Modeling Distillation Columns in Aspen HYSYS

Use Process Models to Make Better Decisions

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

Modeling Distillation Columns in Aspen HYSYS

Laura Chutny, B.Sc., M.Eng., P.Eng.
5 years experience in AspenTech Technical Support
10 years previous experience in refining, oil and gas and
EPC

http://support.aspentech.com

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

Aspen HYSYS Family Web Seminars

Schedule for Next 2 Months
Topic

Modeling Distillation Columns in

Aspen HYSYS:
Use Process Models to Make Better
Decisions

Enhancing Refinery Models with

Aspen RefSYS:

Date 1
@ 3 pm ET (US)

Date 2
@ 1400 GMT

May 9, 2006

May 18, 2006

Today!
June 8, 2006

June 22, 2006

Bridge the Gap Between Process

Modeling and Planning with Advanced
Refinery Simulation

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

Agenda

Why model Distillation Columns?

Basic Column Modeling
Beyond the Basics
Decision Making with distillation models
Resources for further work
Demonstration as we go
Q&A

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

Why model Distillation Columns?

A working, tuned model of your plant
distillation column allows:
Quick what-if studies for planning/scheduling
Quick analysis of performance to troubleshoot an
upset column
In-depth engineering studies for operational
optimization
Jumping off point for design of newer facilities
Benchmarking for location-wide or company-wide
analysis

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

Whats in this presentation for me??

Tools to use the Column in Aspen HYSYS to
model your real plant column
Tips and tricks to troubleshoot common
column modeling challenges
Tools to leverage Aspen HYSYS for decision
making with distillation columns
Resources to find out more

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

Basic Column Modeling

Building the Column

Add using Object Palette or Menu
Can use different Prop. Pkg. in Column
Customizable column configuration
Side operations available side strippers,
side rectifiers, pump-arounds and vapour
bypasses
Save Column as a template (*.col) file

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

Basic Column Modeling

NGL Fractionation Train

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

Basic Column Modeling

De-ethanizer (DC2) and Column Environment

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

Basic Column Modeling

De-ethanizer with Custom Condenser circuit

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

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Basic Column Modeling

Prebuilt Columns also Available (Flowsheet | Add Operation)

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

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Basic Column Modeling

How do I specify the operating parameters?

Dont add specs to column product streams!

Add specifications using Monitor or Specs page
Virtually any type of specification is available
Spec Type:
Fixed/Ranged
Primary/Alternate (work in pairs)

Ensure specs give unique operating point (choose

key separation component wisely)

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

12

Basic Column Modeling

How do I run my column?

Ensure Degrees of Freedom = 0

Press Run
Press Reset to remove any previous solution only
Watch the Monitor page a dashboard for
running the column

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

13

Basic Column Modeling

Monitor Page and Specifications

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

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Basic Column Modeling

Flexible design custom or pre-built

Specifying operating parameters
Running the Column
Use the Monitor Page!

But what happens if... ???

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

15

Beyond the Basics

Solver
Ideal Trays / Efficiencies
Tips & Tricks

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

16

Beyond the Basics

Solver
6 Types available
Generally use HYSIM I/O or Modified
HYSIM I/O
Very robust, need little or no estimates
Independent of main solver
Adjust solver information on Parameters |
Solver page

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

17

Beyond the Basics

Ideal Trays / Efficiencies
Aspen HYSYS default is Ideal Trays
To match plant data:
Change number of trays (i.e. overall efficiency)
Change tray efficiency (modified Murphree type) on
Parameters | Efficiencies

Special cases:
In Amine simulation, real trays assumed, component
efficiencies for H2S and CO2 are used
In Dynamics, use real # of trays and efficiencies relate to
vapour bypass

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

18

Beyond the Basics

Tips & Tricks
Only use initial estimates if absolutely necessary
Avoid conflicting specifications:
Dont fix all product flows
Dont fix all specs in one area (e.g. overhead T, distillate
and vapour rates)
Dont subcool with a partial condenser

If trays are drying out:

