Modular Open-Source Stirred Tank Reactor (MOSTR), an Internet of Things (IoT) system for engineering education

Area of Science:

• Chemical Engineering Education
• Process Control Systems
• Open-Source Hardware

Background:

• Traditional chemical engineering labs often use expensive, inflexible equipment.
• There is a need for scalable, cost-effective, and pedagogically sound practical learning tools.
• Open-source solutions can foster wider adoption and adaptation in engineering education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the Modular Open-Source Stirred Tank Reactor (MOSTR) as an educational tool.
• To enable teaching of core chemical engineering principles in higher education.
• To provide a low-cost, reproducible, and maintainable alternative to commercial reactor systems.

Main Methods:

• Development of an IoT-enabled stirred tank reactor with modular components.
• Integration of an M5Stack control unit with flow, temperature, and conductivity sensors.
• Utilisation of 3D printing for accessible fabrication and Wi-Fi for real-time data streaming.

Main Results:

• The MOSTR system is sensitive to mixing variations and modular configurations, demonstrating versatility.
• Characterisation tests confirm the system's suitability for diverse educational experiments.
• The open-source nature facilitates global adoption and adaptation.

Conclusions:

• The MOSTR provides a valuable, scalable, and cost-effective platform for chemical engineering education.
• Its modularity and open-source design promote inclusivity and collaborative learning.
• The system effectively supports the teaching of residence time distribution, flow balancing, and process instrumentation.