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Problem Statement: What prediction is used to calculate the prediction bias for a dynamics Infernetial Quality Controller? | Solution: A prediction bias for a steady state IQ is the difference between the lab sample and the average of the predictions starting from the sample time minus the offset and history interval.
For dynamics IQ, the prediction bias is the difference between the analyzer value and the next cycle prediction. There is ... |
Problem Statement: How large can the file event.dat grow while buffering data when an Aspen InfoPlus.21 repository is paused or stopped? | Solution: The Standard C runtime I/O library only supports two GByte files. The file pointer used in the historian and passed to these I/O calls is a signed 32 bit integer. This gives it a range from -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647, or two GBytes.
Once the file reaches two GBytes, Aspen InfoPlus.21 discards new data.
K... |
Problem Statement: When trying to test a configuration, Aspen Batch and Event Extractor fails with the following error message:
Error with custom load table object to AtExtractorAPI_B21.AtXTBL_B21 -> B21_LoadDesignator: B21BAI-60244: Invalid Data source name | Solution: In order to be able to run the Extractor Configuration Test Tool, user needs to create in the Aspen Production Record Manager Administrator a batch data source called "TEST_DATASOURCE" and an area called "TEST_B21_AREA".
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article discusses whether or not the Gas Compressibility Factor for Products defined as Type LPG
can realistically use the default value for the Gas Compressibility Factor (Z), for performing vapor phase calculations in
AORA (Aspen Operations Reconciliation and Accounting) Model R... | Solution: When a Product in your AORA Model is defined to be of Type LPG, then the amount of gas material present in the vapor space
of the Pressurized Tank will be calculated and its corresponding Vapor Mass then added to the Total Mass of the LPG Liquid,
which was calculated from the "Corrected" (Net Standard) Liquid... |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article explains why the following error can be returned when a user
attempts to use the Aspen Operations Reconciliation and Accounting (AORA) Excel Add-In
to Import Tank Inventory Readings or Pipe Flow Meter Readings or Lab Instrument Readings.
UOM Incorrect Type or Not Found in ... | Solution: The Error Message mentioned above is generated because the Unit of Measure (UOM) specified for the Tank Inventory, Pipe Flow Meter, and/or Lab
Instrument Readings in the AORA Advisor Excel Add-In does Not MATCH a UOM Type defined in Aspen Advisor or the UOM Type is incorrect for the UOM.
To Check the UOM Ty... |
Problem Statement: When accessing a Microsoft Access database located on a remote node, a query returns the error:
Failed to connect to link ODBCLinkName: [Microsoft][ODBC Microsoft Access Driver] ‘(unknown)’ is not a valid path. Make sure that the path name is spelled correctly and that you are connected to the serve... | Solution: Aspen SQLplus expects fully qualified UNC path names pointing to Microsoft Access databases on remote nodes; however, Microsoft’s ODBC Administrator requires you to create a network drive to reference the database.
Use the Microsoft ODBC 32-bit Data Source Administrator to create an ODBC data source name poin... |
Problem Statement: When a configuration is scheduled to extract data between a Start and End Time using the Batch Extractor program with an ORACLE database, the time stamp format used in Aspen Extractor does not work in the ORACLE database.
In the Aspen Extractor program, when the default time stamp format is used the ... | Solution: The default ISO date format "yyyymmdd hh:nn:ss" works with MS SQL Server, but for Oracle, the data type must be specified. The "Query Format" string to use in the "Extraction Server Properties" dialog when working with an ORACLE database is:
TI\ME\STA\MP ''yyyy-mm-dd hh:nn:ss''
The backslash (\) before M indi... |
Problem Statement: As delivered, you cannot enable alarm alerting in aspenONE Process Explorer for tags defined by IP_PVDef. This article explains how to enable alerts for records defined by IP_PVDef.
When adding alerts for records defined by IP_PVDef, you may see the error:
refresh exception:Exception caught: Index... | Solution: Attached to this article is a query named EnablePVDefAlerts. This query updates the mapping record IPX_PV_TREND_MAP to facilitate alerting, explicitly points the mapping record field in the record IP_PVDef to IPX_PV_TREND_MAP, and changes the detailed display record point field in the record IP_PVDef from IP... |
Problem Statement: This Knowledge Base article provides troubleshooting steps to resolve the following error:
“Error: Authentication failed on the remote side (the stream might still be available for additional authentication attempts)”
which may be encountered on some client computers when trying to use the Process Da... | Solution: Please try the following steps:
· Check if Aspen Process Explorer (PE) is able to show trend data. PE has the same architecture as Excel Add-in for fetching values from IP.21 database so if it works while Excel Add-in doesn’t, it means that the problem could be related to an Aspen Data Source Director... |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article explains how to compress a query contained in a text file into a record defined by CompQueryDef, ProcedureDef, or ViewDef from a command window or another query. | Solution: The program IQ located in the Aspen InfoPlus.21 code folder allows you to activate a query from a command window. IQ.exe also allows you to load a query contained in a text file into a compressed query record defined by CompQueryDef, ProcedureDef, or ViewDef.
The command line syntax is
IQ -load_record Quer... |
Problem Statement: What functions are available for the Aspen Process Data Addin? | Solution: The Process Data Add-in allows you to construct data functions that retrieve and compute data using Aspen-provided formulas and provide the results to an Excel worksheet. The Process Data Add-in can use data from Aspen InfoPlus.21, ODM, OPC-DA, OPC-HDA, PHD, PI, and RDBMS databases.
