Solids Process Modeling in Aspen Plus PDF

Jump Start: Solids Process Modeling in Aspen Plus
A Brief Tutorial (and supplement to training and online documentation)

Jennifer Dyment, Product Marketing, Aspen Technology, Inc.
Claus Reimers, Product Management, Aspen Technology, Inc.
Ajay Lakshmanan, Product Management, Aspen Technology, Inc.
Matthias Pogodda, Software Development, Aspen Technology, Inc.
Wilfried Mofor, Product Management, Aspen Technology, Inc.
2014 Aspen Technology, Inc. AspenTech, aspenONE, the Aspen leaf logo, the aspenONE logo, and OPTIMIZE are trademarks of Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved.11-4823-0414
Jump Start: Solids Process Modeling in Aspen Plus V8
Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
The Aspen Plus User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
First Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Solids Flow sheet Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Specifying Global Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Specifying Solid Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Specifying Property Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Specifying Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Specifying Stream Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Particle Size Distribution Meshes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Streams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Unit Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
The Model Palette. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Dryer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Spray Dryer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Crystallizer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Granulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Crusher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Fluidized Bed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Conveying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Results Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Plots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Activated Economics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Introduction
Solids process modeling with Aspen Plus provides an integrated solution for simulating processes containing solids. With
the tools provided, it is easy to characterize and model these components and obtain reliable results based on the worlds
most comprehensive property database and proven simulation technology. This functionality bridges the gap between
process engineering and particle science by providing the tools to seamlessly integrate rigorous models for solid streams
and unit operations with typical fluid process models. Now users can simulate processes that contain both fluids and
solids in the same simulation environment, allowing accelerated production of consistent, conceptual designs.
This document serves as a simple getting started guide for users who are inexperienced in Aspen Plus modeling. We
will take you through the most common progression of how a process designer creates a simulation and implements solid
components and unit operations. This is not meant to be used as a stand-alone reference document. We recommend that
a range of other resources be called upon to give the new user a comprehensive view of how to use solids modeling in
Aspen Plus. These may include:
AspenTech support website (support.aspentech.com) contains a wide range of knowledge base items and provides
answers to frequently asked questions
AspenTech self-guided examples are also available on aspenONE Exchange or can be accessed by going here:
http://www.aspentech.com/October_2013_solids_modeling_demo_AT/
AspenTech courseware available in on-line and in-person versions provides formal training on process modeling
AspenTech business consultants
This document covers solids modeling in Aspen Plus. This guide assumes that the user has Aspen Plus V8.4 or higher
installed on their computer. Most features were introduced with V8.0, such as particle size distribution characterization
and a majority of the unit operations. See Table 1 below for more information.
The Aspen Plus User Interface

Welcome to the Aspen Plus user interface. There are a few main components that you need to be familiar with in order to
follow this guide. Table 1 labels each of these.
Version Date of Release Features

Integration of 25 SolidSim unit operations
Aspen Plus V8.0 December 2012 PSD characterization
Solids-related results representation
Economics for solids processing (Activated Economics)
Aspen Plus V8.2 May 2013 Total of 38 SolidSim unit operations integrated
Enhanced PSD definition and results representation
Conceptual models
Aspen Plus V8.4 November 2013 Spray dryer unit model
Reactions in fluidized bed unit model
Table 1: Solids Related features highlighted for the Aspen V8.0, V8.2, and V8.4 releases
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Figure 1: Main components of the Aspen Plus user interface
First Steps
This section talks about the first steps you must take to include solid components in your model. It does not cover every
step in creating a flow sheet. In order to be certain you do not skip important steps, click the green arrow (the Next
button) in the Run group on the Home tab, after each action to move on to the next mandatory step (Figure 2).
Figure 2: The Next button
Solids Flow Sheet Templates

When you create a new model, you have the option to select a template. On the Start Page, click New in the upper left
hand corner. In the pane that appears, you will notice that there are a variety of installed templates listed in the left
sidebar. Select the Solids category. You will have the choice to use a solids template with either English or Metric units
(Figure 3). This will automatically specify the global units, set the stream class to MIXCIPSD, and set the flow basis to
mass.
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Figure 3: Solids templates
Specifying Global Units

