VLEFlash is a Win32 application developed by Flow Phase Inc.

for the prediction of

thermodynamic and transport properties, and the drawing of phase envelope and vapor fraction
lines of fluid mixture. It can be used for pure fluids or for mixtures of up to 20 components
selected from the database of 215 components, mostly hydrocarbons. It can also be used for
petroleum fractions that are characterized by an average boiling point and API gravity.
For a given composition, VLEFlash calculates the flashes at required conditions, draws the phase
envelope and vapor fraction lines, and gives the quick sizing evaluation of the stream facilities
for the specified flow.
VLEFlash is developed on the basis of NIST database 3.2. It can handle up to 215 components.
For each of the flash calculation, it provides 15 thermodynamic and transport properties.
VLEFlash implements the most accurate models currently available and aims at providing
engineers with varieties of flash calculations, phase envelope and vapor fraction lines, and quick
sizing of the stream facilities for the large varieties of fluid composition and stream flows. It is
well-designed Win32 application of MS Windows 98/2000/XP/NT developed with the
considerations of reliable and accurate calculation, easy and convenient operation, and reusable
of results.
Functions

Flash Routines
Phase Envelope and Vapor Fraction Lines
Flow Calculation and Quick Sizing
Sequential Flash

Main Reference
Maddox R., Lilly L., Gas Conditioning and Processing, Volume 3, Computer Applications
1. and Production/Processing Facilities, Campbell Petroleum Series, 1990

Heidemann R., Khalil A., The Calculation of Critical Points, AIChe Journal, Vol. 26, No. 5,
2. P769, 1980

Michelsen M., Heidemann R., Calculation of Critical Points from Cubic Two-Constant
3. Equation of State, AIChe Journal, Vol. 27, No. 3, 1981

Functions
Introduction Functions Operations Case Study

For a given composition, VLEFlash calculates the flashes at required conditions, draws the phase
envelope and vapor fraction lines, and gives the quick sizing evaluation of the stream facilities
for the specified flow.

Flash Routines

Flash Calculations
VLEFlash is capable of the following ten varieties of flash calculations:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Temperature - Pressure Flash

Bubble Point Pressure (fixed T)
Bubble Point Temperature (fixed P)
Dew Point Pressure (fixed T)
Dew Point Temperature (fixed P)
Temperature - Entropy Flash
Pressure - Enthalpy Flash
Temperature - Molar Density Flash
Pressure - Vapor Fraction Flash
Temperature - Vapor Fraction Flash

Flash Results
After the selected flash is successfully finished, the following results will be shown on the tables:

Property

Default Unit

Results

Phase fraction

Phase molecular weight

g/mol

Phase compositions and K

values: The compositions of
phases are listed on the table
with the K values.
Phase Properties: For each
of the phases and the

Compressibility factor

Density

kg/m^3

Mole density

mol/liter

Enthalpy

cal/mol

Entropy

cal/(mol.k)

Specific heat at constant pressure

cal/(mol.k)

Ratio of specific heat

Sound speed

m/sec

JT Coefficient

k/bar

Viscosity

micropoise

Thermal conductivity

w/(m.k)

Volume

liter/mol

Specific heat at constant volume

cal/(mol.k)

mixture of the phases, the

following properties at the
input conditions are listed
on the table. For different
flash routines the results are
little different. For example
when selecting the flash
routine of bulb point
temperature calculation, the
bulb point temperature and
pressure will be outputted
specifically.
Heating Values: The heating
values at the standard
condition (101.325 kPa and
15C) are listed on the table.

Phase Envelope and Vapor Fraction Lines

VLEFlash can find the phase envelope for given composition and the phase envelope will be
drawn on the Phase Envelope Chart on the right with distinct showing of critical point, bulb
points and dew points. The vapor fraction lines will be added to the Phase Envelope Chart
specified by the vapor mole percentages

Flow Calculation and Quick Sizing

After the successful flash, the flow rate calculation and quick sizing function is enabled to have a
quick evaluation of enthalpy, mass and volume flow rate, sizing for each streams in accordance
with the inputted inlet stream rate.
Method
1.

