operation of gate, globe, ball, plug, check and special-purpose valves. Details of actuators and various accessories related to valve maintenance and control will be explained and related to valve selection based on application. (Recommended: PRT 130.) (3 + 1) Offered As Demand Warrants


PRT 250      3 Credits
Process Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting process operations and problems. Using indicators, variables and controllers along with a formalized process of troubleshooting. Troubleshooting examples present needs of industry. (Prerequisite: PRT 231.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall, Spring


PRT 255      1 Credit
Quality Concepts for the Process Industry
Introduction to quality concepts applied to role of process technician. Includes quality concepts with respect to the client and the role of statistical processes used by the operator in achieving quality. (1 + 0) Offered Fall, Spring


PRT 275      1-9 Credits
Process Technology Internship
Working experience in and exposure to various stages and settings within the process industry. Endorsed and promoted by Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium, the internship is an intensive exposure to the various duties and responsibilities of the process operator in Alaska. A maximum of 9 credits may be earned. (Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Recommended: PRT 101, PRT 110, PRT 140) Offered As Demand Warrants