The Aspen Process Excel A... |
Problem Statement: How do I resolve the error "Failed to connect to servername. Automation error. No more threads can be created in the system" when connecting to an Aspen Calc server from an Aspen Calc client? | Solution: Try restarting the AspenTech Calculator Engine service on the Aspen Calc server.
Keywords: Automation error
No more threads can be created
Failed to connect
AspenTech Calculator Engine
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why does the program tsk_server take so much CPU time when monitoring processes using the Microsoft Windows Task Manager? | Solution: The program tsk_server is the process used by the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Task Service. One of the things done by tsk_server is periodically checking that all of the Aspen InfoPlus.21 processes are running and restarting any missing process if necessary. The list of active processes is contained in the registry, ... |
Problem Statement: TSK_HBAK will only back up history files that are marked as Shifted or Changed, and Aspen InfoPlus.21 will not allow you to select which history file sets to back up. How do I back up history files that are not marked as Shifted or Changed, and how can I select the file sets to back up? | Solution: The query BackupFileSets attached to this solution backs up filesets in a manner similar to TSK_HBAK. There must be a record defined by historybackupdef that is normally used to backup a repository. This record contains the backup path for changed file sets, and the query uses this path as the backup path d... |
Problem Statement: This Knowledge Base article provides a list of events that are recorded by Aspen Audit & Compliance Manager (AACM). | Solution: The Aspen Audit and Compliance Manager (AACM) Administrator is an MMC console application that allows you to monitor and manage the Audit & Compliance Server, including the transmittal of event message data to the secure Audit & Compliance database. It also provides administrative functions for administering ... |
Problem Statement: In general , Aspen InfoPlus.21 assigns random unique port numbers to client applications; however, firewalls sitting between the client applications and Aspen InfoPlus.21 servers require the use of specific ports. This article describes how to designate specific ports to be used for Aspen InfoPlus.2... | Solution: Aspen Process Explorer and other client applications request information from a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Server in the InfoPlus.21 database. Five RPC Servers are built into Aspen InfoPlus.21. They are separated into five external tasks (visible in the InfoPlus.21 Manager). The RPC server tasks are as follo... |
Problem Statement: An Aspen InfoPlus.21 point is a tag with a historical repeat area. By choosing the Record Utilization tab on the Aspen IP21 Administrator Properties window, you can see the number of licensed points used; however, the number of points defined against IP_AnalogDef, IP_DiscreteDef, IP_TextDef and simil... | Solution: This query CountHistoryTags attached to this article finds all definition records with history repeat areas and counts the tags defined against those definition records. The total at the end should match the number of points the Aspen IP21 administrator says are defined.
Keywords: Sample query
Number of IP21 ... |
Problem Statement: In all currently supported versions of Aspen MES software, the act of contacting the domain controller is handled by the MES clients (as opposed to the security server) by default. Typically this process can be handled with greater speed if the activity is handled by the client. However, the option t... | Solution: The installation of the Aspen Security Server (ALS or AFW) will create an IIS virtual directory named Aspentech underneath the default web site and an application pool named Aspen Security Pool. MES client machines are configured to contact this web application in order to verify AFW security. Determining the... |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article contains a sample query to return sub-batch characteristics. | Solution: The AspenTech Chemicals Batch Simulation distributed with the Aspen InfoPlus.21 database defines a batch with three subbatches or phases.
The query FetchSubbatchCharacteristics attached to this article loops through all the batches created in a specified timespan and reports the batch number, the startin... |
Problem Statement: What functions are available for the Aspen Process Data Past Addin? | Solution: The Process Data Past Add-in allows you to construct data functions that retrieve and compute data using Aspen-provided formulas and provide the results to an Excel worksheet. The Process Data Past Add-in can use data from Aspen InfoPlus.21 databases.
The Aspen Process Excel Add-In Help - Legacy in section P... |
Problem Statement: AspenTech released new, more user-friendly versions of the Aspen MES Excel Add-Ins taking advantage of the Microsoft 'Ribbon' technology in version 7.3.
What else is needed to be able to use the new Add-Ins? | Solution: Starting with version 7.3. Aspen Tech also introduced:
? A new Aspen Data Source Architecture (ADSA) Service Component called AspenProcessDataService
? A new Windows Service also called AspenProcessDataService
The ADSA data source used by the new MES Excel Add-In must include the ADSA Service ... |
Problem Statement: How Theoretical heat of cracking is different from Apparent heat of cracking in FCC? | Solution: Theoretical heat of cracking: based on the kinetic lumps for the feed, the coke production and the temperatures specified for the various parts of the FCC
Apparent heat of cracking: based on the measurement of temperatures, heat losses, or catalyst cooler duty,
Any difference between the theoretical and app... |
Problem Statement: How do I determine which tags are not being scanned correctly by Aspen Cim-IO? | Solution: The following Aspen SQLplus query selects all rows from transfer records defined by IoGetDef, IOLongTagGetDef, and IOLLTagGetDef where the IO_DATA_STATUS field is not good:
select Name, IO_MAIN_TASK, OCCNUM, IO_TAGNAME width 40, cast("IO_VALUE_RECORD&&FLD" as record) as "IP21_TAGNAME", IO_DATA_STATUS
from I... |
Problem Statement: This Knowledge Base article shows how to resolve an error when trying to save any changes to a Process Explorer document. The error is:
"Aspen Process Explorer: Failed to save document. An unexpected network error occurred."
