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Problem Statement: Have there been any changes to the reports in V7.3? | Solution: The default value for the report output format changed in v7.3 CP3 from 'TEXT' (or 'CSV') to 'XML'.
Below are the calling arguments. All are optional except the report name and have default values.
PROCEDURE AW_CUSTOM_DATA(Arg_REPORTNAME CHAR(24), Arg_ENDTIMESTR CHAR(24) = '',
Arg_HISTTYPE CHAR(8) = ''... |
Problem Statement: How do you generate separate custom reports for each sub-controller with only specific MVs and CVs selected? | Solution: The following information is also available in the attached word document which details the procedure for setting up separate custom reports for each sub-controller while selecting only specific MVs and CVs.
Such custom reports can be generated by creating dummy custom KPIs for each of the variables you nee... |
Problem Statement: I have installed DMCplus on-line 2004 as well as Aspen Dynamics 2004 on my computer. I have copied the dmcplus files released with the example in the correct location (c:\program files\aspentech\ac online\app\MCHCOL)
I get the following messages when I run in AD the example MchDMCplus.dynf.
Integrati... | Solution: These error messages indicate a time out from the controller at the start of the run.
We recommend setting the controller MCTOL parameter to -1 to switch of missed cycle checking. For version 2006, we have changed the mchcol.ccf file that we deliver to use this value.
When configuring the Controller in DMCplu... |
Problem Statement: | Solution: This Windows help file is divided into five books:
Introduction
Symptoms
Problems
Diagnostics
Actions
The Symptoms book contains pages for various symptoms of problems that Aspen Watch users sometimes encounter. For each symptom, links may be provided to potential problem descriptions or diagnostic tools or t... |
Problem Statement: Why do I get the error Run-time error '429': ActiveX Component can't create object, when trying to start up Aspen Watch Maker? | Solution: There are certain libraries that are shared with Aspen Watch Maker and other products. If you have in the server DMCplus Build, DMCplus Model, DMCplus Simulate or IQConfig and you try to open it do you have the same error?
This type of run-time messages points that a library is not well register. The most com... |
Problem Statement: | Solution: This SQLplus query extracts data from Aspen Watch history and writes it to a text file. Data collection can be done in a piecemeal fashion. For example, the query can be set up to extract 24 one-hour averages during each query execution for 365 executions, thereby extracting a year's worth of one-hour average... |
Problem Statement: How do you configure valve dynamics? What are the different equations used in valve dynamic modeling? | Solution: In Aspen Plus Dynamics one can configure valve dynamics depending on the process condition and type of valve in question. Valve dynamics can be based on zero order, 1st order, or 2nd order dynamic action.
1) Zero order dynamics valve is a direct action valve and is available to select if no dynamics are inv... |
Problem Statement: I want to see file XYZ on my Aspen Watch server, but it is located in another building and I don't have access to it. This is a downside of working in a client/server environment. Client/server software has its advantages. It's what allows us to view trends of data located on a computer in a differen... | Solution: The first is the SYSTEM statement. The SYSTEM statement executes an operating system command. In the case of Windows NT, the SYSTEM statement can execute any command that can be entered at the Windows NT Command Prompt. The operating system command executes on the server computer; therefore, if I run the foll... |
Problem Statement: Maker generates a Controller is already loaded error when trying to load a new controller.
Details: This error can occur if the CCF was created using DMCplus Build 2.0 or later AND there are continuation lines in the CALC section that contain one of the following text patterns starting in the second ... | Solution: Update the SQL stored procedures that handle the creation and updating of DMCplus controller records in the Aspen Watch database. Use the following procedure:
Copy the attached files onto your Aspen Watch Server machine.
Make sure InfoPlus.21 is running.
Run the SQLplus query writer and open the AWP_CREATE_... |
Problem Statement: | Solution: FindBadDMCpLimits.sql is an SQLplus query that can identify inconsistent DMCplus limits. For each DMCplus manipulated and controlled variable, the following calculations are made:
Lower Engineering Limit - Lower Validity Limit
Lower Operator Limit - Lower Engineering Limit
Upper Engineering Limit - Upper Oper... |
Problem Statement: Upgrade an Aspen Watch 2.x to 2.2 without upgrading IP21 as required with ACS 3.1 distribution package. | Solution: Here are the files needed to upgrade a Aspen Watch 2.0 or 2.1 system (AMS 3.0 or 3.1) to a pseudo- 2.2 system (AMS 4.0). It fixes a number of problems.
As with all activities with IP.21, first save a database snapshot to a name you'll recognize just in case something goes wrong. Also, when updating various fi... |
Problem Statement: Multiply block in the Control models library will not give the correct results. This is observed when a user is using Units of Measure (UOM) that is not Metric. | Solution: Internally the Aspen Dynamics library performs the calculations in Metric units. The multiplier block is actually converting the signal to metric units and then applying the multiplication factor. This is true for all the models in the Dynamics library.