If you do not use a template, you must specify the global units manually. The global units dictate what unit set is
automatically applied to all quantitative variables in the model. There are two ways to specify global units. You can either
select the desired unit set from the dropdown in the Units group on the Home tab, or you can open the Setup
Specifications form the Navigation Pane and select it there (Figure 4). Global units can be changed mid-way through the
design process.
Figure 4: Specify global units
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Specifying Solid Components

Before you can start building your model, you must specify its components. Once you have created a new blank
simulation, you will be directed to the Components Specifications form in the Properties Environment. In order to add
components to your process, type their names one by one into the matrixes under Component ID and tap the enter key.
If the matrix does not automatically fill in with the expected values, then select the Component ID and click Find. Next,
enter search criteria and select from the generated list of possible compounds (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Find compounds
When you specify a compound, its default type is Conventional. However, in order to model solid components you must
change this to Solid (Figure 6).
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Figure 6: Specify a stream as solid
Specifying Property Method
The next step in creating a flow sheet is to select the property method that will be used for all of the internal flow sheet
computations. On the Methods Specifications form, choose the desired property method from the Method name
dropdown list (Figure 7). You should decide which method to use based on the type of components that you are modeling.
For most cases with only solid components, the IDEAL method is likely sufficient.
Figure 7: Select property method
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Specifying Properties
Since the properties for solids are different than the conventional properties for fluids, it might be necessary to manually
manage those that apply to your process. In the Navigation Pane, select the Methods folder, then Parameters. Then
Click New and select the type of parameter in the pane that follows (Figure 8).
Figure 8: New property specification
Next fill in the matrix of parameters and components as desired. Hover over any of the parameters in the dropdown list to
see what the variables stand for (Figure 9).
Figure 9: Specify properties for desired compounds
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Tips and Tricks: You can always manually specify properties for components. This is especially
helpful when working with compounds that are not well documented (such as different grades
of coal).
Specifying Stream Class

Once you complete all of the property specifications, you can move on to flow sheet specifications in the Simulation
Environment. In the Setup Specifications form you must select an appropriate stream class. To determine which is
best, hover over the different choices on the dropdown menu to see suggestions (Figure 10). Typically, MIXCIPSD is a
good choice when conventional solids are present with a particle size distribution.
Figure 10: Specify stream class
Particle Size Distribution Meshes

Solids process modeling in Aspen Plus allows users to track the particle size distribution of different solids species for
each stream in your process. In order to do so, you must create a PSD mesh. In the Navigation Pane, go to the Setup
folder, then Solids, and select PSD. In order to define the PSD mesh, you either select a pre-defined mesh type (e.g.
equidistant, geometric, or logarithmic) and enter the necessary parameters or you define your mesh manually (e.g. user
selection) as tabular data. For the later option, users can copy and paste data from spreadsheet tools (e.g. MS Excel). Fill
out the required inputs and select Create PSD Mesh (Figure 11). While the first mesh you define (named PSD by
default) is used for the simulation, additional meshes can be created for streams that have different particle size
distributions. To create additional meshes, go to Solids and select the PSD Mesh tab. Then choose New (Figure 12).
It is also possible to create new meshes on the stream data input (see streams)..
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Figure 11: Create PSD mesh
Figure 12: Create additional PSD meshes
Streams
Every stream that you produce has its own input form in Aspen Plus. If a stream has only solid components, it is important
to only fill out the CI Solid tab within this form and leave the Mixed tab blank. If a stream is only partly solid, you must fill
out both.
The CI Solid (which stands for conventional inert solid) tab has three sections: Specifications, Component Attribute, and
Particle Size Distribution. You must fill out both the Specifications and Particle Size Distribution sections at a minimum. By
default, only the Specifications section is initially visible, so click the arrow next to Particle Size Distribution to reveal it
(Figure 13).
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Figure 13: Reveal PSD section for a CI Solid form
When filling out the PSD section, you can either pick a mesh that you have already specified, or select <New> from the
PSD mesh ID dropdown (Figure 14).
Figure 14: Create a new PSD mesh from the CI Solids form
Once you have selected a mesh, you can populate the PSD by either specifying the weight fractions for each particle size
class manually (User-specified values) or with a distribution function. If you choose the use a distribution function, select
that option from the Populate PSD using section and fill out the appropriate inputs in the Distribution function section.
Then click Calculate (Figure 15). The defined PSD (in case of distribution function) should be plotted so that you can
review what has been defined (see PSD definition example) and check if mesh and distribution function match. For more
information, visit the self-guided example for setting up a particle size distribution in Aspen Plus available on aspenONE
Exchange.
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Figure 15: Use a distribution function to populate the PSD for a specific stream
Unit Operations
Table 2 shows a list of all of the solids unit operations available in Aspen Plus. This section only focuses on getting started
with five of the most common blocks. To find more detail on any of these or to learn about the unit operations not
discussed here, check out the Computer Based Training Courses available on the AspenTech support website.
Unit Operation Block Name Tab