The above-mentioned error is received when a user, after working fo... | Solution: Check the Action property of your GPO mapped drive to make sure it is set to Update, not to Replace (see screen capture below).
Additional information regarding this setting can be found here:
https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1139165-windows-10-losing-mapped-drives?page=1
https://social.technet.... |
Problem Statement: A user is running a report that is using the Aspen Process Data Excel Add-in. The report is referencing 600 tags and it takes a few minutes to run.
This Knowledge Base article provides recommendations to make the report run quicker. | Solution: Here is a list of steps that can be tried to improve the performance of the spreadsheet:
· Start by installing the latest cumulative and emergency patches for Aspen Process Data on the client computer. Also, the Process Data on the Aspen InfoPlus.21 server(s) will need to be upgraded to the same patch... |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article describes how to resolve the problem "Error Reading Historical Repeat Area: Disk History Read Error 11" when accessing history using a query. | Solution: This error does not indicate there is a problem with history file sets or accessing history.
Error 11 is a Microsoft error code that means "An attempt was made to load a program with an incorrect format."
If you see this error while executing an interactive query using the SQLplus query writer or through a... |
Problem Statement: There are two file types (formats) for the VBA version of Aspen Excel Add-in: .xla and .xlam (AtData.xla and AtData.xlam).
The XLA format was used with MS Excel 97-2003. The XLAM format is for Excel 2007 and later. AspenTech Installer no longer installs the XLA version.
Both the XLA and XLAM Add-in ... | Solution: For step-by-step procedure please download and view the attached PDF document entitled:
How to convert workbooks from AtData xla to AtData xlam
Keywords: convert
spreadsheet
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can I verify that the tag records are updating when IOGetDef records are turned on? | Solution: This example will write out a list of IOGetDef records where some tags are not updating.
select name, "IO_LAST_STATUS", "IO_LAST_UPDATE" from IOGetDef
where ("IO_RECORD_PROCESSING" = 'ON' and "IO_DATA_PROCESSING" = 'ON')
and ("IO_VALUE_RECORD&&FLD" -> "IP_INPUT_TIME" < getdbtime - 1800);
Notes... |
Problem Statement: This Knowledge Base article answers the following question:
What is the ATC_CALCS QueryDef record used for? | Solution: The ATC_CALCS QueryDef record is used to update all AspenTech Chemical (ATC) Demo tags. The query record has no other purpose and it should be disabled if the snapshot doesn’t contain demo tags.
Keywords:
References: None |
Problem Statement: Microsoft’s msxml4.dll file located in the C:\Windows\SysWOW64 directory has a known vulnerability that has not been patched by Microsoft.
This Knowledge Base article provides the answer to the following question:
Which versions of Aspen Technology software use msxml4.dll file? | Solution: MSXML4.DLL is primarily used by the Aspen Production Record Manager (APRM) application and is required by all APRM versions prior to V10. Versions 10 and later use msxml6.dll file which does not have any known vulnerabilities.
AspenTech strongly recommends upgrading your Aspen software to the most recent ver... |
Problem Statement: The Publish tab in the Aspen Process Graphics Editor V10.1 Options dialog contains the Destination Path that has two options: Local and Remote.
This Knowledge Base article explains the difference between them. | Solution: The "Local" option publishes graphics to your local server using a local path or a remote server using a UNC file path, which is considered a "Local" operation.
The "Remote" option was added in the Aspen Process Graphics Editor V10.1 for publishing graphics to the specified aspenONE Process Explorer server ... |
Problem Statement: An Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) event is a span of time in which something relevant to OEE happened.
Events cannot overlap each other in time. The Events table will return an error if the user attempts to write events that overlap with each other.
If, through some other method, events are wr... | Solution: In order to delete overlapping events in an OEE record, please set the OEE_EVENT_QSTATUS to “Bad” for the events.
Here is an example of a query which would change the status in the OEE_EVENT_QSTATUS field of the overlapping events from GOOD to BAD, which will make them be ignored by A1PE (effectively deleting... |
Problem Statement: What is the equation for Linear D86 Based method for flash point in Petroleum | Solution: Linear D86 Method is suggested by Andrew Newton in Holburn (Linear D86 Based) and it is like a linear correlation as below:
FP = intercept+ coeff1*D86_ibp + coeff2*D86_5
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I prevent the error message pop up while the simulation case is solving?
When the error message with pop up window appears the user is required to press OK to continue solving the simulation. This happens with the Adjust and Recycle blocks when the solver iterations exceeds the maximum iterati... | Solution: The user has the option to display the warnings and error messages in the Trace Window to prevent the need for user interaction and to allow the case to solve without interruption. To send the messages to Trace Window the user should follow the steps given below:
1. Select File and then Options
2. Select Sim... |
Problem Statement: How do I prevent the error B21BCN-54008 when importing an EVT file? | Solution: This issue can occur when the Memory files can become corrupt or the user does not have permission to open the file.
To resolve this issue
1. Check that the user has access to the Journal folder created by the user and access to
C:\Program Files\AspenTech\Batch.21\Data\BatchConnect
2. If... |
Problem Statement: When you transform a vector, how do you know if it’s good to use in DMC3? | Solution: The ability of the model to predict the CV response is what makes a good controller. Below example is the prediction of a valve output for a flow controller. Notice that the prediction is not very good on the upper values.
Valves usually exhibit a nonlinear behavior with the valve opening and the flow. In DM... |
Problem Statement: Do you need a Recycle operation for a closed loop simulation in Aspen HYSYS? | Solution: The answer to this question is NO. A Recycle operation is required when the downstream material streams mix with upstream materials. In a closed loop system the material does not change. For example, a typical Propane Refrigeration simulation does not require a Recycle operation.