Keywords: Dynamics library, Units of Measure, Multiplier... |
Problem Statement: 在 Aspen Process Explorer 中，所有位号的值都出现 Query completed with errors 错误信息。此错误发生在安装了 Aspen Process Explorer 的机器上，原因是因为下载了比 Aspen Process Explorer 版本还新的 Aspen IP.21 Process Browser (老版本称为 Aspen Web.21) 的组件。 | Solution: 升级 Aspen Process Explorer 版本并保持和下载的 Aspen IP.21 Process Browser 组件版本一致或者重新安装 Aspen Process Explorer。Aspen Process Explorer 和 Aspen IP.21 Process Browser 客户端的版本必须要保持一致以便正常运作。
注: 根据 V7.1 Aspen IP.21 Process Browser (Web.21) 安装手册 (Chapter 2), 提到如下内容：
不要在安装了旧版本的 Aspen Process Explorer 的机器上下载最新版本的 Aspen IP.21 Proc... |
Problem Statement: How can I change a pressure driven simulation to a flow driven simulation within Aspen Plus Dynamics? | Solution: It must be noted that the pressure driven and flow driven simulations require different fixed variables. In the pressure driven mode the feed and product stream pressures are fixed and the flowrates for the interal streams are calculated and it is declared as a free variable. In the flow driven simulation mod... |
Problem Statement: Can AspenWatch differentiate between controllers that are named the same but on different DMCplus systems? | Solution: No. Aspen Watch requires a unique folder name to store data files for each application. So it is not possible to monitor two controllers with the same name on a single Aspen Watch server.
Keywords:
References: None |
Problem Statement: Load a SmartStep tester, and get validation error. Everything seems to be OK, but it isn't working. | Solution: Frequently the user will identify the logical device for the DMCplus context server instead of the SmartStep context server. Make sure you are using the logical device specified for the SmartStep context server, usually IOSMST.
Keywords: SmartStep
Tester
Validation Error
References: None |
Problem Statement: Aspen Watch database upgrade procedure is not documented. Such as creating base database or usage of oktomodify.aw. | Solution: Aspen Watch Database upgrade procudure
1. Restore Group Configuration file
2. Copy following Aspen Watch files into IP.21 folders
...\AspenTech\Aspen Watch\etc\cfg\oktomodify.aw, Old Aspen Watch Snapshot file ->
...AspenTech\InfoPlus.21\db21\group200
...\AspenTech\Aspen Watch\etc\cfg\AW_Defs.RLD, AW_Recs.RL... |
Problem Statement: How to get Aspen Watch data into Excel | Solution: Look in Process Data Add-in Help (in Excel, click Aspen || Process data || hlp. Then under the major heading Using the Process Data Add-in, and the sub section?Defining Map Information for Tags it tells how to get the data using AtMapDef records.
A possible query:
select name, map_definitionrecord, map_curren... |
Problem Statement: I have chosen different communication intervals along a dynamic run so I can view the history of variables through the process when it changes faster (smaller communication interval chosen) and slower (larger communication interval). However, when I look at the history table, I find that the interval... | Solution: During the run, data is requested from the simulation server at the specified communication intervals. So it is important to select the correct communication interval in order not to miss the changes as you view the plot during the run. The history table corresponding to the plot is only updated when there ar... |
Problem Statement: Message: AW Events Database should be archived and events deleted | Solution: Message: AW Events Database should be archived and events deleted
This is an automatic response to the fact that there are more than 20,000 events in the AWEvents database. It is also a good reminder that some maintenance should be done to the AWEvents database.
There is a routine (AWEventMaintain) which, if ... |
Problem Statement: | Solution: The DetectOffSpec SQLplus query utility was designed to do the following:
identify periods of time when a feed rate or product rate was abnormally low
identify periods of time when a key process variable was violating some limit. The algorithm is fairly generic, so it might have other applications as well.
Ba... |
Problem Statement: When running Install Database Configuration for version 2006, it fails when loading records from IP21Health.rld. ip21systemhealthtests fails with value out of range. the recload aborts at line 1724. | Solution: The client can manually correct the problem and proceed immediately.
edit the file:
c:\Program Files\AspenTech\InfoPlus.21\db21\etc\ip21health.rld
In that file, line 1724 looks like this:
=05-JAN-06 15:15:00.0
Any time after Jan 5th in 2008, this value will be out of range, and will produce an error when atte... |
Problem Statement: For a three phase (two-liquid) system column, the temperature of a tray in the bottom half of the column, near the reboiler is lower than the temperature of the tray immedeiately above. The upper tray is two liquid phase. The tray below has a single liquid phase.
As more and more feed is added to the... | Solution: Switch to local properties mode to correct the temperature inversion. Local properties is also updated at every integration step, so it is accurate and the simulation.
The rigorous properties option does rigorous k values calculations but does not include phase stability checks to ensure a phase split is alwa... |
Problem Statement: Aspen Dynamics does not handle some component names that are legal in Aspen Plus | Solution: When naming a component in Aspen Plus, one must follow the naming convetion in Aspen Dyanamics inorder to export a dynamic run succesfully. Although Aspen Plus accepts component names like A-B, Aspen Dynamics does not, so a component that has a hyphen in it, must be renamed before being exported to Dynamics. ... |
Problem Statement: Aspen Watch Maker fails to run with the following error message regarding side-by-side configuration-
Run-time error ‘-2147010895 (800736b1)’: Automation error The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log to use the comm... | Solution: This issue typically occurs when VC++ 2008 Library is not installed / damaged on the machine running Aspen Watch Maker. The error message for Aspen Watch Maker in this case would typically be accompanied by an error message in the Event Viewer | Windows Logs | Application (log) that will provide a description... |
Problem Statement: I need to provide check valve in my flowsheet, I do not see in valve available that would be used as check valve | Solution: we do not have separate library model to use as check valve. Instead, we have conventional valve model and model it's action as check valve. To do configure as check valve, right click on any valve model and go to B1(valve) || configure and set Check valve option to be True
Keywords: Check valve,library model... |
Problem Statement: How do I prevent run-time error -2147220736 when starting Aspen Watch Maker?
