Teach Yourself the Basics of Aspen Plus E-Book

Ralph Schefflan

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 309

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Beschreibung

The complete step-by-step guide to mastering the basics of Aspen Plus software Used for a wide variety of important scientific tasks, Aspen Plus software is a modeling tool used for conceptual design, optimization, and performance monitoring of chemical processes. After more than twenty years, it remains one of the most popular and powerful chemical engineering programs used both industrially and academically. Teach Yourself the Basics of Aspen Plus, Second Edition continues to deliver important fundamentals on using Aspen Plus software. The new edition focuses on the newest version of Aspen Plus and covers the newest functionalities. Lecture-style chapters set the tone for maximizing the learning experience by presenting material in a manner that emulates an actual workshop classroom environment. Important points are emphasized through encouragement of hands-on learning techniques that direct learners toward achievement in creating effective designs fluidly and with confidence. Teach Yourself the Basics of Aspen Plus, Second Edition includes: * Examples embedded within the text to focus the reader on specific aspects of the material being covered * Workshops at the end of each chapter that provide opportunities to test the reader's knowledge in that chapter's subject matter * Functionalities covered in the newest version of Aspen including the solution of a flowsheet by an equation oriented, EO approach, and the solution of problems which involve electrolyte equilibria * Aspen Plus executable format as well as .txt format files containing details of the examples and the workshops as well as their solutions are provided as a download Designed with both students and professionals in mind, Teach Yourself the Basics of Aspen Plus, Second Edition is like having a personal professor 24/7. Its revolutionary format is an exciting way to learn how to operate this highly sophisticated software--and a surefire way for readers to get the results they expect.

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Acknowledgments

About the Companion Website

Chapter One: Introduction to Aspen Plus

1.1 Basic Ideas

1.2 Starting Aspen Plus

1.3 The Next Function

1.4 The Navigation Pane

1.5 The Property Environment

1.6 Properties for Simulation

1.7 The Simulation Environment

1.8 Simulation Options

1.9 Units

1.10 Streams

1.11 Blocks

1.12 The Object Manager

1.13 Model Execution

1.14 Viewing Results

1.15 Plotting Results

References

Chapter Two: Properties

2.1 Introduction

2.2 The Pure Component Databanks

2.3 Property Analysis

2.4 Property Estimation

2.5 Workshops

2.6 Workshop Notes

References

Chapter Three: The Simple Blocks

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Mixer/Splitter Blocks

3.3 The Simple Separator Blocks

3.4 Some Manipulator Blocks

3.5 Workshops

3.6 Workshop Notes

Chapter Four: Processes with Recycle

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Blocks with Recycle

4.3 Heuristics

4.4 Workshops

4.5 Workshop Notes

References

Chapter Five: Flowsheeting and Model Analysis Tools

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Introduction to Fortran in Aspen Plus

5.3 Basic Interpreted Fortran Capabilities

5.4 The Sensitivity Function

5.5 The Design Specification

5.6 The Calculator Function

5.7 The Transfer Function

5.8 Workshops

5.9 Workshop Notes

References

Chapter Six: The Data Regression System (DRS)

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Parameters of Equations of State