In the above simulation th... |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article explains how to resolve the following error:
"Failed to Connect Sink, the Dadvise Method Failed" | Solution: This error can occur, even though the Aspen Cim-IO test API utility can successfully retrieve values from the OPC server, if the IO_Frequency field is set to zero in the transfer record. Setting the IO_Frequency to a non-zero value can work around this error.
Keywords: cimio_t_api
Get
Transfer
References: Non... |
Problem Statement: How do I access VIND and DEP in the transformed space? | Solution: When a transform is invoked for a variable, selected attributes are always transformed following the read from the PCS (Process Control System) and then anti-transformed before the write to the PCS. The internal parameter used by the engine for the transformed measurement is DEPA for dependent variable and VI... |
Problem Statement: Does the valve in Aspen HYSYS handle critical flow in dynamics? | Solution: The valve model in Aspen HYSYS handles critical flow in dynamic mode. This information is available in the Flow Limits page under the Dynamics tab as shown below.
Note that for vapour flows, choking is handled automatically. For liquid flow, the option must be enabled. You can also enable the liquid chokin... |
Problem Statement: Aspen Cim-IO has a feature called Store and Forward that prevents loss of data if the Aspen InfoPlus.21 system fails or the communication between the Cim-IO server and Aspen InfoPlus.21 fails.
When creating a calculation it is possible to make Aspen Calc aware of the situation where the connection be... | Solution: Store-and-forward (S&F) is a feature of Aspen Calc that interacts with historical tag values in InfoPlus.21 (IP21) and with the S&F feature of Aspen Cim-IO. However, this feature can be used for any case where updates to InfoPlus.21 (IP21) tag values may arrive later than expected (that is, later than the sch... |
Problem Statement: Why is the downstream pressure at a node (connector or tee) higher than the upstream pressure? | Solution: In Aspen Flare System Analyzer the user has the option to display the calculated results on either a "Static Pressure" or "Total Pressure" basis. Displaying the calculated static pressure allows the user to observe instances of static pressure recovery. Static pressure recovery usually occurs in sections of t... |
Problem Statement: Is there any reference manual documenting methods and properties user can use when writing VB Scripts for Aspen Custom Modeler? | Solution: You can find more information and examples on Scripts and automation methods and properties in online help, -Under Aspen Custom Modeler®, Automation
Keywords: None
References: .
Key Words
Automation Methods, VB script |
Problem Statement: How do I aggregate time?
I want to know how long a tag exceeds a threshold value. For example, for a one day period, how much of the day was the temperature above 70 degrees F? | Solution: The following query determines the amount of time a tag named A1113E being scanned every 30 seconds is above 70 between '08-JAN-19 08:30:00' and '09-JAN-19 08:30:00'.
You can adapt the query by changing the variables frequency, threshold, tagname, starttime, and endtime.
local frequency int;
local threshold... |
Problem Statement: What can cause problems when using PIMS Excel files that reside on OneDrive?" | Solution: Working with Aspen PIMS models that are located in OneDrive is not recommended, this workflow is not tested and there may be issues due to network delays or connetion problems. It is also known that if the OneDrive name has a comma (",") in it, then there will be problems reading the files.
Best Practices
... |
Problem Statement: This article explains the difference between ‘System Time’ and ‘OPC Server Time’ when specifying the timestamp origin for Aspen Cim-IO for OPC. | Solution: OPC Servers maintain a cache containing values, timestamps, and quality statuses for each item scanned from the process. Aspen Cim-IO for OPC fetches information from the cache to send to Aspen InfoPlus.21.
The value and timestamp for an item in the cache changes when the value for the item changes in the ... |
Problem Statement: The AspenTech Excel Add-In, provided with Aspen Process Explorer, allows you to both read from, as well as write data back to, our Aspen InfoPlus.21 database. Most of our customers manually use the Pull-down menus, within Excel, that will appear once they have attached the Aspen Process Data Add-In t... | Solution: First, get into the Visual Basic Editor in Excel via Macro on the Tools menu. Once inside the Visual Basic Editor, select
Keywords: None
References: s on the Tools menu. Then select AspenProcessDataAddin
The solution is then a simple Excel Macro, that might look something like this:-
Sub AspenTest()
Applicati... |
Problem Statement: A transfer record is a record defined by IOGetDef, IOLongTagGetDef, IOLLTagGetDef, IOUnsolDef, IOLongTagUnsDef, IOLLTagUnsDef, or IOGetHistDef.
If the io_data_status_desc field of an occurrence in an Aspen InfoPlus.21 Cim-IO transfer record has a value of "Invalid Tag", then the string contained in ... | Solution: First make a copy of the Aspen InfoPlus.21 database in case the query has unexpected results.
Place the contents of the file RemoveInvalidTagsFromATransferRecord.txt attached to this article into the AspenTech SQLplus query writer, and execute the query.