Symptom: You see a runtime error starting Aspen Watch Maker like the following:
Run-time error '-2147220736' (80040300)': Automation error | Solution: The fix, in most cases, is to change the Protocol setting to Web Service instead of DCOM in the ADSA Client Configuration Tool on the Aspen Watch Server.
Additionally, if ADSA Server is not installed on the Aspen Watch server, you can do the following to allow PCWS to display the Watch Server's information:... |
Problem Statement: An Aspen Process Controller application is not showing up in Aspen Watch | Solution: An Aspen Process Controller application is not showing up in Aspen Watch even if the ?Enable Aspen Watch Monitoring? box was checked when the application was deployed and the Aspen APC Performance Monitor Data Service and the AspenTech Production Control RTE Service are running.
In Aspen Watch Maker Actions m... |
Problem Statement: How do I model column overhead system rigorously in Aspen Plus Dynamics? | Solution: While configuring the steady state model in Aspen Plus, you are allowed to model condenser in instantaneous model. You are only allowed to configure heat transfer rigorously in dynamic. Now, you would be able automatically reconfigure a Radfrac column with a condenser into an external condenser in Aspen Plu... |
Problem Statement: How to configure dead band controller in Aspen Plus Dynamics? | Solution: One can specify the lower (DBlow) and upper (DBhi) limits to specify the lower and upper limits of dead band as a percentage of the process variable range (PVmax?PVmin) by going to controller configure button ( Face plate || Configure || Other).
If you wish to specify a dead band either side of the controller... |
Problem Statement: A RADFRAC block is converged to steady state (with the steady state run mode), then the simulation is left running without external disturbances. After a while, one sees the compositions, temperatures, flowrates, etc changing dramatically. Why? | Solution: The reason may simply be that the steady state is unstable. When looking at dynamic simulation, one has to remember the importance of the control system. Aspen Dynamics adds automatically level and pressure controllers, because without these, drums would run dry or full after accumulating any small deviation ... |
Problem Statement: A controller is loaded into AspenWatch using AspenWatch Maker, but when the collection should have stabilized, the Run Status doesn't show Success. It shows Validation Error. | Solution: is applicable to all versions of AspenWatch
Keywords: AspenWatch, Context Server, Maker, cimio
References: None |
Problem Statement: How are the stage efficiencies defined in Aspen Plus Dynamics (APD) for distillation columns? | Solution: The efficiencies in APD are defined in the same way as in Aspen Plus. The screen shot below from the A+ Help shows the definition of the efficiencies. In APD, the efficiency values are in the property submodels used by each stage, for example, B1.stage(1).pflash2(1).eff(?ethanol?). The same variable is used f... |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to change the values of fixed variables while a dynamic simulation is running? If yes, then what are the options? | Solution: Yes, it is possible to make changes in fixed variable input while the dynamic simulation is running.
This can be performed in two different ways:
1. Make changes in the Manipulate Table of any feed streams and/or unit operations.
2. Make changes in the Controller FacePlate Form setting.
Please follow the step... |
Problem Statement: The following translation error occurs when a simulation containing pseudocomponents generated from assays or blends is exported:
TRANSLATE USING COMPILED AST PROCEDURES IN D:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Dynamics 11.1\Ast DIRECTORY.
TRANSLATING FEED STREAM FEED of TYPE MATERIAL.
363: ERROR: Variabl... | Solution: The simulaton is missing some property parameters which need to be included in the *.appdf file which is exported.
To include them, click the checkbox named Pseudocomponent property parameters (in SI units) on the Setup Report Options ADA Sheet. Save and re-run the simulation in Aspen Plus and export to Aspen... |
Problem Statement: Upgrading custom calc from 2004 to version 2006.5, what are the differences? | Solution: See attached document New versus Old KPI Calcs.
Keywords: KPI, calcs,
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can I user specify a bias in PID controller? | Solution: There are two versions of PID in Aspen Plus Dynamics, 1) Simulation | Libraries | Dynamics | SupersededModels | PID, and 2) Simulation | Libraries | Dynamics | ControlModels | PIDIncr. This first one is based on a positional algorithm, while PIDIncr uses a incremental algorithm. On the Configure dialog of PID... |
Problem Statement: When generating KPI averages, I get different results depending on the method used to request the data. | Solution: From the KPI Plot page of the PCWS - History
1. Select Monthly.
2. Then select either From current time or Time ending at (use today). (Refresh the page after each time selection)
Method one, Select Monthly provided one value and Method two generated a different value.
It has been determine that metho... |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to use non-reverse flow models with reverse flow models in the same simulation? | Solution: It is possible to use non-reverse flow models with reverse flow models. The steps are:
1. Isolate the non-reverse flow models with valves
2. Set the check valve option to true.
However the best practice is to avoid using reverse flow and non-reverse models in the same simulation to improveSolution speed and c... |
Problem Statement: 1. Steady state analysis where all CV ssa's are of the form:
CVname causes a x.xx change for NONE
2. constraint reporting inaccuracies.
