Chemical Engineering October 2015 - 26

as whole-plant optimization, including
simultaneous optimization of the
reaction and separation sections.
" Moreover, " he adds, " Decisions
can include integer decisions to support,
for example, distillation column
configuration decisions, such as optimal
number of stages or feed and
side-draw locations. That means it is
now possible to optimize the whole
plant, choosing the optimum diameter
and number of tubes in the reactor
while simultaneously determining
the optimal feed-tray location and
operating pressure of distillation columns
in the separation section. "
In order to help users reap the
benefits of this type of optimization,
PSE recently released its gPrOMS
ProcessBuilder for model-based
support of key process design and
operating decisions. Combining the
ease of use and solution robustness
of traditional sequential-modular
flowsheeting tools with the modeling
and solution power of the equation-oriented
gPrOMS platform, it
is intended to bring the benefits of
advanced process modeling to the
wider engineering community.
No matter the type or method of
Perfection is
Better Dispersion and Control
applying simulation software, it is
likely to unearth changes that can
and should be made to improve
the process, increase efficiency and
cut costs. However, according to
Brown, users were finding that the
reports generated by typical simulation
software were not adequate
when presenting the results. To help
overcome that obstacle, the latest
version of Chemcad now features
professional-looking reports with
polished graphics so that engineers
do not have to spend time cleaning
up studies for reporting.
" Application of the selected
ideas resulted in a reduction
in plant energy consumption
of 3 to 4%, which provided
an estimated profit of $10
million. "
Terumi Okano, AspenTech
Another way that software providPerfecting
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Circle 29 on p. 102 or go to adlinks.chemengonline.com/56202-29
26
ers are improving simulation packages
is to allow collaboration between
different departments and
concerns within the facility, says Terumi
Okano, product marketing manager
for aspenONE Engineering with
AspenTech (Bedford, Mass.; www.
aspentech.com). " Once a company
has developed a model, there are
many different departments within
the plant that can use that model to
seek improvements, so the model
is no longer used just for simulating
the process, but also can be used to
optimize energy, safety, operations
support, equipment design and so
on, " she explains. " For this reason,
we have provided several integrated
tools that will help break down the
barriers between departments and
lead to significant savings throughout
the plant. "
For example, Okano cites an ethylene
plant that employed aspenONE
ChemiCal engineering www.Chemengonline.Com oCtober 2015
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Chemical Engineering October 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chemical Engineering October 2015
