SimSci Client Conference - October 14-17 in Dallas, TX

SimSci Client Conference

October 14-17, 2013

Hilton Anatole Hotel

Dallas, Texas

Invensys is pleased to announce the 2013 SimSci Client Conference and Technical Support Symposium to be held in Dallas, TX, October 14th- 17th. This year’s conference provides great value for everyone through shared success stories, new techniques and industry solutions, and information on our latest exciting releases.  Whether you are new to SimSci, or a long term veteran, this year’s conference will be the best ever.

Register Now

Reasons to Attend:

1. Value: Newer customers will see existing customers present on the value they are achieving with SimSci simulation software while existing customers can share their experiences and learn from others. 
2. Interaction: Do you have a design, simulation, or optimization question? Do you want ideas on how simulation can provide value? You will have the perfect opportunity to discuss it with our Product Experts on Tuesday and Wednesday and also learn a few new tricks in the free training sessions that they will conduct on Thursday.
3. See the Future: Not only will you learn what our software is doing today, but you will be shown what the future holds for our major products. How we envision the future may be much different than you can imagine. You can also talk to SimSci Product Managers about the specifics of their short-term product roadmaps. 
4. Network: Go beyond the office and network with other customers in a casual environment. Don't miss our reception hour and our dinner appreciation.

Topics will Include:

·       Product Roadmaps ·       Application Success Stories ·       Expanded Academic eProgram ·       Product Integration

·       New Feature Demonstrations ·       Partner Presentations ·       Project Justification ·       The Future of SimSci Products

Past Participants Include

·       BASF ·       Chart Industries ·       Chevron ·       DAELIM Industrial Co ·       ExxonMobil ·       Fossil Consulting ·       Inelectra

·       JGC Corporation ·       KBR ·       Nexen ·       Reliance ·       Samsung ·       Shell ·       SKEC

·       SRP ·       Suncor ·       Technip ·       TOTAL ·       Toyo ·       US DOE ·       Valero

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Line Sizing using PRO/II

Line Sizing using PRO/II

1.       Place a Pipe unit-op on the flowsheet and attach it with inlet and outlet stream.

2.       Select the units of measure, components and thermodynamics as required.

3.       Input the stream data.

4.       Double click on the Pipe unit-op to open its Data Entry Window and select the Line Sizing – Forward Calculation radio button.



5.       Click on Line/Fitting Data and enter the line or fitting data

         Click OK.

6.       Click on Line Sizing data and enter the required information

        The primary sizing criterion is based on pressure so enter either a maximum pressure drop or minimum outlet pressure. User can also change the Pipe Diameters that are used in sizing search and the maximum Average Fluid Velocity.

7.      Run the simulation and view results. There are many ways of viewing the results the below is a snapshot of results in html format.

About PRO/II: PRO/II is the major product in the Process Engineering Suite (PES). This process simulation software optimizes plant performance by improving process design, operational analysis, and performing engineering studies. It is designed to perform rigorous heat and material balance calculations for a wide range of chemical processes. PRO/II allows users to evaluate the use of heat integration with case studies, rigorously evaluate process improvements with the help of a process flow diagram (PFD), or model crude distillation units. PRO/II offers a wide variety of thermodynamic models to virtually every industry and is incredibly cost effective, decreasing both capital and operating costs.

Technical Support: As always, feel free to reach out to your local technical support team for more information.

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Customer Testimonial on the benefits of DYNSIM

Customer Evidence verified by TechValidate.

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Defining a base component for a kinetic reaction in PRO/II

Basically the BASE component has three functions:

(1) The basis for the specification of reaction conversion.
(2) Report conversion in the output report. Only the conversion of BASE component will be calculated and reported in output, in addition to the regular information-- feed, change, and product rates.
(3) User added kinetics

When user added kinetics (User added subroutine or inline procedure) is used, the reaction rate of component A from a particular reaction equation is calculated as:

Rate(A) = stoich coeff (A) / stoich coef (BASE) * user kinetic reaction rate of that particular reaction

Therefore, when PRO/II power law is used, the change of BASE component does not affect the solution. When user kinetics is used, the solution can be changed.