3. Missing or invalid values handled incorrectly in reports
4. Try to generate report from PCWS and get following error message if no controller in ID 1
Error descri... | Solution: Download the attached zip file.
Create a subdirectory under ...\AspenWatch\ called patches
e.g. c:\Program Files\Aspentech\AspenWatch\patches
and unzip the contents of this zip file into that directory.
Run the batch file.
The batch file will save a snapshot of the current state of your database (before apply... |
Problem Statement: An effective control structure in a distillation column requires a thorough investigative analysis of column behavior from steady state calculations. Several different methods are discussed here while working on building the control structure of a distillation column. Please note that this study is p... | Solution: The objective of dynamic control of an ideal distillation column is to maintain purity in the overhead and bottom usually based on two key components ( light key and heavy key). Control structure generally implemented to measure the composition of two product streams and manipulate two input variables.
Howeve... |
Problem Statement: Unable to retrieve aggregate information for miscellaneous tags | Solution: This should provide aSolution for retrieving aggregate information for miscellaneous tags from Aspen Watch 2006.
Attached are two SQL files that are needed to update your system, upload them from Aspen SQLplus.
The statement to use for retrieving the aggregated hourly information will be like this:
AWH... |
Problem Statement: Inconsistent results when reading PID loop parameter from different servers | Solution: You are reporting that the test api results are different for the two different machines.
The first thing is to confirm the value being used for the listid. A listid of -1 says go to the device and get the data, a listid of 1 says read from the context. Depending on where you run the T-api from, sometimes it ... |
Problem Statement: In the attached simulation, if the pressure of the product stream is ramped up, the simulation fails to converge. Why? What can be done to prevent this to happen? | Solution: A pressure driven simulation must have the correct topology, i.e. blocks with a vapor holdup cannot be connected directly, and there must be a pressure driven element, such as a valve, between them. The pressure checker tool can be used in Aspen Plus to detect these constraints.
However, even when the topolog... |
Problem Statement: Sometimes the DMCwatch task (tsk_cl01 through tsk_cl05) will abort and cannot be re-started, or will fail immediately after re-start. There may not be helpful information in the .out or .err file. | Solution: When there is not helpful information, the tasks can be caused to generate more trace information so that the user (or support personnel) can determine what the process was doing when it terminated. With this information, it is easier to find what needs to be changed for the task to continue to run.
It is als... |
Problem Statement: Inspector fails to start. Generates a pop-up dialog box saying: Unable to start IP21 API Manager | Solution: Insure that Process Data for IP.21 has been installed.
During installation in the Select products dialog, check the box labeled Aspen Process Data, then click the button labeled Select Subcomponents. In the Select Subcomponents dialog check Process Data for InfoPlus.21 and Setcim.
this should resolve the prob... |
Problem Statement: The AllVariables table is not showing all the variables. How can I fix that? | Solution: Some variables have been declared in the models or stream types with the HIDDEN keyword, such as:
PVsf as hidden percentu (rateinitial, 50); // Scaled & filtered input signal
(this is a line from the PID controller model in Dynamics library) This causes the variables to be not displayed on the var... |
Problem Statement: In some instances, the export function to extract AspenWatch data on the Production Control Web Server (PCWS) would get stuck and the following message appears when the user tried to extract more data. | Solution: The export function may get stuck when the TSK_IQx that used to extract the data is hung up.
To reset the error, locate the AW_TagExporter record in InfoPlus.21 Administrator.
Change the status from Busy to Idle (and press Enter).
Next shutdown IP.21 with InfoPlus.21 Manager. After IP.21 is down, look in th... |
Problem Statement: How to model compressor inertia in a combined turbine compressor system, or multiple compressors on the same shaft? | Solution: The difficulty is that while the compressors should be modelled with separate blocks, their mechanical inertias cannot be modelled separately, otherwise this would lead to an index>1 problem which can not be handled by the integration methods available in Aspen Dynamics.
You need to lump the mechanical inerti... |
Problem Statement: Standard KPI hourly averages associated with Miscellaneous (MSC) tags configured without an IO source show -9999. | Solution: Miscellaneous tags in AspenWatch can be build without IO by running an SQLplus script that uses the procedure AWP_ADD_MISCTAG similar to the statement below.
--
PROCEDURE AWP_ADD_MISCTAG(TAGNAM CHAR(24), MSCDESC CHAR(64), ENGUNT CHAR(32),
PLOTH REAL, PLOTL REAL, TSKID INTEGER, DEVICE CHAR(24),... |
Problem Statement: When you run a simulation after creating a DMCplus controller in Aspen Dynamics flowsheet, you get an error message like:
DMCplus Interface: Error when attempting to start controller MCHCOL
Please check that the ACO Utility service is started.
Also check that you have correctly configured your Licens... | Solution: As advised in the error message you need to check that the products are correctly installed:
DMCplus Online 2.1 and its required components
See the installation manual of DMCplus Online 2.1 for instructions. The typical problem is that you need to use the DMCplus controller with the same login as the installa... |
Problem Statement: How do use files created in Aspen Dynamics version 10.x in version 11.1? | Solution: You must recreate the appdf file using Aspen Plus 11.1 else you will get this error:
Error: Unable to load file filename.appdf
Error: Could not initialise Physical Properties system.
