OpenProcessSim (OPS) is an open source process simulator. One of my aims for OPS is for it to be a learning tool enabling a deeper understanding of the process equipment being simulated as well as how a process simulator works.
The design of OpenProcessSim will enable to support large process operations and design companies through to small package vendors and to individual students.
The design of OpenProcessSim includes the following features,
Information is processed as it is supplied and calculations are performed automatically.
Each item of process equipment simulated is represented using a module, which encapsulates the mathematical model of the item. Users interacts with the simulated process equipment in engineering terms that describe the physical and engineering aspects of the equipment, not in mathematical terms.
The modular operations are solved using a sequential solution algorithm, based on flows, pressure, electrical power, network frequency etc. as applicable, calculated using an equation solver.
An equation based solver is used to solve any tightly coupled properties, for example flows and pressure; electrical power balance and network frequency, etc., simultaneously, rather than iterate many sequential passes.
In steady state mode, the use of an equation based solver allows the flow rates of all the items to be solved efficiently when flow specifications are not placed on the feeds, i.e. the product flow specification is directly set.
A purely sequential modular simulator either requires multiple forward and backward passes to propagate the product flow specification to the required feed flows, or the feed flow is specified via "trial and error" to match the specified product flow.
A client - server based architecture enables multiple users simultaneous access the same simulation case. A multi-view architecture, connecting to the common server, provides a user interface that is tailored to the work being performed providing the user with the level of detail and the information required.
Multi-threaded execution enables faster execution of more detailed calculations, (both for equipment modules and thermodynamic calculations); shorter integration time-steps for dynamic models, (improves model robustness).
The common simulation database, residing on the OPS server enables a single process simulation to be used for all stages of the process's life-cycle, for example, conceptual design, detailed process engineering design, control and logic design, operability design, operations improvement, operator training, event analysis and asset optimisation.
A common simulation database ensures that when the design parameters of an item of equipment are changed, all model design cases (e.g. max flow, max gasoline, etc.) will automatically be updated when they are next loaded.