Introduction to Flowsheet Simulation

• Introduce general flowsheet simulation concepts and Aspen Plus features
• Review the benefits of process modeling using Aspen Plus
• Discuss the approaches to flowsheet simulations

The User Interface

• Become comfortable and familiar with the Aspen Plus graphical user interface

Properties Environment

• Develop a working knowledge of the Aspen Plus Properties Environment
• Learn to enter Components and Property Method for a process flowsheet 
• Review the save options for Aspen Plus models 
• Workshop: Build a Simulation Flowsheet – Properties Environment

Simulation Environment

• Develop a working knowledge of the Aspen Plus Simulation Environment 
• Build  a process flowsheet and enter stream and block information in an Aspen Plus simulation
• Run the simulation 

Flowsheet Results

• Review features for viewing simulation results
• Discuss options to enhance flowsheet output
• Workshop: Build a Simulation Flowsheet – Simulation Environment

Unit Operation Models

• Review major types of unit operation models
• Explore flowsheet handling techniques

Distillation Column Rating

• Enter the minimum input required for the RadFrac fractionation model
• Implement design specifications, stage efficiencies and column sizing
• Workshop: Set up a methanol – water distillation tower model, implement efficiencies and size the column

Modeling Heat Exchangers

• Review the Aspen Plus models used for modeling Heat Exchangers
• Explore Activated Exchanger Analysis for heat exchanger design
• Workshop: Compare the simulation of a heat exchanger using three methods: two Heaters connected with a Heat stream, a Heater using a Utility, and a rigorous HeatX

Modeling Chemical Plant – Ethylene Oxide Production Workshop

• Apply acquired skills to build an Ethylene Oxide production flowsheet 
• Workshop: Create a flowsheet to model an Ethylene Oxide production process

Physical Properties

• Key considerations in choosing a property method and review physical property parameters
• Learn how to choose an appropriate Property Method to represent single chemical or mixture
• Workshop: Simulate a two-liquid phase settling tank 

Sensitivity Analysis

• Become familiar with referencing flowsheet variables (accessing variables) which is used in sensitivity analysis, design specifications, calculator blocks and optimization
• Use a sensitivity analysis to study relationships between process variables
• Workshop: Use a Sensitivity Analysis to Study the Effect of a Recycle on Reactor Composition

Design Specification

• Introduce the use of design specifications to meet process design requirements
• Workshop: Use a Design Specification to Set the Feed Composition to a Reactor

Calculator Blocks

• Introduce use of Microsoft Excel and Fortran Calculator blocks for flowsheet calculations.
• Workshop: Use a Calculator block to set Ethylene to CO2 conversion in a reactor

Modeling Reactors (Simple and Rigorous)

• Introduce the various classes of reactor models available
• Explore  details of the balanced based reactors
• Review details of the equilibrium and kinetic based reactors
• Workshop: Compare the uses of different reactor types to model an ethyl-acetate reactor

Modeling Pumps, Compressors, Valves and Pipes (Pressure Changers)

• Introduce unit operation models used to change pressure, such as Pumps and Compressors, and those which model pressure drop, such as Pipes and Valves
• Workshop: Add pressure changer unit operations to the Ethylene Oxide flowsheet

Improving Flowsheet Convergence

• Introduce the idea of convergence blocks, tear streams and flowsheet sequences
• Workshop: Converge a flowsheet and review results

Process Improvement with Activated Analysis

• Review Activated Energy Analysis and Activated Economic Analysis tools for process improvement
• Investigate opportunities to improve energy efficiency and carbon footprint of the Ethylene Oxide flowsheet
• Workshop: Perform a cost analysis on the Ethylene Oxide flowsheet using Activated Economic Analysis