The query prompts for the name of the transfer record... |
Problem Statement: What happens if you have a negative stream in a #MIX calculation in your Units workbook in APS? | Solution: The mix function in APS excludes property values of streams (or tanks) that have negative volumes. For example, if streams A, B, and C are mixed to produce C, where:
Vol P1
A 100 10
B 2 101
C -1 1000
Expected
D 101 2 i.e. (1... |
Problem Statement: Often times, clients with custom records containing a history "value" field, want to aggregate that field as is possible by using the AGGREGATES and HISTORY pseudo tables. However, the default history "value" field that is used with this table is either IP_TREND_VALUE or TREND VALUE. Therefore, how d... | Solution: The description of the FIELD_ID in the online help and/or SQLplus Users Manual is as follows:
The name of the field for which aggregate statistics are calculated. The name is converted to a Field ID and so records that have a field with the same Field ID but a different field name are also selected. The defau... |
Problem Statement: What are the required steps for updating a network license file that is on an InfoPlus.21 server? | Solution: Some InfoPlus.21 servers will host a Software License Manager (SLM) server with a network license.
It is recommended to install the new license on or after the license’s Birth date to prevent any InfoPlus.21 outage.
To view the license’s Birth date, you may use the SLM License Profiler, refer to KB 22014.
D... |
Problem Statement: How to disable the internal over-rides implemented by the SmartStep/Calibrate engine. | Solution: The procedure is different for ACO and RTE (DMC3) controllers.
For ACO Controllers:
When performing step testing using either SmartStep or Calibrate, the DMC engine would add internal over-rides to protect against unsafe entries (as determined based on process conditions and models) by operators and engine... |
Problem Statement: When the user is running a large PIMS model with a SQL database, there is a quicker way to extract the qualities of streams that have a very different starting initial guess and final recursed value. The following query would give us a quick understanding of which properties have changed significantl... | Solution: After running the desired cases in the model, run the following query in SQL:
SELECT A.SolutionID, A.CaseID, Value, InitialValue, C.Tag AS stream, B.Tag AS quality, abs(InitialValue - Value) AS rec_difference FROM PrStreamQuality AS A
LEFT JOIN PrQuality AS B ON A.QualityID = B.QualityID
LEFT JOIN Prstream ... |
Problem Statement: Selling products in MPIMS could not appear to be straightforward. This article talks about some of the FAQs about how to set up correct structures in local and global model for selling different products in MPIMS. | Solution: 1) it necessary to bring all the product to a local market and then sell them in global structure? Yes, it is necessary. The BUY and SELL tables in the local models are only for internal data checking. The products need to be brought to the global model and buy/sell them in tables DEMAND and SUPPLY.
2) There... |
Problem Statement: Microsoft Power BI is a very useful tool for creating user-defined dashboards for data visualization. This tool is very useful for us to visualize what is going on in our PIMS results database. How can users get started with Power BI? | Solution: Download Power BI desktop on your machine from Microsoft store. There are different versions of this tool. The desktop version is free for the users to use.
After downloading and installing Power BI, we need to make sure that we have a PIMS model that is already ran. It does not matter if you are using PIMS, ... |
Problem Statement: How to address "Encountered an improper argument" message when launching Results0000.flo for Periodic Case | Solution: If you are working with a Periodic model and you run into the following message:
Make sure you are not using special characters for example “ / “, like in the following example for the first period of one case the PPIMS Volume Sample located in C:\Users\Public\Documents\AspenTech\Aspen PIMS\PPims\PPIMS Vol... |
Problem Statement: How to model Molecular Sieve or Adsorption process in Aspen HYSYS ? | Solution: Unfortunately, in Aspen HYSYS there is not any unit operation capable to model a molecular sieve. If you want to include this unit as part of a larger steady state model it would be possible to represent it by a simple Component Splitter model, where you define the splits. Note however that the Component Spli... |
Problem Statement: What is the significance of area ratio reported in the Overall Summary in Plate Fin exchanger | Solution: An area ratio can be defined for each stream in a PlateFin exchanger. This term is more familiarly used with shell and tube exchangers. It is the ratio of the actual stream heat transfer area to the area required for a specified duty. For two stream exchangers such as shell and tube, the ratio must be the sam... |
Problem Statement: If an analyst needs to study the life cycle of semi-finished blend stocks, how are the properties of the inventoried blend stocks are recursed? | Solution: All streams in PIMS are recursed out of a fixed set of ways. So it really depends on how the stream is generated. For example, if the blendstock is directly bought, then the properties are going to be fixed in BLNPROP, and directly used in blending. If the blendstock is produced in a submodel, then there need... |
Problem Statement: Run-time Error 13 on datasheet and the Datasheet Definer cannot be used. | Solution: Datasheet Definer might be reading some boolean variables from the Operating System strings according to the language enabled in Excel and/or Windows.
Mismatch type when opening it in DSD. Also, the Datasheet add-in should remain enabled and all the ABE custom properties should be available (class view name... |
Problem Statement: How does ABML correlations work in recursion in PIMS? Do we need to do define anything else for the correlation to work in submodels? | Solution: ABML correlations take care of any relationships that you would like to define in the blending section of the model. By default, it will NOT take care of the same properties you define in submodels used in recursion.
