Modeling and Simulation Move Forward

More tools and fresh applications bring modeling and simulation to all facets of chemical processing Modeling and simulation software is becoming not only more powerful, but also more user friendly and affordable, making it a valuable tool for chemical processors who are using all types of simulation packages to optimize equipment, processes and practices. Today’s offerings include process modeling and simulation software, which is being used in fresh ways, as well as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools, simulation solutions for increasing reliability and training simulators.   Process simulation Process simulation software can be used in a variety of ways. One method is “front-end engineering” in which it serves as an aid when designing a new process or re-designing an existing one. “In these applications, the software is used to provide an engineering analysis that will help users find ways to improve the process or increase throughput efficiency,” explains Steve Brown, executive vice president and chief operating officer with Chemstations (Houston, www.chemstations.com), which offers Chemcad, an integrated suite of chemical process engineering software with process simulation (Figure 1). Figure 1. Designed…