Thermo-002H Revised: Nov 6, 2012

1
Flash Calculation in Aspen HYSYS V8.0
1. Lesson Objective
Learn how to model a Flash separator and examine different thermodynamic models to see how
they compare.
Flash blocks in Aspen HYSYS
2. Prerequisites
Aspen HYSYS V8.0
3. Problem

We want to investigate Vapor-Liquid separation at different pressures, temperatures and compositions. Assume
you have a feed with an equimolar binary mixture of ethanol and benzene at 1 bar and 25C. Examine the
following flash conditions using the heater block in Aspen HYSYS. Use Vapor-Liquid as the Valid Phase in the
computation.
Condition #1 (P-V Flash): At 1 bar and a vapor fraction of 0.5, find the equilibrium temperature and
the heat duty.
Condition #2 (T-P Flash): At the temperature determined from Condition #1 and a pressure of 1 bar,
verify that the flash model results in a vapor fraction of 0.5 at equilibrium.
Condition #3 (T-V Flash): At the temperature of Condition #1, and a vapor fraction of 0.5, verify that
the flash model results in an equilibrium pressure of 1 bar.
Condition #4 (P-Q Flash): At 1 bar and with the heat duty determined from Condition #1, verify that
the temperature and vapor fraction are consistent with previous conditions.
Condition #5 (T-Q Flash): At the temperature and heat duty determined from Condition #1, verify
that the pressure and vapor fraction are consistent with previous conditions.

The examples presented are solely intended to illustrate specific concepts and principles. They may not
reflect an industrial application or real situation.

4. Aspen HYSYS Solution:
4.01. Start Aspen HYSYS V8.0. Select New to start a new simulation.

4.02. Create a component list. In the Component Lists folder select Add. Select Ethanol and Benzene.

Thermo-002H Revised: Nov 6, 2012
2


4.03. Create a fluid package. In the Fluid Packages folder select Add, and select NRTL as the property package.

4.04. Go to the simulation environment. Click the Simulation button in the bottom left of the screen.

4.05. Place a Heater block onto the flowsheet from the Model Palette.



Thermo-002H Revised: Nov 6, 2012
3
4.06. Double click the Heater to open the property window. Create an Inlet stream called FEED, an Outlet
stream called OUT, and an Energy stream called Q.



4.07. Specify conditions of FEED stream. Go to the Worksheet tab and enter a Temperature of 25C, a
Pressure of 1 bar (100 kPa), and a Molar flow of 1 kgmole/h. Also enter Mole Fractions of 0.5 for each
component on the Composition form.



Thermo-002H Revised: Nov 6, 2012
4
4.08. Condition #1 Compute the temperature to get 0.5 vapor fraction at 1 bar. In the Conditions form under
Worksheet, enter a Vapour Fraction of 0.5 and a Pressure of 1 bar (100 kPa) for stream OUT. The
heater will automatically solve and you will see that the calculated temperature is 67.03C.



4.09. Condition #2 Compute vapor fraction at 1 bar and at the temperature obtained in Condition #1. Clear
the field for Vapour Fraction for stream OUT, then enter a Pressure of 1 bar (100 kPa) and a
Temperature of 67.03C. In order to be able to enter a temperature, you must first empty the entry
field for Vapour Fraction. This is done by clicking the entry field and pressing delete on the keyboard.
Once a Temperature is entered, the Vapour Fraction will solve.

Thermo-002H Revised: Nov 6, 2012
5


4.10. Condition #3 Compute pressure at the temperature obtained in Condition #1 with 0.5 vapor fraction.
Delete the value in the Pressure field and enter a Vapour Fraction of 0.5. The pressure should solve.

Thermo-002H Revised: Nov 6, 2012
6

4.11. Condition #4 Compute temperature and vapor fraction at 1 bar and using the heat duty obtained in
Condition #1. Empty the fields for Temperature and Vapour Fraction in stream OUT. In stream OUT
enter a Pressure of 1 bar. In stream Q, enter a Heat Flow of 2.363e004 kJ/h. The Temperature of
67.03C and Vapour Fraction of .500 are consistent with Condition #1.


4.12. Condition #5 Compute pressure and vapor fraction at the temperature and heat duty obtained in
Condition #1. In stream OUT, empty the field for Pressure. Enter a Temperature of 67.03C. The
Pressure and Vapor Fraction should be the same as Condition #1.
Thermo-002H Revised: Nov 6, 2012
7

5. Conclusion

You have gone through the five flash methods which are most common in Aspen HYSYS. Here is a brief
summary.
Flash Method T (C) P (bar) V (-) Q (MJ/hr)
P-V Flash 67.03 1 0.5 23.63
T-P Flash 67.03 1 0.5099 23.98
T-V Flash 67.03 1 0.5 23.63
P-Q Flash (or P-H) 67.03 1 0.5 23.63
T-Q Flash (or T-H) 67.03 1 0.5 23.63

Specified Computed

Feed Condition: ETHANOL/BEZENE (Equimolar mixture) at 1 bar and 25 Celsius.

Thermo-002H Revised: Nov 6, 2012
8
6. Copyright
Copyright 2012 by Aspen Technology, Inc. (AspenTech). All rights reserved. This work may not be
reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of
AspenTech. ASPENTECH MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, WITH
RESPECT TO THIS WORK and assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. In no event will AspenTech be
liable to you for damages, including any loss of profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential
damages arising out of the use of the information contained in, or the digital files supplied with or for use with,
this work. This work and its contents are provided for educational purposes only.

AspenTech, aspenONE, and the Aspen leaf logo, are trademarks of Aspen Technology, Inc.. Brands and
product names mentioned in this documentation are trademarks or service marks of their respective companies.