6.3 Parameters of Activity Coefficient Equations

6.4 Basic Ideas of Regression

6.5 The Mathematics of Regression

6.6 Practical Aspects of Regression of VLE Or LLE Data

6.7 VLE and LLE Data Sources

6.8 Workshops

6.9 Workshop Notes

References

Chapter Seven: Flashes and Decanter

7.1 Introduction

7.2 The Flash2 Block

7.3 The Flash3 Block

7.4 The Decanter Block

7.5 Workshops

7.6 WORKSHOP NOTES

References

Chapter Eight: Pressure Changers

8.1 Introduction

8.2 The Pump Block

8.3 The Compr Block

8.4 The MCompr Block

8.5 Pipelines and Fittings

8.6 Workshops

8.7 Workshop Notes

References

Chapter Nine: Heat Exchangers

9.1 Introduction

9.2 The Heater Block

9.3 The Heatx Block

9.4 The Mheatx Block

9.5 Workshops

9.6 Workshop Notes

References

Chapter Ten: Reactors

10.1 Introduction

10.2 The RStoic Block

10.3 The RYield Block

10.4 The REquil Block

10.5 The RGibbs Block

10.6 Reactions for the Rigorous Models

10.7 The RCSTR Block

10.8 The RPlug Block

10.9 The RBatch Block

10.10 Workshops

10.11 Workshop Notes

References

Chapter Eleven: Multistage Equilibrium Separators

11.1 Introduction

11.2 The Basic Equations

11.3 The Design Problem

11.4 A Three-Product Distillation Example

11.5 Preliminary Design and Rating Models

11.6 Rigorous Models

11.7 BatchSep

11.8 Workshops

11.9 Workshop Notes

References

Chapter Twelve: Process Flowsheet Development

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Heuristics

12.3 An Example – The Production of Styrene

12.4 A Model with Basic Blocks

12.5 Properties

12.6 Rigorous Flash and Decanter

12.7 Analyzing the Rigorous Distillation

12.8 Integrating the Rigorous Distillation into the Flowsheet

12.9 The Reactor Feed

12.10 Miscellaneous Considerations

12.11 Workshops

12.12 Workshop Notes

Reference

Chapter Thirteen: Optimization

13.1 Introduction

13.2 An Optimization Example

13.3 Workshops

13.4 Workshop Notes

References

Chapter Fourteen: Complex Equilibrium Stage Separations

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Energy Integration Applications

14.3 Homogeneous Azeotropic Distillation

14.4 Extractive Distillation

14.5 Heterogeneous Operations

14.6 Workshops

14.7 Workshop Notes

References

Chapter Fifteen: Equation-Oriented Simulation

15.1 Introduction

15.2 Identification of Variables

15.3 Equations for EO Simulation

15.4 Solving the EO Equations

15.5 Comparing Calculated Variables in SM and EO Simulation

15.6 Synchronization of the Equations

15.7 The Equation Oriented Menu

15.8 Solution of an EO Problem

15.9 Reinitialization

15.10 A Design Specification

15.11 An SM Problem That is Difficult to Converge

15.12 Sensitivity Analysis

15.13 Equation-Oriented Optimization

15.14 Workshops

15.15 Workshop Notes

References

Chapter Sixteen: Electrolytes

16.1 Introduction

16.2 Electrolyte Solution Equilibria

16.3 Electrolyte Solution Equilibria and the Electrolyte Wizard

16.4 Electrolyte Equilibrium/Phase Equilibrium Examples

References

Chapter Seventeen: Beyond The Basics of Aspen Plus

Index

End User License Agreement

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Guide

Cover

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition

Begin Reading

List of Illustrations

Chapter One: Introduction to Aspen Plus

Figure 1.1 (a) Aspen Plus Start Page release 8.8. (b) Aspen Plus Start Page release 8.x.

Figure 1.2 (a) Aspen Plus Reference Manual Release 8.8. (b) Aspen Plus Reference Manual Release 8.x.

Figure 1.3 The ribbon.

Figure 1.4 Preconfigured property files.

Figure 1.5 Component Specification.

Figure 1.6 Required Properties Input Complete options.

Figure 1.7 Navigation menu.

Figure 1.8 The Model Palette.

Figure 1.9 Component search.

Figure 1.10 User-Defined Component Wizard.

Figure 1.11 User-Defined Component Data and Properties.

Figure 1.12 Molecular structure by connectivity.

Figure 1.13 Global property method selection.

Figure 1.14 UNIQ-1 Binary Interaction Parameters.

Figure 1.15 Available Databanks.

Figure 1.16 Connecting a stream to a block.

Figure 1.17 Calculations options.

Figure 1.18 Units Selection.

Figure 1.19 Report Options.

Figure 1.20 Stream Input.

Figure 1.21 Object Manager example.

Figure 1.22 Run related icons.

Figure 1.23 Stream Report Options.

Figure 1.24 Control Panel segment.

Figure 1.25 The Text Report segment.

Figure 1.26 Preconfigured plot.

Chapter Two: Properties

Figure 2.1 Property analysis setup.

Figure 2.2 Pure component scalar properties.

Figure 2.3 Pure component temperature-dependent properties.

Figure 2.4 Temperature-dependent binary interaction parameters.

Figure 2.5 Example properties analysis specification PT-1.

Figure 2.6 Range definition for adjusted variable.

Figure 2.7 Prop-set PS-1.