Warning: Invalid estimation solver, reset to default.
SAICOF-F-Error in copying PDF File
... |
Problem Statement: The flow rates in Aspen Dynamics RGIBBS model do not match Aspen Plus results and are out of mass balance (in flow <> out flow). This happens when the flow rates are very small, such as fuel cell (type) applications. | Solution: The work around is the scale the flow rates using the MULT block before and after the RGIBBS model, i.e. have a MULT block before the RGIBBS block to scale up the flow and then have a MULT block to scale down the flow rates.
Scheduled to be fixed for Aspen Dynamics 11.1 SP1.
Keywords: RGIBBS, mass balance
Ref... |
Problem Statement: In earlier versions of Aspen Watch, there was an option to Generate CCF from the Inspector. Has this been removed from 2006.5 onwards? If this is removed then how do we simulate process for the past history? | Solution: It is possible to Generate CCF from Inspector from the PCWS after the following updates have been applied:
Install CP1, followed by the latest Hot fix for 2006.5. The instructions are documented in the list of corrected issues in the hot fix.
CP1 found inSolution 123288
HotFix2 - Aspen Watch 2006.5Solution 12... |
Problem Statement: Windows NT crashing on Aspen Watch server computer, resulting in a blue screen. | Solution: [Mr. Jeff Lawrence from ExxonMobile EMRE submitted the following tips to prevent Aspen Watch system crashes.]
The system crashed when I was not watching and archiving the Aspen Watch reports because the system disk completely filled. To get around this, I implemented a monthly maintenance routine that include... |
Problem Statement: Aspen Process Explorer, version 2.5.1 (which is part of Aspen Watch 1.2) installs a system service which causes a conflict with a service installed as part of the Aspen MIMI installation. If both Aspen Process Explorer, version 2.5.1, and Aspen MIMI are installed on the same computer, you can remove ... | Solution: Open the Control Panel (Start -> Settings -> Control Panel) and double-click the Services icon.
Scroll down to the service named NobleNet Portmapper, select it, and click the Stop button.
With NobleNet Portmapper still selected in the list of services, click the Startup... button. The Service dialog window ap... |
Problem Statement: Existing PIPE (PIPE3/PIPE2) models in APD are not robust in shut-down condition, especially for a flow reversal with bi-directional flow build up within a pipe. Current discretization method and the boundary condition models are not good enough to get through such difficult moment. | Solution: There could be workaround on this issue. The workaround may or may not work depending on the problem type. Main problem is that the current pipe model cannot handle a bi-directional flow, such as <-- --> or --> <-- flow condition. Imaginable workaround is making flowsheet or model not to create such bi-direct... |
Problem Statement: Cannot assign a units of measurement in a ramp like you can with an assignment in a task? | Solution: The fix for using the {units} syntax in a ramp has been deferred to a future unspecified release.
However there is a work-around as follows, for using a temperature in Fahrenheit instead of Celcius (the library unit of measurement for temperature):
Task test_ramp runs at 0.1
finalu as realparameter; // to s... |
Problem Statement: Change a controller from one AWCollect/DMCwatch set to another | Solution: Sometimes the user either selects an inconvenient pair of tasks for tsk_AW01-5/tsk_CL01-5, or changes in the operating parameters of the controllers make it desirable to change the tasks to which certain controllers are assigned. This cannot be done using update in AW Maker. Here is a procedure to make this c... |
Problem Statement: I'm modelling the depressurization of a storage tank with ethylene at high pressure, using a Mixer block. When I close the feed valve and leave the outlet valve opened, the temperature in the mixer drops to very low value. Is that correct? | Solution: The dynamic simulation uses rigorous material and energy balance. The temperature change is caused by the pressure drop in the storage tank.
The material balance can be written as:
$M = -F
where $M is the derivative of the molar holdup (e.g. dM/dt), and F is the outlet flowrate ($ stands for the time... |
Problem Statement: How to implement Anti Reset Wind up in PID controller | Solution: In current PIDincr controller, it implements anti reset windup by default in common with modern industrial controller. We are limiting the OP when clipping occurs. You can look at the scrap of the coding and variables associated with anti reset windup in PIDincr.
dIntTermARW as hidden control_signal (0); //... |
Problem Statement: | Solution: Miscellaneous tags that are not updated by the Aspen Watch data collection tasks can be useful for displaying RT-OPT or other calculation results. FixDummyMiscTags.sql is a SQLplus query that can be helpful in creating these dummy miscellaneous tags. A procedure to create the tags is described at the top of t... |
Problem Statement: Aspen Watch performance monitor shows Run Time error 70: Permission denied, while adding new controller to Maker or updating an existing controller. | Solution: The error in subject Run Time error 70: Permission denied in Aspen Watch Maker appears mainly due to permission issues.
In this scenario, Aspen Watch performance monitor tool will not allow adding or updating the controllers in Watch Maker and the add or update options will be disabled/grayed out in tools.
T... |
Problem Statement: Is there a way to generate a CLC or extract a list of vectors from Aspen Watch 2006?
The single vector extract is very cumbersome.
Either by planning, or because of problems with collections, it is necessary to extract model data from Aspen Watch. The vectors can be extracted one by one from the plot... | Solution: In the .\AspenWatch\etc\sql\Demo directory are a couple of SQL scripts. CreateVectorFiles.sql and /or CreateVectors.sql.