Classifier Classifier Solids
Crusher Crusher Solids
Crystallizer Crystallizer Solids
Convective Dryer and Spray Dryer Dryer Solids
Granulator/Agglomerator Granulator Solids

Multi-stage Solids Waster and
CCD Solids
Counter Current Decanter
Screen Screen Solids
Single Stage Solids Washer Swash Solids
Centrifuge Cfuge Solids Separators
Cyclone Cyclone Solids Separators
Electrostatic Precipitator ESP Solids Separators
Fabric Filter FabFl Solids Separators
Filter Filter Solids Separators
Hydrocyclone HyCyc Solids Separators
Venturi Scrubber Vscrub Solids Separators
Fluidized Bed FluidBed Solids
Solids Conveying Pipe & Pipeline Pressure Changers
Table 2: Solids unit operations in Aspen Plus
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The Model Palette

To open the Model Palette, click the Model Palette button in the Show group on the View tab (Figure 16). There
are two tabs on the Model Palette that contain solid unit operations, the Solids tab and the Solids Separators tab
(Figure 17).
Figure 16: The Model Palette button
Figure 17: The solids model palettes Solids (top), Solids Separators (middle), and Pressure Changers (bottom)
Dryer
There are two ways to model a dryer in Aspen Plus: shortcut dryer and convective dryer. There is also an option
to model a Spray Dryer in Aspen Plus. Please see the section below. In order to switch types, use the dropdown menu on
the Specifications tab for the dryer (Figure 18). The shortcut dryer allows you to model the unit operation with a minimum
of information and can be used for any type of dryer. The convective model requires additional material streams for input
and output of a drying gas (Figure 19) and requires more information. This is the more rigorous model.
Figure 18: Select dryer type
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Figure 19: Material streams for convective dryer model - red indicates a required stream, while blue indicates an optional stream
There are a number of self-guided examples pertaining to modeling dryers in Aspen Plus available on aspenONE
Exchange. Examples include a belt dryer, fluidized bed dryer, mill dryer, flash dryer, and a batch dryer.
Spray Dryer
The Spray Dryer model is found in the Dryer block and allows you to model a wide range of industrial spray
dryers. The model is based on single droplet drying kinetics and does not consider the coalescence of droplets or the
agglomeration of particles. The model considers multiple aspects of the spray dryer including atomization, droplet
movement, drying, and particle formulation.
Under the atomization tab, users have the ability to specify the type of model used for the droplet size distribution,
including a built-in atomization model.
Figure 20: Atomization can be specified with the atomization tab of the Spray Dryer unit operation
The droplet movement is considered as downward fall and the equation of motion is derived from a force balance with
ignores lift. The model considers the first (constant drying rate) and the second (falling drying rate) period. The second
drying rate is described by use of a normalized drying curve. The normalized drying curve can be defined as tabular data or
by use of a drying curve function. Particle formulation starts after the moisture content of the particle reaches the critical
moisture content. Particle formulation can either be described with a solid particle model or with a porous particle model.
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Solid Particle
Droplet Wet Particle e