Figure 2.8 Association of PS-1 with PT-1.

Figure 2.9 Results of PT-1.

Figure 2.10 Plot of PT-1 results.

Figure 2.11 Variable selection for prop-set PS-2.

Figure 2.12 Tabular results for analysis PT-2.

Figure 2.13 User-Defined Component Wizard.

Figure 2.14 User-defined component data.

Figure 2.15 Molecular structure of user-defined component.

Figure 2.16 Estimation setup.

Figure 2.17 Pure Component method selection.

Figure 2.18 Binary Parameter estimation setup.

Figure 2.19 Unifac group selection.

Chapter Three: The Simple Blocks

Figure 3.1 Library of mixers/splitters.

Figure 3.2 The Mixer block.

Figure 3.3 The Fsplit block.

Figure 3.4 Library of separators.

Figure 3.5 The Sep block.

Figure 3.6 The Sep2 block.

Figure 3.7 Library of manipulators.

Figure 3.8 Duplicator block example.

Figure 3.9 Sep specifications.

Figure 3.10 Sep2 specifications.

Figure 3.11 Sep2 specifications.

Figure 3.12 Duplicator example results.

Figure 3.13 The Mult block.

Chapter Four: Processes with Recycle

Figure 4.1 The Flash2 block.

Figure 4.2 A recycle process.

Figure 4.3 Rubin's flowsheet modified.

Figure 4.4 Specifying tear streams.

Figure 4.5 Heterogeneous azeotropic distillation.

Figure 4.6 A distillation train.

Chapter Five: Flowsheeting and Model Analysis Tools

Figure 5.1 Mixer5 example.

Figure 5.2 Mixer5 solution.

Figure 5.3 Creation of a Fortran accessible variable.

Figure 5.4 Association of flowsheet variable with a Fortran variable.

Figure 5.5 Defining the range of a trial variable.

Figure 5.6 Results of sensitivity study Mixer5s.

Figure 5.7 Flowsheet for Mixer5c.

Figure 5.8 Defining a Fortran variable.

Figure 5.9 Mixer5d design specification.

Figure 5.10 Limits of varied parameter.

Figure 5.11 Mixer5d design specification satisfied.

Figure 5.12 Basic calculator display with Fortran variables defined.

Figure 5.13 Fortran coding for Mixer5c equivalent to Mixerd5d.

Figure 5.14 Sequence control of Fortran code.

Figure 5.15 Results of Mixer5c.

Figure 5.16 Warnings and errors in Mixer5c results.

Figure 5.17 Transfer Function display “From.”

Figure 5.18 Transfer Function display “To.”

Figure 5.19 Transfer Function sequence.

Figure 5.20 Mixer5t Transfer Function results.

Chapter Six: The Data Regression System (DRS)

Figure 6.1 Soave Redlich–Kwong parameters.

Figure 6.2 Initialization of parameters for regression.

Figure 6.3 Wilson equation parameters.

Figure 6.4 Some Aspen Plus plotting capabilities.

Figure 6.5 Activity coefficients system cyclohexane, ethanol.

Figure 6.6 LLE data plot system

n

-hexane, ethanol, acetonitrile.

Figure 6.7 (a) Experimental versus calculated results for

n

-hexane. (b) Experimental versus calculated results for ethanol. (c) Experimental versus calculated results for acetonitrile.

Figure 6.8 Data sample from Dechema.

Figure 6.9 Cost of data from Dechema.

Figure 6.10 NIST component selection.

Figure 6.11 Sample of Binary VLE data sets for IPA–water system.

Figure 6.12 NIST Display of selected data set for IPA–water system.

Figure 6.13 IPA–water data transferred to Aspen Plus regression form.

Chapter Seven: Flashes and Decanter

Figure 7.1 The Flash2 model.

Figure 7.2 Flash2 example Wilson parameters.

Figure 7.3 Flash2 example specifications.

Figure 7.4 Flash2 example results.

Figure 7.5 Flash2 entrainment example.

Figure 7.6 Flash2 entrainment results.

Figure 7.7 The Flash3 model.

Figure 7.8 The Decanter model.

Figure 7.9 Alternate data sources.

Figure 7.10 A batch extraction process.

Chapter Eight: Pressure Changers

Figure 8.1 Pump and turbine input.

