question stringlengths 19 6.88k | answer stringlengths 38 33.3k |
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Problem Statement: When I try to open Aspen Adsorption the following error appears:
I am unable to explain the reason for this error message? Why I am I not able to open Aspen Adsorption normally? Why does this error message not appear when I open an existing simulation file? | Solution: This error message says that the temporary directory in default location is not available. The default directory is located in C:\Users\<user_account_name>\Documents\AspenTech folder and it is called Aspen Adsorption V8.x (depending on installed version). If the user removed or moved this folder by mistake, t... |
Problem Statement: How you model a dynamic volume gas pump (without a user subroutine)? | Solution: The following are the steps to model a dynamic gas pump model in Aspen Adsorption without any subroutine. This is merely an alternative procedure. One can use a subroutine or flowsheet constraints to define user constant volume based performance curve instead.
1. Define the Pump as shown below:
2. O... |
Problem Statement: AspenTech strongly recommends stopping all Aspen applications before rebooting the system. This ensures that all applications are shutdown cleanly and close their files.
However, users sometimes reboot the Aspen Cim-IO server without first stopping the Aspen Cim-IO Interface which closes the Cim-IO S... | Solution: Under normal conditions,stopping Microsoft Windows sends a shutdown message to the Aspen Cim-IO Manager Service. This special message causes the Aspen Cim-IO Manager Service to start a graceful shutdown of the Aspen Cim-IO server processes in the background.
Usually Microsoft Windows gives active services 20 ... |
Problem Statement: Some customers reported that when many (different) cimio devices are installed, the CIMIO_MSG.LOG can report "Maximum number of facilities exceeded". There may also be a Dr. Watson error generated. Initially the CIMIO interface will seem running.
The cause of the problem is the contents of the cimio_... | Solution: The workaround is to remove one or more entries in the cimio_errors.def file (after making a backup), then restart the CIMIO system. The consequence of this action is that error codes from the affected interface will be displayed in the the cimo_msg.log without the english explanation. However users can open ... |
Problem Statement: Starting with version 2004, AspenTech included a feature to the Aspen Cim-IO Core called Aspen Cim-IO Redundancy. This allows you to configure two Aspen Cim-IO servers on redundant nodes. If communications with the first is lost, the Aspen Cim-IO client will switch to the second. If communications wi... | Solution: These 'warnings' are generated by a feature of TSK_DETECT that is not directly associated with a server switch.
Whether a switch has occurred or not, TSK_DETECT monitors every Get Transfer record trying to determine whether the transfer record has activated in an acceptable period since the last activation. I... |
Problem Statement: When trying to start Aspen Calc, the following error is encountered and Aspen Calc does not open: | Solution: This is because the machine on which Aspen Calc is being launched already has another instance of Aspen Calc running in the background.
1. Launch Windows Task Manager.
2. Select Processes tab.
3. Ticked the checkbox beside "Show process from all users" (circled in red).
4. Select AspenCalc.exe... |
Problem Statement: What are the possible reasons that can cause a lab sample to fail the validation step in Aspen IQ? | Solution: A bad lab value for an inferential is accompanied by a message explaining the reasons of why the value is marked bad. This information can be deduced from the "Combined Status Message" for the particular lab sample entry in PCWS. In the example shown below, the lab value is marked as bad due to a decrement ou... |
Problem Statement: When trending a IP_CalcDef record in Aspen Process Explorer, the level column in legend is showing "Unknown Level (-1)" while the status column is showing "Unknown Status (-32768)". | Solution: This problem is due to the calculation returning a constant number which does not have a status and a level associated with it. By default, Aspen Calc will denote them to be Unknown Status and Unknown Level.
The TestCalc calculation above have the following calculation script:
IF (ATCAI < 8) THEN 0 ELSE 1
Wit... |
Problem Statement: How does Aspen InfoPlus.21 (IP.21) verify Aspen Local Security (ALS) or Aspen Framework (AFW) security? | Solution: IP.21 is a securable application that uses the ALS or AFW security servers. Roles created on the security server can contain both individual domain accounts and domain groups. The roles can then be applied to the IP.21 database and granted permissions such as read, write and so forth.
When a user logs into an... |
Problem Statement: Users who make use of the HistoryBackupDef records to backup their history files will find that the amount of disk space taken up by these backup files are very large. Maintenance will have to be carried out regularly to avoid running out of harddisk space. It is actually possible to automate the pro... | Solution: The POST BACKUP COMMAND and LAST ACTIVE COMMAND fields in the HistoryBackupDef records are used to run batch files immediately after the backup operation is complete. There are 2 batch files located in the \h21\etc\ folder: system_cleanup.bat and active_cleanup.bat. The active_cleanup.bat file performs the fo... |
Problem Statement: What are the concerns when choosing between POLYPCSF and PC-SAFT property method? | Solution: Aspen Plus / Aspen Polymers have two PC-SAFT based property methods, POLYPCSF and PC-SAFT. POLYPCSF is a homopolymer version while PC-SAFT is a copolymer version. Below are a few things to take note of:
1. Since both models share the same pure and binary parameters, each has its own databank and they shou... |
Problem Statement: 1. According to the Intel compiler web page ( http://www.intel.com/cd/software/products/asmo-na/eng/compilers/fwin/278834.htm), there are two versions of the compiler available: the Standard Edition, and the Professional Edition. Will the Standard Edition be sufficient for Aspen Plus/ACM user Fortran... | Solution: 1. The Standard edition is sufficient unless the user uses IMSL library.