kag
h rin
al S
Ide
Const
Diameter
Porous Particle
Ideal
Shrinkage
Xcrit
1st Drying Stage 2nd Drying Stage
Figure 21: After critical moisture is met, the particle can either shrink in diameter to a solid particle or maintain a constant diameter and become a
porous particle
There is a self-guided example pertaining to modeling a spray dryer in Aspen Plus available on aspenONE Exchange.
Crystallizer
The crystallization block allows you to model steady-state crystallization. To do so, you can choose between
three different calculation methods: solubility, chemistry, and user subroutine (Figure 20).
Figure 22: The crystallizer form: input calculation method and operating mode
Each method requires a different set of input parameters, so you can choose how to calculate based on available property
and operating information.
Granulator
The granulator block allows you to model the growth of particles by either granulation or agglomeration. In
addition to this, the block has a short cut model that allows you to define the outlet PSD (conceptual/short-cut model).
Table 3 summarizes the minimum stream requirements for each of these options. If you include a gas stream, the model
assumes a fluidized bed granulator or agglomerator and you cannot use either of the shortcut methods.
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Table 3: Granulator methods and their associated stream requirements
If you select particle growth by granulation, there are two available calculation models: mixed and plug flow. In mixed, all
parameters are independent of position, whereas in plug flow, size is dependent on position. Both models assume:
Steady state process

All particles are spherical
The suspension and particles are homogeneous
In the case of a fluidized bed granulator, solids may be elutriated or entrained by the fluidizing gas. To consider this, you
must add a fluidization gas stream to the block and specify the cross-sectional area of the granulator and the separation
sharpness (Figure 21).
Figure 23: Specify elutriation parameters for a fluidized bed granulator
There are self-guided examples for modeling granulation and agglomeration in Aspen Plus available on aspenONE
Exchange.
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Crusher
You can model a variety of crushers and mills with the crusher block. Aspen Plus provides three methods to
determine the outlet PSD:
Use an equipment model (e.g. hammer mill)
Determine outlet PSD from a power and distribution function
Define outlet PSD by use of a distribution function or tabular data
If you want to use an equipment model, you must choose the equipment type and provide the necessary geometry and
operating parameters. (Figure 22).
Figure 24: Specify crusher type
For a first estimate, it might be sufficient to specify the outlet size distribution or determine it based on the comminution
power. If you wish to use a comminution power, you must provide a Bond work index on the Grindability tab and specify if
you wish to use Bonds, Rittingers, or Kicks law to calculate it (Figure 23). Table 4 summarizes the appropriate situations
for each law.
Table 4: Determine the appropriate comminution law
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Figure 25: Specify comminution law and bond work index for a crusher
You can define the outlet PSD by using either distribution functions or by using tabular data.
Figure 26: Specify outlet PSD using tabular data for a crusher
There is a self-guided example for modeling crushing and screen potassium chloride in Aspen Plus available on aspenONE
Exchange.
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Screen
Aspen Plus allows you to model multi-deck screens. When creating a screen block, you must include outlet
overflow (course material) and underflow (fine material) streams. You also have the option of adding up to nine midsize
streams. Once you have added the appropriate number of material streams, you must fill out the stream specification
matrix. Aspen Plus will automatically provide the appropriate number of screen decks to accommodate the desired
number of outlet streams (Figure 25).
Figure 27: Screen specification matrix
The classification of the particles on each screen deck is described by a selection function (e.g. Plitt, Rogers, Molerus etc.).
In addition, you can also specify an offset of fines leaving with the coarse material, or calculate the fish-hook effect using
the Whiten model by filling out the appropriate parameters on the matrix.
Fluidized Bed
The fluidized bed model in Aspen Plus allows you to model reactions, fluid mechanics, and the interaction of
bothas well as the entrainment of particles. It also considers the geometry of the vessel, any additional gas supply, and
the impact of heat exchangers on the bed temperature and fluid mechanics. With these features, you can determine the
minimum fluidization velocity, the transport disengagement height, and the entrainment of solids from the bed. The
fluidized bed model considers two zones in the vessel, the bottom zone or dense bed and the freeboard, allowing you to
determine the bubble related profiles in the bottom zone and the entrainment of solids in the freeboard
Figure 28: To the left is a schematic of the two zones within the fluidized bed and to the right is the corresponding solids holdup as a function of
reactor height
Chemical reactions can be considered in the fluidized bed including changes in the PSD due to reactions. The reactions are
defined in the reactions form for the simulation and can be further described with solids information by clicking the solids
button.
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Figure 29: For reactions involving solid phases, a solids form,

