Summary

Process evaluation and design

You have carried out a tutorial on Sensitivity Analysis, based on
the methylcyclohexane recovery process
You have carried out a tutorial on Design Specifications, also
based on the methylcyclohexane recovery process
You have undertaken a case study of the separation of
monochlorobenzene
This incorporated carrying out sensitivity analyses to evaluate
the design, and using design specifications to optimise it

Key learning outcomes

The value of a Sensitivity Analysis
Exploring how parameters respond to a key variable change
Simultaneous presentation (tabular or graphical) of the responses of a
range of parameters
Thus extending the understanding of your process

How to set up a Sensitivity Analysis

How to define the variables to be monitored, and how to tabulate them
either as the variables themselves or as expressions
How to define what is to be varied, and over what range
How to observe the results, as a table and as a plot

Key learning outcomes

The importance of Design Specifications
The automatic varying of an input parameter to achieve a target
elsewhere in the simulation
Many of these can be included in a single simulation
Avoids the need for lengthy trial and error procedures

How to set up a Design Specification

How to define the variables to be used in the specification itself
How to define the specification, target and tolerance (using expressions
if necessary)
How to define what is to be varied to achieve the specification, and over
what range
How to observe the results

Reminder variable type

In both Sensitivity Analysis and Design Specifications, we have had to
specify at some point a VARIABLE TYPE
There are many of these, and there is help available from a message
window
But there are three main types for us:
1. Stream-Var For a stream variable which is not component-specific,
such as temperature or flow. We then go on to define what the
variable is.
2. e.g. Mole-Flow or Mass-Flow For a stream variable which is
component-specific. We then go on to define what the component is.
3. Block-Var For any variable to do with a unit operation (block). We
then go on to define what the variable is.

The next step

Modelling processes with solids
Based on the combustion of coal
Sub-streams and stream classes
Mixed (liquids/gases/solids which take part in reactions and phase
equilibrium calculations), conventional inert solids, non-conventional
solids

The specifying of non-conventional solids

Enthalpy, density

The use of calculator blocks

Extremely useful for doing your own calculations and writing the results
to the model while it is running