For example, a common relationship is between RVP and RVI. We can use CORR15 and CORR52 in ... |
Problem Statement: If your PIMS model is in SQL database, there are some queries that you could execute to view the economics of your different models without opening the full solution report of each case. This way is easier because imagine you have more than 100 cases, after running all cases, you would need to open a... | Solution: After running your cases in PIMS, go to the SQL database that stores the results data directly. Start a blank query, and execute the following:
SELECT A.SolutionID, A.CaseID, C.Tag, B.Description, B.MinValue, B.Activity, B.Cost, B.MarginalValue FROM PrCase AS A
LEFT JOIN PrPurchase AS B ON A.SolutionID = B.... |
Problem Statement: After adding a new CDU mode to a model in the model tree and ASSAYLIB and you would like to change the Excel data sheet attached to ASSAYLIB in Assay Manager instead of PIMS, is the change automatically synced back to PIMS? Do you need to perform any other extra steps? | Solution: The answer is no. The user does not need to perform any other steps after adding the Excel data table in Assay Manager. The change will be automatically synced back to PIMS. Some users might find that after closing Assay Manager, the model tree does not change and still shows the old Excel sheet under ASSAYLI... |
Problem Statement: We have seen in multiple cases when adding/modifying occurrences to IoGet or IoUnsol records without turning OFF the IO_RECORD_PROCESSING field first can cause problems resulting in Aspen Cim-IO failure especially when using Aspen Cim-IO Store and Forward. This solution describes what is considered b... | Solution: If the Get or Unsol record is left turned ON during maintenance, each time a new occurrence is added to the repeat area, the Scan list or the Unsol list is resent or re-declared on the Aspen Cim-IO server. Since you may have many hundreds of occurrences already configured in the Get or Unsol record, each re-s... |
Problem Statement: How is the information processed when it comes from Excel Integration Utility to Import Assays Dialog box in Aspen Petroleum Scheduler? | Solution: This tech tip explains how is the information processed when it comes from Excel Integration Utility to Import Assays Dialog box in Aspen Petroleum Scheduler?
For this example we have used demo model located in C:\Users\Public\Documents\AspenTech\Aspen Petroleum Scheduler\Demo\Access and Excel Integration Uti... |
Problem Statement: What is the purpose of ZERO_EVENT_TOLERANCE keyword in config table? | Solution: This tech tip explains what is the purpose of ZERO_EVENT_TOLERANCE keyword in config table.
ZERO_EVENT_TOLERANCE is a config setting that used in previous versions that had the same function that the Zero-Value Tolerance setting works in current versions.
The Zero-Value Tolerance has been added to control t... |
Problem Statement: How can I determine the time required to increase the pressure in a vessel from P1 to P2? | Solution: Pressurization and depressurization analyses can be performed with help of dynamic modeling.
In this example, a steady-state model is converted to dynamic mode to determine the time needed to take the pressure in the vessel from 0.4367 bar_g (P1) to 2 bar_g (P2). A stream comprised of light hydrocarbons (C1 ... |
Problem Statement: If an analyst needs to study inventories life cycle, does PIMS have an option to easy formulate the end of cycle requirement thus the inventory at the start of period 1 are equal to inventories at the end of the last period? | Solution: There is a way to set the start inventory of period 1 to be equal to the end inventory of last period. In PIMS, the way to set up inventory is through table PINV. It allows you to set up acceptable opening and closing inventory for each period and price. Because PIMS is a LP based tool, it would want to optim... |
Problem Statement: How to switch between .mdb file and .accdb file for Access database when generating results for PIMS? | Solution: Please go to Tools -> Program Options -> General Program Options -> Output Database -> Access Version.
If you choose "Access 2000/2003", it will produce a .mdb Access database.
If you choose "Access 2007", a .accdb file will be produced.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: When you are working on an Aspen HYSYS V10 simulation the ABE activated Datasheet option does not work properly and it does not allow you to select an ABE workspace. | Solution: In order to activate the Datasheet option in Aspen HYSYS all units need to be solved in the simulation, otherwise it does not allow to select an ABE workspace.
Keywords: Aspen HYSYS, Datasheet Option.
References: None |
Problem Statement: What is the procedure to retrieve and publish datasheets and diagrams from ABE to SPF (SmartPlant Foundation)? | Solution: Attached there is a video which shows the step-by-step procedure of how to retrieve and publish datasheets and diagrams from ABE to SPF (SmartPlant Foundation)
Keywords: SPF, SmartPlant Foundation, Retrieve, Publish.
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why Activated Energy Analysis makes mistake when determining a hot stream or a cold stream? | Solution: Normally, if a stream is heated (cold stream), its temperature will rise.
And if a stream is cooled (hot stream), its temperature will drop.
Activated Energy Analysis determines a stream to be a cold stream or to be a hot stream based on its temperature change. This simple rule works well in m... |
Problem Statement: How does Aspen Process Economic Analyzer (APEA) select and define fluid selections from the imported simulator/stream data? | Solution: The Aspen Icarus framework only loads the 4 components with the largest flows from the simulator to determine its component mixture specs. These values are then processed to see if they are mappable to an Icarus fluid (see pureref.doc in Program\Sys\Doc directory). If a single component is comprised of 35% or... |
Problem Statement: Data collection for Inferential Qualities (IQ) applications is now available with Aspen Watch Maker V11.0
Procedure to collect data for IQ applications for V11.0 is described below. This feature is not included in previous releases, a workaround for older versions is also provided in this article. | Solution: For V11:
Add the AspenIQ node to the Online Connection settings on Aspen Watch. Default port used for IQ data collection is 12350. For more information on how to configure online host connection refer to the Aspen Watch Maker Help File - Configuring Online Host Connections for Aspen IQ Applications Data Retri... |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to consider fouling factor in RADFRAC model in Aspen Plus? | Solution: There is not an explicit fouling factor for columns in Aspen Plus at the moment. However efficiencies will be the best way to describe fouling in a distillation column. Assuming the column thermodynamics is modelled accurately, a data fit could actually be used to set the efficiencies. The calculated efficie... |
Problem Statement: Is there any example file of a furnace used in the silicon carbide production process? | Solution: The attached Aspen Plus in V10 example file contains an example of how to model a furnace used in the silicon carbide production process. This example model treats the furnace as a Gibbs reactor. The properties can be tuned (Gibbs energy of formation in particular) to get more reasonable yields.