Presently, the above is valid only for reactor unit op. and not for reactive distillation. As per Richard Yu, when user kinetics is used the reactive distillation calculates the component reaction rate without the "stoich coeff (BASE)" term. This will be corrected. Starting from version 4.0 both reactor and reactive distillation will consistently use the above rate equation for user added kinetics.

About PRO/II: PRO/II is the major product in the Process Engineering Suite (PES). This process simulation software optimizes plant performance by improving process design, operational analysis, and performing engineering studies. It is designed to perform rigorous heat and material balance calculations for a wide range of chemical processes. PRO/II allows users to evaluate the use of heat integration with case studies, rigorously evaluate process improvements with the help of a process flow diagram (PFD), or model crude distillation units. PRO/II offers a wide variety of thermodynamic models to virtually every industry and is incredibly cost effective, decreasing both capital and operating costs.

Technical Support: As always, feel free to reach out to your local technical support team for more information.

Read More

SimSci Client Conference - October 14-17 in Dallas, TX

SimSci Client Conference

October 14-17, 2013

Hilton Anatole Hotel

Dallas, Texas

Invensys is pleased to announce the 2013 SimSci Client Conference and Technical Support Symposium to be held in Dallas, TX, October 14th- 17th. This year’s conference provides great value for everyone through shared success stories, new techniques and industry solutions, and information on our latest exciting releases.  Whether you are new to SimSci, or a long term veteran, this year’s conference will be the best ever.

Register Now

Reasons to Attend:

1. Value: Newer customers will see existing customers present on the value they are achieving with SimSci simulation software while existing customers can share their experiences and learn from others. 
2. Interaction: Do you have a design, simulation, or optimization question? Do you want ideas on how simulation can provide value? You will have the perfect opportunity to discuss it with our Product Experts on Tuesday and Wednesday and also learn a few new tricks in the free training sessions that they will conduct on Thursday.
3. See the Future: Not only will you learn what our software is doing today, but you will be shown what the future holds for our major products. How we envision the future may be much different than you can imagine. You can also talk to SimSci Product Managers about the specifics of their short-term product roadmaps. 
4. Network: Go beyond the office and network with other customers in a casual environment. Don't miss our reception hour and our dinner appreciation.

Topics will Include:

·       Product Roadmaps ·       Application Success Stories ·       Expanded Academic eProgram ·       Product Integration

·       New Feature Demonstrations ·       Partner Presentations ·       Project Justification ·       The Future of SimSci Products

Past Participants Include

·       BASF ·       Chart Industries ·       Chevron ·       DAELIM Industrial Co ·       ExxonMobil ·       Fossil Consulting ·       Inelectra

·       JGC Corporation ·       KBR ·       Nexen ·       Reliance ·       Samsung ·       Shell ·       SKEC

·       SRP ·       Suncor ·       Technip ·       TOTAL ·       Toyo ·       US DOE ·       Valero

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From Peak Oil: How Much Recoverable Oil Do We Have?

"Oil’s availability is of course of immediate concern to every driver, especially at a time when gasoline prices are high once again. The much greater concern, however, is whether we are reaching a limit where oil can no longer be recovered at prices consumers are willing to pay.

If something like that turns out to be true—a scenario that generally goes by the name of “peak oil”—then long-term economic growth may be constrained across the industrial world. At the same time, to look at the brighter side of the picture, long-term carbon emissions may be lower than previously projected."

Read the full article here.

Two points that I found interesting: 

1. "The Age of Unconventional Oil and Gas" I agree with this point - we are at a point where recovering and processing unconventional oil & gas will be important if want to continue to use oil as a fuel. 
2. "In effect, they suggest, [oil] prices have reached a level where consumers seek alternatives or conserve, rather than pay more; if oil prices go significantly higher, then the effect is to plunge the industrial world into recession, lowering demand." I am not sure what the price of gas is where you are, but it is still lower than it was last year for me, so I think that the price can increase a little, but I think we are close to that price point. 

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Join SimSci related groups on LinkedIn

Join SimSci  related groups on LinkedIn

• SimSci (245 members - and growing rapidly)
• PRO/II Users Group (1,074 members - our largest and most active group)
• PIPEPHASE Users Group (69 members - our smallest group - but with highly dedicated members)
• DYNSIM Users (336 members - be #337)
• ROMeo Users (668 members - - think of all the insight that is shared in this group)

Which goups are you going to join?