Figure 8.2 Compr options.

Figure 8.3 MCompr options.

Figure 8.4 Pipeline.

Figure 8.5 An in-line valve.

Chapter Nine: Heat Exchangers

Figure 9.1 The Heater block primary input.

Figure 9.2 The Heater block's specifications.

Figure 9.3 Two heaters modeling a heat exchanger.

Figure 9.4 A process with two heaters as heat exchangers.

Figure 9.5 Computation sequence for process with heaters.

Figure 9.6 Process with two heat exchangers.

Figure 9.7 Tear streams for process with heat exchangers.

Figure 9.8 The Heatx block primary input form.

Figure 9.9 The second Heatx block U methods.

Figure 9.10 The Heatx block's design specifications options.

Figure 9.11 Shell and tube EDR input file specification.

Figure 9.12 The EDR browser in report mode.

Figure 9.13 The Mheatx primary input form.

Figure 9.14 The Mheatx zone profile output.

Figure 9.15 The Mheatx zone profile output.

Chapter Ten: Reactors

Figure 10.1 RStoic example.

Figure 10.2 Configuration of extent of reaction.

Figure 10.3 Comparison of extent and yield results.

Figure 10.4 Component relative yield specifications.

Figure 10.5 Lumping and Component Mapping.

Figure 10.6 Equilibrium reaction stoichiometry.

Figure 10.7 RGibbs basic specifications.

Figure 10.8 RGibbs product options.

Figure 10.9 RGibbs product identification.

Figure 10.10 Powerlaw kinetic options.

Figure 10.11 Equilibrium constant options.

Figure 10.12 Reacting phase options.

Figure 10.13 Reaction concentration coefficients.

Figure 10.14 LHHW kinetic and adsorption expressions.

Figure 10.15 GLHHW adsorption parameters.

Figure 10.16 Primary RCSTR input.

Figure 10.17 RPlug options.

Figure 10.18 RPlug reactor type and heat transfer specifications.

Figure 10.19 RPlug size and layout.

Figure 10.20 RBatch initial setup.

Figure 10.21 RBatch operating and pressure specifications.

Figure 10.22 RBatch phase specifications.

Figure 10.23 RBatch stop criteria.

Figure 10.24 RBatch operation time.

Figure 10.25 Product distribution at various times.

Figure 10.26 Toluene process sketch.

Figure 10.27 Temperature for maximum hydrogen production.

Figure 10.28 Pressure effect on hydrogen production.

Chapter Eleven: Multistage Equilibrium Separators

Figure 11.1 A theoretical stage.

Figure 11.2 A McCabe–Thiele diagram.

Figure 11.3 Minimum reflux.

Figure 11.4 Minimum reflux with nonideal equilibrium.

Figure 11.5 Minimum number of stages.

Figure 11.6 Operating lines with a side stream.

Figure 11.7

L

/

V

minimum and operating.

Figure 11.8 Three product distillation example with equal molal overflow.

Figure 11.9 Preliminary design – three product distillation example.

Figure 11.10 The Gilliland correlation.

Figure 11.11 DSTWU primary input.

Figure 11.12 Distl primary input.

Figure 11.13 Experimental versus Wilson equation data.

Figure 11.14 Stored isopropyl alcohol–water Wilson parameters.

Figure 11.15 Experimental versus Unifac data.

Figure 11.16 Primary RadFrac input.

Figure 11.17 Thermosyphon reboiler options.

Figure 11.18 Thermosiphon reboiler specifications and wizard.

Figure 11.19 RadFrac design specification.

Figure 11.20 RadFrac Vary form.

Figure 11.21 NQ curves specifications.

Figure 11.22 Errors generated By NQ run.

Figure 11.23 Tray design input.

Figure 11.24 Packing input.

Figure 11.25 Uniquac parameters and data sources.

Figure 11.26 Data source choices.

Figure 11.27 Batch distillation column.

Figure 11.28 BatchSep basic setup.

Figure 11.29 Batch distillation column controller setup.

Figure 11.30 Initial conditions for BatchSep.

Figure 11.31 Operating step input – Step one.

Figure 11.32 Stage compositions.

Figure 11.33 Triangular plot.

Chapter Twelve: Process Flowsheet Development

Figure 12.1 Modified styrene production flowsheet.