For Windows 2003 found in: Document & Settings\All Users\Application Data\AspenTech\APC\Performance Monitor\etc\sql\Demo
For Windows 2008 found in: Program Data\AspenTech\APC\Performance Mo... |
Problem Statement: You want to change the logical device for some of your controllers, because some of the DMCplus controllers have been moved to a different computer. | Solution: Create the new logical device(s) which are configured for the new server. The same DLGP Service Name is fine, (even preferable) so long as the host name (of the logical device) is different.
Now with the new logical device in place (Let's say you created IODMCP3 and are moving from IODMCP) you can then go i... |
Problem Statement: Try to start InfoPlus.21/AspenWatch and tsk_h21_arcck fails with the message Time overlap [#2] in filesets nn, 0 where nn is the number of the fileset being complained about. This bug is triggered when there is an EMPTY reserved fileset in a repository. It is likely that | Solution: 121051 - Aspen InfoPlus.21 v2006 Server Update One (2006.0.1) The behavior was remediated inSolution 121407- Aspen InfoPlus.21 2006.0.1 Cumulative Server Patch (IP070706Z) - July 2007
Keywords:
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can the user change the mass basis to mole basis (or mole to mass basis) for the OP value in the PID controller results table in Aspen Plus Dynamics? | Solution: When one creates a controller and connects the control signal from controller output (CONTROLER_BLOCK_NAME.OP) to a material stream, Aspen Plus Dynamics will display a window to allow the user to select one of available variables in a unit operation. The controller stream will connect to whatever input(s) tha... |
Problem Statement: Aspen SmartAudit fails with a pop-up error message that says:
Run-time error '521':
Can't open Clipboard
with a button labeled OK and when OK is clicked the application disappears.
This happens with remote desktop. Smart Audit opens OK. You are able to open and display a model. You select MVs and CVs... | Solution: TheSolution is to find this process in Windows Task Manager, and End process (Kill the process). then go to:
c:\Windows\system32 and find rdpclip.exe and double click on it to re-start it.
Once it re-starts Smart Audit should function correctly, until that process gets in a bad state again.
Keywords:
Referen... |
Problem Statement: How do I create custom PID configuration files in AspenWatch? Where can I find information on the procedure to configure custom PID configuration files for a non-standard DCS? | Solution: AspenWatch only has PID loop configurations for a limited number of DCS Cimio Server built-in to the DCS type configuration list for configuring the PID tags. The DCS type option in the PID tag configuration options is used to define the various PID loop parameters that re to be monitored. The DCS type config... |
Problem Statement: How do I change text fonts in Aspen Dynamics? | Solution: There are three areas where you can change the fonts of your text in Aspen Plus Dynamics 1) Plot 2) Table 3) Flow Sheet. To change the fonts, Please go to Tools || Settings and click on fonts
You can change font type,size and style as needed.
Keywords: Font, Tools
References: None |
Problem Statement: Aspen Watch 2006.5 with CP1 - Modifying a custom calc / cannot add a paramater as a constant value | Solution: We removed the CONST calc value type in 2006.5 CP1. The work around is to just edit the formula and enter the values directly as part of the formula.
Keywords: custom, calc, kpi, constant, value, edit, modify
References: None |
Problem Statement: In some instances you may want to store the messages that appear when you export a file from Aspen Plus to Aspen Dynamics in a file to review later. This is particularly useful if you have a lot of warnings/errors and want to check them as you make changes to the file, or if your problem takes long t... | Solution: In your system set up the environment variable AST_SAVELOGFILE. Use the method appropriate for your operating system, as follows:
Operating System
Method
Windows 95/98
Set the variable AST_SAVELOGFILE to 1 in the autoexec.bat file and reboot your PC. The line in the autoexec.bat file should read SET AST_SAVE... |
Problem Statement: AW Reports cannot be generated on PCWS when you select an end date from in the past.
The following error appears when trying to do so:
“There is not enough history data accumulated to service this request. Please try a different time period and/or shorter duration for your report.� | Solution: This error usually occurs when IP21 does not have enough archive repositories to store data required for the request. To confirm the availability of enough repositories (and sizes), open IP.21 Administrator and navigate to InfoPlus21 | <AW Server Node Name> | Historian and confirm that you have free space in ... |
Problem Statement: How are RadFrac hydraulic and pressure drop calculations implemented in Aspen Dynamics? | Solution: RadFrac hydraulic and pressure-drop calculations in Aspen Dynamics depend on what option has been specified on RadFrac/Dynamic.Hydraulics form. This may be:
Simple
In this case only tray geometry needs to be provided - simplified hydraulic and pressure-drop calculations are used in Aspen Dynamics.
Rigorous
... |
Problem Statement: Reactions in RCSTR can be specified with power law, LHHW law or user subroutine kinetics (template usrkin.f). Calculation speed for user kinetic can sometimes be improved dramatically by using the Aspen Custom Modeling language instead of external code. | Solution: The user kinetic interface can not make assumptions on which variables are accessed by the user, so in Aspen Dynamics we provide the same environment as in Aspen Plus. This means that the common blocks (like STWORK) are initialized to the correct values, which is done by calling a flash calculation. This flas... |
Problem Statement: How do I complete the upgrade when the installation database configuration aborts after the installation of Aspen InfoPlus.21 V7.3 CP2? | Solution: Definition record IP_AnalogDef and IP_DiscretedDef are modified with Patch V7.3.0.2 for Aspen InfoPlus.21 and database has to be upgraded or InfoPlus.21startup aborts.