Or connect with me (Joseph McMullen) on LinkedIn - I regularly post updates for all SimSci software!
If you have an idea for a blog post, please let me know!

All groups have discussions from users, new release announcements, and technical tips!

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From DownStream Today: Biggest U.S. oil refinery stumbles after fire

"PORT ARTHUR, Texas, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A fire at the largest oil refinery in the United States has knocked out more than half of its output for at least two weeks, the latest in a string of mishaps following a $10-billion expansion at the Motiva plant in Port Arthur, Texas." Read the full article here

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TechValidate Case Study - Example from our current survey!

Customer Survey verified by TechValidate.

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TechValidate Survey for process simulation design users!

8/21/2013

As I mentioned in a blog post yesterday, the Invensys team is conducting a customer research survey, in conjunction with TechValidate, about real-world usage of SimSci simulation software for process design.

It's a quick 10-question survey. Your participation is important. 

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact me, Joseph McMullen, SimSci Product Marketing Manager at Invensys, at joseph.mcmullen@invensys.com.

Thanks,
Joseph McMullen
SimSci Product Marketing Manager

Click to Take Our Quick 10-Question Survey

Why Participate? 

Reward Drawing
We'll enter you in a monthly drawing for a Visa debit card (or a charitable donation on your behalf). You can read the full rules here.

Anonymity Guarantee
We take your privacy seriously. All responses remain anonymous, unless you specifically say it's ok to use your name.

Provide Direct, Valuable Feedback to Invensys
Your contributions help Invensys improve its product and provide valuable insights into real-world usage for all to see.

Access to Exclusive Research
Survey respondents have access to exclusive TechValidate research about how other organizations are using Invensys SimSci.

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Guest Blogger Wanted

Are you interested in process simulation software? Do you use SimSci simulation software? Do you have something to say? Use my blog as a platform to let your voice be heard.

I am looking for a few people within Invensys and outside of Invensys who are willing to be guest bloggers. We have over 95,000 views, and average 250-300 views/day now.

I’d like to offer our readers a forum to present their ideas and opinions on how to improve process simulations. All you need to do is to send your article to me, and I’ll attribute it to you & post it on their behalf - provided it is appropriate and relevant to our readers.

Please let me know if you are interested!

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From Hydrocarbon Processing: Asian refined product market pressured by weaker demand, excess supply

Asia's light distillates market is weighed down by excess supply, with naphtha differentials under pressure although demand fundamentals remain largely stable. Gasoline demand, however, tapered off following a seasonal increase during the festival month of Ramadan. read the full article here.

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TechValidate Survey for SimSci Design Clients

8/20/2013

I'm writing to let you know that Invensys is doing a project with TechValidate, a 3rd-party research service. On our behalf, TechValidate will be emailing you in the next 24-48 hours with a short (5 minutes or less) survey about your experiences with SimSci Simulation software. In this first survey we will only be targeting our customers who use our software for design. You will either be getting and email directly from TechValidate, or from me directly. In the future we will also be surveying our OTS and Optimization customers.If you don't get an email and would still like to take the survey, I will post the link tomorrow.

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact me, Joseph McMullen, SimSci Product Marketing Manager, at joseph.mcmullen@invensys.com.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Joseph McMullen
SimSci Product Marketing Manager

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Can the flooding and weeping limits of a column be calculated?

Column rating will give you flooding factor and approach to flooding but there is no way to get any information on weeping.


About PRO/II: PRO/II is the major product in the Process Engineering Suite (PES). This process simulation software optimizes plant performance by improving process design, operational analysis, and performing engineering studies. It is designed to perform rigorous heat and material balance calculations for a wide range of chemical processes. PRO/II allows users to evaluate the use of heat integration with case studies, rigorously evaluate process improvements with the help of a process flow diagram (PFD), or model crude distillation units. PRO/II offers a wide variety of thermodynamic models to virtually every industry and is incredibly cost effective, decreasing both capital and operating costs.

Technical Support: As always, feel free to reach out to your local technical support team for more information.

Read More

2014 GCC Presentation: "An Online Ammonium Bisulfide Analyzer for Improved Refinery Corrosion Control"

Are you going to the Gulf Coast Conference?

