Aspen Plus – Intermediate Course by Udemy

. Physical Property Environment

This Is the third section of the course after Introduction and flow sheeting
manipulation. The subsections are listed below and notes are made.
1.1 Property Methods Introduction

Ideal v/s Non-ideal

Activity co-efficient models:
 NRTL
 UNIFAC
Equation of state models:
 Peng-Robinson
 SRK
What is a Property method?
It is a collection of models and methods used to calculate Physical properties
(Thermodynamic and Transport). Aspen plus contains a Set of commonly used
thermodynamic models. Choosing the appropriate model is the key in
determining the accuracy of simulation results.
How does it calculate?
 K-method
 Equation of states
a. Ideal/Real gas law (Peng-Robinson, SRK)
 Interactions (Rault’s, Henry’s)
 Pure and binary parameters
 Activity coefficient groups
 Special Systems
a. Steam
b. Amines
c. Grayson
d. Solids
Note: For liquid volume calculations assuming ideality, we use Rackett model.
Producing Binary phase diagrams
1. Select the components
2. Add method (Add ideal as method if needed to compare the graph with real
values)
3. Run the property method
4. Click on the analysis folder and find binary file (or you can find
pure/binary/mixture option in Home).
5. Select component 1&2 (if selected option is binary) and Valid phases. Run
the analysis.

EOS and activation models

EOS
Limited in ability to represent non-
ideal liquids
Consistent in critical region
Can represent both the vapor and
liquid phases
Parameters extrapolate well with the
temperature
Activity Coeff. Model
Can represent non-ideal liquids
In consistent in critical region.
Can represent the liquid phase only.
Gas phase must still rely on EOS.
Binary parameters are highly
dependent on temperature.

Suitability of activity coefficient models

Application Margule Van-Laar Wilson NRTL UNIQUAC

s
Binary System     
Multicomponent   
System
Azeotropic     
System
Liquid-Liquid    
Equilibria
Dilute System   
Self-associating   
System
Polymers 
Extrapolation   
Note: UNIQUAC/UNIFAC model is most preferred model since it can be used
for most of the applications.
Other Points on Property methods
1) NRTL method is relevant only in a particular temperature range.
2) The binary parameters have been regressed using VLE and LLE data of
Dortmund data base.
Property Methods
Typical models are
1) Peng Robinson
2) Soave Redlich Kwong
3) Lee Kesler Pockler

Note: These are recommended only for vapour mixtures with high pressure. If
low pressure, go for activity co-efficient models.
 Peng Robinson is preferred for hydrocarbon processing application such
as gas processing, refinery and petrochemical process.
 Ideal Solution and real gas application also
 SRK is most sough-after method among this list

Property Sets
If we need to display the physical properties In the flowsheet, we can add it by
the below method:
Simulation environment
Setup FolderReport OptionsStreamProperty Sets.
NIST TDE
This is a data base of thermodynamic properties especially equilibrium vapor
liquid. It has a plenty of experimental information which can help us to fit our
model for validation. DeChema is another Thermodynamic database.
NIST is United States National Institute of standards which has a
thermodynamic engine which is used in aspen.
Pure or Binary data can only be found through NIST TDE. The data is dynamic
and is taken from their database. It has more focus on Organic compounds.
Add properties and run the environment after that select
pure/binary to get the pure component/ binary analysis.
Note: Suppose if we take a specific property method for a simulation and if we
need to see its fit, Go for NIST TDE and see the binary T-x-y or p-x-y diagram
and compare. Thus we can understand whether the selected property package is
a good fit or not.
There is a consistency tab next to experimental data of NIST TDE results which
can be used to understand the consistency and there by reliability of the data. If
the endpoint test give you a value of 1, then data is consistent.

Analysis Tools
While running the Pure component analysis for a specified compound in aspen,
the limitation is it runs the property analysis for all the phases at mentioned
temperature and pressure. So, prior knowledge of which phase exists at which
parameters is necessary to properly understand from the pure component
analysis.

CHAPTER 4
UNIT OPERATIONS
Unit Ops Input Conditions Required Other Remarks
Flash2/Flash3/Decante 2 out of T,P,Q,H or vapor
r fraction
Heater One I/P
HeatX Two I/P. Offers Shortcut, Detailed
& Rigorous Simulation

Takeaways:
1) Sep1 & Sep 2 are custom made unit operations. They are recommended
only when composition/Flowrate is known. Recommended for Raw
distillation columns/Flash drums. They don’t calculate values in
equilibrium. Sep 2 offers wide variety of advanced specs such as
purity/Recovery.
2) HeatX can perform design, rating as well as simulation classification. It
performs mechanical vibration analysis as well as rhov2 analysis. It
 estimates maximum fouling, display setting plan and tube sheet layout
drawing.
3) Aspen provides high end heat exchanger design in EDR which is
Exchanger Design & Rating. You need separate license and is available
in aspen plus website.
4) DSTWU performs simulation based on Winn UnderWood Gilliland
Shortcut Design calculation for a single feed, two product distillation
column with a partial or total condenser. It can produce tables and plots
of reflux ration vs No. of stages.
Winn No. Of Stages
Underwood Min. reflux ratio
Gilliland  Feed stage