Process Technology

This course introduces concepts of plane geometry, right triangle trigonometry, and vectors. The elements of algebra are extended into applications for technical professions using approximate numbers in measurement and emphasizing the rules of accuracy and precision. Included are the topics: unit conversions in metric and English systems, scientific notation, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, and proportions. Textbook and scientific or graphing calculator required.

Prerequisites:
Accuplacer Algebra score of 75 or a C grade in MATH 098.

Future Offerings:

In this course students will study various aspects of the Process Industry, including its history; roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the Process Technician; team dynamics; basic physics and chemistry; safety, and quality management. In addition, the course will cover basic components of the Process Industry environment, such as piping and valves; tanks, drums, and vessels; pumps and compressors; steam turbines; electricity and motors; heat exchangers; cooling towers and fans; furnaces and boilers; distillation columns; process control instrumentation; process utilities and auxiliary systems; and process print reading.

Prerequisites:
ACCUPLACER Algebra score of 75 or Math 098 with a C or better. ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension score of 71 or RDG 085 with a C or better, and ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills score of 71 or ENGL 092 with a C or better. CAP 101 with a C better OR passing scores in the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) test battery or successful completion of Digitools or Tech Connections completed at Whatcom County high schools.

Future Offerings:

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the equipment and tools used in the process industry, including piping, tubing, hoses and fittings; valves; pumps; compressors; turbines; motors and engines; power transmission and lubrication; heat exchangers; cooling towers; furnaces and boilers; filters and dryers; vessels; and process diagrams. Students will be introduced to many process related equipment concepts, such as purpose, components, operation, and the Process Technician’s role for operating and troubleshooting the equipment.

Prerequisites:
CAP 101 with a C or better

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Designed to introduce students to the application of basic interpersonal communication theory, with a focus on achieving success in the workplace. Topics explored include self-awareness, self-disclosure, conversation skills, relationship development and maintenance, assertiveness, teamwork and group dynamics, conflict management strategies, and communicating in a diverse world.

Prerequisites:
Accuplacer Reading Comprehension score of 71 or a C grade in RDG 085, and Accuplacer Sentence Skills score of 71 or a C grade in ENGL 092.

Future Offerings:

This course provides students with the foundation for job preparation and job searching. Students will identify their qualifications for their chosen career; identify what employers look for in strong candidates; build resumes and cover letters; gain tips on completing applications; job and informational interviewing; as well as job searching, professional networking, and tips for setting up a successful career. This is a hybrid course that includes a combination of face-to-face and online instruction. It is important that students should have skills in Microsoft Word before enrolling in this course.

Prerequisites:
Students should have skills in Microsoft Office before enrolling in this course.

Future Offerings:

In this course, students will study industrial hazards types, including physical, chemical, ergonomic, and biological. Within these four general types, specific agents, causative factors, and effects will be identified along with controls, alarms, and detection systems. The course will focus on hazardous chemicals found in the process industry.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 101 and PTEC 102

Future Offerings:

In this course students will study various process drawings such as a Process Flow Diagram (PFD) and Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID). This course will cover how to read detailed diagrams in the process industry which shows the piping and vessels in the process flow, together with the instrumentation and control devices. Students will use these drawings to analyze process flows, equipment, isolation valves, instrumentation and process control loops. Additionally, students will use process diagrams for determining safe isolation procedures.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 101 and PTEC 102

Future Offerings:

In this course, students will study the interrelation of process equipment and process systems. Specifically, students will be able to arrange process equipment into basic systems; describe the purpose and function of specific process systems; explain how factors affecting process systems are controlled under normal conditions; and recognize abnormal process conditions. In addition, students are introduced to the concept of system and plant economics.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 101 and PTEC 102

Future Offerings:

This course is a broad overview of chemistry concepts useful to technical program education. Topics include basic atomic theory, chemical bonding, solutions, organic chemistry, hydrocarbon reactions, analytical separations, gasses, thermodynamics, and intermolecular forces.

Prerequisites:
BTC College Level Math score of 75 or MATH 099 or AMATH111 with a "C" grade or better.

Future Offerings:

This applied English course focuses on the workplace communication skills needed to send, receive, and process oral and written information. Along with a review of writing fundamentals, learners will use principles of clear communication, professionalism, and cultural awareness in occupational contexts. Learners will sharpen their reading, writing, and presentation skills.

Prerequisites:
Accuplacer Reading Comprehension score of 71 or RDG 085 with a C or higher, and Accuplacer Sentence Skills score of 71 or ENGL 092 with a C or higher.

Future Offerings:

In this course, students will study process variables and the various instruments used to sense, measure, transmit, and control these variables. The course also introduces students to control loops and the elements that are found in different types of loops, such as controllers, regulators, and final control elements. The course concludes with a study of instrumentation drawings and diagrams along with a unit on troubleshooting instrumentation.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 103 and PTEC 105 and AMATH 111 or Instructor Permission

Future Offerings:

A course for non-science majors exploring the central concepts of physics while focusing on applications. The principles and laws of physics are covered on a conceptual level and everyday examples are treated. Topics include Newton’s laws of motion, fluids, energy and magnetism, and waves (sound and light). Laboratory work provides an introduction to the scientific method and role of measurement in science and serves to demonstrate the application of physics concepts.

Prerequisites:
Accuplacer Algebra score of 75 or better or MATH 098 or AMATH 111 (or higher) with a C or better.

