CHEN 4460 Process Synthesis, Simulation and Optimization

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Simulation Project Reports
CHEN 4460 Process Synthesis, Simulation and
Optimization Dr. Mario Richard EdenDepartment
of Chemical EngineeringAuburn University Lab
Lecture No. 7 Simulation Project and Reports
Overview November 3, 2009
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Project Description

• Vinyl-chloride process
• Based on problem 4.5 in SSL
• Teams of 2 people
• Reports are due December 2
• Reports make up 10 of final grade

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Project Description
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Project Description

• Process specifications

Utilities Cooling water is heated from
30-50C Saturated steam is available at 260C
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Project Description

• Develop a steady state simulation of the process
  in Aspen Plus using the UNIQUAC thermo model.
• Compute the Maximum Energy Recovery (MER) targets
  using graphical and/or algebraic methods
• Design a simple Heat Exchanger Network (HEN) to
  meet the MER targets
• Implement the heat exchanger network and repeat
  the simulation
• Analyze and comment on the results generated in
  all steps!

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General Comments

• Format and Content
• Formatting is up to the individual groups. Pick a
  format you like and stick to it.
• Figures and tables should be presented as close
  as possible to where they are used in the text.
• Include an executive summary or abstract
  highlighting the main points of the report.
• Include a description of how the work was
  distributed within the group (for assessment
  purposes).

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General Comments

• Format and Content (Continued)
• Detailed calculations of e.g. material balance
  should be placed in an appendix, while the
  solution strategy should be presented in the main
  body of the report.
• Extensive (but not excessive) use of headings
  helps give overview.
• The report should allow the reader to fully
  understand the problem, the steps taken to solve
  it, and the results obtained.
• A frontpage is always nice ?

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General Comments

• Problem Solving
• Always outline the solution steps in generic
  terms before plugging in numbers
• Whenever you make a decision, make sure you argue
  why you made it.
• If you get stuck on a problem because of you are
  missing one piece of information, make an
  assumption and state it, then show you know how
  to solve the problem