Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Implementation Background
Q: What is the underlying literature (books, publications, etc.) used in Column Analysis?
A: The literature references are included in the V9 Product Help in the software.
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Q: Are correlations for vendor-specific internals included in Column Analysis?
A: For conventional trays, we only use the literature published methods. For packing, we use the
Aspen-Wallis correlation which is proprietary and matches experiments well or better in some
cases than other literature correlations and vendor-sizing tools. We also collaborated with the
vendor Raschig for updated pressure drop and mass transfer correlations for their packings in
V9 of aspenONE Engineering.
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Q: What are the available hydraulics correlations?
A: You can find this information in the Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus in-product documentation,
which has an extensive list.
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Q: In the older versions of Aspen HYSYS, we noted that the expected flooding factors were very
conservative. What level of confidence has this new version analysis in the prediction of
flooding or other hydraulic limitation?
A: In the Column Analysis white paper, we did an extensive comparison of hydraulic results from
V9 with experimental data and the agreement is excellent.
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Q: Can this model work with rate-based modeling?
A: Yes, Column Analysis is compatible with Aspen Rate-Based DistillationTM in Aspen Plus and
Acid Gas Cleaning in Aspen HYSYS (which uses rate-based technology).
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Q: Can the hydraulic evaluation work with tray efficiency?
A: The user can specify the actual number of trays and define a tray efficiency to account for
non-ideal stages.
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Q: How is the diameter, downcomer width or other geometry calculated?
A: For both trays and packing, a section diameter is calculated based on the tray with the
maximum liquid volume flow rate. For trays, this is based on an 80% jet flood limit. For packing,
this is based on an 80% (by default) approach to maximum capacity. In addition, the number of
passes in trays is determined to meet the maximum weir loading, and the downcomers are sized
to meet the maximum downcomer exit velocity.
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Q: Are the hydraulic calculations solved with either Aspen HYSYS or Aspen Plus?
A: No, hydraulic calculations are post-solve calculations. The pressure profile results from Column
Analysis, which can be updated for the rest of the flowsheet by clicking the Update pressure
drop from bottom/top buttons.
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Q: Does the Column Analysis white paper include published FRI data thats compared to Column
Analysis?
A: The white paper does include comparisons to some of the FRI experiments and data.
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Q: Does Column Analysis work with Activated Economics when estimating the costs of the
column with new internals, installation costs, etc.?
A: Column Analysis can work with Activated Economics, but with some exceptions.
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Q: Can I perform hydraulic analysis on all columns?
A: All Aspen HYSYS columns, except for the shortcut petroleum column and the liquid-liquid
extractor, are supported. Side strippers and rectifiers can be sized and rated along with the main
towers. In Aspen Plus, only RadFrac is supported; Petrofrac and Multifrac are not supported. The
legacy TPSAR is supported for Petrofrac and MultiFrac.
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Specific Applications
Q: Is it possible to model separated wall columns?
A: We dont have a dedicated divided (separated) wall column in either Aspen Plus or
Aspen HYSYS. The user can use two or more columns that are linked together to represent a
divided wall column. However, Column Analysis assumes that each column is perfectly round.
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Q: Does Column Analysis consider polymerization, such as styrene on trays?
A: If reactions are specified in the column, they will be considered by the column solver, not
Column Analysis. Column Analysis is a post-consumer of simulation results, including state
conditions and transport properties. The hydraulics depend on these results and nothing else.
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Q: Can we check the impact of an inlet device on the hydraulics of the crude column?
A: We support all column types in Aspen HYSYS, including the crude unit with pumparounds and
side strippers/rectifiers.
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Q: Will this hydraulic interface work with an internal column environment,
expanding/integrating overhead condenser and bottoms reboiler?
A: Yes, the detailed hydraulics are still available in the Aspen HYSYS Column sub-flowsheet where
you can see the effects of the reboiler and condenser on the tower hydraulic results.
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Q: Does Column Analysis work with the Acid Gas Cleaning functionality in Aspen HYSYS?
A: Yes, Column Analysis is compatible with the Acid Gas Cleaning technology, replacing the older
methods for specifying the column configurations. Acid Gas Cleaning includes specialized
property packages, including one for MDEA. Hydraulically calculated geometry from internals
can be sent to the Aspen HYSYS rating tab via a Send to Rating Button. Acid Gas Cleaning
forms are linked to the rating tab, which is how you can update Acid Gas Cleaning geometries
with detailed geometries.
Aspen Plus Rate-Based Distillation will also support the new column internals results.
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Q: Can the thermal profile of the column be produced similarly to the tray graphical as was
shown for hydraulics?
A: The thermal profile of the column is determined by the vapor-liquid traffic, which is handled by
the column solver, not Column Analysis.
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Q: Is there any efficiency tray suggestion according to the used fluids?
A: No, not currently.
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Q: Can I export pressure drop?
A: Yes, in Aspen Plus you have the option to update the pressure drop with the hydraulic pressure
drop during every flowsheet convergence. In Aspen HYSYS, you can update the pressure profile
input once.
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Q: Can I compare multiple geometries?
A: Yes, you can create multiple column configurations and then switch between them. In
Aspen HYSYS, you can use the drop down to manage multiple options for internals. In
Aspen Plus, the Column Internals form allows you to manage multiple options and specify the
active design basis. You can also use Aspen Simulation WorkbookTM (an Excel-based tool) to
compare multiple geometries.
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Q: Can I remove the flowsheet indicator in Aspen HYSYS for columns?
A: The small icon for Column Analysis beside the column icon is designed to help the user access
Column Analysis quickly. It can be removed by going to options, equipment and unchecking
Display Decoration on PFD.
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