Following is the procedure of upgrade database.
1. Start InfoPlus.21Manager using start as administrator option.
2. Execute Action | Upgrade D... |
Problem Statement: Where can I find detailed formula of KPIs for Aspen Watch performance monitor? | Solution: For detailed understanding of KPI, the online help file, there is a help topic Built-In KPIs and Custom KPIs that list all the standard KPIs with a brief description and their formulas.
To access the help topics, from the Watch Maker, go to Tools -> Custom Calculations... menu, click on the KPI Help link in t... |
Problem Statement: I loaded a file in Aspen Dynamics and the steady state run fails. What is wrong ? | Solution: Sometimes a steady state run does not converge if you try to solve for the steady state immediately after loading the file in Aspen Dynamics. This may sound surprising since theSolution that Aspen Dynamics receives from Aspen Plus is supposed to be already at steady state.
What happens is that Aspen Dynamics ... |
Problem Statement: How to model a tank which contains subcooled liquid in Aspen Dynamics? | Solution: If you have chosen Vapor-Liquid or Vapor-Liquid-Liquid as the valid phase for the block, vapor holdup will be modeled in Aspen Dynamics, even when your block contains only subcooled liquid. That's why you will get the following warning message when exporting the file to Aspen Dynamics:
The vessel contains sub... |
Problem Statement: In a flowsheet containing pumps with splitters downstream of them you may find a failure to converge when shutting pumps down. This convergence failure occurs in a pressure driven simulation when flows reach zero values and try to reverse. | Solution: Place valves on the streams between the outlet of the pumps and the splitters after the pumps. These valves should be check valves (the default for 10.2) as the pressure drop across these becomes negative as the pumps shuts down.
The pump efficiency should not be recalculated as the speed falls. Set the vari... |
Problem Statement: What DCS are supported by AspenWatch for PID loop monitoring in version 2006.5 | Solution: Here is the current list of supported DCS systems in aspenONE 2006.5 for PID loop monitoring:
FOXAPI
TDC3000
TDC3000_OPC
MOD300
CENTUM
DELTAV
SIEMENS_PCS7
ABB_PIDCON
EXPERION
Custom1
Custom2
Custom3
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Which versions of DMC Plus are Aspen Dynamics and Aspen Custom Modeler compatible with? | Solution: Aspen Custom Modeler / Aspen Dynamics 10.2-2 supports use of DMCplus online 2.1 only.
Aspen Custom Modeler / Aspen Dynamics 11.1 SP1 supports use of DMCplus online 4.0
Aspen Custom Modeler / Aspen Dynamics 11.1 SP1 supports use of DMCplus online 4.1 with hotfix ADHotFix11.1.1.5.
Aspen Custom Modeler / Aspen D... |
Problem Statement: The way that liquid entrainment in Flash2 and Flash3 is specified in Aspen Dynamics is different to Aspen Plus when the dynamics of the flash vessel are included. This is because the Aspen Plus entrainment specification assumes steady state which is not applicable to a dynamic flash where the liquid ... | Solution: , but it may be important to understand the difference in the specification
Note that the relief vent port is always vapor.
Solution
Keywords: ENTR
VF_L
References: None |
Problem Statement: After exporting the simulation from Aspen Dynamics, you may observe that sometimes Aspen Dynamics is having troubles to start the integration. Is there any advice on how to locate the problem? | Solution: The file exported from Aspen Plus to Aspen Dynamics should be very close to the steady state. Exceptions are if any warning message is printed during the export, in which case they may indicate the cause of the problem. Some models (PIPE and RPLUG) are different in Aspen Dynamics as they are discretized inste... |
Problem Statement: Are the CPU and Elapsed Time parameters for an Aspen Process Controller application historized in Aspen Watch? | Solution: Starting with V8.8 (CQ00559054) DELTAT and DELTACPU (the attributes that correspond to the CPU and Elapsed time values) are displayed in PCWS and automatically historized in Aspen Watch for all three APC types: FIR, MISO and MIMO.
Find below a screenshot of AW_DELTACPU and AW_DELTATIME of an Aspen Process Con... |
Problem Statement: How to evaluate the mass fractions of components in a RADFRAC block, for plotting purposes? | Solution: This can be done with flowsheet constraints. The flowsheet constraint adds equations to the simulation. To evaluate the mass fractions you can use the following code:
Once you have compiled the code, you can use these variables for plotting, profile plot.
CONSTRAINTS
// Flowsheet variables and equations...
... |
Problem Statement: What | Solution: method should I use in the PIPE model for a dynamic study?
Solution
In the PIPE model there are three options forSolution method: 1) Numerical Integration, 2) Constant dp/dL, and 3) Closed form.
In a detail dynamic study, the Numerical Integration method should be chosen in Aspen Plus. The Numerical Integrati... |
Problem Statement: In Aspen Plus 2006.5 the Dynamics button on the Dynamic toolbar is greyed out. | Solution: The Dynamic forms need to be enabled for layered product Aspen Dynamics. Go to the Tools | Options menu and select the Startup tab. Click on the checkbox for Aspen Dynamics to enable the forms.