Invensys will be there, and are excited to be presenting with Phillips 66 on An Online Ammonium Bisulfide Analyzer.

Gulf Coast Conference

Tuesday - Wednesday

OCT 15-16, 2013

Moody Gardens Convention Center

One Hope Blvd.

Galveston Texas, 77554

Here are the details of the presentation:

An Online Ammonium Bisulfide Analyzer for Improved Refinery Corrosion Control

Steve Newland, Phillips 66
Joe Fillion, Invensys



Ammonium Bisulfide (ABS) is a byproduct of hydrotreating and hydrocracking processes in refineries. ABS concentration is an important predictor of refinery sour water corrosiveness, which is known to cause expensive and even catastrophic failures. The most serious issues involve the reactor effluent air coolers, where reported failures within the industry have led to fatalities, injuries, and costly shutdowns. The recently developed ammonium bisulfide analyzer has set a new standard for ABS measurement by providing accurate, precise, and real-time monitoring of refinery sour water systems. This improved measurement capability offers better corrosion control along with opportunities for process optimization, waste water minimization and reduces exposure of personnel to hazardous hydrogen sulfide.

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Looking Ahead: The Commercialization of Algal Biofuel

Today's blog post on Biofuel is the second in a series of post by Alevinia Wang, an intern at Invensys. Alevinia studied biofuels at Washington State University.

Looking Ahead: The Commercialization of Algal Biofuel 

by Alevinia Wang

The ubiquitous single celled aquatic plants known as microalgae thrive in both freshwater and marine ecosystems system and are very efficient at converting sunlight into energy through the photosynthetic process. Their efficient use of sunlight and ability to reproduce rapidly allows them to monopolize the majority of aquatic resources in their local environment. These so called ‘’algal blooms’’ can jeopardize the eco-balance in aquatic systems but it is this rapid increase in biomass that has researchers excited to utilize microalgae in biofuel production. An additional benefit of this innovative energy source is that the algae naturally consume CO2 as part of photosynthesis thus diminishing the negative impact on the environment.

Fig.1 Green Gasoline: Drop in fuel derived from microalgae (photo credit: WATER PHAPSODY)

Compared to other biomass candidates, microalgae require less arable land than terrestrial plants. This lack of competition for arable land and the non-edible nature of microalgae keeps it away from the controversy of sacrificing food supply for energy. In addition, microalgae do not only grow in clean, fresh water, they can also survive in waste and polluted water. Algae have been employed in wastewater treatment on a commercial scale for years. Furthermore, unicellular microalgae are a better candidate for genetic modification by genetic engineering than more complex plants. Scientists are able to produce genetically modified ‘’superior algae’’ that are more productive and thus a more economically viable fuel stock.

There are still some challenges facing the commercial usage biofuel. Compared to traditional fuel production, microalgae-derived fuel is not economically attractive to crude oil giants. Also, the removal of intracellular and intercellular water content requires higher capital costs in contrast to other biomass fuel stocks. The production of biodiesel, the most widely used biofuel, is energy-intensive, particularly the distillation/separation of biodiesel products from unwanted alcohols and sugars. In addition, the amount of co-produced glycerol, is expected to surpass industry needs, further weakening economic feasibility for biofuel production from microalgae.

Despite the challenges, people are still exploring new ways of commercializing agal fuel. A combination of reduced capital costs, higher yield rates, and market controls may soon lead to greater use of microalgae-driven fuel in future.

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Interesting developments in Mexico - from Hydrocarbon Processing: Mexico unveils plan to overhaul oil, gas industry

Mexico unveils plan to overhaul oil, gas industry
MEXICO CITY -- Mexico moved to end the country's 75-year-old monopoly on oil and gas production, potentially opening up some of the world's biggest remaining untapped oil reserves to private companies and setting the stage for a new energy boom on the US doorstep.
The government on Monday unveiled a bill to change the constitution to let it partner with private companies to find and produce oil and gas in a country that is the third biggest supplier of crude to the US and has the world's fourth biggest reserves of shale gas. read the full article here

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Will you be at MEPEC 2013 in Bahrain? Invensys will!

For the second year in a row Invensys is a platinum sponsor for MEPEC. 

In 2012, Invensys received the best booth award - can we repeat in 2013?

