Aspen Plus: Real Time Modeling and Optimization

Learn how to do real time optimization using the Equation Oriented (EO) strategy and how to tune models using real-time data and parameter estimation and data reconciliation. Learn to solve large flowsheets quickly using the EO approach. Increase confidence in the plant measurements using parameter estimation and data reconciliation.

Audience:

  • Simulation engineers involved in design and/or in real-time optimization
  • Engineers currently using earlier versions of Aspen Plus and migrating to version V8.0
  • Process engineers, Process managers, Control engineers and System integrators

Training Details

  • Course Id:

    EAP301

  • Duration:

    4 day(s)

  • CEUs Awarded:

    2.8

  • Level:

    Advanced

Benefits

  • Improve plant performance by learning to set up optimization problems in Aspen Plus and solve these models to determine the optimum conditions in "offline mode"
  • Improve productivity by the ability to solve large flowsheets quickly using the Equation Oriented (EO) approach
  • Increase confidence in the plant measurements by the ability to set up parameter estimation and data reconciliation problems
  • Implement Online Optimization projects efficiently using Aspen OnLine
  • Learn “Best Practices” for building and maintaining RTO projects
  • Enhance business value of your software by understanding and utilizing appropriate features

Approach

  • Instruction on basic and advanced topics presented by an instructor with a wealth of experience in Aspen Plus Optimization solutions
  • Instructor-guided demonstrations of features within Aspen Plus to show how to build procedures and configure flowsheets
  • Hands-on workshops that apply learned concepts
  • Detailed course notes

Pre-requisites

  • Must have attended EAP101 Aspen Plus: Process Modeling training course if new to AspenTech modeling/simulation products
  • Basic understanding of optimization concepts is necessary

Subsequent Courses

APC101 Introduction to Advanced Process Control
APC240 Advanced Process Control Application Development and Online Deployment

Agenda


Introduction
  • Introduce Real Time Optimization using Aspen Plus V8.0

Closed-Form vs. Open-Form Models
  • Discuss features of closed form and open form models
  • Describe and contrast different Modeling Strategies
  • Open- and closed-form models
  • Sequential Modular (SM) and Equation Oriented (EO) flow sheeting

Process Simulation with Aspen Plus
  • Explore the Aspen Plus graphical user interface
  • Review the fundamentals of SM simulation
  • Describe the information flow related to flowsheet simulators
  • Review the startup procedure for the Aspen Plus User Interface (APUI)
  • Review the basic menus available in Aspen Plus
  • Workshop #1: to familiarize build and run a SM flowsheet model

EO Workflow
  • Specify EO models, EO options, and variable structure
  • Describe the workflow involved in running an Aspen Plus EO model
  • Describe the EO synchronization process
  • Workshop #2: Demonstrate the use of the Aspen Plus Control Panel for solving a simulation model using both the SM and EO solution strategies

EO Modes and Variables
  • Examine EO Variables form and create queries
  • Identify and explain the four EO solution modes
  • Describe EO variables and their attributes

EO Models
  •  List the supported EO models
  •  Identify and explain the EO Options form in Aspen Plus
  •  Describe the stream structure in Aspen Plus EO
  •  Discuss EO flash usage in Aspen Plus
  •  Review the PetroFrac distillation tower forms in Aspen Plus
  •  Describe the use of the EO APStrm block

EO Variables Form
  •  Describe the EO Variables form
  •  Identify and explain the use of queries
  •  Workshop #3: Work with EO variables, their attributes, and the effect of stream connections on variable specifications

Non-Zero Components, Flowsheet Sections and Component Mapper
  •  Explain the concept of Non-zero components
  •  Define the concept of flowsheet sections
  •  Describe the use of the RYield model for component mapping
  •  Workshop #4: Define components groups for different flowsheet sections and use a component mapper to reduce the component slate for a flowsheet section

Heater Blocks and Specification Groups
  •  Describe the use of the Heater model in Aspen Plus EO
  •  Identify and explain the concept of Specification Groups and the corresponding form in Aspen Plus
  •   Workshop #5: Add a propylene refrigeration system to the existing model and change the specifications of variables using Specification Groups

HXFlux Model and Connections
  •  Define an HXFlux Model and connections to heat integrate a plant mode
  •  Describe the use of the HXFlux model for heat transfer rate calculations
  •  Demonstrate the configuration of EO connections
  •  Workshop #6: Add a HXFlux model and establish a user-defined EO connection

Measurements
  •  Identify and explain the use of the measurement model
  •  Enter data for a Measurement model
  •  Demonstrate the use of the measurement model and its role in simple parameter estimation
  •  Workshop #7: Add measurements to the flowsheet model, manipulate the measurement model variable specifications, and run a simple parameter estimation

Running PML Models
  •  Use Process Model Library (PML) models for special calculations
  •  Discuss the use of PML models in Aspen Plus flowsheets
  •  Describe the configuration requirements for PML models
  •  Workshop #8: Add PML TrayDP models and connect them to the C2S distillation tower model
  •  Using Hierarchies
  •  Introduce unit operation models used to change pressure, such as Pumps and Compressors, and those which model Identify and explain the use of hierarchy blocks in Aspen Plus
  •  Create Hierarchies to manage large projects
  •  Discuss project execution workflow and the role of hierarchy blocks
  •  Discuss the impact of stream crossing hierarchy boundaries
  •  Show examples of the use of hierarchies
  •  Workshop #9: Become familiar with exporting and working with hierarchies