2. Yes, the Intel libraries rely on the linker and C libraries from Microsoft in the Developer Studio.
Keywords: Fortran user subroutine
References: None |
Problem Statement: In my simulation, I get the Input Warning 1116:
For which configurations is the Advanced Calculation Method not available? | Solution: The Advanced Calculation Method is available for most shell types except Kettle or Flooded Evaporator:
If either Kettle or Flooded Evaporator configurations is selected, the simulation will be solved with the Standard Method.
Keywords: Vaporizer type, K shell
References: None |
Problem Statement: In a simulation created in Aspen Shell & Tube Exchanger, the shell thickness is entered as input and the OD calculated. When the simulation is exported to Aspen Shell & Tube Mechanical, the shell thickness input form is deactivated. Why is this form deactivated? | Solution: When exporting a simulation from the thermal to the mechanical program, some of the inputs remain deactivated to maintain the tubesheet layout. In order to activate this form, follow the next steps:
1. Go to Input | Exchanger Geometry | Tubesheet Layout and for tube layout option select "Create a new layo... |
Problem Statement: How can we modify the segment types of pipelines (short/long) after setting them in the pipeline configuration wizard? | Solution: We can modify them by using an UPDATE database query in the PIPELINES_SEGMENTS table and the PL_TYPE Column
The syntax to modify all the segments to long would be like this:
UPDATE PIPELINE_SEGMENTS
SET PL_TYPE=1
Note that the default segment type setting is SHORT.
Keywords: Pipeline S... |
Problem Statement: What are the differences in algorithm for different settings in RadFrac with respect to Absorber (a) YES and (b) NO | Solution: The Standard RadFrac Convergence uses the Inside-Out algorithm originally developed by Boston and Sullivan. On the RadFrac's Convergence | Advanced sheet, the option for Absorber can be changed from No (default) to Yes. Absorber=Yes invokes an algorithm option for absorber/stripper calculations. Absorber=Yes ... |
Problem Statement: How do you set up and perform a sensitivity analysis in Equation-Oriented (EO) mode? An example would be very beneficial. | Solution: Sensitivity analysis is available in Aspen Plus in both Sequential Modular (SM) mode and EO mode, but the results are presented in different forms. In SM mode a sensitivity analysis is carried out by repeatedly executing the blocks involved at all possible combinations of different values of all varied variab... |
Problem Statement: How do you create an Aspen Properties Enterprise Database (APED) databank with extra security? | Solution: Aspen Properties Enterprise Database by default protects its content by encrypting the property values. There are additional security measures that have been implemented to further protect the database from unintended usage.
The database can be used only within a client company
The database can be used only w... |
Problem Statement: This Knowledge Base article provides steps to resolve the following error:
Getting "404 - File or directory not found"
which may be encountered when trying to view Tag Details in aspenONE Process Explorer for tags defined by a custom definition record. | Solution: The DETAIL_DISPLAY_REC attribute within the IP_DiscreteDef definition record defines Tag Details page. ipdscret is the default name for IP_DiscreteDef. It is possible to plug other ASP implementations for Tag Details based on the tag's definition record.
If the value of the DETAIL_DISPLAY_REC is different tha... |
Problem Statement: Variables with calculation involved user-defined variables get stuck at BAD value after a temporary loss in communication causes the variable to go BAD and return to GOOD after a while. | Solution: APC Builder application uses AspenCalc engine to perform its calculation. This provides a more robust calculation facility than the previous DMCplus calculation engine. One of the features is that the calculation variable statuses are now passed automatically along with the calculation. Take for example, a si... |
Problem Statement: General Operating Procedures of Aspen Exchanger Design and Rating (Aspen EDR) | Solution: Most of the Aspen EDR programs follow these general operating procedures.
1. Start Aspen EDR.
On your desktop click the Aspen Exchanger Design & Rating shortcut icon or click Start | Programs | AspenTech | Exchanger Design & Rating V7.x.x | Exchanger Design & Rating User Interface.
2. Select required EDR prog... |
Problem Statement: How to GET and PUT a value to a Aspen Cim-IO device directly from Aspen SQLplus. | Solution: Here are two sample procedures to Get and Put values from/to an Aspen Cim-IO device from Aspen SQLplus.
Sample Procedure to Get a Value from a Cim-IO Device
Procedure CimIOGet ( NumberOfTags integer, TagAndValue)
local x integer;
-- First generate an answer file
set output 'c:\CimIOSQLGet.txt';
write '9'; -... |
Problem Statement: The Aspen SQLplus Query Writer has a query timeout limit of 32767 seconds (9 hrs, 6 min, 7 sec). For certain queries, this can be too restrictive. | Solution: To run a query with no upper time limit, simply set the timeout (Query > Timeout...) to zero.
Keywords: timeout
time out
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can you delete an occurrence from a GET record repeat area using Aspen SQLPlus? | Solution: To delete a particular occurrence from a GET record's repeat area requires several steps, since all "delete" means in this context is decreasing the number of occurrences by 1. If the occurrence you want to delete is not the last one, follow these steps to delete occurrences using SQLPlus. Please note, that i... |
Problem Statement: The version of component-sum.kb (supplied with version 11.1) is not able to perform the calculations/operations listed below:
Calculate phase component data
Calculate the following stream properties: api gravity, standard volumetric flow for vapour and liquid, liquid phase specific gravity, liquid p... | Solution: Close all Aspen Zyqad applications.