Join us at booth number 266 where we have 60 square meter booth showcasing all our latest software and advanced applications offerings
Other highlights for our participation at MEPEC:

• Franco Restelli, President EMEA, Invensys will be chairing one of the sessions on Innovation and Technology Development on October 1
• We are presenting 3 papers and one paper jointly with a customer.:

1. "Empowering the Edge – The Role of Scorecards to Support Execution of Mission Critical Business Processes in High Performance Organizations" by Dr Martin Turk
2. "Chasing the Moving Horizon - Enabling Refineries to Maximise Margin by Enabling Processing of Challenged Crudes while Meeting Changing Market Demand and Minimising Costs" by Roy Calder
3. "Accurate Assessmet of Safety Relief Systems Through the Use of Process Simulation Tools" by Aravind Ramachandran and Ataurrehman Qureshi

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What are the units of Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP)?

What are the units of RVP?
Regardless of the pressure dimensions specified, Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) will come out in PSI, not PSIA or PSIG, because it is a differential pressure.

Note: This is not consistent with D323-82 which indicates the final pressure should be absolute. Prior versions were analyzed as differential pressure and we decided to continue the older RVP reporting methods.

About PRO/II: PRO/II is the major product in the Process Engineering Suite (PES). This process simulation software optimizes plant performance by improving process design, operational analysis, and performing engineering studies. It is designed to perform rigorous heat and material balance calculations for a wide range of chemical processes. PRO/II allows users to evaluate the use of heat integration with case studies, rigorously evaluate process improvements with the help of a process flow diagram (PFD), or model crude distillation units. PRO/II offers a wide variety of thermodynamic models to virtually every industry and is incredibly cost effective, decreasing both capital and operating costs.

Technical Support: As always, feel free to reach out to your local technical support team for more information.

Read More

From Hydrocarbon Processing: EPA likely to lower US renewable fuels mandate

Continuing our reccent theme on Biofuels: 

"The EPA plans to reduce the volume of renewable fuel that refiners must blend into the US gasoline supply, a move that could shrink markets for ethanol and other products." read full article here

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Simulation Design of Bioethanol Production

Global production of biofuels is increasing in response to worldwide demand. Simulation software aids not only in the design of environmentally friendly and safe processes, but also helps reduce capital and operating costs. Simulation software provides the functionality and flexibility required to model high fidelity biofuel processes with integrated correlations and reaction models. Process simulation software can be used to improve heat recovery processes, reconcile data, and verify operating conditions. Simulation software contributes to efficient and safe process design. Use of simulation software for the design of biofuels processes is good not only for the environment, but also for the bottom line.

Several technology demonstration plants have been built and operated to verify technical feasibility and economic viability of the technology in the current energy market.  Ethanol is an important additive to oxygenate gasoline, and increase the octane rating in light of the recent ban on the MTBE additive. Ethanol can be produced from various bio-mass sources, such as: corn fiber, sugar cane bagasse, grain straws, wood and paper wastes.  The main technologies for these processes include: thermo-chemical pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation via a variety of natural and recombinant microbes, and distillation. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) provides funding and technology transfer packages to assist the private sector in creating the needed biomass to ethanol capability.

Computer simulation is an essential tool in the design and economic analysis of new bio-ethanol technologies. This paper will discuss the use of simulation software in the simulation of a bio-ethanol process based on the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Bio-ethanol Pilot Plant design (1).  This simulation includes material recycles and thermal integration, as well as techniques to customize unit operations and integrate user created models of the hydrolysis and fermentation processes. For more information, please download the white paper on this subject HERE.

References:

(1)    http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy00osti/28397.pdf

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From DownstreamToday: US Refiners, Plagued by RINsanity, See 'Half Step' on Biofuels

"NEW YORK, Aug 7 (Reuters) - For U.S. refiners facing a multibillion-dollar bill linked to the soaring cost of renewable fuel credits, a U.S. move toward easing biofuel mandates brought to mind the first step in breaking a bad habit: recognizing there is a problem." read the full article here

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PRO/II Flash Point Calculations and Results

Flash point can be calculated by the Nelson method (FLPOINT=NELSON) or by the Pensky-Martens method (FLPOINT=API).  Nelson is the
default.  The designation of the calculation method is given on the thermo METHOD statement.  See chapter 27 of the PRO/II Keyword Input Manual. 