Keywords: Dynamics form, enable form, layered product
References: None |
Problem Statement: With the advent of the PCWS and reports that can be generated immediately via the web server, it is sometimes desirable to eliminate the reports that are generated on the AspenWatch server, both to save disk space, and to eliminate the calculation involved. Since the power of PCs is increasing so gre... | Solution: The performance report will not be run unless you have the string report in the command line parameters for the DMCwatch task (tsk_cl01-tsk_cl05).
State monitoring can be disabled by putting the character string nostate (must be lower case for this parameter) in the command line parameters for the DMCwatch ta... |
Problem Statement: Even after enabling the REAL TIME SYNCHRONIZATION option on Aspen Dynamics' RUN OPTIONS form, the simulation seems to run much faster than the real time observed on a wrist watch. | Solution: Lower the communication interval to 1 second (or 0.00028 hours)
The Aspen Dynamics models are set up to run with the hour as the time basis. The messages you see in the messages window reflect this. Also the communication interval is in the simulation engine time, not the interface time (see the Time Units li... |
Problem Statement: I have built my simulation in two parts, and now I want to reconnect them in Aspen Dynamics. What's the best way? | Solution: The easiest way is to use a MULT block (Dynamics library, in Manipulators model folder).
Create a MULT block (use the dot icon to keep your flowsheet tidy)
Connect the output stream of the first part of your flowsheet to the input port of the MULT block
Connect the input stream of the second section on the ou... |
Problem Statement: Aspen InfoPlus.21 Database Upgrade Wizard typical option does not work properly for the database for Aspen Watch. And, there is no example to show how to use the custom option with the database for Aspen Watch. | Solution: After
upgrading InfoPlus.21 to Ver.5.0, database for Aspen Watch has to be upgraded using InfoPlus.21Database Upgrade Wizard custom option not typical option.
1. Source Database : Old Aspen Watch snapshot file name
2. Optional list of records that should not be created or modifiled : leave blank
3. Base: As... |
Problem Statement: | Solution: AWView is an Microsoft Visual Basic (VB) application that provides pre-configured trends of Aspen Watch data. Features include:
Several plot types for CVs, MVs, FFs, PVs (miscellaneous tags) and PID loops.
A function to cycle through all the plots of a certain type (by selecting Cycle Tags in the tag name sel... |
Problem Statement: Like any software, AspenWatch can exhibit behavior that is not what is expected or intended. This may range from inability to write to history, failure to collect because of stopped tasks or some other cause; inability to view certain data in Inspector, and many other symptoms.
For any given symptom,... | Solution: . That cause is a mis-match of the configuration files between the DMCplus controller and the AspenWatch database.
When AspenWatch is loaded with a controller, the engineer utilizes the controller configuration file (.ccf) and model file (.mdl) to teach the database what the controller looks like so it knows ... |
Problem Statement: The MicroSoft Access database that is used for the AWEvents database in all the versions of AspenWatch up through AMS 6, seems to be quite fragile in this application. It will frequently become corrupt, and tasks which try to access it will be unsuccessful.
This might be indicated by error messages i... | Solution: To correct the situation, the AWEvents database must be compacted and repaired. There are several ways to do this. Here are the two most common.
The following steps can certainly be performed when the database is stopped (shutdown InfoPlus.21), but there has been some success performing the procedure with the... |
Problem Statement: How do I transfer stream results from Aspen Dynamics to Excel? | Solution: One approach is to create an Addin in Excel. This example has been created from a previousSolution which read results from Aspen Plus. The code has been improved to handle both Aspen Plus and Aspen Dynamics. You may find this tool useful to generate stream tables from Aspen Dynamics results.
To install the Ad... |
Problem Statement: The default units of measurement (uom) for displaying all variables in a simulation is set by selecting the appropriate option from the available built-in UOM sets from the Tools | Units of Measurement menu. Often the standard UOM sets do not match the typical units of measurement used within your co... | Solution: The UOM sets used in all Aspen Custom Modeler based products such as Aspen Plus Dynamics is set using visual basic scripts located in the following folder...
C:\Program Files\AspenTech\AMSystem VX.X\Bin
The file is OnSystemNewDocumentScript.vb. As indicated by the file name, this file is one of several fi... |
Problem Statement: | Solution: AWBackupHistoryAdmin.pdf (attached) provides an overview of the InfoPlus.21 history system and suggests procedures for archiving and remounting old history file sets. It also discusses backups for Aspen Watch.
AWBackupHistoryAdmin.zip (attached) contains the following files:
AWArchiveNotify.pdf - user notes f... |
Problem Statement: | Solution: Cle2misc.zip contains Cle2misc.exe, a command line program that will generate a TAB separated miscellaneous tag maintenance tool input file for Aspen Watch from a CLE file generated by DMCplus Collect.
Installation & Use
At the Windows command prompt enter:
cle2misc file1.cle
where file1.cle is the CLE file c... |
Problem Statement: | Solution: CreateMiscTagInputFile.SQL is a SQLplus query that selects the information needed to create an Aspen Watch tag maintenance tool input file for the miscellaneous tags in an existing Watch database. Several manual steps are required to generate a properly formatted input file.
Installation & Use
See the file he... |
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