Save the new component-sum.kb into C:\Program Files\AspenTech\Working Folders\Aspen Zyqad 11.1\projects\libraries\Kbs
Replace material.lisp and provision.lisp in C:\Program Files\AspenTech\Working Folders\Aspen Zyqad 11.1\Examples\prototypes with the new versions.
Recreate ... |
Problem Statement: MPF Lock Attempt Timed Out, Failed to Lock Controller - Skipping
MPF Lock error messages
The challenge with MPF lock errors, is not knowing what is causing the lock, is it the online application? the viewsrv process? or possibly a filled up message queue? | Solution: Here is a possible scenario for the mpf lock attempt timeout:
1. DMCplus controller is running, locking the context during the read thru validation phases of the controller cycle.
2. DMCplus View session is running displaying information from the controller context.
3. A user attempts to enter a v... |
Problem Statement: While datasheet export to excel, all the numbers are recognized as text, why? | Solution: If the general format is used, the export data will be as text format.
Open datasheet from datasheet definer and define the field as numerical in excel.
Keywords: datasheet export, text field in datasheet
References: None |
Problem Statement: 把 Aspen InfoPlus.21以链接服务器(linked server)添加到Microsoft SQL Server后，可以使用Microsoft SQL Server工具来访问和查看Aspen InfoPlus.21数据。 | Solution: 为了把Aspen InfoPlus.21添加为链接服务器(linked server), 事先需要用AspenTech SQLPlus ODBC driver创建ODBC数据源
1. 在安装SQL Server的机器上打开ODBC数据源管理器(开始 | 设置 | 控制面板 | 管理工具 | 数据源 (ODBC)).
2. 选择 System DSN 后点击"添加"按钮.
3. 在新数据源窗口，选择AspenTech SQLPlus driver后点击"完成"按钮.
4. 点击 "高级"按钮 取消选择 "Use Aspen Data Sources(ADSA)"
5. 输入O... |
Problem Statement: In a GET transfer record you may receive the error: "USR_GET_RECEIVE, Error receiving a GET reply" This means that the communication between the Aspen Cim-IO server and client was successful in general, but this specific GET request failed. Or summarized: 'Unable to connect to specific tag xxxxxx" | Solution: Since this is a very generic error message, various issues can cause this. The objective of this solution is to narrow down where the error resides.
Common causes are:
1. The communication between Aspen Cim-IO server and Aspen Cim-IO client is not successful.
2. The communication between Aspen Cim-IO ... |
Problem Statement: The error codes from SQLPlus are short and don't always give enough information to diagnose the problem. | Solution: Error codes with long
descriptions are listed below.
Error Code
Error Message
Acttsk
"Error activating \"%s\":%s"
AsnInv
"Invalid target for assignment: %s"
Bar
"Invalid concatenation operator"
Bin_Const
"Invalid character in binary constant: \"%s\""
ByExp
"There must be at least two expression selected bef... |
Problem Statement: At first, "valid.err" does not exist when we installed Aspen Process Controller Online on a new PC. At what point is this file created? | Solution: The file "valid.err" will be generated in the following folder after an error happens. The file location varies with platform OS.
Windows Server 2003 R2 SP2 :
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AspenTech\APC\Online\etc
Windows Server 2008 R2
C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\APC\Online\etc
Keywords: ... |
Problem Statement: I am trying to open any datasheet from the Excel Datasheet Editor, but the program fails to run properly within the Datasheet Explorer. | Solution: The reason why the Excel Datasheet Editor fails to run is due to the AZExplorer program running in compatibility mode as shown below:
The option ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for:’ should be un-checked, in order to avoid this issue:
In order to locate the AZExplorer.exe file and change this op... |
Problem Statement: Trouble viewing Connectors in stockpile resulting in a freeze in Zyqad PFD. This is fixed in Zyqad 11.1 SP1 but may occur with older databases. The problem is that the full path to the connector symbols could be set as the default-symbol attribute and if the Symbol Path was changed (eg change of serv... | Solution: Compile the attached kb and load it into the workgroup. Run rule "Fix Connection Default Symbol" to correct the default symbol path.
The rule assumes the symbol files for connectors have the same name and location as in the standard Symbol Library. If these have been changed the entries in the table in the kb... |
Problem Statement: How can I change the primary-connection objects properties that have already been placed on the PFD via a rule all at once? | Solution: Please find the attached rule that will prompt the user to select the class (i.e. primary-connection, secondary-connection, etc.). Then the rule will prompt the user to select the desired line width and color.
Installation Instructions:
Compile KB source file (*.kb) with the Development Application Tool:
a. S... |
Problem Statement: What can cause an out of memory error with regard to an Aspen Process Controller application? | Solution: There is one "legitimate" way you can run out of memory: if you have configured the history retention interval too long. For each application that is running, the application history is kept in memory. You can control how much history is kept in the Configure This Server dialog. If it's keeping only a few day... |
Problem Statement: How does Aspen Plus calculate ideal gas enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs energy? | Solution: For a pure component:
Ideal Gas Enthalpy: HIG = DHFORM + Integral (CPIG dT) from Tref to T , where Tref is 25 C
Ideal Gas Entropy: SIG = (DHFORM - DGFORM )/Tref + Integral (CPIG/T dT) from Tref to T
Ideal Gas Gibbs Free Energy: GIG = HIG - T * SIG
Note that it is important to check the rules of extrapolation ... |
Problem Statement: Can the Target value or variable bounds in a RadFrac Design Specification be manipulated using a Sensitivity block or Calculator (Fortran) block? | Solution: Yes - Radfrac's internal design-spec variables are available to the flowsheet define variables used by Calculator, Design-Spec and Sensitivity Analysis blocks.
The list of define variables for RadFrac is rather long, but you can find the variables quickly if you drag the scroll button down to about 50%, and t... |
Problem Statement: How do I get information on internal column fluids such as trays, strippers and pumparounds? Where do I connect/specify a Pseudo Stream? | Solution: A Pseudo Stream can be used to track the composition, temperature, pressure and flow of any column fluid (on a tray, in a stripper, or in a pumparound). Start by connecting a material stream to the Pseudo Stream connection port (usually located on the right center of most column icons). You can then either hi... |
Problem Statement: The NRTL and UNIQUAC property models can describe vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) and liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) of strongly nonideal solutions with the use of binary interaction parameters. Many binary parameters for VLE and LLE, from literature and from regression of experimental data, are incl... | Solution: You can use separate data sets for the NRTL (or UNIQUAC) binary parameters to model properties or equilibria at different conditions. It is also possible to use one data set for VLE and a second data set for LLE (use NRTL and NRTL-2 or UNIQUAC and UNIQ-2). The property methods are identical except for the dat... |
Problem Statement: How does move resolution work in Smart Step/Calibrate mode? | Solution: When in SmartStep/Calibrate mode, the engine will calculate a MOVRES based on the CV Test Margin and the model gain matrix in such a way that the MV will be able to make a move should the relevant CV be one Test Margin outside the limit. The engine will then use the smaller of the user entered value and the c... |
Problem Statement: How can I create a phase plot in Aspen Custom Modeler? | Solution: To display variation of two variables against each other, a phase plot could be used. The starting step is to create a time series plot.
Then the variables to be plotted against each other should be dropped on to the plot form.
Right-click on the plot form and select properties and then select the variable ta... |
Problem Statement: In air coolers, when specifying the fouling for the tube side, as displayed in the screen shot, and then upon running the simulation we may see different rounded up values for the fouling coefficient in the result summary | performance sheet. | Solution: The fouling on tube side is not rounded up. The difference between input and output is due the fouling definition. From the online help shown below, the input fouling is based on tube ID, but the output is based on bared tube OD.
Keywords: ,
Fouling factor, TEMA
References: None |
Problem Statement: Aspen Plus document (APW) files are not upwardly compatible so they must all be converted into backup (BKP) files. What is the easiest way to convert a large number of APW files into the BKP format - is there any automated tool? | Solution: As documented in the Aspen Plus 10.2 System Management
Keywords: None
References: Guide at page 1-2 you can convert a file from the APW format to the BKP format in the Graphical User Interface (GUI) using the Export command from the File menu. The "Export to BKP" is also available from the commands you get wh... |
Problem Statement: What is the procedure to reset the "Number Steps Performed" when using Calibrate in an APC/RTE application? | Solution: This solution applies only to applications deployed in the RTE platform (APC Builder). It applies to both Advanced Process Controllers and DMC3 controllers.
1. In the Edit Calculations window, move to User Entries.
2. Under General Variables, create a new User Entry called resetstep, the data type is ... |
Problem Statement: How to adjust decimal digits shown in the process flowsheet variables? | Solution: To adjust the format of variables , you must go to File | Prefereces | Formatting | Edit Variable Formats. In the Variable Formats Dialog, select the "Result" object and then the desired variable you want to change. Then adjust the decimal digits by double clicking on the variable or press the Format button. ... |
Problem Statement: How to Print PFD in Aspen Flare System Analyzer V7.3 | Solution: In order to print PFD, please go to Process Flowsheet tab and click Print Preview.
The interface of print preview should show up.
Go to File->Page Stepup and you should be able to set up orientation and Paper size
To print the Pressure/Flow Summary, you will have to go to Aspenone button ->Print and c... |
Problem Statement: Why equivalent length varies? | Solution: Change in equivalent length is possible. Well! It definitely happens in the pipe where you have fittings. Aspen Flare System Analyzer reports the equivalent length of a pipe as the specified pipe length plus the equivalent length of fittings etc: L = Lpipe + Leq. The equivalent length term Leq is calculated f... |
Problem Statement: What are the Set and Auto options on the Relief valve conditions tab? | Solution: ? Set : Calculates the data that is showing in the input box based on the values it depends upon. For example relieving pressure = 1.10 MAWP, clicking the set button calculates it and sets it to the values. It is not updated later on.
? Auto: Changes the value whenever any changes are made on t... |
Problem Statement: How can I model a predominantly liquid-only relief system in Flarenet? | Solution: For liquid-only scenario, usually there is no flow from the Separator Drum. Since there is no flow, Aspen FLARENET treats the composition of those lines as the same as the (liquid-only) composition in the Separator drum.This can cause flash failures in the program. This can also result in high back pressures ... |
Problem Statement: I am designing my body flanges with ANSI as the Design standard. However, when I run the simulation, the code calculations under Code Calculations | Body Flanges do not appear. How do I see the code calculations for ANSI body flanges? | Solution: ANSI flanges are predesigned, so no calculations are needed. If you still want to see the code calculations click on Update Geometry after running. This will copy the ANSI geometry as input.
Then change the Design Standard to Optimized in the Body Flanges | Individual Standards form. Note that in version... |
Problem Statement: How do I activate the ADSA Client Config Tool from a Windows command prompt? | Solution: Open a command window and execute the following command at the prompt.
           C:\Windows\SysWOW64\regsvr32.exe /i /n /s "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Aspentech            Shared\Adsa\AtDsaLocator.dll"
Note: Depending on the Operating System the exact paths in the command may... |
Problem Statement: As explained on solution 123069, quality status for a CIM-IO for OPC interface are defined following OPC standard, this solution provides the deeper definitions of this states that could be useful to define is an issue with a tag is related to an OPC issue or if it is related to CIM-IO configuration. | Solution: The following information is taken from OPC DA Standard; the complete standard information can be consulted on OPC Foundation web page in https://opcfoundation.org/developer-tools/specifications-classic.
The quality flag is represented by 8 bit arranged as: QQSSSSLL. The first two bits (QQ) are used for CIM-I... |
Problem Statement: How to determine if a port is being blocked by a firewall, if Aspen ME Systems products require certain port(s) to be 'opened' in the firewall to allow bi-directional communications?
An example of this is Cim-IO, which uses a set of four TCP ports to establish bidirectional communications between the... | Solution: The key to diagnosing the issue is to use the Windows netstat command to find if connections for the communications ports have a LISTENING or ESTABLISHED status; you can do this by issuing the following commands at the DOS prompt:
netstat -an |find /i "listening"
or
netstat -an |find /i "established"
Here i... |
Problem Statement: (Japanese) Standard Gas Flowã�®æ¨™æº–状態ã�«ã�¤ã�„ã�¦ | Solution: Standard Gas Flowã�®è¨ˆç®—ã�«ç”¨ã�„られる標準状態ã�¯ã€�デフォルトã�§ã�¯ã‚·ãƒŸãƒ¥ãƒ¬ãƒ¼ã‚·ãƒ§ãƒ³ä¸Šã�§ã�Šä½¿ã�„ã�®æ¸©åº¦å�˜ä½�ã�«ã‚ˆã�£ã�¦ç•°ã�ªã�£ã�¦ã�„ã�¾ã�™ã€‚詳細ã�¯æ·»ä»˜PDFファイルをã�”覧ã��ã� ã�•ã�„。
Keywords: 標準状態, Standard Condition, Standard Gas Flow, Japanese, 日本語... |
Problem Statement: Sulfur recovery is a core process in both midstream and downstream oil & gas industries. In Aspen HYSYS V9, Sulsim technology (by Sulphur Experts) has been fully integrated within Aspen HYSYS. In Aspen HYSYS V9, you can configure, simulate, and optimize the Sulfur Recovery Unit (Claus Process) to rec... | Solution: The integrated Aspen HYSYS Sulsim product includes a new Sulsim (Sulfur Recovery) property package. When you add a Sulsim (Sulfur Recovery) property package to your simulation, the component list will automatically include all supported components, allowing you to easily integrate your sulfur recovery simulat... |
Problem Statement: What is the estimated cost for the refrigeration gas plant in HYSYS? | Solution: The attached file is the simplified version of refrigerated gas plant. One of the requirements is that the sales gas hydrocarbon dew point should not exceed 15 degree C at 6000 kPa.
The cost estimation is done on the HYSYS side and the procedure is given below:
1) Activate the economic evaluation in HYSYS f... |
Problem Statement: Example of ActiveX Automation with EDR Shell&Tube. | Solution: The attached excel VBA example illustrates how to interface EDR with your own program. This example populates some data in EDR Shell&Tube, runs the simulation and reads back some results. For simplicity the example uses a simulation file also attached that already contains most of the inputs, but the values e... |
Problem Statement: How can I predict the low flammability limit for aqueous solutions? | Solution: Aqueous mixtures are often vulnerable to flammability problems. The flammability analysis must cover a broad range of compositions and temperatures, and experimental measurements to define safe ranges are time consuming and expensive [1]
Flammability analysis can be performed in Aspen Plus. An approach base... |
Problem Statement: A key application of dynamic simulation is in the area of process safety. It is important to understand how the process will respond to a wide variety of emergency scenarios and what actions you should take when these events occur. Using Aspen HYSYS Dynamics, you can define and run a nearly endless s... | Solution: Aspen HYSYS Dynamics can be used to run a wide set of emergency scenarios. In this example, we will explore one emergency scenario using a number of unit operations and the built-in HYSYS Spreadsheet.
Keywords: Dynamic simulation, dynamics, transient, HYSYS, HYSYS Dynamics, safety, process safety, fire, press... |
Problem Statement: How can I estimate the Cubic Expansion Coefficient for Thermal Expansion using Aspen HYSYS? | Solution: In HYSYS PSV Sizing environment, user can set up different scenarios. For Thermal Expansion scenario, the Cubic Expansion Coefficient for the reference stream is required. In this scenario, there is a table showing the recommended values which are taken from API521 standard, as shown below:
Aspen HYSYS can be... |
Problem Statement: Manipulation of Fluid Package Tabular Properties via VBA automation | Solution: The variables used for the tabular properties have not been exposed as automation interfaces in Aspen HYSYS, and users cannot access to them directly using standard Automation procedures. However, the backdoor method can be used with the monikers of those variables for this purpose.
