ProMax Tutorial

Terry A. Ring

CH EN 4253

Process Simulation Software

• Steady State Process Simulation– AspenPlus– ProMax– ChemCad– Hysis– HySim– ProSim– CADSim– OLI Process Simulator– KemSimp– Chemical Workbench Code– Ascend IV

• Dynamic Process Simulation– Aspen Dynamics– CADSim – Simulation Solutions, Inc.

OverviewDifferences to Aspen

• Aspen– Next Button

– Many units that perform a given function

• Degrees of Freedom are chosen for you

– Setup for kinetic reactions are tricky

– Accounts for particle sizes• Simple block models

– Automatic Plant Costing (Icarus)

• ProMax– More Thermo Package Choices– Fewer units that perform a given

function• You choose the Degrees of

Freedom– Reaction setup is more straight

forward– Detailed design of

• HX– Reboilers– Condensers

• Distillation Columns– Does not deal with particle sizes– No Plant Costing– Some minor bugs not worked out

Steps to Run

• Aspen (Left Hand Bar)– Title– Components– Thermopackage– Process Flow Sheet– Feed Stream– Unit Specifications

• Fixed degrees of freedom

– Run– Results– Report

• ProMax– Environment

• Components

• Thermopackage

– Process Flow Sheet– Feed Stream– Unit Specifications

• Various degrees of freedom

– Run– Results– Report

Degrees of Freedom

• Statistical Mechanics –Gasses– Gives Heat Capacity of Gasses = NR/2

Monatomic Linear molecules Non-Linear molecules

Position (x, y and z) 3 3 3 Rotation (x, y and z) 0 2 3 Vibration 0 3N - 5 3N - 6 Total 3 3N 3N

Degrees of Freedom

• Phase Diagram– F = C-P+2

• C=Components• P=Phases• 2 = T and P

• Process Simulation• ND= Nvariables-Nequations

• Nvariables for each stream– Mole fractions– Mole flow rate– Enthalpy (T,P)

• Nequations

– Overall Component mole balance

– Mole fractions add to 1.0 for each stream

– Enthalpy Balance

Example-I

• Problem 5.12

• Alternatives in preparing a feed. A process under design requires that 100 lbmol/hr of toluene at 70F and 20 psia be brought to 450 F and 75 psia.

• Flow sheets using Peng-Robinson– Boil-Superheat-Compress– Pump to 75 psi-Boil-Superheat

Problem -2

• Use Gibbs Minimization reactor in Aspen to determine the products of reaction at 10 atm and 200 C.

• Feed equimolar in CO and H2

)(

2

22

32

sCOHHCO

OHCHHCO

Example-4

• Distillation/Flash

• Isopropanol – Water– 100 lbmole/hr

• Flash at 90C• Distillation

– R=2– BUR=3