Future Offerings:

Continued instruction in the application of concepts presented in Safety, Health, & Environment I with an emphasis on emergency response concepts. The student will demonstrate appropriate response to emergency situation; recognize hazardous situations for personnel, environment, and the community; and apply team skills in response to emergency situations.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 110

Future Offerings:

In this course, students will be introduced to troubleshooting controllers, control schemes, and advanced control schemes at a level appropriate for the process technician. The student will learn about different types of Process Technology troubleshooting techniques, procedures, and methods used to solve process problems. Topics include application of data collections and analysis, cause-effect relationships, and reasoning.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 110

Future Offerings:

Multiple dynamic process simulators operating in a PC Lab environment will be utilized as the foundational elements of the course learning activities. Computer simulations of fired heaters and distillation systems will be operated in normal, off-normal, emergency, start-up and shutdown modes. The course will be conducted as a "hands on" operating experience using both small-group and individual simulation activities, assignments and scenarios.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 110

Future Offerings:

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of the typical process systems employed in process technology companies such as: petroleum refining, wastewater treatment, food processing, pulp and paper processing, and power generation. Special emphasis will be placed upon systems that are utilized by local area process technology companies. Lab assignments and activities will be conducted to illustrate and simulate typical industrial processes. The student will understand construction, theory of operation, and typical uses of process industry equipment.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 110

Future Offerings:

This is a culminating project assignment for an individual or a group of students. The instructor may assign a specific topic for the project or work with a local industry/plant to define a particular project topic from a real-life situation. The student or the group of students will define the problem, resources needed, postulate the hypothesis/solution, research the problem and possible solutions, visit the plant, interview/consult with instructor/engineers technicians and other resources and internet to develop a solution. The student or the group will then write the technical report defining the complete process from defining the problem, methodology applied, and their conclusion. This may also require building a piece of equipment, writing a software program, or writing safety or operational procedures.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 101

Future Offerings:

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an overview of, or introduction to, the field of quality control within the process industry. In this course, students will be introduced to many process industry-related quality concepts, including operating consistency, continuous improvement, plant economics, team skills, and statistical process control (SPC). This course may be either live, a hybrid or on-line.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 110

Future Offerings:

Provides an overview of the field of operations within the process industry. Students will use existing knowledge of equipment, system, and instrumentation to understand the operation of an entire unit. Students study concepts related to commissioning, normal startup, normal operations, normal shutdown, turnarounds, and abnormal situations as well as the Process Technician’s role in performing the tasks associated with these concepts within an operating unit.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 110

Future Offerings:

This may be a continuation of PTAC 270 or a separate assignment. For the degree student, this is a culminating project for an individual or group. The instructor may assign a topic for the project or work with a local industry to define a project topic from a real-life situation. The student or group of students will define the problem, resources needed, postulate the hypothesis/solution, research the problem and possible solutions, visit the plant, interview /consult with instructor/engineers/technicians and other resources, and develop a solution. The student or group will then write a technical report outlining the complete process from defining the problem, methodology applied and conclusion. This may also require building a piece of equipment, writing a software program, or writing safety or operational procedures.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 101

Future Offerings:

Prerequisites:
CAP 101

Future Offerings:

Prerequisites:
CAP 101

Future Offerings:

Prerequisites:
CAP 101

Future Offerings:

In this course, students will be introduced to the various methods and processes for locating and producing oil. In addition, the geology of the formation of oil deposits will be covered as well as an overview of the regulations for oil exploration. The methods and operations include exploration, drilling, completion of the well. The equipment necessary to provide and control these operations, quality control, safety, and jobs available in this industry will also be covered. Students will also do a project related to upstream processing. This course may be either live, a hybrid, or on-line.

Prerequisites:
Completion of or concurrent enrollment in CAP 101

Future Offerings:

Prerequisites:
Completion of or concurrent enrollment in CAP 101

Future Offerings:

In this course, students will be introduced to the various methods and processes for producing biodiesel. These will include the operations of feedstock preparation, reaction, mixing, separating, and washing. The equipment necessary to provide and control these operations. Quality control, safety, and jobs available in this industry will also be covered. Students will also prepare biodiesel in the laboratory and in a pilot plant. A project related to biodiesel production will also be required. This course may be either live, a hybrid, or on-line with access to the laboratory and pilot plant.

Prerequisites:
Completion of or concurrent enrollment in CAP 101

Future Offerings:

In this course, students will be introduced to the various methods and processes for producing green energy. These will include the production of renewable energy by wind, solar, hydroelectric, wave, and biofuels. The equipment necessary to provide and control these operations; quality control, safety, and jobs available in this industry will also be covered. Students will also do a project related to green energy. This course may be either live, a hybrid or on-line.

Prerequisites:
CAP 101

Future Offerings:

Prerequisites:
PTEC 103, PTEC 105; open to currently enrolled PTEC students with instructor permission

Future Offerings:

In this course, students will learn and practice the use of basic hand tool and power tool to disassemble various pieces of industrial equipment, to include valve maintenance an value repacking. Reading and interpreting manufacturers technical manuals and equipment drawings. Student will disassemble, inspect pipe flanges, install blinds, make up piping flanges and connections in accordance with applicable documentation.

Prerequisites:
Completion of or concurrent enrollment in CAP 101

Future Offerings:

Prerequisites:
CAP 101

Future Offerings:

This elective course provides work experience in a Process Technology related environment so that students may expand their technical knowledge and skills. Specific performance skills and customized objectives will be developed for each student. Clock hours are variable and may be repeated for clock hour credit.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 101

Future Offerings:

This elective course provides work experience in a Process Technology related environment so that students may expand their technical knowledge and skills. Specific performance skills and customized objectives will be developed for each student. Clock hours are available and may be repeated for clock hour credit.

Prerequisites:
PTEC 101

Future Offerings: