question stringlengths 19 6.88k | answer stringlengths 38 33.3k |
|---|---|
Problem Statement: Neither Quick Results nor Excel Equipment Contents report includes materials transferred from step1 to step2. | Solution: In a Batch simulation (Run\Simulate Batch), each step is simulated independently. That is, Batch Plus does not use the results from previous steps in a batch simulation.
Example:
Step 1: charge Tank-A with 100 kg of water. Quick Results show Tank-A equipment contents of 100 kg of water.
Step 2: charge Tank-A... |
Problem Statement: How does a fill operation handle left-over material? | Solution: When specifying a Fill operation, the user can provide the following input arguments
Filling-Unit
: Equipment used to fill the material.
From-unit
: Equipment unit from which material is transferred.
Packaging-Material
: Packaging material to which material is filled into.
Material-Amount
: Material amount fi... |
Problem Statement: How do you incorporate long chain branching into polymerization reaction? | Solution: To predict long chain branching during polymerization, the BRANCH3 and BRANCH4 segment types need to be defined. To declare certain segments as BRANCH3 or BRANCH4, please go to Aspen Properties > Polymers > Characterization > Segments.
Some common polymers predicted this way includes polyethylene (BRANCH3) an... |
Problem Statement: How to see the viscosity and the vapor pressure of the fluid loaded within the PUMP-FLO tool? | Solution: PUMP-FLO is a centrifugal pump selection software used by pump manufacturers and distributors around the world and it can work in integration with Aspen Plus. To use it you need to go to the Pump block Setup | Specifications form and click on the Aspen Exchange icon where the PUMP-FLO tool can be downloaded f... |
Problem Statement: Describes how to split Event label in more than one lines in Aspen Petroleum Scheduler and Aspen Refinery Multi-Blend Optimizer | Solution: When create a new Event , enter the label you want to display on the Gantt chart above the event. If you want to display the label on two or more lines, insert a `I?symbol where you want a line break.
Then click OK, now splitted Label is showing in two lines:
Keywords: -Gantt Chart
References: None |
Problem Statement: Explanation of DMC3 features in APC Builder and DMCplus Legacy platform | Solution: - DMC3 is a licensing scheme. We can have a DMC3 controllers built with the legacy DMCplus tools (offline and online). In that configuration, a DMC3 controller has base controller, AspenWatch, SmartStep, Calibrate/Adaptive only. On the other hand, a DMC3 controller built with APC Builder would have the men... |
Problem Statement: Proware Super-Saddles are not available in pack sizing/rating in Aspen Plus. | Solution: It is not possible to have all packing and tray types in Aspen Plus. We try to add them when we have enough information from the manufacturer. For Proware Super-Saddles, we do not have sufficient data from the manufacturer to add it to the database. Our suggestion is to use the Super Intalox for the calculati... |
Problem Statement: How can I use the DOCALL subroutine in a USER2/USER3 user model to call a routine which is not linked in the same dll as the user subroutine code? Can I dynamically link to other dlls? | Solution: This is exactly the purpose of the DOCALL subroutine. Instead of creating a very complex example, let's take a look at this conceptual case:
USRUS2 subroutine implements the USER2 unit operation code, it will be called by Aspen Plus
MYROUT subroutine implements some further calculations, which will be called ... |
Problem Statement: Why does #MIX in a weight-based model provide the total volume of a stream or a tank? | Solution: The way #MIX works, for both tanks and streams, is that it is not based on the type of a model but on the keyword
WGT or VOL present as the first property listed in the #RESULTS row of a User Unit.
If the property is WGT the values in the #MIX will be in weight, and if it is VOL (or even any other property)... |
Problem Statement: Is there a reason that Ammonia Carbonate ((NH4)2CO3) is not in our database? And not in the chemistry? | Solution: This compound can exist in crystaline form as a double salt of ammonium bicarbonate (Ammonium hydrogen carbonate NH4HCO3) and ammonium cabamate (NH2COONH4), or it can exist on its own. However, it breaks down very easily when exposed to air. InSolution, it is even more unstable.
We have included an ammonia ... |
Problem Statement: How can I change the routes of an activity coefficient model such as NRTL to use one set of binary interaction parameters for the fugacity calculation for vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) and another for the excess enthalpy (HXS)? This may be needed to address the limitation that a single set of binary... | Solution: Attached is an Aspen Plus V7.1 file which shows how to use a second data set for liquid enthalpy calculations with NRTL.
A number of changes need to be made:
1. A new route for liquid mixture molar enthalpy departure (DHLMX) has been created under Properties | Advanced | Routes. This is a copy of the co... |
Problem Statement: Where Can I see Unit Operation Summary in Aspen Plus? | Solution: After running the simulation, users can see Unit Operation Summary using one of the following methods listed below:
On Tool Bar select Data Browser | Results Summary | Unit Operation Summary
Click on Check Results short cut icon then select Unit Operation Summary
Click on Block Summary Grid icon
The Block S... |
Problem Statement: How consistent are the results from tray sizing in RadFrac? If I size a tray and then rate it, I get varied results. | Solution: These issues resulted primarily from the complexity of the design equations and the simplifications suggested by the tray design brochures to deal with these complexities. The simplifications were needed because computers had not come into widespread use at the time of the publication of these design procedur... |
Problem Statement: Will Related Equipment effect equipment availability?
Note: related equipment refers to equipment listed on the Related Equipment Tab under the Data/Equipment Dialog. | Solution: Related Equipment will not be used for equipment availability checking. It is only used for documentation. These pieces of equipment are listed in the Equipment Data spreadsheet.
Keywords: Equipment
Availability
Schedule
Releated Equipment
References: None |
Problem Statement: What is the difference between Conventional and Non-conventional Solids? | Solution: Conventional solids are pure materials specified using the Solid component type. These solids may be part of the stoichiometry for simple or kinetic reactions. These solids can be used in the MIXED or in the CISOLID (Conventional Inert Solid) substreams.
Conventional solids are characterized in terms of prope... |
Problem Statement: What are the options to simulate a batch recipe in Aspen Batch Plus? | Solution: Prior to Aspen Batch Plus version V7.2 there were three (3) ways to simulate a batch:
1. Select Simulate Entire Batch from the RUN toolbar, this is equivalent to Simulate Batch, but additional options to choose the specific operations or range of operations. RECOMMENDED method to simulate a batch.
2. Select S... |
Problem Statement: Where can I find the Aspen Batch Plus Getting Started Quickly Tutorial? | Solution: The Getting Started Quickly Tutorial is included on the installation CD and can also be found via the online help. To access the Getting Started Quickly Tutorial, follow the steps below:
1. Open a blank or any existing Aspen Batch Plus project
2. Go to 'Help' under main menu, then click on 'Help Topics'
3. ... |
Problem Statement: What emission models should I use if I have Nitrogen gas sweep
What happens if I have conservation vent
What to do if I have vessel which has sweep going on but no operation is taking place
What does additional Sweep in Advanced button mean | Solution: A1. For everything but MACT, Sweep model should be used. For MACT, MACT Purge model should be used.
A2. If after start sweep, the conservation vent on, or if you set up a blanket pressure, then the sweep emission will be zero. Because the way conservation vent works is that, it is normally closed except when ... |
Problem Statement: Custom Excel Report Example | Solution: Custom Report Example: Charges
We will build a custom report that shows a summary of all the input materials for a step.
Here is an example output report, using the Intermediate B (Pilot Plant) step from the Examples project that ships with Batch Plus.
We are not suggesting that one generally wants a finished... |
Problem Statement: I am running an input file from the Aspen Plus Simulation Engine Window. Is there a way to look at the results that are in the summary (.sum) file? | Solution: Open a new blank simulation.
Go to File Import and then select Summary file in the bottom right for the file type:
Then, the results (including the process flowsheet diagram) will be read into the simulation. There will be lots of red circles to indicate no input, but the results will be there.
You can copy a... |
Problem Statement: While using certain Operations such as Decant or Separate, the streams that are categorized as a Waste Stream do not appear on the Waste Stream Table Excel report. | Solution: Only output streams that are categorized as a Waste Stream AND sent to an inventory location will be reported in the Waste Stream Table Excel report.
For example, refer to the Pharmaceutical A (Example) Process in the Examples.prj file located in the Batch Plus install directory (default location: C:\Program ... |
Problem Statement: Assumptions made in “Fluidbed” for modeling of chemical reactions. An explanation of how to add them to the unit. | Solution: In Aspen Plus, the fluidized bed model considers two different zones: the bottom zone characterized by high solids volume concentrations, and the upper dilute zone in which the solids volume concentration decreases with increasing height. The bottom zone is modeled as a bubbling bed according to Werther & Wei... |
Problem Statement: The default format setting that Microsoft uses in ExceI cells is General. The General format automatically converts cell contents that look like dates into Excel's internal date/time format. This not only changes the way that the date looks to users, but it also changes the cell's actual value. Excel... | Solution: To avoid this, you can manually set the format of the relevant Excel cell(s) to Text format instead of General. This will cause Excel to display the text entered without any conversions. In Excel, you can format a cell to Text format by doing the following:
1. Select the cell(s) in Excel that you want... |
Problem Statement: While your Aspen Orion-XT Model is running on MS SQL / Oracle Server, how to convert the model in to MS Access Database using Aspen Orion-XT in built feature. MS Access version of Model is highly portable, when sending the model to others or AspenTech support engineer. | Solution: Aspen Orion-XT has Model Archiving feature which creates a MS Access Version of the Model from MS SQL or Oracle Version.
Model Archiving can be accessed through File || Archive Model Option. The output of the Archiving included MS Access version of Model, Units.xls and other optional model files in a ZIP file... |
Problem Statement: What does Solid Red Circle sign represent in Text Recipe? | Solution: The solid red circle displayed on the Text Recipe is NOT a warning/error message icon/sign.
Under Advanced Simulation (View | Toolbars | Advanced Simulation Toolbar), the user can insert breakpoint(s) in the recipe. A breakpoint in the recipe is indicated by a red dot next to the Operation. When you simulate ... |
Problem Statement: After reporting the equilibrium constant (Keq) in an REquil block, how can this value be entered in Reactions for an equilibrium reaction to be used in RCSTR? What basis should be used for a liquid phase reaction? | Solution: The internally calculated Keq uses the ideal gas as the reference state, and the reference state fugacity is taken as 1 atm. Hence, for a liquid reaction, there is no corresponding Kbasis since we imply that any such reference state is lumped to the left side, and we then describe how we calculate the right s... |
Problem Statement: In RadFrac pack rating and sizing sections, one can specify the type of material. What does STANDARD as a packing material stand for? For example, the BX packing has STANDARD and PLASTIC as the options. | Solution: The STANDARD packing material stands for metal.
Keywords: None
References: : CQ00431013 |
Problem Statement: When salt solubility parameters (K-SALT) are regressed for one solvent, do they apply when other solvents are in the mixture also? | Solution: When K-SALT is used as an adjustable parameter in the solubility calculations, it is directly related to the mole fraction and activity coefficient of the solute at saturation regardless of how many solvents in theSolution. The following paper describes this concept (equations 1-3). It is correct that K-SALT ... |
Problem Statement: When a heat curve is created in a column I get the following warning
COLUMN CALCULATIONS INVOLVE REACTIONS OR EFFICIENCY SPECIFICATIONS HCURVE RESULTS MAY NOT BE CONSISTENT WITH COLUMN RESULTS. | Solution: Heating/cooling curve calculations do not include reactions or column efficiencies that may be specified in the block. When heating/cooling curves are specified in the presence of such features, you may see this warning.
The heating/cooling curve will still calculate results, but because they do not consider ... |
Problem Statement: I like using the shortcut keys rather than the mouse. Are the traditional shortcut keys still available in V7.3.2? | Solution: The traditional shortcut keys (based on key combinations involving Ctrl and/or special keys such as F1 through F12) still exist, and as much as possible are unchanged from previous versions. In the tooltips for ribbon commands, these shortcuts are shown wherever they exist.
See the help topic Using the Keyboa... |
Problem Statement: How to create a custom table template in Aspen Simulation Workbook? | Solution: Aspen Simulation Workbook allows to create quick table based on customized pre-configured template. Follow the steps given below to create your own template:
1. Open the Organizer, and then click Create Quick Table button
2. Select <Manage Templates...>
3. Click New on the Manage Table Templates form
4. Give ... |
Problem Statement: Sometimes, a user need to determine if an Aspen HYSYS solve has completed. How can this be done? | Solution: There are three cases to consider:
(1) Performing a Standard Aspen HYSYS Solve (not involving HYSYS Optimizer)
Use the ?SolverIsRunning? property of the simulation object to determine when the solve is completed.
See attached code for examples of how to do this: DetectWhenHysysSolveDone_20110228a.xls (V7.2 ... |
Problem Statement: In Aspen Batch Plus versions prior to 2006.5, the Aspen Batch Plus Project (example) folder was installed under C:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Batch Plus 2006\Projects.
Where is this Project folder in Aspen Batch Plus version 2006.5? | Solution: In Aspen Batch Plus version 2006.5 the Project (example) folder is installed under C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AspenTech\Aspen Batch Plus 2006.5\Projects.
This change was made for Microsoft Vista compatibility.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to specify a different heat of combustion value (HCOMB) for a non-conventional component for each stream? | Solution: No, the value of HCOMB is specified for a given non-conventional component model-wide. You can specify different attributes for the component in each stream, but only one value of HCOMB can be specified. If you have different coals or components with different values of HCOMB, you must specify them as differe... |
Problem Statement: How do you model a co-current tower? | Solution: The rigorous distillation model RadFrac cannot handle a co-current tower. The work around is to use a series of flash or CSTR blocks. The only limitation is that you cannot enter an efficiency.
Keywords: RadFrac
column
References: : CQ00107185 |
Problem Statement: The user specified the default vapor emission model for a particular operation (e.g. React) under File | Preferences | Vapor Emission but failed to see the vapor emission calculation for that operation in the Vapor Emission Stream Table or Vapor Emission Detail reports. | Solution: There are MULTIPLE pieces of equipment for the same operation listed on the File | Preferences | Vapor Emission | Vapor Emission Models tab. The user has to ensure that vapor emission models are specified for the correct pieces of equipment for the vapor emission calculation to be performed.
For example, for ... |
Problem Statement: Converting PROII input file into Aspen Plus file using PROII to Aspen HYSYS Converter | Solution: 1. Browse for PROII to Aspen HYSYS Converter, go to Start | All Program | Aspentech | Process Modelling V7.2 | Aspen HYSYS | ProII to Hysys Converter
2. Once the converter has been opened, on the upper left hand toolbar, change Hysys to Aspen Plus(1). Similarly on the right side page, select Aspen Plus tab ... |
Problem Statement: I have a components 5-HYDROXY-3-HEXANONE (CAS number 33683-44-2). The simulation worked fine for V7.1 and found the necessary parameters in the NIST-TRC databank. However, there were missing parameters with V7.2.