Aspen Custo... |
Problem Statement: What is the procedure to revise (Submit, Check and Issue) a datasheet and a drawing for SPF (SmartPlant Foundation)? | Solution: Attached there is a video which shows the step-by-step procedure of how to revise (Submit, Check and Issue) a datasheet and a drawing for SPF (SmartPlant Foundation).
Keywords: SPF, SmartPlant Foundation, Revision.
References: None |
Problem Statement: Is there any example KB method for copying mapping ports from MS Excel into ABE? | Solution: The attached KB is an example method to copy mapping ports into ABE. This method will copy object data into ABE attributes. In order to load, compile and link to a workspace this KB method .azkbs file ABE Rules Editor must be used. Also, this should be included under the configuration file found in this direc... |
Problem Statement: What is the procedure to log into a SPF (SmartPlant Foundation) registered workspace and retrieve PBS document from SPF? | Solution: Attached there is a video which shows the step-by-step procedure of how to log into a SPF registered workspace and retrieve PBS document from SPF.
Keywords: SPF, SmartPlant Foundation, Workspace, Register, Explorer, PBS.
References: None |
Problem Statement: Aspen SQLPlus does not have a function to convert a time string in HH:MI:SS AM or HH:MI:SS PM format to 24-hour format. | Solution: The function TimeAMPMtoTime24 attached to this article converts a time string in HH:MI:SS AM/PM Format to 24-hour format.
For example, the function converts 12:01:01 AM to 00:01:01, 01:01:01 AM to 01:01:01, and 01:01:01 PM to 13:01:01.
TimeAMPMtoTime24 expects a time string formatted as HH:MI:SS xM and retur... |
Problem Statement: After user upgrades PIMS to V11, how can we compare and validate model results from older versions to V11? | Solution: We would need to compare several things from the previous version to the new version. Theoretically speaking, there really shouldn’t be any differences in the two solutions if the model settings are the same. However, make sure to check the release notes of V11 and see what bugs and enhancements are fixed in ... |
Problem Statement: How to select Standard Fins? | Solution: There are 4 types of Standard Fins that are available:
User can select Standard Fins as the Layer structure on the Application Options tab (Generic Geometry - to model a new plate, both standard and generic - a combination of standard and non-standard types)
Then on the Fins tab user can select one of t... |
Problem Statement: What is the maximum number of tags that can be placed in Get, Put, PutOnCOS, and Unsolicited transfer records? | Solution: Aspen InfoPlus.21 has four standard I/O transfer records as follows:
Transfer Record Type Definition Records Purpose
Get IoGetDef, IoGetHistDef, IoLLTagGetDef, IoLongTagGetDef Reading data from Cim-IO servers
Put IoPutDef, IoLLTagPutDef, IoLongTagPutDef Writing data to
Cim-IO servers
PutOnCOS (POC) IoPutOnC... |
Problem Statement: How do I troubleshoot a DB Write Error for a DMCplus controller collection in Aspen Watch? | Solution: A DB Write Error run status means Aspen Watch had a problem to write to the InfoPlus.21 database. This is encountered when updating the controller records in the database, i.e. when a new controller configuration file is loaded. Most of the cases, the issue is because the controller structure does not match w... |
Problem Statement: If you would like to plot or include on an History table some variables and points with 1 (s) step for 86,400 (s) for example, it works fine in Plot/History-table but only to ~8000 (s) afterwards data are available but Aspen Plus Dynamics automatically switches to 2 (s) and then 3 (s) step in the pre... | Solution: This behaviour is as intended. The tables have a limit on the numbers of rows which is separate from the history limits.
The file attached contains a script to interpolate all the desired times form the variable’s history object. The user should only modify values in the recordHistory script's "Inputs" sectio... |
Problem Statement: A read transfer record is one defined by IOGETDEF, IOLONGTAGGETDEF, IOLLTAGGETDEF, IOGETHISTDEF, IOUNSOLDEF, IOLONGTAGUNSDEF, or IOLLTAGUNSDEF.
Sometimes, users will enter the same address into the multiple IO_TAGNAME fields in transfer records, causing the address to be scanned multiple times from ... | Solution: Download the file FindDuplicateAddressesBeingScanned.txt to your InfoPlus.21 server and open it in the SQLPlus query writer.
The query loops through all the read transfer records having IO_RECORD_PROCESSING turned ON, and for each occurrence having IO_DATA_PROCESSING turned ON, copies the name of the transfe... |
Problem Statement: What is the procedure to create an ABE workspace and register it in SPF (SmartPlant Foundation)? | Solution: Attached there is a video which shows the step-by-step procedure of how to create an ABE workspace and register it in SPF (SmartPlant Foundation).
Keywords: SPF, SmartPlant Foundation, Workspace, Register.
References: None |
Problem Statement: What is the procedure to find documents to publish from ABE to SPF? | Solution: Attached there is a video which shows the step-by-step procedure of how to find documents to publish from ABE to SPF.
Keywords: SPF, SmartPlant Foundation, Find Documents To Publish, Publish.
References: None |
Problem Statement: The value of Move resolution (MOVRES) parameter can be changed in the Controller Configuration File (CCF) for ACO controllers using Aspen DMC plus Build or In the Simulation Section in DMC3 Builder for an RTE controller.