Figure 12.2 Data bank sources.

Figure 12.3 Uniquac binary parameters.

Figure 12.4 Ethylbenzene(1)–styrene(2) vapor–liquid equilibrium.

Figure 12.5 Sensitivity study varying the water feed.

Figure 12.6 Effect of reflux ratio on product composition.

Figure 12.7 Aspen Plus run control panel.

Figure 12.8 Execution errors identified.

Figure 12.9 Tear stream selection.

Figure 12.10 User defined execution sequence.

Figure 12.11 Process for production of benzene.

Figure 12.12 Process for production of natural gas.

Chapter Thirteen: Optimization

Figure 13.1 Definition of variables.

Figure 13.2 Definition of objective function.

Figure 13.3 Fortran coding of objective function.

Figure 13.4 Setup to vary independent variable.

Figure 13.5 Variable to be constrained.

Figure 13.6 Constraint.

Figure 13.7 Workshop 13.2a process.

Figure 13.8 Defining calculator variables.

Figure 13.10 Defining calculator sequence.

Figure 13.11 Selecting manipulated variable and limits.

Chapter Fourteen: Complex Equilibrium Stage Separations

Figure 14.1 Shared reboiler/condenser flowsheet.

Figure 14.2 Shared reboiler/condenser flowsheet with reference column.

Figure 14.3 Homogeneous azeotropic distillation flowsheet.

Figure 14.4 Vapor–liquid equilibrium benzene-cyclohexane at 760 mmHg, Kojima et al. (1968).

Figure 14.5 Extractive distillation flowsheet.

Figure 14.6 Effect of aniline addition on relative volatility in benzene–cyclohexane system.

Figure 14.7 Effect of solvent flow rate on product composition.

Figure 14.8 Effect of solvent makeup flow rate on product composition.

Figure 14.9 Heterogeneous azeotropic distillation flowsheet.

Figure 14.10 Methanol water distillation with mesityl oxide side stream.

Figure 14.11 Vapor–liquid equilibrium methanol–mesityl oxide at 760 mmHg.

Figure 14.12 Ternary diagram methanol–water–mesityl oxide at 760 mmHg.

Chapter Fifteen: Equation-Oriented Simulation

Figure 15.1 EO variable naming.

Figure 15.2 Flash2 block.

Figure 15.3 A line search.

Figure 15.4 Minimum

λ

in a line search.

Figure 15.5 A sample flow sheet.

Figure 15.6 Ribbon with EOS controls.

Figure 15.7 Ribbon with EOS controls.

Figure 15.8 A mixer example.

Figure 15.9 Synchronization results.

Figure 15.10 EO solution.

Figure 15.11 Stream report from EO solution.

Figure 15.12 EO configuration/EO input.

Figure 15.13 Reinitialization options.

Figure 15.14 EO Spec group configuration.

Figure 15.15 EO Spec group variable specification.

Figure 15.16 Convergence failure.

Figure 15.17 EO sensitivity specifications.

Figure 15.18 EO sensitivity results.

Figure 15.19 EO objective function setup.

Figure 15.20 Spec group for EO optimization.

Figure 15.21 EO optimization variable limits.

Figure 15.22 Ethanol purification flowsheet.

Figure 15.23 Distillation train flowsheet.

Figure 15.24 Extractive distillation flowsheet.

Chapter Sixteen: Electrolytes

Figure 16.1 Aspen Plus electrolyte templates.

Figure 16.2 Electrolyte wizard.

Figure 16.3 Base components and reaction generation options.

Figure 16.4 Generated species and reactions.

Figure 16.5 Electrolyte wizard summary.

Figure 16.6 Reaction equilibrium HNO

3

–water.

Figure 16.7 Hydrochloric acid water azeotrope at 14.5 psi.

Figure 16.8 Hydrochloric acid water azeotrope at 2 psi.

Figure 16.9 Two-column azeotropic distillation of hydrochloric acid–water.

Chapter Seventeen: Beyond The Basics of Aspen Plus

Figure 17.1 Aspen Process Economics Analyzer.

Figure 17.2 Aspen Activated Analysis.