Mesh pad and bubble tray

Mesh pad and bubble tray sizing is based on a minimum allowable velocity given by:

And diameter is calculated from V using:

Where:
V

minimum allowable velocity in ft/s

Dl density of liquids in lb/ft

Dv density of vapor in lb/ft

Q
D

volumetric flow rate

diameter

For mesh pad sizing, if the flash had no results for liquid density, a liquid with a gravity of 0.6 is
assumed (600 kg/m^3).
The bubble cap tray size is the approximate size of a bubble cap tray that would result from the
vapor (at the density in the results section) contacting on a bubble cap tray with a liquid having
the density of water. (For example a glycol contactor, amine contactor, caustic wash, etc.)
2. Line sizing
Line sizing is based on the following equations by assuming a constant line loss of 2psi/100ft
(45kPa/100m):

where:
PDrop

Pressure drop

f Friction coefficient
L Line length
D Line diameter
V Flow velocity

3. Notes
Please note that the values visible in the results section of the main form are used in all the
calculations.
1 lb-mole = 379.50 std. cu. ft. @ base = 14.696 psia and 60F
1 kg-mole = 22.414 N m3 @ base = 101.325 kPa and 0C
1 kg-mole = 23.645 S m3 @ base = 101.325 kPa and 15C

Note: all values of "R" are taken from FIG 1-4 of the GPSA databook.
Steps
After performing a flash calculation, VLEFlash allows you to calculate flowrates and heat duties
for the feed stream you entered and the resulting liquid and vapor streams. From a flash result a
quick rate and sizing calculation can be implemented as shown in the figure on the right. By
inputting the feed flow rate a instant evaluation of streams flow rates and facility sizing are
provided.
Select the desired units for your calculation. Units in either the feed rate or the resulting flow

and heat rates can be changed at any time and the numerical values are adjusted accordingly.

Type in a valid number for the flow rate of the feed stream. For convenience, the values in the
results boxes are adjusted when finishing the edit.

Sequential Flash

VLEFlash allows a user to string together flashes, performing sequential flashes on a vapor or
liquid stream resulting from a previous flash. It is not difficult to perform a simple process
simulation.
To perform a string of flashes, perform the following steps:
Load the Vapor Stream or Liquid Stream command by either the menu or toolbar. A new

VLEFlash case will be created with the selected vapor or liquid stream composition

Select the desired flash for the new this new case. Some of the condition can be automatically

filled too with the stream conditions or properties of previous flash

Now you can perform a flash on the new stream. You can go back to step one and simulate as

many process steps as you like.

Save the string flash with proper file names.

Function Tree and Loading Sequence

The function tree and loading sequences of VLEFlash are shown below. The required input data
for each calculation is shown in the round rectangle. For different calculations the required input
data is different. But stream composition is always required.

Inputs
Different calculations require different inputs. The flash calculations require both stream
composition and flash conditions, but the phase envelope calculation requires only the stream
composition. The Rate and Quick Sizing calculation even require the successful flash results in
addition to the flash conditions.
The data should be kept in the valid range for each input. Anyway VLEFlash will alarm a error
message while running the calculation before the data is well prepared, and give an instruction
for the correction.
Any change of the input data will set the case as an unfinished case and the results panel on the
left will be hided. The following figure shows the input panel for VLEFlash.
Flash Routines and Conditions
For the flash routines the stream conditions must be specified before calculating. There are 10
flash calculations. The required conditions for each calculation are different.
1. Temperature - Pressure Flash: Temperature + Pressure
2. Bubble Point Pressure (fixed T): Temperature
3. Bubble Point Temperature (fixed P): Pressure
4. Dew Point Pressure (fixed T): Temperature
5. Dew Point Temperature (fixed P): Pressure
6. Temperature - Entropy Flash: Temperature + Entropy
7. Pressure - Enthalpy Flash: Pressure + Enthalpy
8. Temperature - Molar Density Flash: Temperature + Molar Density
9. Pressure - Vapor Fraction Flash: Pressure + Vapor (%)
10. Temperature - Vapor Fraction Flash: Temperature + Vapor (%)

The input temperature must be larger than 10 K; the input pressure must be larger than 0; and the
input vapor percentage must be larger than 0 and smaller than 100.
Composition
Stream composition is required by all calculations. The first thing need to do is to add or remove
components from the NIST component name list. And then input the composition by editing the
mole percentage of each component. If the petroleum components are selected, their properties
must be specified.
Adding and Removing Components
By click the Adding button, + the available component list will popup. The most commonly
used component is shown first as Components (User List). The full Component List can be
shown on the right by clicking >> button or hided by clicking <<. When clicking the column
heads of the full component list viewer, the list will be sorted respectively.

The selected components will be highlighted on the User List and checked on the Component
List. The component will be added to or removed from the stream component edit table when
clicking the component items on the lists.
The components can be added to and removed from the component edit table at any time.
Editing composition
After adding the desired components into the component edit table, the mole percent of each
component can be filled. While finishing the editing of each mole percent the total percentages
will be summed up and shown at the bottom of the table. The summed up percentage is in red if
it is not 100 %.
If the total percentage is not 100% the composition can be normalized by clicking the % button.
When running the calculations VLEFlash will check the normalization and asking if to normalize
it if the composition is not 100%.
Petroleum Properties
When petroleum is added to the stream, its bulb point temperature and API gravity must be
specified. By clicking the > button at the petroleum component item a dialog will be shown for
editing the properties for this petroleum.