accessed in the reactions tab, allows the user to specify which
phases the reactants are in
There are self-guided examples for modeling fluidization, including a fluidized bed reactor in Aspen Plus available on
aspenONE Exchange.
Conveying
Pneumatic conveying is used to transport powdered and granular solid material over short and long
distances. This can be described by using the pipe or pipeline blocks that can be found on the Pressure Changers tab in the
model palette of Aspen Plus. Both the pipe and the pipeline block allow you to model dilute and dense phase conveying of
granular solids. In general, dilute phase has a lower solids loading and a lower pressure drop but the velocity at which the
solids travel through the pipe needs to be relatively fast to avoid saltation or clogging. With dense phase conveying, solids
are transported in dunes or slugs at low velocities and high pressure.
Conveying lines can be operated in pressure or suction mode, depending on the positioning of the blower which is
responsible for the pressure change.
Figure 30: Users can see the pressure, elevation, and velocity as a function of the pipeline length
There is a self-guided example for modeling transportation of solids by pneumatic conveying in Aspen Plus available on
aspenONE Exchange.
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Analysis
Results Summary
The quickest way to find specific simulation results is to use the results summaries. Aspen Plus generates a variety of
summaries, but in this case we are going to focus on model and stream summaries.
Model Summary
The model summary provides information on the input parameters and operating conditions for every block in your
process. It is organized by unit operation, so all of the blocks of a common type are summarized on the same tab
(Figure 26).
Figure 31: The model summary form
Tips and Tricks: Blue parameters in the model summary are user inputs and can be changed
directly in the form.
To open the model summary, select the Model Summary button in the Summary group on the Home tab (Figure 27). You
can also select Models under the Results Summary folder in the Navigation Pane.
Figure 32: The Model Summary button
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Stream Summary
The stream summary displays all of the information available on each of the streams in the model. To find information on
streams that contain solid materials, it is important to scroll down the summary matrix until you reach the item that says
*** ALL PHASES ***. Complete data for solids-containing streams will only be available below this row (Figure 28).
Figure 33: Scroll down to *** ALL PHASES *** to find data on streams containing solid materials
To view the stream summary, click the Stream Summary button in the Summary group on the Home tab (Figure 29). You
can also select Streams under the Results Summary folder in the Navigation Pane. When viewing the summary you
have the option of viewing all streams, or restricting your view to selected streams. To choose, select the appropriate
option from the Display dropdown in the upper left corner.
Figure 34: The stream summary - Choose to see either all streams or selected streams
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Additionally, you can filter what type of data is shown in the stream results by selecting a category from the Format
dropdown menu (next to the Display dropdown). To view the particle size distribution of each screen in tabular form,
select SOLIDS.
Tips and Tricks: Data from the matrices provided by the model and stream summaries can
easily be highlighted and then copied and pasted directly into Microsoft Excel.
Plots
There are a variety of plots that you can create to visually analyze your data (PSD, Separation Efficiency, etc.). To generate
a plot, open the form for a unit operation or material stream and select the appropriate button from the Plot group on the
Home Tab. Note that you may have to scroll down to reach the desired button. You can also view all the available plot
types by clicking the down arrow below the scroll bar (Figure 30). To determine what type of information is displayed on
each plot, hover over the button.
Figure 35: Select the desired type of plot
Bear in mind, different types of unit operations and material streams are conducive to generating different kinds of plots.
For example, you cannot generate PSD plots unless solids are present.
Note: You can only generate plots if you have run the simulation and obtained results.
21
Activated Economics
While developing a design, you can utilize activated economics to explore different configurations and options to choose
the most cost effective design. With activate analysis, you can explore priliminary cost analysis with the click of a bottom
and explore the costs associated with each step by hovering over the unit after running activated economics.
Figure 36: Economic Analysis was done for the crushing section of this process to determine a first estimate of the cost of the project
22
Additional Resources
For further information on solids process modeling with Aspen Plus please consult:
Public Website:
http://www.aspentech.com/
Support Website:
The support website provides an extensive and growing knowledge base as well as Computer Based Training (CBT)
Courses
http://support.aspentech.com/webteamasp/My/FrameDef.asp?/webteamasp/My/product.asp?id1=4&id2=''&id3=all
Example Files:
Click the Examples button on the Get Started tab when you open Aspen Plus to see some out of the box simulations.
Using aspenONE Exchange or the support website, you can also access Self Guided Examples, which include both an
example simulation and a step-by-step guide to work through the example. These self-guided examples can also be
accessed here: http://www.aspentech.com/October_2013_solids_modeling_demo_AT/
23
About AspenTech
AspenTech is a leading supplier of software that optimizes process manufacturingfor energy, chemicals,
engineering and construction, and other industries that manufacture and produce products from a
chemical process. With integrated aspenONE solutions, process manufacturers can implement best
practices for optimizing their engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain operations. As a result,
AspenTech customers are better able to increase capacity, improve margins, reduce costs, and become
more energy efficient. To see how the worlds leading process manufacturers rely on AspenTech to
achieve their operational excellence goals, visit www.aspentech.com. Worldwide Headquarters
Aspen Technology, Inc.
200 Wheeler Road
Burlington, MA 01803
United States
phone: +17812216400
fax: +17812216410
info@aspentech.com
Regional Headquarters
Houston, TX | USA
phone: +12815841000
So Paulo | Brazil
phone: +551134436261
Reading | United Kingdom
phone: +44(0)1189226400
Singapore | Republic of Singapore
phone: +6563953900
Manama | Bahrain
phone: +97317503000
2014 Aspen Technology, Inc. AspenTech, aspenONE, the aspenONE logo, the Aspen leaf logo, and OPTIMIZE are trademarks of Aspen For a complete list of offices, please visit
Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. 11-4823-0414 www.aspentech.com/locations