This example illustrates h... |
Problem Statement: How to create a case study in Aspen Plus using ActiveX interfaces. | Solution: We use data series from excel as input for Aspen Plus models. Aspen Plus performs steady state calculations, so time dependent values will be treated as discrete data for different case scenarios, the same as when we set a sensitivity analysis. There are two alternatives to accomplish this: using Aspen Simula... |
Problem Statement: Sulfur recovery is a core process in both midstream and downstream oil & gas industries. In Aspen HYSYS V9, Sulsim technology (by Sulphur Experts) has been fully integrated within Aspen HYSYS. In Aspen HYSYS V9, you can configure, simulate, and optimize the Sulfur Recovery Unit (Claus Process) to rec... | Solution: The integrated Aspen HYSYS Sulsim product includes a new Sulsim (Sulfur Recovery) property package. When you add a Sulsim (Sulfur Recovery) property package to your simulation, the component list will automatically include all supported components, allowing you to easily integrate your sulfur recovery simulat... |
Problem Statement: Sulfur recovery is a core process in both midstream and downstream oil & gas industries. In Aspen HYSYS V9, Sulsim technology (by Sulphur Experts) has been fully integrated within Aspen HYSYS. In Aspen HYSYS V9, you can configure, simulate, and optimize the Sulfur Recovery Unit (Claus Process) to rec... | Solution: The integrated Aspen HYSYS Sulsim product includes a new Sulsim (Sulfur Recovery) property package. When you add a Sulsim (Sulfur Recovery) property package to your simulation, the component list will automatically include all supported components, allowing you to easily integrate your sulfur recovery simulat... |
Problem Statement: A key application of dynamic simulation is in the area of process safety. It is very important to understand how the process will respond to a wide variety of emergency scenarios and what actions you should take when these events occur. Using Aspen HYSYS Dynamics, you can define and run a nearly endl... | Solution: Aspen HYSYS Dynamics can be used to run a wide set of emergency scenarios. In this example, we will explore a blocked outlet emergency scenario.
Keywords: Dynamic simulation, dynamics, transient, HYSYS, HYSYS Dynamics, safety, process safety pressure relief, strip charts, process control, PID, blocked outlet,... |
Problem Statement: How do we identify when choked flow occurs though a control valve in Aspen HYSYS. | Solution: Choked flow is a limiting condition which can occurs through a valve when the mass flow rate does not increase and there is a further decrease in the downstream pressure environment, while the upstream pressure is fixed. For homogenous fluids, the physical point at which the choking occurs for adiabatic cond... |
Problem Statement: Optimizing a feed stage location using an NQ curve. | Solution: NQ curve is used to optimize the feed stage location and number of stages while minimizing the objective function selected by the user.
To use, go to Blocks ->NQ curves and click new button. Here you can specify lower and upper limits for the number of stages ,Feed stream name, as well as objective function.
... |
Problem Statement: This case shows simple functionality of the Cause&Effect Matrix (CEM) object of HYSYS Dynamics to simulate Emergency Shutdown systems (ESD)
The Inputs of the CEM are the High High Level Switch and the Low Low Level Switch (red trend lines at 80% and 15%). Both are implemented through Indicators (PID ... | Solution: 1. Start the integrator.
2. Go to LIC-100, section of "PV conditioning", and check "Fixed Signal". The level seen by the LIC-100 controller is frozen.
3. Go to the Feed controller FIC-100 and change the SP to 180 T/h.
4. Observe how the Cyan line (real level) goes up, since the Level controller is blind.
5. W... |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to model a vapor-liquid-liquid-liquid (4-phase) system? | Solution: Yes, it is possible using an RGibbs block. It is not possible with other blocks since they do not have the data structure available for four phases. The Polymer Plus User Model Library includes a 4PhaseFlash User2 block that uses a special 4-phase flash. This special model is not necessary for a system of pur... |
Problem Statement: Most distributed control systems use the ISA Standard Form with the PID having specific tuning settings units where the controller gain has an associated dimensionless term. However, the HYSYS PID Controller algorithm does not allow the user to alter the structure of the PID. Furthermore, the HYSYS C... | Solution: The HYSYS PID Control Algorithm does not have the flexibility for users to alter the PID structure to target the PV rather than the error with the SP. In altering the structure of the PID, the user will have further flexibility for various load and setpoint responses.
The ISA Standard Form PID user variable f... |
Problem Statement: How can I study effect of cooling or heating for a closed vessel. | Solution: Such study can be performed in Aspen HYSYS Dynamics.
The example file shows how to do it.
A vessel with 100% liquid level is added. The negative duty stream provides cooling. All the valves are closed.
Once you turn the solver, the pressure and temperature in the vessel starts falling over time.
Note: To stud... |
Problem Statement: Is there an example featuring the calcualtion of sensitivities in Aspen Custom Modeler? | Solution:
A simple example (sensitivity.acmf) featuring a differential equation.
1- Create the model with the following equation:
dy/dt = y - (4*k1 + 3*k2)
2- The aim of the example is to calculate the sensitivities as well as the normalized sensitivities of y with respect to both k1 and k2 (Ref. Aspen Modeler
Keywor... |
Problem Statement: Where can I find a list of the examples which are available in the Aspen Adsorption library? | Solution: The following table collects a list of the examples loaded in the Aspen Adsorption example library.
These files can be accessed in two ways:
1. Through the following path
C:\Program Files (x86)\AspenTech\Aspen Adsorption V8.4\Examples
2. By clicking on File | Open Library on Aspen Adsorption
File Na... |
Problem Statement: Safety and process engineers are required to calculate projected emissions from tankage in major projects, for commissioning, and for revamp work. Additionally, emissions calculations and reporting may be required during audits or on a routine basis by governmental environmental agencies.
In most... | Solution: Aspen HYSYS can be used to calculate organic liquid storage tank emissions losses under various conditions. Aspen Simulation Workbook (ASW) can also be used as a front-end for quickly calculating flashing, working, and breathing open tank losses for those unfamiliar with HYSYS workflows.
