Introduction to Aspen Plus

Introduction to Flowsheet Simulation

Introduction to Flowsheet Simulation

Introduction to Aspen Plus

2003 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

Lesson Objectives
Introduce general flowsheet simulation concepts and
Aspen Plus features

2003 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

2003 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

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Aspen Technology, Inc.

Introduction to Aspen Plus

Introduction to Flowsheet Simulation

Flowsheet Simulation
What is flowsheet simulation?
Use of a computer program to quantitatively model the

characteristic equations of a chemical process

Uses underlying physical relationships

Mass and energy balance
Equilibrium relationships
Rate correlations (reaction and mass/heat transfer)

Predicts
Stream flowrates, compositions, and properties
Operating conditions

2003 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

Advantages of Simulation
Reduces plant design time
Allows designer to quickly test various plant configurations

Helps improve current process

Answers what if questions
Determines optimal process conditions within given constraints
Assists in locating the constraining parts of a process

(debottlenecking)

2003 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

2003 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

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Aspen Technology, Inc.

Introduction to Aspen Plus

Introduction to Flowsheet Simulation

General Simulation Problem

What is the composition of stream PRODUCT?
RECYCLE
REACTOR
COOL
FEED
REAC -OUT

COOL-OUT

SEP

To solve this problem, we need

PRODUCT

Material balances
Energy balances

2003 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

Approaches to Flowsheet Simulation

Sequential Modular
Each unit operation block is solved in a certain sequence.
Used to solve a large number of blocks.

Equation Oriented
All equations are solved simultaneously.
A good starting point is necessary.

Combination
Use the sequential modular approach to initialize, get close to a

solution, then use equation oriented approach to solve the flowsheet

more precisely.
Use the sequential modular approach to get an initial solution, then
use equation oriented approach to do optimization or model tuning.

2003 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

2003 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

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Aspen Technology, Inc.

Introduction to Aspen Plus

Introduction to Flowsheet Simulation

Good Flowsheeting Practice

Build large flowsheets a few blocks at a time.
This facilitates troubleshooting if errors occur.

Not necessarily a one-to-one correspondence between

pieces of equipment in the plant and Aspen Plus blocks
Ensure flowsheet inputs are reasonable.
Check that results are consistent and realistic.

2003 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

Some Important Features of Aspen Plus

Rigorous Electrolyte Simulation
Solids Handling
AspenTech provides
additional courses that
cover each of these
topics in greater detail.

Petroleum Handling
Data Regression
Data Fit

Contact your Training

Coordinator for
information.

Optimization
User Routines

2003 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

2003 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved.

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Aspen Technology, Inc.