Flash point is printed in the refinery processor stream report.  It is also available for user defined formats for stream reports.  You can also retrieve it with a calculator.

About PRO/II: PRO/II is the major product in the Process Engineering Suite (PES). This process simulation software optimizes plant performance by improving process design, operational analysis, and performing engineering studies. It is designed to perform rigorous heat and material balance calculations for a wide range of chemical processes. PRO/II allows users to evaluate the use of heat integration with case studies, rigorously evaluate process improvements with the help of a process flow diagram (PFD), or model crude distillation units. PRO/II offers a wide variety of thermodynamic models to virtually every industry and is incredibly cost effective, decreasing both capital and operating costs.

Technical Support: As always, feel free to reach out to your local technical support team for more information.

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From Hydrocarbon Processing: KBR wins FEED work to raise US refinery's capacity to handle heavy crudes

"KBR wins FEED work to raise US refinery's capacity to handle heavy crudes

During the feasibility phase, KBR’s expertise will focus on determining the optimum economic configuration to increase overall heavy crude processing capability and flexibility. The refinery currently processes light sweet crudes and aims to take advantage of fluctuations in the crude oil pricing market."

Read the full article here

And guess who KBR uses to model heavy oils in their refining designs? 

Yes, SimSci simulation software!

Shouldn't you be using it to model heavy oils as well?

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SSE Success Story – Power Generation

Keadby Power Station, which is operated by SSE, one of the largest energy companies in the United Kingdom, was in desperate need of updating its control system.
Invensys was able to provide the plant with an upgraded solution. Not only did the upgrade help SSE achieve its technical objectives, plant management was extremely pleased with the simulation solutions that Invensys supplied them with. To learn more, click here.

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Biofuel: A Renewable Solution for Future Energy Demand by Alevinia Wang

Today's blog post on Biofuel is the first in a series of post by Alevinia Wang, an intern at Invensys. Alevinia studied biofuels at Washington State University.

Biofuel: A Renewable Solution for Future Energy Demand 

by Alevinia Wang

The world’s current energy needs are being met primarily with ‘’fossil-fuels’’ which are non-renewable and the use of which creates the majority of the worlds pollution.  Advancements in technology and political regulations have helped curb the environmental impacts of fossil fuel use but it is impossible to escape the eventuality of

simply running out.  As the famed economist Herbert Stein once said, ‘’If something cannot go on forever, it will stop’’.

The solution to this inevitability is Biofuel.  Biofuel is derived from living organisms (biomass) whereas fossil fuel consists of decomposed relics of ancient biomass.  Both Biofuel and Fossil Fuel are energy dense as a result of carbon fixation, however, the obvious difference between the two is the required time of formation (see Figure 1).  Fossil fuel requires many millions of years to form thus making fossil fuel feedstocks (coal, crude oil, and natural gas) non-renewable for all practical purposes.  Biofuel on the other hand is considered renewable because its ‘’cradle to grave’’ energy life cycle can be achieved in months, and is reproduced via photosynthesis and industrial bio-engineering processes.  Furthermore, the photosynthesis required to produce Biofuel effectively recycles the CO2 that is produced during its end use (its conversion to energy).

Thus a significant net reduction of CO₂ emissions is anticipated when compared to traditional fuel sources.  A carbon neutral cycle can be achieved by balancing the CO₂ emission rate and biofuel production capacity.  The implementation and promotion of biofuel will relieve the economic and environmental stressors caused by fossil fuel depletion, reduce dependency on foreign crude oil importation, and will improve the sustainability of society. 

As biomass is also a primary resource for food production, the question arises: Must we replace a portion our food supply for energy production? The answer is no, not necessarily. The biomass sources can vary widely. Biofuel can be obtained from non-edible organic matter (such as wood chips, microalgae and grasses) and even animal waste.

Despite the wide variety and abundance of biomass resources and the reduction in carbon footprint, biofuel has faced a series of challenges. The greatest issue is the photosynthetic efficiency of plants themselves. Only 47% of the sunlight can be absorbed and utilized by green plants while green light, UV, and IR irradiation is by-passed. In addition, photosynthesis works most effectively in low light-intensity, it reaches its saturated status at about 20% of averaged sunlight intensity. The improvement of photosynthetic efficiency relies on the understanding of the fundamental mechanism of photosynthesis and process coupling in biomass cultivation.