Results

Flash Results
The calculation result of the selected flash at the given conditions composition is shown as the
following figure. The unit combo box is set for the user to select and view the properties in the
favorite units.
Rate Calculation and Quick Sizing

Phase Envelope

The above figure shows the phase envelope and vapor fraction lines for the given composition.
The following features are available for a better observing of the results:

The detail view of a specific area by zooming in and out of the rectangle
Showing in different units for temperature and pressure
Showing the temperature and pressure of the point by clicking it
Adding or removing vapor fraction lines by clicking the legend area.

Message and Trouble Shooting

When calculation failed, an error message will be returned and shown to help solve the problem
and find the solution.

Case Study

Four cases for the following composition are presented here to demonstrate how to run
VLEFlash and what solutions from VLEFlash. The pahse envelope shown below shows the
status of the process.
Composition
Component
Name

Mole %

N2

2.055000

CO2

0.513000

C1

82.689000

C2

6.967000

C3

4.544000

IC4

1.156000

NC4

1.286000

IC5

0.399000

NC5

0.263000

C6

0.084000

C7

0.027000

C8

0.017000

Total (%)

100.000000

Phase Envelope and Flash Results

The location of Sample 4.1 to 4.4 can be shown on the phase envelope:

4.1 Hydrocarbon Dew Point

Given a gas analysis, calculate the hydrocarbon dew point at a pipeline pressure of 5600 kPa.
Set the Initial Conditions: Select Dew Point Temperature (fixed P), and set Pressure to

5600 kPa
Enter the Input Stream: Add Components and enter mole %

Execute flash to perform the flash calculation. Results will include liquid and vapor
compositions (or the dew or bubble point) as well as a number of stream properties. For some
extreme conditions, the program may fail to converge, and an error message will pop up.
Dew Point:
Temperature

15.536

Pressure

Pa 5.6e+06

4.2 Temperature-Pressure Flash

Calculate the vapour and liquid mole fractions if the pipeline temperature in Example 4.1 drops
to 0C.
Reset the Initial Conditions: Select Temperature-Pressure Flash, and set Temperature to

0C and Pressure to 5600 kPa

Execute Flash

From the calculated Data, read the vapor and liquid mole fractions as 0.980 and 0.020

respectively

Now find Vapor and Liquid Flowrates in the pipeline for an assumed gas flow rate of 5
MMSCFD by calling on the Rate and Quick Sizing function and entering 5 MMSCFD as the
feed rate

4.3 Temperature Drop Across Valve

The gas analysis and inlet conditions of 1440 psi at 60F in an inlet separator are known. The
pressure safety valve pops at 1440 psi to the flare header. Calculate the temperature of the gas
downstream of the PSV (constant enthalpy flash).
Temperature-Pressure Flash

Set the Initial Conditions: Select Temperature-Pressure Flash, and set Temperature to
60F and Pressure to 1453 psia. (Note: 13 psi absolute pressure chosen for 3000 feet
elevation).
Enter Input Stream:
Add Components and enter mole % as in Example 4.1
Execute flash
From the calculated properties, read the Enthalpy of 1.96374E+4 cal/mol.

Pressure-Enthalpy Flash
Reset the Initial Conditions: Select Pressure-Enthalpy Flash, and set Pressure to 13 psia

and Enthalpy to -1.96370E+4 cal/mol.

From the calculated Data, read the 2-Phase Flash Results at Temperature of 63.9F

(constant enthalpy flash). This will be the outlet temperature of the relief valve.

4.4 Line Heater Duty

Gas flows from a well at 1440 psi and 60F at a flowrate of 1.0 MMSCF/D. The gas is heated in
a line heater before flowing to the pipeline. Calculate the heat duty of the line heater.
Set the Initial Conditions: Select Temperature-Pressure Flash.
Enter Input Stream:
Add Components and enter mole %, as in Example 4.1

Set Temperature to 60F and Pressure to 1453 psia. Execute Flash. From the calculated
properties, read the Enthalpy of 35346.5 Btu/lb-mol, and by Rate and Quick Sizing
calculation the enthalpy rate is -3.881E06 Btu/h
Reset Temperature to 110F and Pressure to 1453 psia. Execute Flash. From the
calculated Data, read the Enthalpy of 34574.7 Btu/lb-mol, and by Rate and Quick Sizing
calculation the enthalpy rate is -3.796E06 Btu/h
Calculate the required heater coil duty = 3.796E06 (3.881E06) = 85300 Btu/h