In this abridged ... |
Problem Statement: How do I use steam as the energy stream for the reboiler in my standard HYSYS column? | Solution: Follow these steps (The names and numbers below were used to modify the HYSYS example case TUTOR1.hsc, as attached):
Double click on the column to open the column runner and switch to the Parameters | Solver page. Switch the solver to Modified HYSIM I/O.
In the Basis environment, add Water as a component (if... |
Problem Statement: How do you use Aspen Properties and Excel to simulate a moving-bed dryer used to remove solvent (isopentane) from solid polymer (LLDPE) particles? | Solution: Many polymerization processes use a chemically inert solvent to facilitate heat removal inside the reactor vessel. For economic and environmental purposes the excess solvent must be recovered from the polymer and returned to the process. Nitrogen-purged moving-bed dryers are frequently employed for this purpo... |
Problem Statement: RCSTR seems not having built-in heat transfer capability. How do you model heat transfer in a CSTR with jacket? | Solution: You can add a heat stream to a CSTR to model heating or cooling in a jacket. The CSTR also can use a Utility. See the attached file that can be opened in Aspen Plus V7.3 and higher.
A heat stream is an information stream with a duty. The duty is passed to the CSTR as one of its two thermodynamic specification... |
Problem Statement: How is the enthalpy calculated for coal? | Solution: Properties of nonconventional components are calculated by the physical property system using component attributes. For nonconventional components, the enthalpy model has to be specified in the Properties Environment, Methods | NC Props | Property Methods.
HCOALGEN is a general enthalpy model for coal. It inc... |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to model polyimides in Aspen Plus? | Solution: Polyimides are polymers that contain imide linkages (see below) typically with the structure:
Where “R” and “X” are typically aromatic structures such as biphenyl, biphenyl carbonate, naphthalene, etc. Polyimides are produced by reactions between diamines and dianhydrides in a two step reaction, generating wa... |
Problem Statement: How are utilities specified? | Solution: A Utility is a new feature in Aspen Plus 12 that can be used to calculate the energy consumption of individual unit operations, energy costs, and/or how much utility of each type is used by the process (i.e., high pressure, medium pressure, and low pressure steam)
Rather than actual material streams, Utilitie... |
Problem Statement: Example on how to quickly import your company's MTO's into ACCE by using an Excel VBA. | Solution: This solution is a proof of concept on how to automate the process of entering your company's MTO's into ACCE.
The attached example code illustrates how to parse your piping MTO's and automatically populate the import/export spreadsheet template.
Keywords: Export/Import feature, VBA automation, MTO data.
Refe... |
Problem Statement: Best practices and guidelines for setting IO Flags for User Defined Entries in APC Builder | Solution: Engineers can add user defined entries to an APC controller. These entries can be used to augment the interaction between the controller and DCS, and they can be used as input or output or scratch pad variables for User Calculations.
All entries, including user-defined entries, have a set of properties that g... |
Problem Statement: Can you use both synchronous and asynchronous scanning for a transfer record? | Solution: Nothing in Aspen InfoPlus.21 prevents you from adding a solicited IO transfer record (defined by IoGetDef, IoLongTagGetDef, IoLLTagGetDef, or IoGetHistDef) having the field IO_ASYNC? set to YES to a scheduling record defined by ScheduledActDef; however, several clients reported scanning problems that were sol... |
Problem Statement: For the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Product Family, Aspentech releases two types of patches.
The first is commonly referred to as an Emergency patch. Each one is specific to a particular product and is made available to fix one or more specific problems that AspenTech has decided need to be addressed as soon a... | Solution: There are two tools available to a database administrator. One is the monthly newsletter distributed by AspenTech which amongst other things, lists all patches released in the past few weeks. The other is the Aspen Support Website http://support.aspentech.com/ that makes all patches for all products available... |
Problem Statement: When using the AspenTech Recommended method of backing-up history filesets via TSK_HBAK, those backed up filesets may be written to 'Active', or 'Shifted' or 'Changed' directory, depending on their status at the time of executing Tsk_Hbak..
To avoid excess disk usage there is a cleanup utility for th... | Solution: Inside the record defined by HistoryBackupDef are fields such as "Active_Location", "Shifted_Location" and "Changed_Location".
The suggestion here is for the user to make the fields Shifted_Location and Changed_Location point to the same location. What will happen now is that every time there is a Shift, Hbak... |
Problem Statement: After an unexpected shutdown, such as a power cut, or somebody rebooting without first doing a clean shut-down of the database, a restart of Aspen InfoPlus.21 may show that one or more of the Aspen History Repositories failed to restart. This would often be indicated by viewing that repository from t... | Solution: All repositories have an 'active' fileset. This active fileset is continuously being accessed by applications such as Aspen Cim-IO trying to write to it, or Aspen Process Explorer, Aspen SQLplus, Aspen Calc etc., reading data from it. Therefore we say that this fileset is always 'open'. With unexpected shutdo... |
Problem Statement: The MSMQ Publisher may give a warning re full queues, if the subscriber(s) are not available. How can queue size be managed? | Solution: Replication is designed to self-monitor, adjusting its operation based on available resources. So ideally resource parameters should not be manually configured. However should changes need to be made, the following information is available.
By default, the machine quota typically is set to 1 GB to be used for... |
Problem Statement: AspenTech recommends that application programs or queries use the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Health Monitor to report statuses and process operating conditions.