Why were the data removed between V7.1 and V7.2?
Is it possible to get the NIST V7.1 pur... | Solution: The NIST database is constructed based on pure data information stored in files send from NIST. AspenTech does not have control on how these files are generated. For this particular component, there is very little data stored in files NIST sends for use in V7.2 compared with V7.1/V7.3. The reason might be som... |
Problem Statement: What is the difference between the Harwell spline fitting method and the Hermite method? | Solution: You can specify the spline fitting method for distillation curves. Spline fitting is used for interpolation of the curves.
The Harwell method is the default. The Hermite method enforces monotonicity between points, and prevents the minimum/maximum from falling between points, as occurs for the Harwell met... |
Problem Statement: Why DPN (Number Average Degree of Polymerization), DPW (Weight Average Degree of Polymerization) and PDI (PolyDispersity Index) are calculated twice in Cumulative Chain Length Distribution curve? | Solution: To see the Chain length, please select the product stream > Chain Size Distribution
The figures on the right are calculated from method of moments, the ones on the left are calculated numerically from the MWD curve. They should match reasonably well (these do) but not exact because there is round off error ... |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to perform emission calculations for operations such as Distill/Concentrate, where the contents are at its boiling point? | Solution: The emission equations should all fail when you are at or above the boiling point of the vessel contents. This is one of the reasons for the process condenser designation. If the vessel is at the bubble point then every condenser up to the one which lowers the temperature below the bubble point, or all conden... |
Problem Statement: What does Aspen Batch Plus do with the density supplied for a predefined mixture. | Solution: The density of a predefined mixture is only used when charging the mixture to a vessel using the Charge operation. The density is used to convert the charge amount, if specified on a volume basis, to a mass and mole basis. The predefined mixture density will only show in the charging stream. Once the mixture ... |
Problem Statement: How do I run Aspen Plus with DLLs generated by Intel Visual Fortran (IVF) Composer XE (IVF 12) on a computer with no IVF compiler and Microsoft Visual Studio installed? | Solution: In order to run .dlls compiled using a program such as Intel Visual Fortran, you need to have the runtime or redistributable libraries installed in the system directories. Generally, these libraries are installed with Aspen Plus; however, sometimes for newer versions of programs, it may be necessary to downlo... |
Problem Statement: MS Excel fails due to Aspen Simulation Workbook (ASW) plug-in - Need to disable Aspen Simulation Workbook for all users on a shared system | Solution: For a single user do the following:
There will be keys starting with ASWXLAddinLoader under:
<>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins
The above keys should be deleted.
To remove ASW for all users on a machine do the following:
You have to delete the ASWXLAddinLoader key for all users under ... |
Problem Statement: How to restore windows opened on a disconnected secondary display to the primary display. | Solution: When working with APC software on a computer with two or more displays, the user might have opened various windows from the APC software on either displays. If the second display is removed, it is possible that some of the windows may still be opened on the removed display thus not being accessible from the... |
Problem Statement: When you start Excel you receive a message that the Aspen Simulation Workbook (ASW) Add-in failed to connect to Excel.
One thing that can cause the ASW Add-in to fail to connect to Excel, is if version 1.1 or an earlier version of the .NET Runtime is loaded by Excel. ASW versions 2006.5 and later req... | Solution: The Excel application configuration file will be named Excel.exe.config and will be in the same directory as the Excel.exe file. To enable ASW to work properly, you need to remove the file or remove the line of the configuration file which specifies which version of the .NET Runtime to load.
The following lin... |
Problem Statement: Aspen Process Controller new feature: Import Vectors.
DMCplus Model imports the following data files: Collect files *.clc, Vector files *.vec, Extended Vector files *.dpv and Vector Import List files *.lst.
APC Builder has imported the following data files: APC Dataset files *.apcdataset, CLC fil... | Solution: To import Vector *.vec and Extended Vector *.dpv files:
1. From the main menu, click File | Import | Vectors. A Browse for Folder dialog box is displayed.
2. Use the Browse for Folder dialog box to locate and select the folder that contains one or more vector (*.vec and/or *.dpv) files.
3. Click O... |
Problem Statement: Why does the controller application generate No responses in gain matrix for an MV message? How to resolve this issue? | Solution: The No responses in gain matrix for an MV error message is typically generated when the controller model has one or more MVs that have all their model with zero or near zero gain values (10 to power -7 or lower in magnitude). The controller engine recognizes this when performing the control calculations (eith... |
Problem Statement: How can I use a Macro/VBA to enable ASW? | Solution: See the code in the attached workbook. You need to add two Aspen references to the vba project when you do this (already added in the workbook attached):
The code is attached here as well.
'--------------Code starts---------------
Sub EnableWorkbook()
Dim a As AspenOSEWorkbook.OSEApplication
Call Get... |
Problem Statement: Links between Excel and Aspen HYSYS broken when the Aspen HYSYS simulation is renamed | Solution: When you change the name of the AspenHYSYS file or change the location of the file on the PC and then open the active simulation case then the links between Excel and Aspen HYSYS get broken. You can use a different file name located in a different directory with your Aspen Simulation Workbook (ASW) excel file... |
Problem Statement: How do I change the font size of the variables in a Gantt chart? | Solution: Click on the Green button at the corner of the Gantt chart, the following dialog pops up
Select the Graphic Feature tab
Adjust the font size by specifying values in the Control variable box. Furthermore this dialogue gives the flexibility to change other graphic options like: font size of Event Labels, ... |
Problem Statement: We have an Aspen Plus model that uses a .dll file (via an opt file specification in the .bkp file).
Aspen Simulation Workbook (ASW) can never find the .opt (or the .dll) file since they are not part
of the embedded .bkp file. How does one do this? | Solution: Embed the compound file (.apwz) when the Aspen Plus bkp model requires external files such
as Fortran objects (.obj), DLLs (.dll), apmbd (binary embedded component from Excel calculator
blocks), and exchanger design EDR files. The Aspen Plus compound file should have embedded
all the necessary files to run (d... |
Problem Statement: How do you import a dataset, in a text file format, to DMC3 Builder? | Solution: In order to import data from a text file in DMC3 Builder you have to put the information in a tab delimited format. The information in the text file should follow the following order:
(1) In the first line you can put a description of the data set.
(2) In the second line the name of the vectors (time and nam... |
Problem Statement: What could prevent me from importing a dataset? | Solution: Working on a system that is using Portuguese local settings, dataset import fails.
The root cause is an issue with the date format. In Portuguese the format is dd-mm-yyyy, instead of the English standard format of mm-dd-yyyy. Inverting the position of month and day in the dataset corrects this issue when usin... |
Problem Statement: How do you incorporate cross linking in polymerization kinetics? | Solution: Crosslinked polyemrs usually involve reactions with pendant double bonds. Pendant double bonds (vinyl segments) resulting from the propagation of diene monomers such as 1,3-Butadiene can generate cross links between polymer chains.
The polymer attributes XLFLOW and XDENSITY are used to track the mole flow of ... |
Problem Statement: For a metallocene copolymerization reaction of monomers M1 and M2, can we determine the fraction of active catalyst that have M1 as the last inserted monomer? | Solution: Polymer attribute “LSEFLOW” needs to be included in the list of attributed calculated during polymerization process.
LSEFLOW will track the flow rate of live end segments for each type of active site. With calculated LSEFLOW, the catalyst flow rate and maximum active sites we should be able to work out the fr... |
Problem Statement: I'm trying to load an old simulation (created with Aspen Plus 2006.5 or older) with Aspen Plus V7.0 (or higher). I get a ID Conflict window such as shown below.
Why am I getting this window? What should I do? | Solution: The documentation mentions in the What's new in V7.0:
IDs for Design Specs, Calculators, Transfers
Design Spec, Calculator, and Transfer blocks may now be placed on the flowsheet. A side-effect of this is that they must have unique IDs. When opening backup files from previous versions where Design Specs, ... |
Problem Statement: Which emission model to use for Purge Operation? | Solution: In Purge operation, if you go to Model tab, take a look at the emission models available to this operation, you will see Purge, Sweep, Depressurization and other emission models are available to this operation.
Although this is confusing, one should NOT use Purge or Sweep emission model for Purge operation. O... |
Problem Statement: HP announced in June 2005, they would stop selling their Fortran Compiler, HP Visual Fortran 6.6 on December 1st, 2005. HP also advised users to migrate to Intel Fortran Compiler version 9. | Solution: Currently, the following Aspen Tech products allow compiling user routines using HP Visual Fortran:
? Aspen Plus
? Aspen Properties
? Aspen Dynamics
? Aspen Custom Modeler
? Aspen Adsim and Chromatography
Attached PDF file (Japanese) is a summary of the comp... |
Problem Statement: Shortcut to access the hierarchies and variable names in Aspen Plus, so that they can be easily used in your ActiveX Visual Basic code. | Solution: The Variable Explorer is important to the Automation user because it shows the names and the structure of the variables which may be accessed through the Automation interface.
Go to your simulation, browse through the navigation panel and do right-click in any of the parameters you want to control via ActiveX... |
Problem Statement: How to modify the number of valid phases in a node through Automation. | Solution: The following code demonstrate how to do it. You can make the specification for the stream or block node as follows:
myNode.FindNode('\Input\NPHASE\MIXED').Value = 1
myNode.FindNode('\Input\PHASE\MIXED').Value = V
Where '\NPHASE\MIXED' node values are: 1 (1-phase), 2 (2-phases), 3 (phases); and if NPHASE.MIXE... |
Problem Statement: Aspen Plus stream summary is not in the order specified in the customized .TFF
title=yes
stream-id-label=yes
display only substream=Mixed substream-header=yes pb-header=NO
prop temp prop-label=Temperature substream=Mixed &
format=%10.1f
prop pres prop-label=Pressure substream=Mixed &
format=%10.1... | Solution: Put abeglooop and endloop around each display solves the issue.
Attached is a sample tff file.
Keywords: TFF, Begloop, Endloop
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why do I get an unknown bead number error? | Solution: When you get a message about unknown or undefined bead number, it indicates a problem with accessing some information from the vector. If this happens reproducibly in a simulation, it is a defect. Please set the file to customer support.
If the simulation contains user fortran, check that all variables are di... |
Problem Statement: After installing Visual Fortran VS2015 Professional with Update1, there was a dialog telling me VS 2015 with Update 1 is installed successfully. However, when trying to set the compiler for Aspen Plus, the VF16_VCX14 reports ERROR. | Solution: By default, the Visual Fortan VS 2015 Update 1 does NOT install Visual C++ (and associated tools) by default as in earlier versions. You now have to select the Custom installation option and then check Visual C++ (under Programming Languages). Visual C++ is needed to use Fortran with Aspen Plus.
Keywords: N... |
Problem Statement: How to model Tank to Tank transfer in a PPIMS model | Solution: Following is the example about how to model Tank to Tank transfer in a PPIMS model. For example, Crude ANS, NSF and TJL are pooled into Tank 01 and then transferred to Tank 02. Sample model can be downloaded from this article.
To reach this purpose, we can create submodel ST12 and use T.CRDTANKS and T.PGUESS ... |
Problem Statement: How are some common chemicals used in pharmaceutical and biotech processes listed in the Batch Plus database? | Solution: Below is a list of common chemicals used in pharmaceutical and biotech processes and their more exact names. \
Common Name MW Technical/Other Names In Batch Plus Database?
Tris 121.14
Tris (hydroxymethyl) amino-methane
or trimethamine or C4H11NO3
No
Dithiotheitol 154.3
DTT or Cleland's Reagent or
C4H10O2S... |
Problem Statement: Why does the temperature of water increase when the pressure decreases? | Solution: The Joule–Thomson coefficient is defined as the change in temperature with respect to an increase in pressure at constant enthalpy.
At room temperature for most vapors (including steam), Joule-Thomson expansion lowers the temperature. Some notable exceptions are hydrogen, helium, and neon. However, for liqu... |
Problem Statement: I am attempting to see if Aspen Plus correctly predicts the solubility of oxygen in water. To do this I flash a mixture of oxygen and water and take the concentration of oxygen in water for the liquid outlet. I use UNIFAC as property
method and Oxygen as Henry component. However, based on Aspen repor... | Solution: Water solubility of Oxygen at 25 ?C and 1 bar is calculated by Aspen Plus as 39.3 mg/l. In air with a normal composition at sea level, the Oxygen partial pressure is 0.21 bar. This results in disSolution of 39.3 * 0.21 = 8.3 mg Oxygen/l in water that comes in contact with air, which is the value reported on l... |
Problem Statement: The user would like to generate a summary of all waste streams and the net costs relating to the disposal of these streams. | Solution: Batch Plus can report a summary of all waste streams and their costs. To generate this summary:
Define new waste stream categories and associated costs under File, Preferences, Stream Categories. It may be advantageous to define multiple Stream Categories that represent different concentrations and their rel... |
Problem Statement: What is the validity range of PC-SAFT data in terms of temperatures and pressures for the data against which the parameters were regressed? | Solution: PC-SAFT parameters stored in Aspen database are mainly from papers by Sadowski and her co-workers. Here is a list of references:
Gross, J., & Sadowski, G. Perturbed-Chain SAFT: An Equation of State Based on a Perturbation Theory for Chain Molecules. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 40, 1244-1260 (2001).
Gross, J., &... |
Problem Statement: When ideal gas enthalpy (HIG) is calculated based on saturated liquid reference state, how are ideal gas Gibbs free energy and entropy (GIG and SIG) calculated? | Solution: When H*,ig (HIG) is calculated based on saturated liquid reference state, ideal gas Gibbs free energy and entropy (GIG and SIG) are also calculated based on saturated liquid reference state to maintain thermodynamic consistency, and liquid Gibbs free energy and entropy are also calculated based on saturated l... |
Problem Statement: Equipment is not showing up in the Equipment diagram | Solution: Check to see that the operations that use these pieces of equipment simulated correctly. If there are no vessel contents or the inlet stream is of zero flowrate, then there are no stream results and Batch Plus will omit the equipment from the Visio Equipment diagram.
Correct the recipe so that the vessel cont... |
Problem Statement: When plants are added directly into the equipment database, they do not show up on the facilities list in the Batch Plus GUI. | Solution: In the equipment database, the new facility has to be entered in two places, the Plant Table and the Plant-to-Project Table. At least one piece of equipment must be added to the facility in the ActualEquipmentCommon Table or else the facility will be deleted from the list in Batch Plus.
To add a facility in ... |
Problem Statement: After moving to a new computer user fortran .dll files cannot be linked. | Solution: The problem is could be due to missing fortran link libraries DFORRT.DLL and DFORMD.DLL files (located in \ \windows\system32) for the older Compaq Visual Fortran.
TheSolution is to copy those two DLLs from the old computer to the new computer.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Is there an assumption of a constant flow in the RPlug reactor on the energy balance? | Solution: The variables that appear in integrations:
1. For each substream: the effective (involving reactions) components flow and enthalpy flow
2. For each component: effective component attributes
3. Pressure: if pressure is not assumed constant or defined (profile)
4. Resident time: at each step (indirectly volume ... |
Problem Statement: When using the NIST ThermoData Engine (NIST TDE) for a Pure Component, some of the properties are for Liquid vs. Gas. For example, There is Density (Liquid vs. Gas) and Heat Capacity (Liquid vs. Gas). What does this mean? | Solution: This generally means saturated liquid. For example, Saturated Density (Liquid) and Saturated Heat Capacity (Liquid). In general, properties indicated as applying to Liquid vs. gas, or Crystal 1 vs. gas, etc. apply to the first phase at its equilibrium with the second. This information is taken directly from ... |
Problem Statement: The pressure in a vessel or reactor is increasing unexpectedly. | Solution: A common reason for the pressure to increase unexpectedly is that a vent is closed unexpectedly.
If the pressure is increasing through the Charge or other operations, first check the Run History (under NotePad Results) for operations occurring earlier in the recipe to see if the vent on a vessel was closed as... |
Problem Statement: Why does the objective function keep decreasing past the value reported on the Column | Analysis | NQ Curves | Summary sheet? | Solution: The traditional NQ curve is a plot of heat load (Q) against total number of stages (N). However, the concept of NQ curves is not restricted to just heat load. These curves can be used with any objective function.
The NQ Curves feature in Aspen Plus determines the curve by performing calculations at differen... |
Problem Statement: Aspen Plus 10.1 should be loaded and run before you attempt to use it with Batch Plus. | Solution: Batch Plus will not recognize that Aspen Plus has been installed until it has been run once. You can run the Testprob.bkp found under the \Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Plus 10.1-0\Favorites folder.
Note that Aspen Plus 10.0 is not supported in Batch Plus 2.0b.
Keywords: Installation
Aspen Plus
Batch Plus
Ref... |
Problem Statement: What happens if more than one outlet stream is denoted as the key step output? | Solution: Batch Plus will use the first occurrence of this specification.
Keywords: BATCH PLUS
Key
Step
Output
Product
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to report molar properties for a polymer in the stream report? | Solution: Aspen Plus includes in its property sets two properties to report the true molecular weight and the true molar flowrate of a polymer.
For V9, the process to add those values in the stream report is as follow:
1. Go to the stream that you want to review and select the results tab.
2. Click on add prope... |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to define Utility (heat transfer fluid) as mixture? | Solution: Currently, you cannot use a mixture to create a utility; only pure components are allowed. You have to create a new pure component with the physical properties that the mixture would have to simulate similar heat transfer activities. Then, create a new utility based on the pure component.
Keywords: Utility, H... |
Problem Statement: What version of Visio is required for Batch Plus 2.x? | Solution: Batch Plus 2.0, 2.0b, 2.1 and 2.2 require Visio Technical or Pro version 5.0c or higher.
Keywords:
References: None |
Problem Statement: The average molecular weight is needed to calculate equivalent and bill of material. How is it calculated for a mixture in Route Selection? | Solution: If you specify the active ingredient in a mixture, then the molecular weight should be: (active ingredient MW)/(mole fraction of active ingredient in the mixture)
If you did not specify the active ingredient, then the molecular weight should be the average MW based on mole fraction
The molecular weight in t... |
Problem Statement: Installation and configuration issues may lead to problems launching Visio Equipment or Block diagrams. | Solution: Either Visio Professional or Visio Technical is required to generate Equipment or Block diagrams in Aspen Batch Plus. Visio Viewer cannot be used to generate diagrams. However, once Visio diagrams are generated, one can use the Visio Viewer to browse the diagrams.
If you encounter difficulties while trying to... |
Problem Statement: How can I retrieve r, q and q' Uniquac parameters? | Solution: The Uniquac r, q, and q' parameters are scalar parameters for each component.
To review parameters, from the main menu, select Tools and Retrieve Parameters Results. The values for r, q and q' will be reported as GMUQR, GMUQQ and GMUQ1 respectively on the Properties | Parameters | Results | Pure Component | S... |
Problem Statement: Why do I get large, unexplained time gaps in the simulation results? | Solution: The facility for the step is can use a non-24 hour calender where certain dates are marked non-working or exception.
Check two places:
The calender assigned to the facility. Go to the Facility tab in the project builder, select the facility and click Edit.