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Jump Start: Solids Process Modeling in Aspen Plus

A Brief Tutorial (and supplement to training and online documentation)

The Aspen Plus User Interface

Version Date of Release Features

Figure 1: Main components of the Aspen Plus user interface

Figure 2: The Next button

Solids Flow Sheet Templates

Figure 3: Solids templates

Specifying Global Units

Figure 4: Specify global units

Specifying Solid Components

Figure 5: Find compounds

Figure 6: Specify a stream as solid

Specifying Property Method

Figure 7: Select property method

Figure 8: New property specification

Figure 9: Specify properties for desired compounds

Specifying Stream Class

Figure 10: Specify stream class

Particle Size Distribution Meshes

Figure 11: Create PSD mesh

Figure 12: Create additional PSD meshes

Figure 13: Reveal PSD section for a CI Solid form

Unit Operation Block Name Tab

Crusher Crusher Solids

Crystallizer Crystallizer Solids

Convective Dryer and Spray Dryer Dryer Solids

Granulator/Agglomerator Granulator Solids

Single Stage Solids Washer Swash Solids

Centrifuge Cfuge Solids Separators

Cyclone Cyclone Solids Separators

Electrostatic Precipitator ESP Solids Separators

Fabric Filter FabFl Solids Separators

Filter Filter Solids Separators

Hydrocyclone HyCyc Solids Separators

Venturi Scrubber Vscrub Solids Separators

Fluidized Bed FluidBed Solids

Solids Conveying Pipe & Pipeline Pressure Changers

Table 2: Solids unit operations in Aspen Plus

The Model Palette

Figure 16: The Model Palette button

Figure 18: Select dryer type

Droplet Wet Particle e

1st Drying Stage 2nd Drying Stage

Table 3: Granulator methods and their associated stream requirements

Steady state process

Figure 23: Specify elutriation parameters for a fluidized bed granulator

Figure 24: Specify crusher type

Table 4: Determine the appropriate comminution law

Figure 27: Screen specification matrix

Figure 29: For reactions involving solid phases, a solids form,

Figure 31: The model summary form

Figure 32: The Model Summary button

Figure 35: Select the desired type of plot

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