List of Tables

Chapter Three: The Simple Blocks

Table 3.1 Stream Specifications for Workshop 3.1a

Chapter Four: Processes with Recycle

Table 4.1 Process Performance Data

Chapter Five: Flowsheeting and Model Analysis Tools

Table 5.1 Fortran Operators

Table 5.2 ECF Feeds

Chapter Six: The Data Regression System (DRS)

Table 6.1 Objective Functions (Aspen Plus ver. 8.88)

Table 6.2 Infinite Dilution Activity Coefficients for Various Equations

Table 6.3 Vapor–Liquid Equilibrium Cyclohexane(1) – Isopropyl Alcohol(2)

Table 6.4 LLE Data for the System

n

-Hexane(2), Ethanol(2), Acetonitrile(3)

Table 6.5 Toluene–Water Mutual Solubility Data

Table 6.6 LLE Data for the System Water–Ethanol–Toluene

Table 6.7 VLE for the System Tertiary Butanol(1)–Water(2)

Chapter Seven: Flashes and Decanter

Table 7.1 Feeds for Workshop 7.1

Table 7.2 Feeds for Workshop 7.3

Table 7.3 Uniquac Parameters for System Toluene–Water–Ethanol

Chapter Eight: Pressure Changers

Table 8.1 Feed for Workshop 8.1

Chapter Nine: Heat Exchangers

Table 9.1 Feed for Workshop 9.1

Chapter Thirteen: Optimization

Table 13.1 Process Feed

Chapter Fourteen: Complex Equilibrium Stage Separations

Table 14.1 Ethanol–Toluene Azeotrope at Various Pressures

Table 14.2 Methanol(1)–Water(2) Vapor–Liquid Equilibrium

Teach Yourself the Basics of Aspen Plus ™

Second Edition

Ralph Schefflan

Chemical and Materials Engineering Department Stevens Institute of Technology

Copyright © 2016 by American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Inc. All rights reserved

A joint publication of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Names: Schefflan, Ralph, author.

Title: Teach Yourself the Basics of Aspen Plus\trademark / Ralph Schefflan.

Description: Second edition. | Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons Inc., [2016] | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016015709 | ISBN 9781118980590 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781119276180 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Chemical processes\endash Computer simulation. | Chemical process control-Computer programs. | Aspen plus.

Classification: LCC TP155.7 .S28 2017 | DDC 660/.2815-dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016015709

To Ruth

Preface to the Second Edition

I recommend that new readers of this book read the preface to the first edition, prior to reading the preface to the second edition. This will impart some basic ideas about the book and will be a good introduction to the second edition.

Some readers and reviewers have misunderstood the primary thrust of the first edition. This is not a user's guide to Aspen Plus. Complete documentation is available in the materials accompanying an Aspen Plus installation and in the program's Help and in Aspen Tech's online Support. These are fine as references to the software and contain many appropriate examples. Teach Yourself is designed to simulate a first classroom course in process simulation, with Aspen Plus used as a means of solidifying the reader's experience. The book leads readers through a process that becomes continuously more difficult and enriching. When the book's content and workshops have been completed, I expect that the reader will have become a competent user of Aspen Plus. Following this, a reader should be able to further enrich his/her background by referring to chemical engineering literature to learn about specialized subject matter in Chapter Seventeen, “Beyond the Basics of Aspen Plus,” which contains identifications of such materials. Aspen Plus installations include many examples of Beyond the Basics, such as polymer fractionation, which should serve to increase a reader's experience.

In the preface to the first edition, I described the philosophy encompassing the use of Teach Yourself the Basics of Aspen Plus™. This has not changed. The book still is based on the idea that after reading the introductory material dealing with a particular section, readers should explore the examples relating to that section and after completing a chapter attempt the workshops at the end of each chapter. This approach describes the methods that I have used in academic and industrial environments since Aspen Plus was released and earlier with Aspen Tech's Max and Monsanto's Flowtran. If there is difficulty in a workshop, a solution in .bkp format can be found in the download files at the book's companion site.

The download site is organized with a primary folder named Examples and Workshops, containing subfolders entitled Examples and Workshops, each organized in chapters containing .bkp and .txt files for each example and workshop in the book. When Teach Yourself was first written, Aspen Plus, release 7.0, was employed, and many examples and workshops were developed with that release. Today, we are at release 8.8, and some of the written matter, examples, and workshops have changed and evolved. Additionally, new material, chapters, workshops, and so on, have been added to the book to reflect these additions. Aspen Plus has had considerable growth, for example, there is new material on equation-oriented solutions to process models, which permits feasible tight specifications to be met without the failures that users sometimes encounter when using the sequential modular approach. The purpose of the second edition is to address the Aspen Plus modifications to the first edition and to make the changes in the text conform to material and displays in version 8.8.