Preferences. If a calender is not specifically assig... |
Problem Statement: What are the different batch movement operations available in Aspen Batch Process Developer (ABPD)? | Solution: Following are the different batch movement operations used in ABPD:
1. Charge: Charge raw material to a unit which may include pure component, a pre-defined mixture or pre-defined cells.
2. Charge-To-Amount: Charge raw materials to an equipment unit, to a certain amount of pure Component, pre-defined mixture ... |
Problem Statement: Not able to run the Custom (Example) process in the Examples project. | Solution: Make sure that the file path and name of Excel/VBA mode is specified correctly in each Operation it is used. The path and name set by the installation is
G:\Program Files\AspenTech\Batch Plus 2.1\Projects\Excel Models\MaintainComponentAmountv1.xls
You should change it accordng to your installation. To do this... |
Problem Statement: Besides molar flows, what parts of SVEC(*) must be defined calling the FLASH utility in user fortran? | Solution: Specifications for the flash are taken from a combination of values in SVEC, SPEC1, and SPEC2. The component flows and total flow are always used, and the following table shows the additional specifications:
KODE
SPEC1
SPEC2
Additional specifications
1
P
Q
P in SVEC(NCOMP_NCC + 3) if SPEC1 <= 0, H in SVEC(N... |
Problem Statement: Are there any new examples available for Aspen Plus V7.2? | Solution: A number of examples have been added or updated for V7.2.
Amines
MDEA+PZ
Aspen Plus simulation model and doc
Add
C:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Plus V7.2\GUI\App\Amines
NH3
Aspen Plus simulation model and doc
Update
Physical
Solvents
DEPG
Aspen Plus simulation model and doc
Update
C:\Program Files\AspenTech... |
Problem Statement: I have installed some Aspen Plus emergency patches using the .exe file. How do I know what fixes have been installed? | Solution: Go to the Help menu and select View Update Readme to see a list of the fixes addressed in the installed emergency patch.
This list is contained in a file named readme.htm located in the ..\AspenTech\Aspen Plus V7.x folder.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How is it possible to change icons in Visio for Batch Plus Equipment Diagram? | Solution: You can change the icons used in Visio. Refer to the online help under User Manual/Equipment Diagram/Custom Equipment Stencil. There is one icon for each equipment class.
You can replace the icon with a bitmap of a box or create a new icon in Visio. The stream ports are called connection points. To assign a c... |
Problem Statement: How do I define the stream class for a solid if I want to model it using a Crusher block? | Solution: The Solids unit operation blocks such as CRUSHER require a Conventional (CI) or Nonconventional (NC) solid substream with a particle size distribution (PSD). The stream classes that include these substreams are either CIPSD or NCPSD.
The stream class is specified as MIXCIPSD (or NCPSD) on the Setup | Specific... |
Problem Statement: Is there a way to know what changes have been made in a simulation file? | Solution: There is no built-in functionality that would allow you to look for modifications in the simulation in Aspen Plus. On the other hand, there is a procedure that would allow you to know if there are any differences between two input files from Aspen Plus. First of all, the input files are summaries of the diffe... |
Problem Statement: After checking Estimate missing parameters by UNIFAC on the NRTL or UNIQUAC binary parameter form, the parameters are not estimated for my components that are only in the NIST-TRC databank even though there should be UNIFAC groups for them. Why not? How do I get them to be estimated? | Solution: The UNIFAC groups (UFGRP) are part of the PURExx databanks, but they are not part of the NIST databank. In order to estimate the NRTL or UNIQUAC parameters, the UNIFAC groups need to be entered or generated from the General structure of the component.
To have Aspen Plus attempt to generate the UNIFAC groups:
... |
Problem Statement: How is the Heat of Reaction calculated in Batch Plus? | Solution: Users can use the Calculate button on the Batch Plus Reaction dialog to calculate heat of reaction. This heat of reaction is calculated as the sum of the IDEAL GAS heat of formation for the reactants and products; therefore, it might be far from the actual heat of reaction at given reaction condition.
Conside... |
Problem Statement: Where do the vapor emission models in Batch Plus come from? | Solution: Vapor emission calculation in Batch Plus are adapted from the EPA Guideline Series:
Control of Volatile Organic Emissions from Manufacture of Synthesized Pharmaceutical Products, December 1978. EPA Publication No. EPA-450/2-78-029
Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Batch Processes, February ... |
Problem Statement: Estimated parameters for liquid heat capacity (CPLDIP) are lost when switching the Run type option in Setup/Specifications from property estimation to Flowsheet. | Solution: Most property methods do not use a liquid reference state or hence the CPLDIP equation for the liquid enthalpy calculations. Therefore, when you switch from Property estimation to Flowsheet the CPLDIP form disappears as it will not be used in the calculations. The easiest way to change this is by making sure ... |
Problem Statement: New Feature in Aspen Plus V7.2 - Physical Property Improvements | Solution: The following enhancements were made to the physical properties in V7.2.
New Electrolyte Models
The Symmetric Electrolyte NRTL activity coefficient model has been added, with corresponding property method ENRTL-SR. This model calculates activity coefficients based on a symmetric reference state for ionic comp... |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.