Parameter Estimation
  •  Discuss the principles of parameter estimation
  •  Demonstrate the impact of accurate parameterization on model behavior
  •  Identify and explain the concept of Meas-Param pairing
  •  Discuss the most common specifications for measurement variables and their role in parameter estimation
  •  Workshop #10:  Configure and perform a typical parameter estimation case run

Data Reconciliation
  •  Contrast data reconciliation with parameter estimation
  •  Set up Data Reconciliation and Parameter Estimation problems to improve the confidence in plant measurements
  •  Define the steps involved in creating a reconciliation problem
  •  Describe the configuration of a least squares objective function for use in reconciliation runs
  •  Workshop #11: Configure and perform data reconciliation

Optimization
  •  Describe the steps required to create an optimization problem
  •  Show how to define an Objective function in the Aspen Plus GUI
  •  Set up an economic objective function and solve an Optimization case to maximize plant profit
  •  Workshop #12: Define an economic objective function for the model and use it to perform optimization in the EO solution strategy

Miscellaneous Topics
  •  Discuss miscellaneous topics, including:
  •  Importing and exporting EO variables
  •  Including and excluding blocks
  •  Sensitivity analysis
  •  Options for adding user calculations
  •  OOMF Scripting language
  •  Script files (.EBS files)

Aspen OnLine: Overview
  •  Learn the workflow for online implementation of real-time optimization projects using Aspen OnLine
  •  Provide an introduction to the Aspen OnLine software
  •  Describe the use of the Aspen OnLine Project Manager application
  •  Describe the steps for preparing your model for execution under Aspen OnLine
  •  Workshop #13: Create an Aspen OnLine Project and prepare a model for use under Aspen OnLine

Aspen OnLine: The Client GUI
  •  Become familiar with the Aspen OnLine graphical user interface
  •  Describe the use of the Aspen OnLine Client GUI for RTO models
  •  Discuss the use of the Aspen Online Control Panel form and the Data Browser forms
  •  Discuss the configuration of tags and connecting them to EO model variables
  •  Workshop #14: Configure a model with input and output tags, and schedule and run a Parameter Estimation case under Aspen OnLine
  •  Aspen OnLine: Optimization and Setpoint Implementation
  •  Describe the inputs and outputs for the Optimization case
  •  Describe the inputs and puts for the ramper module
  •  Discuss the Aspen Online GUI forms used to configure them

Aspen OnLine: Steady State Detection
  •  Discuss the configuration of steady state detection and the algorithms available in Aspen OnLine
  •  Aspen OnLine: Generic Validity Checking
  •  Discuss the features that are available for validity checking for the parameter estimation case in Aspen OnLine
  •  Discuss the features availability for validity checking for the Optimization case in Aspen OnLine
  •  Discuss the solution implementation module for sending optimized targets out to the Advanced Control system (Ramper module)
  •  Workshop #15: Configure AOL to run an Optimization case on the C2S column using the Optimization case validity checking routine

Aspen OnLine: Case History
  •  Discuss the importing and exporting of configuration information into Aspen OnLine from text files
  •  Discuss the configuration of the case history system that is embedded in the Aspen OnLine software
  •  Workshop #16: Use a case history directory to repeat an online case execution 

Register for a Class

Date Class Type Location Price Language
Date(s): 11/18/2025 - 11/21/2025 Type: Public Classroom Location: 2500 Citywest Blvd, Suite 1600
Houston , Texas USA 77042 		Price: (USD) 4000.00 Language: English Register
Date(s): 11/18/2025 - 11/21/2025 Type: Public Virtual Location: Virtual-Americas Price: (USD) 4000.00 Language: English Register
Date(s): 11/17/2025 - 11/20/2025 Type: Public Virtual Location: Virtual-EMEA Price: (USD) 4000.00 Language: English Register
Date(s): 02/16/2026 - 02/19/2026 Type: Public Virtual Location: Virtual-EMEA Price: (USD) 4000.00 Language: English Register
Date(s): 05/18/2026 - 05/21/2026 Type: Public Virtual Location: Virtual-EMEA Price: (USD) 4000.00 Language: English Register
Date(s): 03/3/2026 - 03/6/2026 Type: Public Virtual Location: Virtual-Americas Price: (USD) 4000.00 Language: English Register
Date(s): 06/9/2026 - 06/12/2026 Type: Public Virtual Location: Virtual-Americas Price: (USD) 4000.00 Language: English Register
Date(s): 03/3/2026 - 03/6/2026 Type: Public Classroom Location: 2500 Citywest Blvd, Suite 1600
Houston , Texas USA 77042 		Price: (USD) 4000.00 Language: English Register
Date(s): 06/9/2026 - 06/12/2026 Type: Public Classroom Location: 2500 Citywest Blvd, Suite 1600
Houston , Texas USA 77042 		Price: (USD) 4000.00 Language: English Register

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.