What is MOVRES and how to change/edit MOVRES online, through Production Control ... | Solution: What is Move resolution (MOVRES)?
Move Resolution is defined as the smallest change (in engineering units) the controller is supposed to make in the manipulated variable set point, in one cycle, if the controller decides to move this variable. This parameter is only applicable to Manipulated Variables (MV). C... |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article explains how to start Aspen InfoPlus.21 using an older snapshot. | Solution: Aspen InfoPlus.21 maintains a list of snapshots saved by TSK_SAVE locally to the Aspen InfoPlus.21 server. You can see this list by opening the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Manager, selecting TSK_DBCLOCK in the defined task list, and clicking the Snapshots button that appears to the right of the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Manag... |
Problem Statement: You may see the error "Failed to create the AFW object in IP21ProfileGetAFWAllRoles function" when opening the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Manager or other Aspen InfoPlus.21 programs. | Solution: First try opening a command window as an administrator on the Aspen InfoPlus.21 server and entering the command IISRESET. Then open Windows Services and restart the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Task Service.
If the problem persists, then there may be a bitness mismatch between the AFW Security Client Service and the i... |
Problem Statement: How can I move all Aspen Calc calculations from one schedule group to another? | Solution: Before using the query attached to this solution, backup the Aspen Calc schedule groups as follows:
Stop the AspenTech Calculator Engine service.
Backup the file C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\Aspen Calc\Bin\Schedules.atc.
Restart the AspenTech Calculator Engine service.
Attached to this knowledge base article is a... |
Problem Statement: How to use COA exception with Equipment type. For instance, how can I separate the cost of Mag drive pump from other centrifugal pump in the report. | Solution: You can create new COAs and allocate them using exceptions based on equipment symbol and equipment type. Find below an example of procedure.
? Create a project
? In the Project Basis view, select "Default" as Code of Accounts
? Edit the "Default" COA file and select Definitions
? ... |
Problem Statement: In complex Aspen Production Execution Manager (APEM) environments performance may not be currently optimized. For scenarios where data entry and overall responsiveness is perceived slow, it is recommended to apply the following settings outlined in the solution. | Solution: The optimal performance can be achieved by setting a longer refresh rate. The recommended settings should be checked and applied to the configuration and thread property for the following keys:
WORKSTATION_REFRESH_PERIOD = 60 (seconds)
TRACKING_REFRESH_PERIOD = 60 (seconds)
If the Basic Phase has thre... |
Problem Statement: Writing lab time stamps from an APC application to a time stamp variable on the DCS is possible thru the configuration of a TIME write using CIMIO. However, sometimes the written timestamp is not correct as it has a delay with respect to the actual value. | Solution: On the CIMIO Interface Manager (V9.0 and above) there is an option to set the time zone for timestamp reads and writes for the CIMIO for OPC interface.
If CIMIO Interface Manager is not available, another option to adjust timestamp reads/writes only for IQ and ACO-based DMCplus applications (non-RTE), is t... |
Problem Statement: The legacy db tables (Tables that start with PM, queries that start with R_) are not generated in AO from V9 and in DR in V10 anymore. So if you would like to extract information in those legacy tables, you need to use SQL queries. Doesn't matter if you are in Access or SQL server db, the following q... | Solution: Run this directly in SSMS script if your model is SQL server db, and in SQL view if your model is in Microsoft Access.
SELECT RW_StreamQualities.SolutionID, RW_StreamQualities.CaseID, RW_StreamQualities.PeriodID, RW_StreamQualities.StreamTag, RW_StreamQualities.QualityTag, RW_StreamQualities.Value, RW_Blend... |
Problem Statement: When updating a database why do I observe error message Failed to execute command [ALTER TABLE PLINV_COMP ADD CONSTRAINT FK_PLINV_COMP_PIPELINE_INV_PLINV_XSEQ FOREIGN KEY (PLINV_XSEQ) REFERENCES PIPELINE_INV (X_SEQ):) | Solution: This KB Article explains what could be the root cause of error message Failed to execute command [ALTER TABLE PLINV_COMP ADD CONSTRAINT FK_PLINV_COMP_PIPELINE_INV_PLINV_XSEQ FOREIGN KEY (PLINV_XSEQ) REFERENCES PIPELINE_INV (X_SEQ):) that can present when updating an APS database and how to troubleshoot it.
... |
Problem Statement: In MBO, is it a good practice to blend RBOB and CARB components in the same tank? | Solution: This KB Article explains that it is not a good practice to blend RBOB and CARB components in the same tank and what can be the possible outcomes of this process. The current assumption behind MBO design is that you will blend RBOB and CARB into different tanks.
You don't have to necessarily do this (blendin... |
Problem Statement:
Why does the temperature of the outlet stream of a pump become higher than the inlet temperature, even if pump efficiency is 100%? | Solution:
Let's first look at the energy balance of a system in general: enthalpy out = enthalpy in + work + heat. In the case of the pump, the heat input is not present, so the energy balance of the pump is:
h_out = h_in + PBrake / flow
where h_out = molar enthalpy of the outlet stream, h_in = molar enthalpy of the... |
Problem Statement: How do you automate Aspen Plus tasks via Python? | Solution: The Aspen Plus Windows user interface is an ActiveX Automation Server. The ActiveX technology (also called OLE Automation) enables an external Windows application to interact with Aspen Plus through a programming interface using a language such as Microsoft's Visual Basic. The server exposes objects through t... |
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