We can conclude that Biofuel is a potential viable option that can ease our thirst for fossil fuel. In order for that to happen, however, the photosynthetic efficiency of the biomass needs to be improved through scientific and industrial efforts. Biofuel production is also the art of thermochemical process by subunit cooperation. Simulation of these processes can help researchers optimize each stage and achieve state-of-the-art levels of efficiency

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Linking Downstream and Upstream with the PRO/II – PIPEPHASE interface

The PRO/II – PIPEPHASE interface is a stand-alone graphical user interface that allows PIPEPHASE simulations to interface with PRO/II simulations. The interface allows bi-directional transfer
of data between simulations, as well as simultaneous solution of the simulation models, which means that recycles between flowsheets can be rigorously handled. The interface can also be used to transfer data from PRO/II to PRO/II and PIPEPHASE to PIPEPHASE simulations, which enables large simulations to be broken down into more manageable flowsheets.

About PRO/II: PRO/II is the major product in the Process Engineering Suite (PES). This process simulation software optimizes plant performance by improving process design, operational analysis, and performing engineering studies. It is designed to perform rigorous heat and material balance calculations for a wide range of chemical processes. PRO/II allows users to evaluate the use of heat integration with case studies, rigorously evaluate process improvements with the help of a process flow diagram (PFD), or model crude distillation units. PRO/II offers a wide variety of thermodynamic models to virtually every industry and is incredibly cost effective, decreasing both capital and operating costs.

About PIPEPHASE: PIPEPHASE is part of its Upstream Optimization Suite solution from Invensys. It is currently being used by the world’s leading oil and gas producing companies to increase production. PIPEPHASE is a steady state, multiphase fluid flow simulation solution for rigorous modeling of gathering networks and pipeline systems. This solution can model applications ranging from single well sensitivity analyses of key parameters, to a multi-year planning study for an entire production field. It is improving profitability and performance in companies across the globe.

Technical Support: As always, feel free to reach out to your local technical support team for more information.

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Top distillation column simulation posts on www.simulationots.blogspot.com

Over the history of this blog we have posted many times on distillation columns, and how best to simulate them. Below is a collection of those blog posts.I hope that you find them useful. Most of the post are specific to PRO/II, but are applicable to process simulation software in general. 

• What is ALPHA in distillation column algorithms?
• 10 Most Common Pitfalls in Process Simulation #9: Assay Pseudo-Component Development
• Initial Estimates for Columns in PRO/II
• What are the differences between the Initial Estimate Generators (IEG) (CONV, REFI, SIMP, CHEM)?
• What are the major differences between the rigorous distillation column algorithms?
• Which column algorithm should I use for my application?
• When should the shortcut column be used? What information is obtained?
• Import PRO/II Column Data into KG-Tower
• Attaching a Heat Exchanger to a Column
• Column with an External Reboiler
• Adding rigorous heat exchangers to columns in PRO/II
• How do I set up a column spec or variable that requires a mathematical operator
• Column Pumparound duties in PRO/II
• Here are the answers to your distillation questions (Answers to customer questions on the blog)
• Crude Column Optimization Webinar Recording

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Why choose SimSci Simulation Software?

Trusted Simulation Partner Since 1967 

SimSci simulation software is a superior set of professional tools for process design, simulation & operator training, and process optimization that have been improved & tailored to solve customer problems since 1967. SimSci development has continuously produced innovative solutions to deal with emerging trends for the entire process industry value chain. Combined with a focus on the refining and petrochemical businesses, there is not a supplier out there that can offer customers a wider breath of innovative simulation, operator training, and optimization software technology that enables enhanced performance and increased profitability.

The key to the success of SimSci software is the close partnership with customers, which enables collaboration and the ability to leverage the best available knowledge in the industry. These partnerships also enable licensing flexibility that makes SimSci the partner of choice for most industry leading firms. SimSci simulation software provides tremendous sustainable value to customers, yielding a quick return on investment, and continuous engagement with consultants, technical suppliers and delivery.

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