Check temperature and duty specs

Fix tray traffic, let duty vary
Check feed temperature, quality and location
Increase boil up and/or steam rates

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

19

Beyond the Basics

Tips & Tricks
If top tray has no liquid:
Top tray temperature estimate too high
Condenser duty too low
Reflux rate too low

If pump around is giving trouble, try converging

first with energy stream
Build and converge complex columns in small
increments

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

20

Decision Making with Distillation Models

Tray Sizing Utility

Internal Streams
Data Recorder Tool

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

21

Decision Making with Distillation Models

Tray Sizing Utility
Design or Rating mode
Can use on any or all trays of a section
Use for Sieve, Valve, Bubble Cap, Packing,
Chimney and Sump
Do alternate designs of same section, or design
and rate a section
Obtain all data for use in tray manufacturer design
programs
Export calculated pressure drop back to column
(versus using estimated pressure drop)

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

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Decision Making with Distillation Models

Tray Sizing Utility

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

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Decision Making with Distillation Models

Internal Streams (Flowsheet | Internal Streams)

Monitor a tray
Model complex side ops outside column environment
Track a component
Can show Net or Total, Liquid or Vapour from a tray

Data Recorder Tool

Not part of the column, part of the Databook
Use to record predetermined set of process variables
when desired by user

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

24

Resources
Books
Refinery Process Modeling by Gerald L. Kaes
Distillation Design and Distillation Operation by
Henry Kister

Documentation
Chapter 2.0 of the Aspen HYSYS Operations
Guide

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

25

Resources
Online at AspenTech Support (http://support.aspentech.com):
Aspen HYSYS Training materials
(http://support.aspentech.com/supportpublictrain/TrainHome.htm)
Process Modeling using Aspen HYSYS
Advanced Process Modeling using Aspen HYSYS
OR attend a course!

Knowledge Base Solutions (for example):

#115038, #109809, #114173, #109398, #109810, #109970

Animated Tutorials (for example):

#108776, #112732

Use Knowledge Base search to find specific information or browse

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

26

Modeling Distillation Columns in Aspen HYSYS

Basic Modeling
Building the Column - Flexibility
Specifications
Running the column model

Beyond the Basics

Solver
Ideal Trays / Efficiencies
Tips & Tricks

Decision Making
Tray Sizing Utility
Internal Streams
Data Recorder Tool

Resources

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

27

Aspen HYSYS Family Web Seminars

Schedule for Next 2 Months
Topic

Modeling Distillation Columns in

Aspen HYSYS:
Use Process Models to Make Better
Decisions

Enhancing Refinery Models with

Aspen RefSYS:

Date 1
@ 3 pm ET (US)

Date 2
@ 1400 GMT

May 9, 2006

May 18, 2006

Today!
June 8, 2006

June 22, 2006

Bridge the Gap Between Process

Modeling and Planning with Advanced
Refinery Simulation

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

28

Aspen HYSYS Family Web Seminars

Future Topics
Be sure to visit www.aspentech.com to register!
Aspen HYSYS Upstream Overview
Safety, Reliability and Operability: Dynamic Modeling with Aspen Dynamics
Flare System Health Check
Simulation for the Masses: Power of Aspen HYSYS Models with Aspen Simulation Workbook
Aspen HYSYS Property Packages
Modeling FCC Units with Aspen RefSYS CatCracker, and Updating LP Vectors
Aspen HYSYS Utilities: Phase Envelopes and Depressuring
Aspen Icarus Process Evaluator (IPE) and Aspen HYSYS
Extending the Aspen HYSYS Value: Rigorous HX Modeling with Tasc+, Acol+ and Muse
Simulating Hydraulics in Aspen HYSYS: Steady State and Dynamics
Aspen HYSYS Dynamics: Advanced Features and Controllers
Email your suggestions to [email protected]

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

29

Modeling Distillation Columns in Aspen HYSYS

Q&A
For more information, contact support:
http://support.aspentech.com
[email protected]
1-888-996-7100, press 4 then 2

2006 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

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