Various readers have asked me why there is no chapter on cost estimation. This comes down to the primary philosophy of the book, that is, this is a book on process simulation using Aspen Plus, not a book on plant design. The subject of plant design incorporates a variety of disciplines, some of which have little to do with process simulation. These include piping design, plant layout, process control computers and associated wiring, interference checking, structural design, cost estimation, and so on. There are many excellent books that deal with some these subjects, for example, “Product and Process Design Principles” by Lewin, Seader, and Sieder, Third Edition, John Wiley and Sons (2004), which employs Aspen Plus's cost estimation software and gives many examples.

As closing remarks, I will state again that the purpose of this book is to enable a reader to learn process simulation using Aspen Plus. The workshops at the end of each chapter, except Chapters One and Seventeen, are intended to extend a user's knowledge and experiences by introducing some challenges over and above the examples in the text. In many cases, I do not always spell out all of the workshop specifications, and, in some cases, I suggest the use of my example .txt files to clarify the input. There are workshops in which it is up to the user to complete the specs. For example, in the case of a distillation column, there is usually a trade-off between the number of theoretical stages and the reflux ratio.

I recommend that equipment details, such as reflux ratios in the .txt files, not be copied in developing a solution to a workshop. Certainly, the basis for a process, such as process feeds and product specifications should be used. An examination of solution possibilities and sound judgment should result in satisfactory solutions.

Again, I wish to acknowledge the help provided by Aspen Technology's academic support group and especially for the loan of an Aspen Plus release 8.8 stand-alone license for use while I was out of the United States and unable to access the Stevens Institute of Technology server.

Ralph Schefflan Rhinebeck, NY

Preface to the First Edition

During my years working as a chemical engineer in development laboratories, process engineering groups, and plant start-up and support operations, the most frequently referenced documents were process flow diagrams (PFDs), which contain the material and energy balances and the basic process design information. Equally important were process and instrument diagrams (P&IDs), which contain details of all equipment, all controls, all instruments, and all lines, that is, process, instrument, and utilities. Process simulation software is an excellent tool for producing high-quality PFDs, and when integrated with computer-aided design (CAD) software, facilitates the production of P&IDs. There are several process simulation software systems available to the chemical engineering community, and Aspen Plus is arguably the most popular one.

Teach Yourself Aspen Plus evolved from two graduate courses that I taught at Stevens Institute of Technology over the past twenty odd years. The first course, ChE662, is an introduction to steady-state chemical process simulation, which is usually taken by graduate students and is organized around a series of workshops that introduce Aspen Plus functionality. Occasionally, undergraduates are enrolled and typically experience difficulties in the thermodynamics of phase equilibrium, and parameter estimation, due to limitations in their undergraduate courses. The second course, ChE612, is the analysis and design of complex equilibrium stage processes, deals with difficult multicolumn problems such as extractive distillation systems. Over time, the course evolved from the use of stand-alone two- and three-phase flashes, decantation, and two-phase distillation software, to their equivalent blocks in Flowtran and later Aspen Plus.

The idea for this of book originated from my observations of students in these courses. I noted that after an initial period dedicated to learning the basics of how to navigate, locate material, and enter data into Aspen Plus, students could proceed through the exercises, within the workshops, mostly on their own. I would give an introductory lecture for each subject studied, show examples, and provide individual help on the workshops when needed. It was a rare student who did not finish all of the workshops during the course. The book is organized in the same manner.

If you expect to “Teach Yourself Aspen Plus” by reading this book, you will be disappointed. Aspen Plus is a complex process simulator and, in my opinion, the best way to learn is with hands-on experience, by attempting each exercise within each workshop, and when difficulties are encountered, by referring to the problem setup and solution on the accompanying CD, as well as the workshop notes at the end of each chapter.

