Flowsheeting is the use of computer aids to perform steady-state and dynamic heat and massbalancing for chemical processes. Important aspect in this expertise are property set selection, flowsheet analysis and unit operation selection and specification.
This course deals with the principles of steady-state flowsheeting, the practical use of modern flowsheeting software and the advantages, limits and pitfalls of these programs. At the end of the course we expect students to be able to work with the flowsheeting tools available. A Thermodynamic correct description of the different phase equilibria is critical for an adequate description of the process.
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This course is only for non-ChE students. The ChE students will do this subject as part of Process Plant Design.
The theory is discussed in five lectures, dealing with topics as
- Flowsheet analysis to obtain the best calculation sequence,
- Models of unit operations available in the databank (model equations, applicability, specifications, etc)
- Models to describe the thermodynamic and physical data of pure components but also of mixtures, followed property method selection,
- Convergence methods and accelerators, etc.
Parallel to the lectures, 5 workshops are scheduled in which the students learn to work with an industrial flowsheeter (Aspen Plus). The Aspen Plus manual with examples is used for this. After a short test the students can start with the final assignment.
The final assignment is for groups of two students and consists of three parts:
- Analysis of a flowsheet
- Simulation of an industrial process based on a process description
- Simulation of a separation problem with special focus on the property method selection.
The project in this way combines simulation skills with design decisions and specifications.
The group has to submit a report discussing their simulation, assumptions, specifications and results. They also need to submit their Aspen Plus files. The final mark is based on the report, the simulations and an oral group exam
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