This solution describes how to configure the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Health Monitor and user written applications to allow users to quickly monitor the wel... | Solution: A user written application is a query, external task, or other program that updates the Aspen InfoPlus.21 database regularly. The application can use the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Health Monitor to report on the status of the application or on some phase of the process. The Aspen InfoPlus.21 Health Monitor also ensur... |
Problem Statement: A Mandatory step when upgrading an Aspen InfoPlus.21 system to a new machine, and preserve old history, is to copy the contents of what we call the 'dat' directory from the old to the new machine. This 'dat' directory contains 3 important files needed for interpreting history. They are Config.Dat, Ma... | Solution: Our knowledge-base article 129813 has a link to our V7.2 Installation Guide.. It then points you to the Overview section - Chapter 2 pages 12-14 - PDF pages 18-20 - where there is a section called "Directory Locations and
Keywords:
References: s".
You will notice on page 13 (PDF 19) the 'dat' directory locat... |
Problem Statement: Should you allocate multiple CPUs for Aspen InfoPlus.21 VMWare virtual servers? | Solution: In a dual-socket, dual-core VMWare server, four processors are available for the virtual images on the server. If the server, for example, hosts 10 virtual images, only four of the 10 virtual machines can be active at a time assuming each of the images has been allocated one CPU. The other six virtual machi... |
Problem Statement: This best practices article discusses configuring Aspen InfoPlus.21 history repositories for optimal performance.
Knowledge base solution 129111 (Configuring History Repositories for Optimal Performance (Summary)) summarizes the recommendations of this article. | Solution: Best practices for Aspen InfoPlus.21 history repository configuration include the following:
? Understanding History Repositories
? Comprehending History Data Flow
? Configuring the Number of Cache Buckets for each Repository
? Sizing Cache Buckets for each Repository
? ... |
Problem Statement: AspenTech released new, more user-friendly versions of the Aspen Process Explorer Add-Ins taking advantage of the Microsoft 'Ribbon' technology in version 7.3.
This article describes how to add the ribbon-friendly Aspen Process Explorer Add-Ins for Microsoft Excel. | Solution: On your Office 2007 or 2010 client, press the Microsoft Office button from Microsoft Excel, and choose Excel Options.
Select Add-Ins when the Excel Options screen opens.
Click on the Manage field, choose COM Add-Ins, and press the Go button.
Finally select Aspen InfoPlus.21 Configuration Excel 2007/2010 a... |
Problem Statement: Occasionally an Aspen Infoplus.21 Database Administrator needs to run a procedure to do a repair on one or more history file sets.
The most common method is to run the procedure from the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Manager via the drop-down menu option of Actions->Repair Archive
After selecting the required re... | Solution: Unless there is an excellent reason, the answer should always be 'NO'
Under normal conditions the Start Date of a fileset will match the End Date of the previous fileset as seen below.
Therefore if doing a repair on fileset #2 below, it really doesn't matter how this question is answered.
However, suppose f... |
Problem Statement: Where can I get tips for supporting Advanced Process Control (APC) issues? | Solution: Download the attached, "Tips for Troubleshooting APC Calls", for information on the most commonly reported APC issues, file locations, available log files, how to determine the version of the software being used, etc.
Keywords: user guide, support, tips
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do we improve the time for saving Events in Aspen Petroleum Scheduler (Orion) | Solution: In Orion there is no limit to the number of events you can save at one time.
These are some things to try to speed up writing and reading of the Events table:
1.- Try using the BULK_EVENT_WRITE in conjunction with EVENTS_READ_USING_TMP_TBL in CONFIG table
2.- For Events, ATORIONEvents is the master table ... |
Problem Statement: What is the meaning of the MULTIPATH message in the Aspen PIMS iteration log file?
NOTE: PIMS will detect and automatically correct MULTIPATH scenarios. This article is meant to help users understand the concept of MULTIPATH scenarios in recursion. However, this documentation is academic and you do... | Solution: When setting up recursion structure in a sub-model it is possible to create a situation where PIMS detects what is referred to as multiple path. The following example illustrates a multiple path problem.
We have a straight run kerosene (KR1) produced on a crude unit. KR1 is a recursed pool and can be blende... |
Problem Statement: How do I resolve a Visual Fortran run-time error that appears at the end of an Aspen PIMS run? | Solution: The solutions we have seen for this so far are some combination of turning off the following:
1. Indexing (both at the file/directory level and at the service level).
Please refer to solution 134228. This works for Window 7 OS environment.
2. Encrypting File System (EFS). EFS is a feature included in wind... |
Problem Statement: This article describes the best practice that can be followed to create a generalized initial starting solution to minimize local optima, which are inherent to solving non-linear problems. It is still the recommended best practice to use multi-start to address problems with local optima. | Solution: There are various ways to minimize local optima using Aspen PIMS. Each method has pros and cons. The primary benefit of the generalized input solution method discussed in this article is that multi-start execution of only 1 case is required, which minimizes computer processing time. This can be useful if a... |
Problem Statement: How do I copy Aspen SQLplus web-based reports from one server to another? | Solution: This article describes how to move Aspen SQLplus web-based reports from one server to another. The steps vary for automatic and interactive reports.
Interactive reports only require the XML files to be moved to the new server, but automated reports require the XML files and records defined SqlReportDef in As... |
Problem Statement: What to do when the Aspen DMCplus controller shuts down with a QP Internal error. | Solution: QP internal errors can be investigated by using the ModelSVD tool, found in the C:\Program Files\AspenTech\DMCplus Desktop\Utilities.
It is also commonly recommended to consider resetting the parameter EPSMVPMX.
Additional options were made available for this parameter with an update to the 2006 version of th... |
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