Aspen Plus: Process Modeling

Course Id:  EAP101   |   Duration:  3.00 day(s)   |   CEUs Awarded:  2.1   |   Level:  Introductory

Course Objective

  • Learn how to build flowsheet simulation models to analyze steady-state processes using Aspen Plus.
  • Learn how to simulate and troubleshoot the basic Unit Operation models and full process models.
  • Develop the foundation skills for process design, debottlenecking, and optimization.

Course Overview

  • Develop the skills and techniques required for modeling new and existing processes in steady state.
  • Build and troubleshoot flowsheet simulations with distillation columns, reactors, heat exchangers, pressure changers, and separators.
  • Reduce process design time by evaluating various plant configurations.
  • Determine optimal process conditions for new or existing processes and help de-bottleneck processes.

Benefits

  • Gain the practical skills and knowledge to begin modeling new and existing processes.
  • Learn some practical techniques for building and troubleshooting flowsheet simulations.
  • Reduce process design time by testing various plant configurations.
  • Determine optimal process conditions to improve current processes.

Audience

  • Engineers new to Aspen Plus who need basic training to get started Aspen Custom Modeler®
  • Users who need exposure to steady-state simulation as preparation for using Aspen Plus Dynamics®

Approach

  • Instruction on basic topics.
  • Discussion about the general approach and the key elements for successful simulations.
  • Instructor-guided demonstrations of features.
  • Hands-on workshops that apply learned concepts.
  • Detailed course notes and answer keys.

Prerequisites

A background in chemical engineering or industrial chemistry

Subsequent Courses

  • EAP201 Aspen Plus: Physical Properties for Process Engineers
  • EAP2211 Modeling Processes with Equation Oriented Methods using Aspen Plus
  • EAP2411 Improved Process Operability and Control Through Aspen Plus Dynamic Models
  • EAP301 Aspen Plus: Real Time Modeling and Optimization

Class Schedule

Class Agenda

EAP101: Aspen Plus: Process Modeling

  • 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
    • User Interface Become comfortable and familiar with the Aspen Plus graphical user interface
    • Property 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: Begin building a flowsheet - Enter components and property method 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: Finish building a flowsheet - Add the process and feed stream conditions to a flowsheet, run and review results Unit Operation Models
  • Review major types of unit operation models
    • Explore flowsheet handling techniques Modeling Distillation Tower (RadFrac) 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 - Cyclohexane Production
    • Workshop Apply acquired skills to build a cyclohexane production flowsheet
    • Workshop: Create a flowsheet to model a cyclohexane production process
  • 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 cyclohexane flowsheet
    • Workshop: Perform a cost analysis on the cyclohexane flowsheet using Activated Economic Analysis 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 the recycle flowrate on the reactor duty Design Specification
    • Introduce the use of design specifications to meet process design requirements
    • Workshop: Use a design specification in the example flowsheet to fix the heat load on the reactor by varying the recycle flowrate Calculator Blocks
  • Introduce use of Microsoft Excel and Fortran Calculator blocks for flowsheet calculations
    • Workshop: Use a Calculator block to maintain the methane: water ratio in the feed to a reformer 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, Compressors, Pipes and Valves
    • Workshop: Evaluate compressor performance at different flowrates Improving Flowsheet Convergence Introduce the idea of convergence blocks, tear streams and flowsheet sequences
    • Workshop: Converge a flowsheet and review results

Aspen Technology, Inc. awards Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for training classes conducted by our organization. One CEU is granted for every 10 hours of class participation.