The accompanying CD contains the input and solutions to all of the examples and workshops. There is a root folder for each chapter, within which, there are subfolders named Examples and Workshops. Each example and workshop exercise is provided in .bkp, Aspen Plus format, and .txt formats. The .bkp files are set up as input files to view details and may be executed. The .txt files are solutions and may be viewed with Notepad by a reader who does not have access to Aspen Plus. References to material on the CD within each chapter of the book are by subfolder/filename, for example, in Chapter Four Examples/Rubin. Some of the workshops where developed using earlier versions of Aspen Plus and when attempting to use them from the CD a message to that effect may appear; however, all have been successfully executed with version 7.0, which currently resides on the server at Stevens Institute of Technology. I recommend that while reading the text, Aspen Plus be used simultaneously to execute and review each example. If Aspen Plus is not available the .txt solutions may be reviewed.

The book is designed to be used by undergraduates, graduate students, and practicing chemical engineers. The first section of the book explains the basic structure of the software and leads the student through a hands-on introduction to the various features of the software designed to facilitate the setup of simple problems. Features such as the material balance-only option, access to Aspen Plus documentation through with Help, the “Next” button, menu navigation, and the report function are introduced. The remainder of the book is organized in a series of sections that focus on particular types of operations, for example, a two-phase flash. Each chapter is accompanied by the equivalent of lecture material that describes the equations being solved, various limitations, potential sources of error, and a set of workshops containing exercises that the students should solve to gain experience with the particular subject. Some of the exercises are designed to produce errors that the students need to analyze in order to complete their experience. Much of this part of the book is suitable for undergraduates though some will be limited by courses in their curriculum that have not yet been taken, for example, exposure to the thermodynamics of phase equilibrium. Undergraduates should limit their exposure to Chapters Six and Fourteen. Chapter Six deals with phase equilibrium and provides exposure to the most popular thermodynamic equations as well as material on parameter fitting. Chapter Fourteen addresses advanced problems in distillation. Graduate students and practicing engineers who undertake these sections should have had exposure to undergraduate equilibrium stage operations and preferably a graduate course in thermodynamics.

This book is not intended to be a self-study guide for all of the features of Aspen Plus. For example, material on some reactor blocks, batch blocks, and the thermodynamics of electrolytes are not covered. Many subjects that are not addressed can be found by selecting the Help button on the main Aspen Plus display. The philosophy of the book is based on the idea that once a chemical engineer becomes thoroughly facile in the use of the software and has a good understanding of the basic blocks, he or she should be able to learn to use many of the unaddressed functions by applying the same philosophy as the text itself, namely, to study appropriate sections in chemical engineering textbooks, which describe the subject matter, and to familiarize oneself with the function's implementation by reading Aspen Plus's documentation and attempting a sample problem. As an example, to understand the Aspen Plus electrolyte methodology, it would be useful to read the section on electrolyte equilibrium in “‘Molecular Thermodynamics of Fluid-Phase Equilibria’, J. M. Prausnitz, R. N. Lichtenthaler, and G. M. de Azevedo, Third Edion, Prentice-Hall (1999)”, and in Aspen Plus's Help, and follow-up with the section entitled “Generating Electrolyte Components.”

I have made an effort to provide the describing equations of most of the models (blocks) referred to here and if not possible, because of the proprietary nature of the software, I have described the functionality. One should recognize that Aspen Plus is proprietary software and the source code and implementation details are not available. Additionally, there are frequently several ways to solve the equations that describe the blocks, and there is no way to ascertain these details since Aspen Technology does not provide them.

Ralph Schefflan Rhinebeck, NY

Acknowledgments

I wish to acknowledge the help provided by Aspen Technology's academic support group and especially for the loan of an Aspen Engineering stand-alone license for use while I was out of the United States and unable to access the Stevens Institute of Technology server.

About the Companion Website

This book is accompanied by a companion website:

www.wiley.com\go\schefflan\AspenPlus2e

The website includes:

Downloadable files with examples and all solutions to the workshops in Aspen Plus format and in .txt format

Chapter OneIntroduction to Aspen Plus

1.1 Basic Ideas

Aspen Plus is based on techniques for developing flowsheets that were used by chemical engineers many years ago. Computer programs were just beginning to be used, were of the stand-alone variety, and were typically used for designing single units. Solution of the material and energy balances for even the simplest flowsheet without recycle required an engineer to design each unit one-at-a-time