Process Technology Program (PTEC)

Process technology encompasses any type of chemical processing involving raw materials, including petroleum, natural gas and biomass. Varous industries rely on process technicians for products including jet fuel, metals, plastics, and even the coating on aspirin. Process technicians are trained as part of a work team which plans, analyzes, monitors and controls this process from beginning to completion. Participants that complete the PTEC program will be able to apply their skills operating the latest equipment at various plants, refineries and labs.

This series consists of 13 courses that lead to a Certificate of Professional Development in a recognized process technology curriculum. Additionally, participants that complete the series are eligible to take the PTEX certification exam. This series also ensures participants complete the entire training in a single track of courses.

Enrollment Requirements: At least 18 years old, high school diploma or equivalent, 10th grade math and 11th grade reading recommended, physical exam clearance.

Click here to view Learning Outcomes for this course.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday • Time: 5pm-8pm • Location: CE-403 • Instructors: Staff

Introduction to chemical, refinery, alternative energy, and power plant operations. Topics include process technician duties, responsibilities, and expectations across all process industries including new and emerging occupations in the alternative and green industries. Additionally, students will learn math, physics, and chemistry applications for process industries.

Study of the instruments and instrument systems used in a variety of processing industries, including instrumentation unique to alternative energy production and processing. Topics include terminology, primary variables, symbology, control loops, and basic troubleshooting, as well as temperature, pressure and flow formulas used in the process and alternative energy production industries.

This course provides participants an introduction to team building, interpersonal, social skills, and communications as they apply an industrial environment. Additionally, participants will learn resume writing, interview techniques, and presentation skills. The participants are given the opportunity to take employment entrance examinations and experience a series of mock employment interviews.

Development of knowledge and skills to reinforce the attitudes and behaviors required for safe and environmentally sound work habits. Emphasis is on safety, health, and environmental issues in the performance of all job tasks and regulatory compliance issues. Course topics include PPE, handling and transportation of hazardous materials, and raw materials used in the processing of alternative fuels. Topics will be reinforced through exercises, demonstrations and performance.

Instruction in the use of tools and equipment used in the process industries. Topics include heat exchangers, compressors and valves common to process operations. Laboratory exercises include the operation and maintenance of process equipment.

Instruction in the use of tools and equipment used in the alternative energy process industries including, wind turbine, environmental monitoring systems, hydrogen fuel cell, hydro electric, bio fuels, and solar. Laboratory exercises include the operation and maintenance of equipment related to these new and emerging occupations.

Study of the interoperability of process equipment, process systems and their related scientific principles. Systems include: distillation, extraction, demineralization, reactors, power generation, and waste treatment.

Study of the interoperability of process equipment, process systems, and their related scientific principles. Systems include wind turbine, photovoltaic, environmental monitoring, fuel cells, hydro electric, bio fuel production, solar, and smart grid.

This course combines the operations of multiple systems into operational processes. Students will operate actual and simulated distillation, extraction, demineralization, reactors, power generation, and waste treatment processes.

This course combines the operation of multiple systems into operational processes. Students will operate actual and simulated wind turbine, commercial photovoltaic, fuel cell, hydro electric, bio fuel production, and smart grid processes. Students are introduced to sustainable design concepts as they apply to each process.

Instruction in the different types of troubleshooting techniques, procedures, and methods used to solve process problems. Topics include application of data collection and analysis, cause-effect relationships and reasoning. Laboratory instruction involves troubleshooting problems initiated by the instructor in a process simulator.

This course is a study of the background and application of quality concepts. Topics include team skills, quality tools, and economics and continuous improvement. Process sampling and analysis of variance for process products and instruments.

This capstone course provides students with experience working with process technicians on-site at local companies who employ process technicians.